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Alturas Tent Camping Area

This tent camping area is accessible by hiking in, and consists of 4 single-sites and 2 double-sites on the east side of beautiful Alturas Lake. It is first-come, first-serve. Experience a quiet, serene, relaxing time in the heart of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area with the Sawtooth Mountains to the west, Smoky Mountains to the south and the Hemingway-Boulder Mountains to the east. Fishing is terrific in Alturas lake along with swimming, kayaking and canoeing. Capturing the scenic beauty, plants and wildlife through photography is ideal at this unique location. It includes flush toilets, potable water, trash pick-up and fire rings. There is access to Alturas Lake Creek trail head towards Eureka Gulch, Jakes Gulch, Cabin Creek trail and Alpine Creek trail to the north.  

General Information

June - September

This tent camping area is open. This site will close September 15th for water system repair.

Pets must be on a leash. All occupancy (includes developed/dispersed camping, boats, boat trailers, travel trailers, tents, etc): Occupancy limit is 10 days in a 30 day period within a 30 mile radius for all of SNRA. Campers must occupy the site the first night and cannot go more than 24 hours thereafter without occupying the site. Motorized vehicles and bicycles are not permitted in any of the designated wilderness areas.

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 43.9258

Longitude: -114.8499

Directions

From Stanley, go south 21 miles on ID 75, then west about 2 miles on Forest Road 205.

Facility and Amenity Information

Accessibility

Restrooms

Restrooms are available at this site.

Water

Potable water is not available at this site.

Recreation Groups

In the foreground, clouds reflect on the surface of a lake. In the center of the frame, a small boats sits in the lake. Forested hills rise on either side of the lake, and mountains, shaded by cloud cover, rise up in the distance. The sky if full of cumulus clouds, and its blue color gradually deepens in shade from the horizon upward.

Alturas Lake is the southernmost of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area's big lakes.

Last updated March 26th, 2025