Alturas Lake Inlet

Star4.34
146 reviews
SAWTOOTH NRA, STANLEY, ID 83340, USA
SwimmingSummer Destination
Featured in:Tent Camping Idaho

Quick Facts

7,047 ft

Price

$24 - $48/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

30 campsites

Season

Open season starts J...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Recreation Resource Management of America site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Alturas Lake Inlet
$24.00 - $48.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Facility rates vary by season. Peak season nightly rates range from $24 to $48 for standard non-electric sites. Additional fees may apply for extra...
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Standard Site Fee$24.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
928-537-8888camping@rrmofa.com
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What Campers Say

4.34

Recommended

Based on 146 reviews

41 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanhikingwaterlake

Some mention

crowdedmosquitoes

"User reviews highlight the campground's stunning natural setting, clean facilities, and variety of recreational activities. While some reviewers appreciated its spacious sites and privacy, others noted issues such as rude hosts, overcrowding, and maintenance problems."

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Campground Map

SAWTOOTH NRA, STANLEY, ID 83340, USA

Alturas Lake Inlet

SAWTOOTH NRA, STANLEY, ID 83340, USA

Driving directionsFrom Highway 75, turn onto Forest Road 205/Alturas Lake Road. Travel approximately 3 miles to the campground.
The roads and parking spurs are gravel. There are no rough roads to get to the campground, and accessibility is straightforward.
Nearby places
Perkins Lake (less than 2 miles away), Pettit Lake (approximately 5 miles), Yellowbelly Lake (less than 10 miles), Stanley (approximately 23 miles).
Nearby supplies
Basic supplies can be found in Stanley, ID, which is roughly 23 miles from the campground. The Smokey Bear Boat Ramp is less than 1/4 mile away for boating supplies.

Best Time to Camp at Alturas Lake Inlet

Summer brings ideal camping conditions to Alturas Lake, with pleasantly warm days reaching 78°F perfect for swimming and hiking, while crisp mountain nights dip to a refreshing 40°F—ideal for campfire gatherings and stargazing. Pack your bug spray for July when mosquitoes make their seasonal appearance, and keep an eye on afternoon skies for dramatic mountain thunderstorms that roll through with nature's own light show.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Warm days (~78°F), swimming and hiking abundant in summer; reviews note mosquitoes and crowds.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Fall visits described as peaceful and quieter, with friendlier host interactions reported.

Spring(Mar-May)
Not recommended

Official open season begins June 6; spring closures mean spring season not applicable.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground closed outside June 6–Sept 11; winter season not supported.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: June 6 to September 11. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open season starts June 6 and closes September 11 (reservable period).
  • Current Alerts: No active alerts were mentioned.

About Alturas Lake Inlet

Discover your perfect mountain escape at Alturas Lake Inlet Campground, where pristine waters meet towering peaks in Idaho's breathtaking Sawtooth National Recreation Area. This lakeside haven offers family-friendly campsites tucked among evergreens, each with stunning views of either the crystal-clear lake or the babbling Alturas Creek. Wake up to mountain reflections on the water, spend your days at the inviting swim beach, and explore endless recreational adventures right from your tent flap.
Alturas Lake Inlet Campground caters to tent and RV camping, with options for primitive camping as well. Large group sites are not specifically mentioned.
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Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Check-in starts at 11 AM local time.
Check-out
Check-out is required by 2 PM local time.
Stay Limit
Maximum stay of 10 consecutive nights is allowed.

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Firewood available
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Alturas Lake Inlet Campground is set within the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, offering diverse outdoor activities. Visitors can engage in swimming, hiking, fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. Nearby attractions such as Perkins Lake and Pettit Lake provide additional recreation options.
HikingThe nearby Alpine Meadows Trail offers a 10-mile round trip hike with canyon, meadow, and alpine lake views. Hiking is popular throughout the surrounding Sawtooth National Recreation Area, which features approximately 750 miles of trails.
FishingFishing opportunities are available at Alturas Lake for bull trout and Kokanee salmon, as well as in nearby rivers and lakes for rainbow trout, Westslope cutthroat trout, and hybrid cutbows. User reviews highlight excellent fishing conditions.
SwimmingThe campground includes a swim beach at its day-use site, but pets are not allowed in this area. Users described swimming conditions as enjoyable but noted that the water can be very cold.
BikingThe Sawtooth National Recreation Area offers excellent biking trails, including nearby Fisher Creek trail. User reviews also mention biking as a highlight.
BoatingAlturas Lake supports boating activities such as kayaking and canoeing. Jet skiing is explicitly prohibited.
Wildlife viewingWildlife viewing is a noted activity, with deer frequently observed walking through campsites. Birdwatching is also popular along local trails.
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsMosquitoes are prevalent during mid-summer. Wildlife like deer frequently visit campsites. Some users mentioned speeding cars and off-leash dogs as safety concerns.
Active AlertsNo active alerts were mentioned.

Weather at Alturas Lake Inlet

Reviews

4.3
146 reviews
Recommended
Recommended
Alturas Lake Inlet is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews highlight the campground's stunning natural setting, clean facilities, and variety of recreational activities. While some reviewers appreciated its spacious sites and privacy, others noted issues such as rude hosts, overcrowding, and maintenance problems.
Review Summaries
Based on 146 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive feedback includes 'Beautiful lake with clear water,' 'Clean bathrooms and well-maintained facilities,' 'Friendly and helpful camp hosts,' and diverse recreational options such as hiking,...
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Based on 146 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints often focus on rude or overly strict hosts, overcrowding during peak season, maintenance issues such as potholes and dog waste, disruptive noise, and mosquitoes.
Based on 146 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Tips from users include bringing bug spray for mosquitoes, dressing warmly for cold nights, and using campfire starters to overcome fire pit issues. Several reviews also recommend site #15 for...
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Based on 146 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer reviews frequently mention mosquitoes and crowded conditions, while early-season visitors report fewer bugs and quieter surroundings. Fall reviews highlight peaceful conditions and friendly...
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Based on 146 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Deer walked right through our campsite every day.' 2. 'The best site would be #15 where I stayed. Good shade. Colder nights even in August.' 3. 'Camp host Tammy was fabulous! She was attentive...
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Based on 146 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site #15 is praised for privacy and shade. Site #27 is noted as difficult to access due to design flaws. Reviews of site #28 highlight proximity to the lake and spaciousness.
Based on 146 reviews

Accessibility Features

Specific reviews addressing accessibility features are not available.
Based on 146 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Several reviews discuss pet-related policies, including the dog beach and issues such as waste left by pets and dogs swimming in prohibited areas.
Based on 146 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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