Multi-Sport Adventure Weekend: Stanley Lake, Idaho
Looking for that perfect spot to hike, fish, bike and swim?
Stanley Lake is the place for your multi-sport adventure weekend.
Just a few hours from Boise, Stanley Lake is the perfect family or group camping spot. Fishing, boating, hiking, and mountain biking. All in one beautiful setting with several boondocking as well as reservable campsites. Plus the convenience of being only a 15 minute drive to the charming mountain town of Stanley, Idaho, for supplies and ice cream.
While 17 of the campsites can be reserved in advance at Stanley Lake Campground, given the popularity of this area, spots can be hard to find. First-come, first-serve spots also fill up quickly during the summer. Stanley Lake is less than three hours drive from Boise. So we recommend getting out of town early to secure a boondocking spot in the surrounding area. Several large sites exist that can accommodate multiple vehicles and tents with good proximity to the lake.
When you turn off Hwy 21 onto Forest Service Road 455 leading to Stanley Lake Campground, you will see several boondocking spots along the way. This includes multiple side roads to explore for additional camping spots. (Be aware that many of these side roads are very narrow. They may not accommodate larger RVs or have enough space to turn around if you don’t find a spot.) We prefer the boondocking campsites that can be found along Stanley Lake Creek. If you bring along a canoe, kayak or paddle board, you can paddle right down to the lake from your campsite!
Once you find your perfect camping spot, there are several sandy beaches to explore along the lake. You can set up for the day with your gear for fishing and water sports. We often bring paddle boards and kayaks to enjoy the lake and watch the bald eagles soar overhead.
Nearby, Elk Meadows trail is a great loop for a hike or mountain bike ride. The route takes you through beautiful meadows filled with wildflowers, forest and stunning views of the Sawtooth mountains. You can also explore the Stanley Lake to Bridalveil Falls hike, about 7 miles round trip to a beautiful waterfall.
In 2020, the area experienced a 6.5 magnitude earthquake. This earthquake resulted in a portion of the Stanley Lake beach collapsing! You can see the evidence of this event. Follow the trail around the lake to where the trail goes right down into the lake and disappears.
Ready for a taste of small town mountain life or need to resupply? Head on into downtown Stanley, Idaho. We love to stop in for chili and cornbread at Mountain Village Restaurant. There’s plenty of outdoor shops and a grocery store to restock your supplies. And if you want to experience more of Stanley and life in the Sawtooth mountains, every year in July Stanley hosts the Sawtooth Festival, a two day arts, crafts, food and culture event!
Looking for more Idaho adventures? Check out our blog posts about our favorite Idaho hot springs or recommendations on how to spend a weekend in McCall, Idaho.