- Sawtooth National Forest
The best camping in Sawtooth National Forest, ID
95% (77)
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M
Matt
2 weeks ago
Tent
With pets
Tammy was a great host. She answered all my questions in a timely manner. Even tho the property was closed for the season she allowed me to stay last minute. Helped to make for a smooth road trip. The property was clean and quiet.
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J
Jeff
October 2025
16 ft car
Exactly as described. Read the reviews, you'll know what you're in for. Solid night.
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Nate
September 2025
20 ft campervan
With pets
We loved everything about our stay at Cactus River Ranch! The setting along the river was lovely, everything was clean, the bathrooms and showers were great, and having laundry was a huge plus. We’ll definitely be back!
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K
Kay
September 2025
26 ft travel trailer
With pets
The campground was small, clean and quiet, and located off the main road but close to Salmon.
Jessica and her husband are great hosts. Jessica responded quickly to any questions we had.
We highly recommend the campground!!
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G
Grace
September 2025
25 ft travel trailer
With kids
This was my families first ever camper trip. This was the perfect spot for us. It had every luxury like a shower and WiFi but felt private and was perfect for my toddler and baby with no cars in sight. The stars at night were incredible and the sound of the river felt like a dream. The host was super responsive. There were even two dogs on property that were very friendly and played fetch with us.
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Jennifer
September 2025
25 ft travel trailer
We loved Brandon and Jessica’s place. Well maintained, small and quiet, right on the river. Beautiful accommodations. We were able to ride our mountain bikes right from our camp site - what a bonus. We will be returning next year.
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D
Diana
September 2025
Tent
With pets
Great camping spot ! The cool. weather at night and the sounds of the river nearby was so relaxing 🏕️🫶🏼
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Douglas
September 2025
25 ft travel trailer
Jessica has a very nice site, and she was extremely flexible when our situation changed. Great host!
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K
Kathleen
August 2025
28 ft travel trailer
Beautiful location. Very clean. Bathrooms look new.
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crash288s5
August 2025
Tent
Tent camped right on the Salmon, in tremendous privacy, with no atv's ripping in an out. Nothing but the sound of the river, horses living their best lives and coyotes yelling at each other occasionally. Easy access to town, Lake Williams, and miles and miles of the Salmon. All that AND two clean bathrooms and a laundry room. Each site also had it's own wooden picnic table and fire ring. The tent camp site was thoughtfully leveled and had wood chips around the table which helped tremendously on keeping the dust down. We couldn't have been more content.
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M
Mike
August 2025
Tent
Awesome site. Super sweat people. Would stay again!
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K
Kelli
August 2025
Tent
We enjoyed a peaceful night rooftop tent camping on Jessica’s land. The Salmon River is stunning and we loved cooking with a view of ospreys diving for fish on the river. The bathroom and showers are pristine as well. We will definitely stay here again.
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E
Eric
August 2025
Tent
This place absolutely rocked. Right on the river. Excellent bathroom and showers. Camp host was so cool. You have to check this out
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Roger
August 2025
Tent
With kids
Nice spot, tucked away right on the river. Showers were great and very clean, nice to be able to get a good hot shower in a clean bathroom while out traveling. Would definitely stay again.
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Annie
August 2025
20 ft pop-up camper
With pets
I would not hesitate to book this site! It was absolutely perfect in every way! The owners are very friendly too!
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Shawn
August 2025
Tent
Water was a must and was easy to reach. Perfect stop along our way.
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N
Nicole
August 2025
Tent
Great tent camping spot! Right on river and peaceful. Restroom and shower were super nice and convenient.
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L
Liz
August 2025
30 ft travel trailer
What a great little campground right on the Salmon River surrounded by hills and farm fields. While it wasn't "private" camping - there are 3 hook-up spots and a couple of dry camps - it was pretty darn close. We stayed 6 nights and the campground was only full one of those nights. There is a bathhouse (with private showers and flushing toilets) and the area is spotless. We watched eagles and osprey soaring over the river and put our kayak in right at the camp to float into town. Jessica was a great hostess. She stopped by a couple of times to check on us and responded to a texted question I had, but otherwise left us alone. The campsite is close enough to town to be able to run in for groceries and ice cream, but far enough out that it's definitely camping. There is hiking very near by and Williams Lake is just up the road. I highly recommend Cactus River Campground. Thank you, Jessica for a great stay.
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A
Andrew
August 2025
43 ft fifth wheel
We arrived with our 43’ fifth wheel and found the driveway a little bit tight, but made it into our spot and loved the stay! Power was strong and clean, water was as well. Great restroom facilities for those who need them. Dogs loved the river, the night sky was beautiful. Stay here if you can!!!
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Lee
July 2025
26 ft travel trailer
It was easy to find and perfectly located next to a river and close enough to a town with gas and places to eat. I would highly recommend this place for a quiet place to relax and enjoy your whole camping experience.
