The best beach camping near Sun Valley

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The small resort town of Sun Valley sits in central Idaho, about 150 miles east of state capital Boise. Skiing is quite popular in the winter months around here. The area's Bald Mountain regularly appears on lists of the world's best peaks to ski. Sun Valley is also popular among travelers headed to the nearby Sawtooth National Forest. With over 2.1 million acres worth of forest, there's plenty of exploring to be done here! The region's many hot springs are a big draw for those who enjoy relaxing in the natural heat. If you're into no-frills camping, aim for Sawtooth's Boundary Campground. The area is pretty small, with just nine sites. Still, it's very convenient to Sun Valley, Ketchum, and local trailheads while retaining a sense of seclusion. The Wood River Campground is similarly secluded but slightly larger. This camp contains 30 single-use campsites. Picnic tables and public toilets in this area provide a bit more amenities than Boundary Campground.

Top-rated campgrounds near Sun Valley

Sawtooth National Forest

1. Sawtooth National Forest

95%
(77)
National forest 56mi from Sun Valley · 683 sites
Find four-season outdoor fun in this mountainous landscape.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Salmon-Challis National Forest

2. Salmon-Challis National Forest

82%
(22)
National forest 63mi from Sun Valley · 429 sites
Idaho oh Idaho. You never disappoint. The Salmon-Challis National Forest represents this flawlessly. Rugged mountains give way to untamed rivers; granite peaks gaze over sapphire alpine lakes; whitewater rafters cascade through rapids; and each day’s quest can lead to a different trail in the epic Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, which happens to be the largest contiguous wilderness area in the continental United States! Rugged and remote, this country offers millions of acres filled with breathtaking views from gravel roads, enough fish to stock your freezer all winter, and groves of cedar trees where you can set up your tent and peer out to the ocean of stars. At night listen to the coyotes call, the owls hoot, and the clink of cans as you toast to this recreational heaven. Idaho of Idaho, you are so much more than just a potato!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Challis Field Office

3. Challis Field Office

83%
(3)
Park 56mi from Sun Valley · 85 sites
Challis Field Office offers wild lands, wild views, and wild adventures for even the pickiest of explorers. Hiking the trails to the scenic overlook of Mt. Caleb is sure to get you going, or pop on down to the Big Lost River for some shore-fire relaxing, rafting, and fishing. Big game hunters and anglers are going to go bananas over the opportunities here! The crystal clear Salmon River Canyon in particular offers trout and salmon fishing that will make you giddy! This is THE place for that record catch. Offroaders and history buffs will dig the ghost town of Bayshore, but the real wild time is your comfy sleeping bag around the fire at one of Challis’ campgrounds at the end of your adventure filled day.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Boise National Forest

4. Boise National Forest

81%
(42)
National forest 70mi from Sun Valley · 653 sites
You could say Boise National Forest is in the tri-forest area. It is surrounded on all sides by Payette, Salmon-Challis, and Sawtooth National Forests, it is situated conveniently close to both urban fun in Boise, and limitless wilderness adventures everywhere else. Alpine tundra is dotted with evergreen forest in the green rolling hills here, topped with snow, and anchored by sparkling valley waterways. The Payette River is great for rafting, while Banks Beach and Beehive Bend are just some of the prime access points on the forest’s 250 lakes and reservoirs (Arrowrock Reservoir has surprisingly primo salmon fishing for central Idaho). Hikers will find 500 trails, including some that lead to 360-panoramic views at fire lookouts. The ambitious should try 10,000-foot high Trinity Mountain, while more liesurely trekkers will get just as good a view at Silver Creek. As if that’s not all enough to keep you busy, there are also endless mountain biking trails, including a scenic route along Shafer Butte. You’ll have your hands full at this intersection of so many great parks!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
The small resort town of Sun Valley sits in central Idaho, about 150 miles east of state capital Boise. Skiing is quite popular in the winter months around here. The area's Bald Mountain regularly appears on lists of the world's best peaks to ski. Sun Valley is also popular among travelers headed to the nearby Sawtooth National Forest. With over 2.1 million acres worth of forest, there's plenty of exploring to be done here! The region's many hot springs are a big draw for those who enjoy relaxing in the natural heat. If you're into no-frills camping, aim for Sawtooth's Boundary Campground. The area is pretty small, with just nine sites. Still, it's very convenient to Sun Valley, Ketchum, and local trailheads while retaining a sense of seclusion. The Wood River Campground is similarly secluded but slightly larger. This camp contains 30 single-use campsites. Picnic tables and public toilets in this area provide a bit more amenities than Boundary Campground.

Top-rated campgrounds near Sun Valley

Sawtooth National Forest

1. Sawtooth National Forest

95%
(77)
National forest 56mi from Sun Valley · 683 sites
Find four-season outdoor fun in this mountainous landscape.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Salmon-Challis National Forest

2. Salmon-Challis National Forest

82%
(22)
National forest 63mi from Sun Valley · 429 sites
Idaho oh Idaho. You never disappoint. The Salmon-Challis National Forest represents this flawlessly. Rugged mountains give way to untamed rivers; granite peaks gaze over sapphire alpine lakes; whitewater rafters cascade through rapids; and each day’s quest can lead to a different trail in the epic Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, which happens to be the largest contiguous wilderness area in the continental United States! Rugged and remote, this country offers millions of acres filled with breathtaking views from gravel roads, enough fish to stock your freezer all winter, and groves of cedar trees where you can set up your tent and peer out to the ocean of stars. At night listen to the coyotes call, the owls hoot, and the clink of cans as you toast to this recreational heaven. Idaho of Idaho, you are so much more than just a potato!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Challis Field Office

3. Challis Field Office

83%
(3)
Park 56mi from Sun Valley · 85 sites
Challis Field Office offers wild lands, wild views, and wild adventures for even the pickiest of explorers. Hiking the trails to the scenic overlook of Mt. Caleb is sure to get you going, or pop on down to the Big Lost River for some shore-fire relaxing, rafting, and fishing. Big game hunters and anglers are going to go bananas over the opportunities here! The crystal clear Salmon River Canyon in particular offers trout and salmon fishing that will make you giddy! This is THE place for that record catch. Offroaders and history buffs will dig the ghost town of Bayshore, but the real wild time is your comfy sleeping bag around the fire at one of Challis’ campgrounds at the end of your adventure filled day.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Boise National Forest

4. Boise National Forest

81%
(42)
National forest 70mi from Sun Valley · 653 sites
You could say Boise National Forest is in the tri-forest area. It is surrounded on all sides by Payette, Salmon-Challis, and Sawtooth National Forests, it is situated conveniently close to both urban fun in Boise, and limitless wilderness adventures everywhere else. Alpine tundra is dotted with evergreen forest in the green rolling hills here, topped with snow, and anchored by sparkling valley waterways. The Payette River is great for rafting, while Banks Beach and Beehive Bend are just some of the prime access points on the forest’s 250 lakes and reservoirs (Arrowrock Reservoir has surprisingly primo salmon fishing for central Idaho). Hikers will find 500 trails, including some that lead to 360-panoramic views at fire lookouts. The ambitious should try 10,000-foot high Trinity Mountain, while more liesurely trekkers will get just as good a view at Silver Creek. As if that’s not all enough to keep you busy, there are also endless mountain biking trails, including a scenic route along Shafer Butte. You’ll have your hands full at this intersection of so many great parks!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Value Prop
Value Prop
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Top state and regional parks near Sun Valley, ID