Growing up, my wife’s family camped at Redfish Lake in the Sawtooth National Wilderness in central Idaho. For years she talked about taking our family there, and when our plans to camp in Escalante near Bryce Canyon National Park fell through, we decided to head north and finally make it happen. A lot had changed since she was last there. Not saying she’s old, but it had been a few decades.

We had a fabulous time, and we learned a few things that will help you make the most of your own trip. This guide covers the best things to do at Redfish Lake, plus practical tips, gear recommendations, and insider insights to help you enjoy your time in the mountains of Idaho.

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Redfish Lake at a Glance

• Location: Sawtooth National Recreation Area, near Stanley, Idaho
• Best time to visit: June through early September
• Top activities: Kayaking, hiking, boating, swimming, horseback riding, camping
• Where to stay: Campgrounds, Redfish Lake Lodge, cabins, nearby campgrounds
• Perfect for: Families, outdoor lovers, photographers, dog owners
• Essential gear: Kayaks or paddleboards, quick‑dry towels, canopy shade, hiking shoes, dry bags

Getting to Redfish Lake near Stanley, Idaho

The biggest town near Redfish Lake is Stanley, Idaho, about eight miles north of the lake. As we drove past Shoshone, the rising sun silhouetted the jagged mountain peaks. It gave me a vivid understanding of how the Sawtooths got their name.

From Salt Lake City: Take I‑84 to Twin Falls, then head north on Highway 93. In Shoshone, transition to Highway 75 and follow it all the way to Redfish Lake.

From Boise: Take Highway 21 for roughly three hours. When you reach Stanley, head south on Highway 75 for about five miles to the Redfish Lake turnoff.

From Idaho Falls: Take Highway 20 to Arco, then Highway 93 north. Before Challis, head south on Highway 75 and follow it past Stanley to Redfish Lake.

1. Camping near Redfish Lake in Idaho

Despite the number of campgrounds in the area, snagging a campsite can be challenging. We left home at 4 a.m. hoping to grab a first‑come, first‑served site. By the time we arrived at 9 a.m. on a Thursday, everything near Redfish Lake was full. We got lucky and grabbed the last camp site available at Sunny Gulch Campground.

Sunny Gulch Campground

Sunny Gulch Campground has 35 first‑come, first‑served sites and 10 reservable sites. Each site has a table and fire ring. There’s potable water from an underground well and several vault toilets.

Campgrounds at Redfish Lake

Other first‑come, first‑served campgrounds near Redfish Lake include:

• Chinook Bay: 13 sites, flush toilets, tables, fire rings, water
• Mountain View: 7 sites, flush toilets, tables, fire rings, water
• Mt. Heyburn: 19 sites, vault toilers, tables, fire rings, water
• Sockeye: 24 sites, vault toilet, tables, fire rings water
• Redfish Lake Inlet: 6 sites, vault toilets, tables, fire rings and NO WATER; Accessible via a 5.2-mile hike or by boat (located on the south end of the lake)

Reservable campgrounds near Redfish Lake include:

• Glacier View: 65 sites, flush toilets, tables, fire rings and water BOOK HERE
• Outlet: 19 sites, vault toilets, tables, fire rings and water BOOK HERE
• Point (tent only): 17 sites, flush toilets, tables, fire rings and water; Sites 1-8 are walk-in tent sites with off-site parking provided; Sites 10-17 do not allow trailers or motorhomes. BOOK HERE

Showers and laundry facilities are available near the north end of the lake. My wife enjoys camping, but still needs the ability shower daily, so this was a win for our family camping adventure.

Campgrounds on the Way to Redfish Lake

If you need backups, consider:

• Pettit Lake Campground
• Altura Lake Inlet: 11 first-come, first-served sites (28 total sites) BOOK HERE
• Easley Campground: 10 first-come, first-served
• North Fork: 16 first-come, first-served (28 total sites) BOOK HERE

2. Kayaking at Little Redfish Lake

One of our favorite things to do when camping is kayaking. Just north of Redfish Lake is Little Redfish Lake, a smaller, quieter lake with no motorized watercraft allowed. It’s perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, and canoeing.

We found a place to park, then hauled our kayaks to the lakeshore. After setting up our portable canopy, and camping chairs, we spent several hours playing at the lake. We even brought a picnic lunch, which helped fuel us for a few more hours in the summer sun.

What gear should I bring to Redfish Lake?

• Portable 10×10 Canopy — Great for shade at Little Redfish Lake.
• Collapsible Camping Chairs — Easy to pack and perfect for lakeside lounging.
• Dry Bags — Keep phones, snacks, and towels safe while kayaking.
• Pelican Argo 100X Kayak — Recreational sit-in kayak.
• Kayak Roof Straps — Ideal for securing kayaks to your vehicle.

Day Use fee: $9 per day or $60 annual pass (included with campground stay).

