Idaho / Custer County / Sawtooth National Recreation Area / Sawtooth National Forest

Sunny Gulch Campground

Closed — Closed for the season due to winter conditions. Opens in May and operates through September. The lower loop closes September 16, and the upper loop closes September 21. Camp hosts are unavailable after September 16. Reservations available through Recreation.gov.

About

Sunny Gulch Campground sits along the shores of the Salmon River in the heart of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, offering 45 campsites including 8 double-sites situated in a lodgepole pine overstory. The campground provides partial shade and spectacular views of the Sawtooth Mountains. Summer temperatures are mild with average highs of 78 degrees and lows of 40 degrees. Ten sites accept reservations through Recreation.gov, including one double-site and the Sunny Gulch Pavilion and Picnic Area, while all other campsites are first-come, first-served. Excellent fishing is available right from the campground on the Salmon River, with rainbow trout, westslope cutthroat trout, and occasional hybrid cutbow and bull trout. A day use area for picnicking and fishing is located near the campground entrance. The campground lies within 3 miles of Redfish Lake but offers a quieter, less crowded alternative. The area features incredible recreation opportunities with an estimated 750 miles of trails crisscrossing the valley and surrounding mountains. The Alpine Way Trail begins less than a mile from the campground, and the Idaho Centennial Trail passes nearby. Hikers can access great trails with views into both the Sawtooth Wilderness and the White Cloud Wilderness. Redfish and Stanley Lakes are nearby for boating, water skiing, canoeing, kayaking, and additional fishing opportunities.

Directions

From Stanley, go 4 miles south on ID 75 and follow the signs to the campground. The campground is on the north side of the road, between the highway and the Salmon River.

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