Stanley, ID

Elk Creek Campground (Sawtooth NF)

Availability

Each day shows how many of this campground’s sites are open.

About this spot

Overview

Elk Creek Campground lies just off Highway 21 in a beautiful valley at the foot of the Sawtooth Mountain Range in central Idaho.

Recreation

Elk Creek is situated in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. A myriad of excellent hiking and biking opportunities are available, with an estimated 750 miles of trails crisscrossing the valley and surrounding mountains, including the Idaho Centennial Trail, which passes nearby. Expansive and scenic Elk Meadow is near the campground, providing a great location for bird and wildlife watching.

Facilities

This small campground offers one group site that consists of three smaller sites. If the group site is not reserved, the individual sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Campers must walk a few yards from parking area to campsites. Vault toilets area provided. The road to the site and the parking spur within are paved.

Natural Features

Summer wildflowers are plentiful and lodgepole pines provide partial shade. Elk Creek is nearby. Temperatures are cool, with an average summer high of 78 degrees and a low of 40 degrees.

Nearby Attractions

Numerous sparkling lakes and streams, including the Salmon River, dot the area, making for great rainbow and native Westslope cutthroat trout fishing. Stanley and Redfish Lakes are nearby with great boating, water skiing, canoeing, kayaking and even more fishing. Popular area events include an Arts and Crafts Fair in July, and Wagon Days, Salmon Festival, Quilt Fair and Fireman's Ball in September.

Typical weather

Elk Creek

Average water temperature
Average water temperature for Elk Creek, January through DecemberEach point shows the monthly average water temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.33°JJanuary: average water temperature 33°F34°FFebruary: average water temperature 34°F35°MMarch: average water temperature 35°F39°AApril: average water temperature 39°F43°MMay: average water temperature 43°F49°JJune: average water temperature 49°F56°JJuly: average water temperature 56°F55°AAugust: average water temperature 55°F48°SSeptember: average water temperature 48°F40°OOctober: average water temperature 40°F35°NNovember: average water temperature 35°F33°DDecember: average water temperature 33°F

Water: Water Quality Portal — 39 field-sample stations

Nearby campgrounds