Alturas Lake and Pettit Lake Areas

Area Status: Open

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:
  • Picnic tables
  • Tent camping
  • Parking
  • Toilets
  • Boat ramp
  • Drinking water
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.

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Lake and Pond Fishing

Recreation areas with activity Lake and Pond Fishing:

River and Stream Fishing

Recreation areas with activity River and Stream Fishing:

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

Location

 
  Latitude : 
43.9258

  Longitude : 
-114.8499

  Elevation : 
7000 ft.