Idaho Outdoor Guide: Campgrounds, Trails, Beaches & RV Spots
Key Takeaways
- Redfish Lake is genuinely one of the most beautiful lakes in this whole series — turquoise, glacier-carved, right below the Sawtooth Mountains
- Craters of the Moon is a genuinely different Idaho — otherworldly lava terrain with short, accessible trails good for all ages
- Reserve Redfish Lake campgrounds six months out — this is one of the most in-demand destinations in the state
- Idaho’s Sawtooth region can snow even in early June — check conditions before a spring trip to higher elevations
The Sawtooths Are the Real Draw
Idaho’s outdoor identity centers on the Sawtooth National Recreation Area — Redfish Lake specifically is worth building an entire trip around, with Craters of the Moon as a genuinely worthwhile detour if you want something completely different.
Campgrounds
Outlet Campground at Redfish Lake — Sawtooth National Recreation Area (Stanley)
A Forest Service campground in lodgepole pine right on the lakeshore, with a fully paved access road — notable given how rough some regional roads can be. Swimming and fishing are the main draws. Reserve six months ahead.
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Glacier View Campground — Redfish Lake (Stanley)
At 6,500 feet below the Sawtooths, with real family sites and lake and mountain views. More vehicle access than some of the smaller Redfish campgrounds, making it a strong RV pick.
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Stanley Lake Campground — Sawtooth National Recreation Area
A lake-and-peak setting north of Redfish, with reservable sites, boating, and fishing — a good alternative if Redfish is full.
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Craters of the Moon Campground — Arco
Open mid-April through November, in a genuinely otherworldly lava landscape. Can still snow in early June, so check conditions before an early-season trip.
Learn moreHiking Trails
Fishhook Creek — Sawtooth National Recreation Area (Stanley)
An easy roughly 5-mile introductory Sawtooth hike to a meadow with genuinely unforgettable scenery — a great first hike for families new to the area.
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Sawtooth Lake
A longer, more ambitious alpine destination hike from Stanley — a good step up once your family’s comfortable with shorter trails.
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Caves Trail — Craters of the Moon
An easy 1.3-mile hike to lava-tube caves. Grab a free cave permit at the visitor center before you go.
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Inferno Cone — Craters of the Moon
A short, steep cinder-cone climb to 360-degree views of the Great Rift and Snake River Plain — the park’s signature short hike. It’s exposed, so skip it on a windy day.
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Devil’s Orchard Nature Trail — Craters of the Moon
An easy 15-30 minute walk, stroller and wheelchair accessible, with interpretive exhibits along the way.
Learn moreLakes & Swimming Areas
Redfish Lake — Stanley
A turquoise, glacier-carved lake below the Sawtooth Mountains — genuinely one of the most beautiful lakes in this whole guide series. Sandy Beach has a boat ramp, and there’s real swimming, boating, and kayaking, plus a lodge and general store.
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Little Redfish Lake — Stanley
Quieter and shallower than its bigger neighbor — good for fishing and canoeing with younger kids.
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Payette Lake — McCall / Ponderosa State Park
A popular mountain-town swim lake with real beaches, good for a change of scenery from the Sawtooth corridor.
Learn moreRV Spots
Ambassador RV Resort — Caldwell
Frequently praised as one of the cleanest, best-maintained parks in the region — huge level pull-throughs with concrete patios, plus a pool and hot tub. Genuinely big-rig friendly.
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Blackwell Island RV Park — Coeur d’Alene
Waterfront near the Spokane River with full hookups — a good northern Idaho base.
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Lava Hot Springs KOA
Walking distance to the famous hot-spring pools, with full and partial hookups — a fun add-on if you’re touring southeastern Idaho.
Learn morePlanning Your Trip
Redfish Lake should anchor an Idaho trip — book six months ahead given how in-demand it is, and use Outlet or Glacier View Campground as your base. If you want a genuinely different landscape, Craters of the Moon is worth the detour, with easy, accessible trails that work for all ages.