Data Source: Recreation.gov
About
Overview Alturas Lake Inlet Campground is located on the shores of scenic Alturas Lake at the foot of the Sawtooth Mountain Range. Recreation This site is part of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, where outdoor activities abound. Alturas Lake offers excellent boating, water skiing, canoeing, kayaking and fishing for bull trout and Kokanee salmon. The 10-mile round trip Alpine Meadows Trail begins nearby, with spectacular canyon, meadow and alpine lake views. The trail is also a popular area for bird watching. Facilities This campground contains several family campsites, some of which have lake or creek views. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Roads and parking spurs are gravel. A day-use site is adjacent to the campground with a designated swim beach. Smokey Bear Boat Ramp is less than 1/4-mile away. Natural Features Alturas Creek runs through the campground, where summer wildflowers are plentiful and a mixed-growth conifer forest provides partial shade. Temperatures are cool, with an average summer high of 78 degrees and a low of 40 degrees. Nearby Attractions The Sawtooth National Recreation Area offers a myriad of excellent hiking and biking opportunities, and an estimated 750 miles of trails crisscross the valley and surrounding mountains. Perkins Lake is less than 2 miles away, with excellent fishing and canoeing. Pettit and Yellowbelly Lakes are nearby, with more fishing, canoeing and hiking. The Salmon River offers fishing for rainbow trout, Westslope cutthroat trout and occasional hybrid cutbows and bull trout. Popular area events include an Arts and Crafts Fair in July, and Wagon Days, Salmon Festival, Quilt Fair and Fireman's Ball in September.
Around this stay
Nearest surrounding services and recreation within ~25 mi — not on-site amenities.
- 22 mi
fuel station
Mountain Village Service Station
- 22 mi
grocery
Mountain Village Mercantile
- 7.4 mi
potable water
Stream
- 1.0 mi
trailhead
Trailhead
- 2.9 mi
attraction
Viewpoint
- 0.4 mi
recreation site
Alturus Inlet Picnic Area
No dump station found within ~25 mi. Plan dump access before you arrive.
Contact & access
- SAWTOOTH NRA · STANLEY, ID 83340
- 928-537-8888
Reservations & demand
June weekends are typically reserved about 151 days ahead.
Based on 54 Recreation.gov reservations (Oct 2023–Sep 2024). Historical demand — not live availability.
Outbound provider links only. Roam Atlas does not book sites or show live availability.
Source and verification
Last verified: 10/5/2026
See the Sources tab for provenance detail.