Salmon River Designated Dispersed Campsite #1
Sawtooth National Forest
Write a Review Idaho-75 Stanley, ID 83278 208-727-5000 208-737-3200 Official WebsiteGPS: 44.1768, -114.9237
Overview of Salmon River Designated Dispersed Campsite #1
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads.
Learn more: Boondocking 101
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by The Wandering Shores on 10/3/2022
Longest RV Reported: 34 feet (Travel Trailer)
Reported by Shannon on 8/5/2022
Number of Sites 1
Pad Type dirt
Open Seasonally Yes
Elevation 6,332 ft / 1,929 m
Max Stay 10
Tent Camping Yes
Unlock pro campendium features
Featured Video by The Wandering Shores
Q&A - Ask the Community about Salmon River Designated Dispersed Campsite #1
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 208-727-5000
Campendium users haven't asked any questions about Salmon River Designated Dispersed Campsite #1
Reviews of Salmon River Designated Dispersed Campsite #1 7 people have reviewed this location.
“Video Review of this Camping Area ”
Reviewed 10/3/2022
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
---|---|
Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | N/A |
RV Length: | 28' (Toy Hauler Travel Trailer) |
In this video we provide a comprehensive review of 3 of the free boondocking (dispersed camping) sites near Stanley, Idaho in the Sawtooth National Forest. Salmon River Designated Spots 1, 2 and 3. All locations are in the Sawtooth National Forest and there is a 10 day stay limit between May 1- September 15th with an unlimited stay li... more
In this video we provide a comprehensive review of 3 of the free boondocking (dispersed camping) sites near Stanley, Idaho in the Sawtooth National Forest. Salmon River Designated Spots 1, 2 and 3. All locations are in the Sawtooth National Forest and there is a 10 day stay limit between May 1- September 15th with an unlimited stay limited outside of that time period.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WWH8Vb49Ow&t=531s
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Competitive Area! (and It’s Clear Why!)”
Reviewed 8/5/2022
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
---|---|
Days stayed: | 12 |
RV Length: | 34' (Travel Trailer) |
We arrived in Stanley on a Wednesday after reading about how competitive the campgrounds are there. Despite arriving mid week, we got the very last camp spot available between all campgrounds around Redfish (including Sunny Gulch) and all dispersed areas. Bigger rigs, scout first! Our spot was a very tight fit (getting in, not the sp... more
We arrived in Stanley on a Wednesday after reading about how competitive the campgrounds are there. Despite arriving mid week, we got the very last camp spot available between all campgrounds around Redfish (including Sunny Gulch) and all dispersed areas.
Bigger rigs, scout first! Our spot was a very tight fit (getting in, not the spot itself) for our 34’ TT. Close to the river, but closer to the road where cars are crushing past at 65+ mph. Not a bad spot, and we felt lucky to have it, but might be a little nerve wracking with dogs or smaller kids.
Cell was mediocre - 2 bars on Verizon with the WeBoost. Not great for remote work but it got us through. If you don’t need cell (seems hard to come by in this valley) the camp grounds north of Stanley all had some spots available.
The dispersed camping is quite restricted, as others have noted. We planned a backpacking trip but needed 12 days vs the 10 they allow. We decided to leave our rig the full 12 days since we had no idea where else we’d park it. Rangers were patrolling the area, but they didn’t enforce the rule for us. Lots of campers also coming in for a night or 2 and staying in non-designated spots, probably just for lack of other options. I don’t think rangers ever made them leave either.
Designated #1 has the fewest spots (3, 1 of which only small coaches and tent campers will be able to access due to steep, rocky decline and a sharp turn — also the best site, though). Designated #2 has by far the most options, many big enough to accommodate big rigs. Designated #3 has maybe 6 spots, good roads and all big enough for big rigs.
Dump station by the ranger station just up the road is very nice, with great access, trash, and fresh water. There is also one up the road to redfish lake but a busier, tighter area. Recommend coming with supplies, as the town just has the basics and is packed with tourists.
Despite the challenge and stress of coming in here with a bigger rig, it is a truly unique and stunning spot. Redfish lake has maybe the clearest water we’ve ever seen. Take the boat to the other side, it’s worth the views! Head to the bakery in town, go to all the hot springs, and have a drink at the mountain lodge!
