Alturas Lake and Pettit Lake Areas
Alturas Lake is the southernmost of the Sawtooth NRA's big lakes. Tin Cup trailhead, which is an entrance to the Alice Toxaway Loop is located at Pettit Lake. Cabin Creek trail and Alturas Lake Creek trail allow you to hike into the beautiful Sawtooth Wilderness from Alturas Lake. This area has tremendous hiking and access to trails in the beautiful Sawtooth Wilderness and the Hemingway-Boulder Mountains. There is tremendous fishing in the many lakes in the area for various species of trout in these high-elevation lakes. Yellow Belly Lake and Perkins Lake to the north do not allow any motorized watercraft. Alturas Lake and Pettit Lake do not allow personal watercraft. Double-sites are available at: Alturas Inlet, Smokey Bear (Alturas), North Shore (Alturas), Alturas Tent campground, and Pettit Lake campsite. Chekeketan is to the south of Alturas Lake and is a group campsite. Alturas Inlet campsite, Chemeketan group campsite, and Alturas Picnic Area (B) accept reservations which can be made by visiting www.recreation.gov or by calling (877)444-6777. First-come, first-serve campsites and picnic/day use areas include North Shore (Alturas), Smokey Bear (Alturas), Alturas Tent campground, Alturas Picnic Area A, Pettit Lake and Pettit Lake Day Use Area.
At a Glance
Operational Hours: | May-September. |
---|---|
Reservations: | Alturas Inlet campsite, Chemeketan group campsite, and Alturas Picnic Area B accept reservations which can be made by visiting www.recreation.gov or by calling (877)444-6777. All other sites are first-come, first-serve including North Shore (Alturas), Smokey Bear (Alturas), Alturas Tent campground, Alturas Picnic Area (A), Pettit Lake and Pettit Lake Day Use Area. |
Area Amenities: |
|
Fees: | $18 per day for single-sites and $36 per day for double-sites at North Shore (Alturas) and Alturas Inlet. $16 per day for single-sites and $32 per day for double-sites at Smokey Bear (Alturas), and Pettit Lake campsite. $14 per day for single-sites and $28 per day for double-sites at Alturas Tent campground. Chemeketan group-site is $50.00 for 1-50 people per day, $100 for 51-100 people per day, and $150 for 101-150 people per day. Alturas Picnic Area day use $6, group picnic site $50. Sawtooth NRA Camping Fees and information |
Restrictions: | Please keep pets on a leash. Camping limits: Developed campgrounds: 10 day maximum stay length for campsites. Dispersed camping: In the Salmon River corridor there is a 10 day camping limit and you must relocate more than 10 miles from the original site for at least 14 days. North of Galena Summit there is a 16 day camping limit and you must relocate more than 10 miles from the original site for 14 days. Motorized vehicles and bicycles are not permitted in any of the designated wilderness areas. |
Closest Towns: | Stanley, Idaho. |
Water: | Potable Water |
Restroom: | Vault |
Information Center: | For information contact Recreation Resource Management of America at (928) 537-8888. |
Activities
Campground Camping
Recreation areas with activity Campground Camping:- Alturas Inlet Campground
- Alturas Tent Camping Area
- Chemeketan Campground - Salmon River Headwaters
- North Shore (Alturas) Campground
- Perkins Lake
- Pettit Lake Campground
- Smokey Bear (Alturas) Campground
- Yellowbelly Lake
Group Camping
Recreation areas with activity Group Camping:Lake and Pond Fishing
Recreation areas with activity Lake and Pond Fishing:- Alturas Inlet Campground
- Alturas Inlet Group Picnic Area B
- Alturas Tent Camping Area
- North Shore (Alturas) Campground
- Perkins Lake
- Pettit Lake Campground
- Pettit Lake Day Use Area
- Smokey Bear (Alturas) Campground
River and Stream Fishing
Recreation areas with activity River and Stream Fishing:Day Hiking
Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:- Alturas Inlet Campground
