Camp ObserverElk Creek Campground (Sawtooth Nf)
Camp site features
Across 1 camp site:
- Fire pit: all 1 sites
- Picnic table: all 1 sites
- Group sites: all 1 sites
- Longest RV: 40 ft
- Largest party: 40 people
Directions
From Stanley, Idaho, take State Highway 21 west approximately 8 miles. Turn north at milepost 123 onto Forest Road 892 and follow the road to the campground.
Stay Limit
Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.
Reviews
Charles J
Loop:Elk
Site:
Reviewed a year ago
Ranger station has been unstaffed for months, did not put up reservation tags, so our group site was occupied by multiple families on arrival who also paid on site fees.
Jesse A
Loop:Elk
Site:
Reviewed 3 years ago
Only needed the site for one night for a group of 5. Site had more than enough space for 5 tents. Beautiful creek just a few steps from the campsite area. Campsite and bathroom was clean.
Jessica W
Loop:Elk
Site:
Reviewed 3 years ago
As a group site, this campsite is much better than previous reviews indicate. Yes, the forest surrounding it is burnt out from a lightning strike in 2016. But there are trees in the site and the meadow has lots of new growth and is coming back well. It's right next to Elk Creek and you can hear the creek burbling. Unfortunately, it's also close to the highway. During the week it was pretty quiet, but there's lots of traffic noise on the weekends. As the description states, it's three sites that can be rented as one group site, and as a group site it is great. But I would not camp here in an individual site as they are right on top of each other. The rangers kept the bathroom meticulously clean and there is a bear-proof dumpster on site. With the traffic though, that means people think the site is a rest stop and there is a constant stream of cars stopping to use the bathroom during the day. I wish the ranger would have closed the gate for us to deter that. My only other criticism is the description says there is water, but the well is unusable. The pump has rusted so much that the water is brown. If not for that, I might have given the site four stars. We did like being off on our own instead of surrounded by people in a campground.
Gina W
Loop:Elk
Site:
Reviewed 4 years ago
This campsite sits an a burn area, and there are very few trees left. There is currently road construction ongoing directly adjacent to the campground. This was not an issue for us, since the work was done by early evening and did not resume until the next morning, after we left. The restroom was pristine. It was very quiet at night. Again, very few trees left in the area so privacy, shade and views were not great.
Jonathon S
Loop:Elk
Site:
Reviewed 4 years ago
Horrible spot. No shade due to trees being burnt and cut down, long long weeds everywhere, construction right next to site caused it to be very dusty and loud. Not worth the $100 a night we paid, very disappointed.
christopher b
Loop:Elk
Site:
Reviewed 5 years ago
The site is located in an area which has been recently burned so there are very few living trees left in the area. There is a functional water pump on site but there is a sign stating that the water is not fit for human consumption. The USFS should probably take this site off of the available list until the area has recovered from the fire and the water issue has been resolved. We actually decided not to stay there and ended up camping at a different location.
Season dates
Peak season
May 21, 2027 – Sep 16, 2027
Reservable online
Walk In season
Sep 17, 2027 – Sep 19, 2027
First come, first served
Peak season
May 22, 2028 – Sep 17, 2028
Reservable online
Walk In season
Sep 18, 2028 – Sep 20, 2028
First come, first served
Camp Sites
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