Alturas Lake Picnic Area
Closed — Closed for the season. Typically operates from Memorial Day through mid-September, weather permitting. Reservations available through Recreation.gov.
Weed Free Hay Order 04-2021-03
Prohibited by this order: Possessing, storing, or transporting non-pelletized hay, straw, or mulch in the Intermountain Region, unless it is certified as weed free by the state where the product originated.
Explosives and Exploding Target Order 04-2021-02
This order prohibits the use of explosives and exploding targets on National Forest System lands within the Intermountain Region.
Over-Snow Vehicle and Bicycle Prohibitions
This order covers over-snow vehicle and bicycle use on the Fairfield and Ketchum Ranger Districts and the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
Sawtooth Wilderness Area Occupancy and Use
This order covers occupancy and use requirements for the Sawtooth Wilderness area on the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
Hemingway-Boulders and Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness Areas - Occupancy and Use
This over covers occupancy and use requirements of the Hemingway-Boulders and Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness Areas on the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
Forestwide Occupancy and Use
This order covers occupancy and use prohibitions on all National Forest System lands and roads within the Sawtooth National Forest.
Occupancy and Use - Food Storage
This order covers requirements for possessing and storing food while visiting the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
Sawtooth National Recreation Area - Occupancy and Use
This covers occupancy and use requirements, including stay limits, for the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
About
Alturas Lake Picnic Area sits along the sandy shoreline of beautiful Alturas Lake at the foot of the Sawtooth Mountain Range. As part of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, the site offers access to premier outdoor recreation in a stunning alpine setting. The lake provides excellent opportunities for boating, water skiing, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing for bull trout and Kokanee salmon. The surrounding area features a mixed-growth conifer forest providing partial shade, with abundant summer wildflowers. The Alpine Meadows Trail, a 10-mile round trip beginning nearby, offers spectacular views of canyons, meadows, and alpine lakes. The area is popular for bird watching and photography. Summer temperatures are mild, with average highs around 78 degrees and lows around 40 degrees. The Sawtooth National Recreation Area offers extensive hiking and biking opportunities, with an estimated 750 miles of trails throughout the valley and surrounding mountains. Perkins Lake is less than 2 miles away, while Pettit and Yellowbelly Lakes are also nearby. The Salmon River provides additional fishing opportunities for rainbow trout, Westslope cutthroat trout, and occasional hybrid cutbows and bull trout.
Directions
From Stanley, Idaho, take State Highway 75 south for approximately 22 miles. Turn right on Alturas Creek Road/Forest Road 205 and continue west for about 2.6 miles to the picnic area.
Nearby Campgrounds
Location
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | — |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | No |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $125 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| camping@rrmofa.com | |
| Phone | +1 (928) 537-8888 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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