3. Boating on Redfish Lake

Motorized boats are allowed on Redfish Lake, and the boat launch is near the Mt. Heyburn campground entrance. You’ll see water skiers, wakeboarders, and tubers enjoying the lake. There are places to “park” your boat so you can hang out on the beach, visit the lodge, or spend a little time “off” the water.

If you want a quieter experience, take your boat to the south end of the lake. There are no roads there, so it’s more secluded.

The gate to the boat launch closes at 10 p.m., so plan accordingly.

4. Relaxing on the Beaches

Redfish Lake has several sandy beaches perfect for relaxing, swimming, or building sandcastles. The most popular beach is in front of Redfish Lake Lodge. You’ll find beach chairs, umbrellas, coolers, and plenty of families enjoying the water. There is a designated “No Boat” section in the water, so it’s safer for swimmers.

The marina offers rentals including paddleboards, kayaks, paddleboats, and motorized boats.

Other beach areas include:

• Point Campground Beach Area
• Sandy Beach Boat Ramp

If you brought your family dog with you, they aren’t allowed on the North Shore beach area near the lodge. However, there is a Dog Beach located to the east… but I’ll share more about that below.

5. Horseback Riding on the Trails

If you’re looking for something different, consider horseback riding through the wilderness north of Redfish Lake. Options range from one‑hour rides to full‑day adventures. Prices run from $59 to $179 per person.

Horseback riding can be a great family activity, but if you have younger children, it may not be an options. Riders must be at least six years old.

RELATED TRAVEL ARTICLE: Horseback riding in Nebraska along the North Platte River

6. Hiking in the Sawtooth Mountains near Redfish Lake

We love exploring the mountains, forests, and wilderness lakes. The Visitor Center recommended three popular hikes, and we chose Fishhook Creek Trail.

Fishhook Creek Trail is a four‑mile round trip with stunning views of Thompson Peak. The winding creek reflects the mountain beautifully. I could’ve spent hours there just enjoying the view.

Other hikes include:

• Grand Mogul Trail (14 miles round trip)
• Redfish Lake Creek Trail (10 miles round trip)
• Marshall Lake via Alpine Way (10 miles round trip)

7. Stay in the Redfish Lake Lodge or Cabins

If camping isn’t your thing, Redfish Lake Lodge offers cabins, suites, and lodge rooms.

Cabins sleep four to eight guests and are great for families. Suites and lodge rooms are ideal for couples or smaller groups.

Dining options include Limbert’s, Rustic Lounge, and Lakeside Grill.

8. Rent a Bike to Explore More

Bike rentals are available west of the main lodge. Options include fat tire bikes, cruisers, mountain bikes, and kids’ bikes. You can rent by the hour, half day, or full day.

If you have the means of transporting your own bikes, I recommend bringing them with you. Exploring the area on bikes would be a fun family adventure.

9. Take Your Dog to the Designated Beach

Dog Beach is located just east of the North Shore area. Dogs can run off leash, swim, and play. Our little Molly wasn’t a big fan of the water. Probably because as a Shih Tzu, she doesn’t have a very long nose so she isn’t very good at keeping her nose out of the water.

Other – larger – dogs were playing catch with their owner and running into and out of the lake. I’m glad there was a designated dog area, otherwise our Molly wouldn’t have been able to join us. She did okay with kayaking, as long as she didn’t have to get into the water.

10. Swimming in the Lakes

Little Redfish Lake is perfect for swimming, with shallow water extending about 30 yards from shore. Redfish Lake has designated swimming areas near the beaches. With no motorized boats allowed in the area, it made it safer for people to swim.

What should I bring with me to swim at Redfish Lake?

• Inflatable Paddleboard — Easy to transport and great for both lakes.
• Quick‑Dry Beach Towels — Pack small and dry fast.

11. Fishing in the Rivers and Lakes

Fishing in the Salmon River or nearby creeks looks amazing, but non‑Idaho resident fishing licenses are pricey. We enjoyed watching fish gather at the inlet of Little Redfish Lake and saw a man fly fishing upstream.

What fishing gear should I bring to Redfish Lake?

• Fly Fishing Starter Kit — Great for beginners who want to try fly fishing.

What should I pack for camping at Redfish Lake?

Essential Gear

• Portable canopy
• Camping chairs
• Dry bags
• Quick‑dry towels
• Kayak roof straps
• Headlamps
• Portable water filter
• Inflatable paddleboard
• Dog life jacket

Clothing

• Layers for cool mornings
• Swimsuits
• Hiking shoes
• Sun hats

Food & Kitchen

• Cooler
• Camp stove
• Reusable water bottles

Safety

• First aid kit
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray

Summary

It’s hard to be disappointed with a visit to Redfish Lake. There are so many activities and options that you could easily spend a full week in the area. We only stayed two nights, and that was perfect for tent camping.

The key to a successful trip is booking your campsite early so you don’t have the stress of trying to snag a site the day of. Going that “first come, first served” route in the middle of summer can be pretty stressful.

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