See moreTop public campgrounds in the park
Stay at a public campground in Sawtooth National Forest
Top-rated campgrounds
The best camping in Sawtooth National Forest, ID guide
Overview
About
For optimum stargazing, head to Sawtooth National Forest. Named for central Idaho’s wild and jagged Sawtooth Range and set inside a portion of the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, Sawtooth National Forest provides the perfect vantage point to observe the first and only Gold-Tier dark sky reserve in the United States.
This massive landscape filled with mountain lakes, towering peaks, and scenic rivers can be seen from the Sawtooth Scenic Byway, which travels from Shoshone to Stanley. Hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and paddle sports are all popular ways to enjoy the Sawtooths in summer, while winter brings a playground for snow sports. Camping opportunities are plentiful, from designated campgrounds on alpine lakes to dispersed camping areas set off of remote dirt roads. Fishermen and women should head to Sunny Gulch Campground for easy access to the Salmon River and rainbow trout. Cook your catch in the shelter equipped with a grill and other cooking and dining amenities.
Notable campgrounds
- Best for families: Glacier View Campground
- Best for water sports: Stanley Lake Campground
- Best for hikers: Twin Lakes Campground
Tips for snagging a campsite
- Reservations are strongly recommended for popular areas including Redfish Lake, Stanley Lake, and sites along the Salmon River. Reservations are available six months in advance online and fill quickly for summer weekends and holidays.
- Some camping areas in the Sawtooths are incredibly popular. Arrive mid-week for the best chance at finding a first-come, first-served site through the weekend.
- Cabins are also available at Redfish Lake and can be reserved up to six months in advance online.
When to go
Summer is the best and busiest time for hiking, camping, and sightseeing in the Sawtooth National Forest, so visit mid-week to avoid the crowds at the lakes. Early fall can be a nice time to camp and hike as long as you bring along extra layers. Evenings can get quite chilly in the Sawtooths, even in summer. Spring brings rain, even when higher elevation trails are still covered with snow. Backcountry skiing is often best January through April.
Know before you go
- Sawtooth National Forest campgrounds often include picnic tables, fire rings, and either flush or vault toilets. RV hookups and showers are rarely available.
- Gas, groceries, and all other camping necessities are available in the Sawtooth gateway towns of Ketchum and Stanley. A general store can be found at Redfish Lake.
- Boats, kayaks, and standup paddleboards are available for rent at the Redfish Lake Marina.
- Black bears are a common sight in the Sawtooth National Forest, so follow all bear safety campground rules. Never leave food, garbage, or other scented items unattended.
- Dogs are allowed in most areas in the forest. Dogs are not allowed on beaches and in some areas in spring where their presence may threaten endangered animals.
95%
77 ratings · 9 reviews
Not recommend
· August 2019
Not even one lake at Twin Lakes Campground. Crowded (August) and super noisy and smelled of gas from all the ATVs. Left promptly once someone told me about nearby Cleveland Lake campground. Also very full, but much nicer on a lake. Most suitable for tent camping. I had a hard time sleeping in my camper van because only place to park is right on the campground road, so lights and cars going in and out until midnight.
T
Teya J.
6 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· February 2019
Very busy in the summer!
Sheena H.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· November 2018
Surrounded by panoramic views, but also people. Glampers and Boise families flock here more than anything.
Megan M.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· October 2018
Go camping during the week, it tends to get crowded during the weekend, especially during summer and hunting season in September. Normally closed from November - early June.
Kerisa K.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· January 2018
Can be super crowded in the summer... arrive early to claim your spot!
Caitlin S.
7 years on Hipcamp
January 2018
This campground was amazing! We had to reserve months in advance. Each site has its own little path to the lake. Some of them even have awesome little sand areas which our kids loved and spend almost the whole day! We went in July, the water was freezing but refreshing!
Michelle L.
9 years on Hipcamp
June 2017
Lovely little campground with many amenities close to Redfish Lake Lodge. Each campsite has a dedicated level pad for tents, a picnic table, a bear box, and fire ring. There are also bathrooms which had flushing toilets and running water, and are well maintained. We loved that Point Campground is close to Redfish Lake Lodge, which has a bunch of different activities: horseback riding, kayaking, dog beach, mountain biking, fishing, etc. This campground is great when camping with children, especially with the bathrooms & lack of car traffic on the tent-only side. We will be returning!
Anna W.
8 years on Hipcamp
May 2017
This campground is one of the most beautiful campgrounds you'll find; well maintained, clean, spacious with partial shade or full shade, beautiful view of the Tooths, close to the lake! Also, the camp hosts, the Edmunds are doing a fabulous job at maintaining it! We were there over Memorial weekend, had spot#63 C loop and had a fantastic time!
Anka T.
9 years on Hipcamp
February 2016
Very quiet campground, off the beaten path and quite high up there. We loved our night there and camped right by the lake. You definitely get the feel of camping in the mountains... and without having to backpack in!
Nathan B.
9 years on Hipcamp