Sylvan Lake Campground

We had some last minute travel changes and decided to find a campground in the Sawtooths on the 4th of July weekend. I found this one online, and thankfully there were still spots left for us! Absolutely breathtaking, especially at dawn when the water is smooth. There are some reservation sites, and then many first come sites. I highly recommend this campground out of sheer beauty. The bathrooms were also clean, and I noticed multiple potable water options. Since it's so beautiful, the place seems to be pretty busy...so if you're searching for seclusion and privacy, camp elsewhere and come visit the lake :) the campground does have quiet hours and they enforce those so we had no noise issues!

This is a bare bones type developed campground - fire ring/picnic table/pit toilets. Which is all I wanted. I just wanted to be closer to the lake itself as far as tent camping. The spaces I was near (the campground is divided in to three sections) - like space numbers 25-35 or something - are absolutely geared for big RV’s size wise - BUT each includes a well groomed flat pad for a tent! LOVE THAT. This section is the least desired because it’s most exposed. Fewer mature trees. And, no lake views as it is farthest from it. Having said that - the lake is a 100 yard walk down a nice developed path (dirt) through trees. The hosts (Candy & Gale) keep the place top notch. Firewood is available from them. There are signs for all three sections of camping, that the hosts flip over, saying FULL or VACANCY. Regularly drive by to see if you want a first come first serve spot. Very near the boat launch and trailheads too. The lake/campground itself is 9 miles from the main road. The small town of Stanley is not far for any necessities.

Absolutely beautiful campground and surroundings. Amazing hikes and views. 3 stars are due to the camp host. Not sure if she has short term memory loss or what. We came, checked in, provided her all the information and she left. A few hours later she comes by again and says why are you in this camp site, and the whole check in process starts again. She will single people out to bother through the entire stay. We left our generator running a few minutes past 10pm one night, and the following night she rolls up on her golf cart at 9:50 and begins to threaten us that she will put our name in the file.....my husband recorded it and we shut off the generator at 9:57. She picks and chooses who should follow the rules and who does not need to.

Long story short, it is beautiful but the host leaves the experiance less than desirable.