Iron Creek Campground ~ Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Flickr album link: Iron Creek Campground

​For those who seek a deep wilderness experience, there are many good places to set up a basecamp in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. One in particular is the Iron Creek Campground, which is situated on the edge of the mountains and two major trailheads are located nearby. The Iron Creek Campground is located about 45 minutes west of Stanley, Idaho on State Road 21, which is one of the main touring routes through the Sawtooth region. The spectacular namesake mountain peaks are all around and wildlife abounds in the meadows next to the forest, so this is the perfect spot for nature lovers of all kinds. 

The Iron Creek Campground has 18 first come-first serve campsites and it is only open during the warm weather seasons. Basic facilities and drinking water is available on site, while the town of Stanley is a convenient spot for stocking up on supplies. Adding protein to the diet is easy to do, as long as fly fishing gear is packed and a visitor does not mind doing some hiking. Both the Iron Creek Trail and the Alpine Way trail go to five picturesque lakes in deep pine woods wilderness where a variety of trout await to jump into the cast iron skillet and there are a few streams along the way that are perfect for angling too.

On the downside, the mountains that surround the Iron Creek Campground are tall enough to trap heavy clouds, so rain gear and a well ventilated tent will likely be needed for the venture. The morning dew can be thick in this area, so mushroom and berry gathering can be fruitful in this area. The bears are mighty big in this region, so it is best to be well aware of the surroundings and practice bear safe food storage. Other than this minor inconvenience, Iron Creek is the perfect spot for going on a hike with a fishing pole and camera in hand!  
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