Helping families discover fun places to explore in Idaho.
Stanley is a starting point for lake days and camping throughout the Sawtooth Valley. The listings below cover different lakes and river corridors, so first choose whether your family needs a picnic stop, beach access or an overnight campsite. Similar campground names can hide very different locations.
North Shore Picnic Area is at Redfish Lake. It is a day-use destination, with a designated swim beach and reservable group picnic sites; overnight camping is not allowed. Parking is limited, so coordinate vehicles when bringing a group. Follow the Redfish Lake turnoff from Highway 75 and the picnic-area signs rather than navigating to a campground with a similar name.
North Shore Campground at Alturas Lake belongs to a different lake outing. Before reserving or sharing directions, check that the lake name matches the place your family intends to visit. Redfish-area choices such as Glacier View and Chinook Bay should also be compared using their individual maps and facilities.
Alturas Lake Inlet Campground has gravel roads and parking spurs, vault toilets and drinking water, but no electric, water or sewer hookups at campsites. A designated day-use beach is nearby. Its reservation page states that beach access is not included in campsite fees and pets are not allowed in the beach area.
That distinction matters when traveling with a dog or planning to spend most of the day by the water. Choose your overnight site and day-use destination together, then check the rules for each.
For all of the Stanley-area camps, verify seasonal opening and current road or construction notices before departure. Pack warm layers for the evening and enough supplies for the return drive. If you only have an afternoon, one lake and one short activity will leave more time to enjoy the scenery than a tour of several campground entrances.
Researched September 8, 2026. Sources: Recreation.gov’s North Shore Picnic Area at Redfish Lake and Alturas Lake Inlet information.