Shannon would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Terrible road, great river access, great spot if Redfish is full”
Reviewed 7/17/2021
Days stayed: | 6 |
---|---|
RV Length: | 25' (Pop Up Camper) |
Stanley Idaho is a real hidden gem. I don't think it will be hidden much longer. We loved Redfish Lake and went to the beach almost every day. There's trail riding, easy paddleboarding, a shallow warm and sandy shore. Crowded on the weekends. Note that the Interagency Pass (America the Beautiful) does not apply to parking fees here. Th... more
Stanley Idaho is a real hidden gem. I don't think it will be hidden much longer. We loved Redfish Lake and went to the beach almost every day. There's trail riding, easy paddleboarding, a shallow warm and sandy shore. Crowded on the weekends. Note that the Interagency Pass (America the Beautiful) does not apply to parking fees here. There are about 5 campgrounds actually on the lake but they were all full.
So we went dispersed. This is the only campground along the road that has a breath of signal. We had to put the antenna on the roof of the popped camper to get anything. But there is very strong signal in Stanley iteself, about 10 minutes away. The river was right off our campsite as was the road - noise was pretty significant.
The road - it's an absolute mess. We had to go 3ish miles an hour to get the camper down it. Do NOT attempt this in anything bigger than a popup or teardrop. You must have a high clearance vehicle (we have a Subaru and it just *barely* made it). That was the biggest drawback, and that it got busy enough people were setting up camp in places that clearly weren't sites. There's a dump station and a dumpster across the street at the Ranger Station, $5 each time on the honor system.
Stanley is awesome. This campsite was a great way to access all the awesome things there. The site itself wasn't fantastic but it served its purpose.
redfox would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Decent enough”
Reviewed 8/1/2020
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
---|---|
Days stayed: | 1 |
I came on a Friday evening and it was packed. So get there a little early if it’s the weekend. I managed to find a spot for my little tent tho no problem. If you head towards the way back of the campsite it will likely require a high clearance vehicle as there are some huge dips along the way. Not insane but big. I had zero T-Mobile se... more
I came on a Friday evening and it was packed. So get there a little early if it’s the weekend. I managed to find a spot for my little tent tho no problem. If you head towards the way back of the campsite it will likely require a high clearance vehicle as there are some huge dips along the way. Not insane but big. I had zero T-Mobile service. Pretty area.
karmathebum would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Nice spot right on the river😀”
Reviewed 8/24/2019
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
---|---|
Days stayed: | 10 |
Site Number: | 1 |
Overall we really liked this camping area. Lots of good mountain biking and hiking nearby. The road in is pretty bumpy but short. You can hear some road noise but the river drowns most of it out. There is a dump station, fresh water, and garbage at the ranger station for $5. There are showers at red fish lake for $2 and the water is ni... more
Overall we really liked this camping area. Lots of good mountain biking and hiking nearby. The road in is pretty bumpy but short. You can hear some road noise but the river drowns most of it out. There is a dump station, fresh water, and garbage at the ranger station for $5. There are showers at red fish lake for $2 and the water is nice and hot. They also have laundry. The bakery in Stanley has really good chocolate chip cookies 😋.
VanLucy would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful location by the river but rough road coming in!”
Reviewed 9/8/2017
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
---|---|
Days stayed: | 1 |
RV Length: | 32' (Class A) |
Coming down (and back up) the road to these sites was a bit stressful in our 24ft RV with trailer. After that though the sites were absolutely stunning and we had the place to ourselves. Right on the Snake River with easy river access and gorgeous views of the Sawtooth mountains. Decent cell service and quiet even though it's near a m... more
Coming down (and back up) the road to these sites was a bit stressful in our 24ft RV with trailer. After that though the sites were absolutely stunning and we had the place to ourselves. Right on the Snake River with easy river access and gorgeous views of the Sawtooth mountains. Decent cell service and quiet even though it's near a main road (75).
TripOutside would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Easy access the the Salmon River”
Reviewed 9/27/2016
RV Length: | 27' |
---|
This is the one you want if you want to put a line in the river. It is at river-level while the others are not. Be warned of the entry off the main highway, it is steep and rocky and best accessed from the South if you are towing. Once past the first 100 feet the road smooths out and you will find a few large areas to camp at the river.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
Be the first to add a note for Salmon River Designated Dispersed Campsite #1!
Have you written a blog post about Salmon River Designated Dispersed Campsite #1?
Contact us to update this listing.
Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
- Dispersed Camping
Recreation
- fishing
- recreation trail
Pets
- pets
Please select a reason for flagging this item: