Elk Creek Campground (Sawtooth Nf)

Book this listing through our partner Recreation Gov

Book Now

About Elk Creek Campground (Sawtooth Nf)

Overview

Elk Creek Campground lies just off Highway 21 in a beautiful valley at the foot of the Sawtooth Mountain Range in central Idaho.

Recreation

Elk Creek is situated in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. A myriad of excellent hiking and biking opportunities are available, with an estimated 750 miles of trails crisscrossing the valley and surrounding mountains, including the Idaho Centennial Trail, which passes nearby.

Expansive and scenic Elk Meadow is near the campground, providing a great location for bird and wildlife watching.

Facilities

This small campground offers one group site that consists of three smaller sites. If the group site is not reserved, the individual sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Campers must walk a few yards from parking area to campsites.

Vault toilets area provided. The road to the site and the parking spur within are paved.

Natural Features

Summer wildflowers are plentiful and lodgepole pines provide partial shade. Elk Creek is nearby. Temperatures are cool, with an average summer high of 78 degrees and a low of 40 degrees.

Nearby Attractions

Numerous sparkling lakes and streams, including the Salmon River, dot the area, making for great rainbow and native Westslope cutthroat trout fishing. Stanley and Redfish Lakes are nearby with great boating, water skiing, canoeing, kayaking and even more fishing.

Popular area events include an Arts and Crafts Fair in July, and Wagon Days, Salmon Festival, Quilt Fair and Fireman's Ball in September.

+ More

Elk Creek Campground (Sawtooth Nf) Reviews

Have you stayed here? Be the first to leave a review!

Top Spots in or near Stanley

Marten Lake and Kelly Lake

Lowman, Idaho

5.0

9.16 mi / 1434 ft gain

The Sawtooth mountain range consists of hundreds, maybe thousands, of small, crystal clear lakes. Because of the sheer number of lakes, there are many destinations where the foot traffic is considerably low. Most weekend packers will stick to the familiar: they find themselves hiking to Sawtooth lake, while beautiful, might be confused with an outdoor mall. Enter Kelly and Marten lakes, one of...

Ski or Snowshoe the Park Creek Trails

Stanley, Idaho

5.0

10 mi / 130 ft gain

Over Galena Summit, approximately 75 miles north of Ketchum, Park Creek is supported by Sawtooth Ski Club and the City of Stanley, Idaho. One of two groomed Nordic trail systems in the Stanley Basin, Park Creek has some of the best terrain and conditions for cross-country skiing anywhere.With breathtaking views of the Sawtooth Mountains and McGown Peak, the Park Creek trails total about 10 mile...

Hike from Stanley Lake to Bridal Veil Falls

Lowman, Idaho

5.0

7.9 mi / 570 ft gain

Bridalveil Falls [Video] The hike to the falls begins near Stanley Lake in a clearly marked trailhead parking lot (GPS coordinates below). From the parking lot there is a short walk up a dirt road where the trail breaks off at a sign for Bridalveil Falls on Trail 640. You will stay on Trail 640 for the entirety of the hike. The trail starts in wildflower meadows with excellent views of the ...

Photograph McGowan Peak & Stanley Lake at Sunrise

Stanley, Idaho

4.5

McGowan Peak in the Sawtooths is breathtaking and the Stanley Lake Overlook is by far one of the best locations to photograph it at sunrise in the summer. The Stanley Lake Overlook is located inside the Stanley Lake Campground. There is a separate parking lot (with bathrooms) at the overlook and two sets of stairs that lead you down to the beach where you can get a clear view of McGowan Peak a...

Paddle on Stanley Lake

Stanley, Idaho

5.0

Stanley Lake is an Idaho alpine lake located at the base of the magnificent Sawtooth Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The lake is about 7 miles from the historic town of Stanley, Idaho and just over an hour from popular Sun Valley, Idaho.Our photography and hiking adventure captured spectacular imagery while hiking the scenic Sawtooth wilderness area. Popular lake activities ...

Sawtooth Lake via Iron Creek

Stanley, Idaho

4.9

10.04 mi / 1962 ft gain

Sawtooth Lake is "must-see" for Idaho hikers or any outdoor enthusiasts visiting the Sawtooth National Forest. The five mile trek to the lake is made worthwhile by breathtaking, photogenic alpine lakes and the crisp, clean Idaho air. It's up to you whether to day hike the trail or to camp at the destination, but one thing is for certain: don't forget to bring your camera! From Boise, take Hwy ...

More Adventures