Sawtooth Recreation Area Campgrounds

More families are attracted to the Sawtooth National Recreation Area to go camping than to participate in any other type of activity. The 37 developed campgrounds have a total of 700 individual sites, which lie along the Salmon River, in the Stanley, Redfish, and Alturas Lake areas and in the Wood River Valley. There is even some camping allowed outside of the developed campgrounds with some restrictions.

The 37 developed campgrounds and 700 developed individual sites provide parking spaces, water, tables, cooking grills, garbage service, toilets and in some areas shower houses. Each campground also has a regular Forest Service Patrol and is maintained by a concessionaire, which provides either a manager or volunteer campground host located on site.

The area also has commercial RV parks where you can find trailer hookups and showers. However, there are only a few campgrounds that can accommodate RV's that are longer than 22 feet. All developed sites in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area charge a fee that usually ranges from $6 to $8 for a single site or $12 to $16 for a multi-family site.

However, if you enjoy camping early or late in the season when the campgrounds are open, but there are no services, no fees are charged. If you are planning a group get-together, it is important to remember that groups of 25 people or more require a special use permit. Golden Age and Golden Access Passports that entitles the holder to a 50% discount on all campground fees are honored at all campgrounds.

Removal of firewood from the Forest requires a special permit, but campers are allowed to gather firewood for camp use. Firewood is also available from the concessionaire for a small fee.

Minimal camping is allowed outside of developed areas with restrictions. There is no such camping allowed in or around the Alturas or Redfish Lake areas. The restrictions include that the campers should stay on existing roads, pack out trash and pay particular attention to sanitation. Campfires should only be built in an existing fire ring and in the event of high fire danger; undeveloped camping areas will be closed to any type of campfire.