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Sawtooth/Alturas Inlet
Overview
Alturas Inlet is a serene destination located within the Sawtooth National Forest. Situated along the sandy shores of Alturas Lake, this facility provides a rustic camping experience that emphasizes the raw beauty of Idaho high country. It is managed as part of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, ensuring that visitors are surrounded by protected landscapes, towering peaks, and pristine alpine air. This is the place for those who value quiet evenings under the stars over busy resort activities.
Location & Surroundings
The park is nestled at an elevation of approximately 7,000 feet, located north of Ketchum and south of Stanley. The surroundings are dominated by dense lodgepole pines and the dramatic, jagged silhouettes of the Sawtooth Range. Visitors are treated to spectacular views of the lake and immediate access to the Sawtooth Wilderness. The high-altitude setting provides a cool refuge during the summer months, though campers should be prepared for chilly mountain evenings regardless of the season.
Amenities & Park Features
As a traditional forest service site, this is a dry camping location without electric or sewer hookups. However, the park offers essential services including vault toilets and potable water accessible via hand pumps. Each site is thoughtfully laid out with a picnic table and a fire ring for evening gatherings. One of the standout features is the proximity to a sandy beach and a nearby boat ramp, which makes launching kayaks, canoes, or motorized boats incredibly convenient for water-loving RVers.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor recreation defines this area, with Alturas Lake serving as a hub for swimming, fishing, and boating. Anglers often visit to test their luck catching trout or kokanee salmon in the clear waters. For land-based adventures, the nearby trailhead to Alice Lake offers one of the most famous and scenic hikes in the entire region. A short drive allows for exploring the rustic charm of Stanley or the high-end dining and shopping available in downtown Ketchum.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for travelers who prefer boondocking or primitive camping over luxury resort features. It is best suited for small to mid-sized RVs that can navigate forest roads and do not require constant shore power. If you are an outdoor enthusiast seeking a quiet forest setting and direct water access for paddling or hiking, this rugged Idaho gem will perfectly fit your adventurous travel style.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Maggie Buckhannon
I liked how spaced out the sites were. The site was covered with quite a bit of small pieces of trash when we got there but we left it cleaner than that when we left. There were water spigots every handful of sites. Toilets were kept clean. Pet friendly site. Very easy to access the lake from our site.
Jesse Vincent
Plenty of nice campsites available. Shaded with flat grassy spots for tents or bring your trailer. Picnic tables, fire rings, potable water, and outhouses (no flushing toilets or sinks) make it easy to have a multi day trip and stay comfortable. You can buy wood from campsite host for $10/bundle. Very short walk to sandy beach. beautiful inlet streams and sawtooth mountains make for picturesque scenery.
catherine fitch
Great camp very near the lake. Deer walked right through our campsite every day. Currently no fresh water. down for maintenance Day area has a special dog beach if your dog likes to swim
Nate Goldrup
Beautiful clear-water streams and the pristine, pine-surrounded Lake nearby. The best site would be #15 where I stayed. Good shade. Colder nights even in august. Dress warm at night. Also, nice sandy beach area by the lake.
Dennis Woll
Mountains, blue sky and a beautiful lake.
Alice Shriver
Beautiful campground, beach and hiking areas. Picnic tables, fire pits, and clean restrooms. Major thunderstorms and still had a great time.
Max Cortez
Wonderfull place
Chris Honcik
Nice campground with tables & fire rings. Access to a great beach on the S shore of Alturas Lake. Super biking & hiking trails nearby. Pack 'er up & git there!
Leah Vandever
The campground is well kept and affordable. The scenery and lake are absolutely gorgeous. This is a great family campground. However if you are not a family I would suggest finding another place to camp. My boyfriend, myself, 2 friends and our 3 dogs decided to camp here while on a two week road trip. We chose this specific campground for the high rated bike and hiking trails, scenery, and dog beach. We were by no means looking for a "party campground" The camp manager apparently made that assumption about us, and immediately and continuously made a point to make us feel unwelcome. One of my dogs is large breed, senior boy. He has arthritis and is going blind. He has never caused a problem at any campground and travels with me often. He is super sweet and loves children. Because of his vision going out, lately he has been getting spooked when on a leash if a person gets to close and he doesn't expect it. For this reason, as precaution only, I require he wear a muzzle in populated areas for his protection, as well as for others comfort. The camp manager didn't ask about it at all upon check in. He calmly stood by me with his muzzle on while I talked to her. Later in the day my 2 friends went to get a trail map, and she scolded them about my dog, reminding them repeatedly that my dog is to stay on his leash, and that there are children in the campground. I would have thought nothing of it, assuming she was just worried about other campers(though she could have just asked if he was a danger) Until later in the evening when my boyfriend went to buy firewood and walked up on her talking trash about us to the other campers about our dogs, and us being potential trouble makers. Overall our stay was pleasant, I just hope the camp manager can learn from this if she sees it and maybe not be so quick to judge people based on appearances next time.