United States
Idaho (ID)
Stanley
Things to Do in Stanley
Stanley Lake

Stanley Lake: Address, Phone Number, Stanley Lake Reviews: 5/5

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Stanley Lake

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Stanley Lake
5
118
#2 of 9 things to do in Stanley
Bodies of Water
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
9 within 3 miles
Stanley Baking Co.
533
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • American • Cafe
Papa Brunee's
198
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Vegetarian Friendly
Sawtooth Hotel Restaurant
145
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • International • Vegetarian Friendly
Sawtooth Luce's
96
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Gastropub • Vegetarian Friendly
Kasino Club
92
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Steakhouse • Bar
Stanley Supper Club
15
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American
Peaks and Perks
42
0.2 mi$ • Quick Bites • Cafe
Stanley Scoops
2
0.3 mi
Mountain Village Restaurant
142
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Vegetarian Friendly
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Attractions
3 within 6 miles
Gerheim Gallery
6
0.2 miArt Galleries
Redfish Lake
368
Bodies of Water
Redfish Outlet Lake
100
Bodies of Water
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
118 reviews
Excellent
97
Very good
16
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
1
SallyC
Boise, ID8 contributions
Earthquake beach
This lake is so beautiful, even after the March 2020 earthquake did some rearranging of the land there. Now there is a bridge to what I call "Earthquake Beach". The earthquake actually liquefied the beach and it sunk about 4 feet - it is really interesting to see. The camping there is great, as are the trails and swimming.
Written July 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mike
Boise, ID6 contributions
Less people than redfish
Less people, but still great views. No motor boats so also a bit quieter. Smaller than redfish as well. Dock you can jump off of. Plenty of fishing spots. Easy lake to SUP or kayak on.
Written September 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Donna G
Johnstown, PA34 contributions
Nice little lake with camping, swimming , hiking
Pretty small lake in the mountains. We stayed in Stanley, it’s only a short drive. We were there two days and did two trails. Very pretty through meadows up to a place called Bridal Falls. It was later in day, we couldn’t go all the way. Take mosquito spray. If you stop walking they land on you right away. The mountain flowers are very pretty
Written June 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tom G
9 contributions
Gorgeous
Couples
Beautiful area with gorgeous views. Quiet and peaceful area with wildlife. Hiking, biking and swimming. If your a scuba diver you can go here, just know that the water temperture is in the 50's year round!
Written July 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Imapepper79
Boise, ID316 contributions
Awesome!
Beautiful lake with great hiking and biking! Clear clean water for swimming! We did the hike to bridal falls and biked the Elk mountain loop! Lots of fun! And less people than Redfish Lake!
Written August 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
LtheNinjaPirate
Phoenix, AZ292 contributions
Amazing!!
Couples
Best camping of the season right here!! We went up for Labor Day weekend and actually found a spot in the first-come-first-serve sites at Lakeside campground which is practically attached to Stanley Lake CG. It was amazing! The host was super cool!! Big shout out to Denny for all her wonderful help and for managing a giant operation all by herself!

You are very likely to find a spot here even if it is on the upper loop. You’ll still have access to the lake for fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding or small motor boating. There’s a hike up to a waterfall from the day use parking lot. It’s about 4.5 miles one way but by September the waterfall was just a trickle. Still a great hike. Head out early and bring plenty of water. It gets a tad hot.

At the campground, you will have access to vault toilets, potable water, trash and recycling. There are also quite a few boondocking spots just outside the campground and if I’m not mistaken, you can easily walk down to the lake from there as well.

There is very little cell service at the lake, the best place was actually out on the water but the hot spot on my truck did pick up enough to provide us with WiFi and the ability to use FaceTime audio and WhatsApp to check in on the kids.

All in all, it was an amazing spot. We will definitely be back.
Written September 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Laura A
St. George, UT95 contributions
Camping with a View
Couples
Needed to get out of the city heat and headed north with out tent trailer. You must arrive mid-week as most sites are first come. This view was from our second move into this site. Fill your tanks before you leave town as the hydrant water will not fit your house. Best thing is it just 10 minutes to town for provisions or eating out. Vault toilets are clean.
Written June 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Spanky2564
Boise, ID11 contributions
Breathtaking view
Couples
A very quiet and serene lake. If you are looking for a lake with lots of people, boats and kids, go to Redfish Lake. If, however, you want a relaxing stress free environment, then Stanley Lake is the place for you. My last visit there, maybe a dozen people were around the lake and only a couple of boats were on the water. Quiet noises of the forest and a smooth lake surface await.
Written June 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
CrankingChick
Tucson, AZ7,872 contributions
Disappointing
Couples
I was excited to visit Stanley Lake because I had seen photos that made it look so beautiful and serene, but when we visited on a Wednesday in July it was anything but peaceful. It was very crowded, and people had set up their campsites shoulder-to-shoulder around the lake shore. We had trouble even gaining access to the lake between campers, and finding a spot to photograph the lake without tents, coolers and bbq grills in the scene. The lake IS a very beautiful location - I enjoyed the views of McGown Peak and the wildflowers - but there were just too many people loving it to death. Picnic tables and restrooms are available.
Written December 6, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Steve M
22 contributions
Our vvisit to Stanley Lake
Family
We took a drive over to Stanley Lake one evening to go for a hike. Went to end of lake to Inlet campground. About half of the campsites were under water. Management had left a beaver dam that had allowed the road to flood making a deep hole, almost impossible to drive a camp trailer through.
Lots of mosquitoes. Not the best visit😤
Written June 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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