- Alturas Inlet Group Picnic Area B
- Alturas Lake Creek Trailhead
- Alturas Tent Camping Area
- Bowery Trailhead
- Cabin Creek Trailhead
- Champion Creek Cutoff Trailhead
- Champion Creek Trailhead
- Chemeketan Campground - Salmon River Headwaters
- Fisher Creek Trailhead
- Fourth of July Creek Trailhead
- Gladiator Trailhead
- Grand Prize Trailhead
- Hell Roaring Creek Trailhead
- North Shore (Alturas) Campground
- Pettit Lake Campground
- Pettit Lake Day Use Area
- Prairie Creek Trailhead
- Smokey Bear (Alturas) Campground
- Three Cabins Creek Trailhead
- Tin Cup Hiker Trailhead
- Titus Creek Trailhead
- Twin Creek Trailhead
- Williams Creek Trailhead
Backpacking
Recreation areas with activity Backpacking:- Alturas Inlet Campground
- Alturas Inlet Group Picnic Area B
- Alturas Lake Creek Trailhead
- Alturas Tent Camping Area
- Bowery Trailhead
- Cabin Creek Trailhead
- Champion Creek Cutoff Trailhead
- Champion Creek Trailhead
- Chemeketan Campground - Salmon River Headwaters
- Fisher Creek Trailhead
- Fourth of July Creek Trailhead
- Gladiator Trailhead
- Grand Prize Trailhead
- Hell Roaring Creek Trailhead
- North Shore (Alturas) Campground
- Perkins Lake
- Pettit Lake Campground
- Pettit Lake Day Use Area
- Prairie Creek Trailhead
- Smokey Bear (Alturas) Campground
- Three Cabins Creek Trailhead
- Tin Cup Hiker Trailhead
- Titus Creek Trailhead
- Twin Creek Trailhead
- Williams Creek Trailhead
- Yellowbelly Lake
Viewing Wildlife
Recreation areas with activity Viewing Wildlife:- Alturas Inlet Campground
- Alturas Inlet Group Picnic Area B
- Alturas Tent Camping Area
- Chemeketan Campground - Salmon River Headwaters
- North Shore (Alturas) Campground
- Pettit Lake Campground
- Pettit Lake Day Use Area
- Smokey Bear (Alturas) Campground
Viewing Plants
Recreation areas with activity Viewing Plants:- Alturas Inlet Campground
- Alturas Inlet Group Picnic Area B
- Alturas Tent Camping Area
- Chemeketan Campground - Salmon River Headwaters
- North Shore (Alturas) Campground
- Pettit Lake Campground
- Pettit Lake Day Use Area
- Smokey Bear (Alturas) Campground
Viewing Scenery
Recreation areas with activity Viewing Scenery:- Alturas Inlet Campground
- Alturas Inlet Group Picnic Area B
- Alturas Tent Camping Area
- Chemeketan Campground - Salmon River Headwaters
- North Shore (Alturas) Campground
- Pettit Lake Campground
- Pettit Lake Day Use Area
- Smokey Bear (Alturas) Campground
Picnicking
Recreation areas with activity Picnicking:- Alturas Inlet Campground
- Alturas Inlet Group Picnic Area B
- Alturas Tent Camping Area
- Chemeketan Campground - Salmon River Headwaters
- North Shore (Alturas) Campground
- Perkins Lake
- Pettit Lake Campground
- Pettit Lake Day Use Area
- Smokey Bear (Alturas) Campground
- Yellowbelly Lake
Group Picnicking
Recreation areas with activity Group Picnicking:- Alturas Inlet Group Picnic Area B
- Chemeketan Campground - Salmon River Headwaters
- Pettit Lake Campground
Boating - Motorized
Recreation areas with activity Boating - Motorized:- Alturas Inlet Campground
- Alturas Inlet Group Picnic Area B
- Alturas Tent Camping Area
- North Shore (Alturas) Campground
- Pettit Lake Campground
- Pettit Lake Day Use Area
- Smokey Bear (Alturas) Campground
Swimming
Recreation areas with activity Swimming:- Alturas Inlet Campground
- Alturas Inlet Group Picnic Area B
- Alturas Tent Camping Area
- North Shore (Alturas) Campground
- Perkins Lake
- Pettit Lake Campground
- Pettit Lake Day Use Area
- Smokey Bear (Alturas) Campground
Waterskiing
Recreation areas with activity Waterskiing:- Alturas Inlet Campground
- Alturas Inlet Group Picnic Area B
- Alturas Tent Camping Area
- North Shore (Alturas) Campground
- Pettit Lake Campground
- Pettit Lake Day Use Area
- Smokey Bear (Alturas) Campground
Waterskiing is not permitted on Pettit Lake after 6pm and before 10am.