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Stanton Crossing

8 ReviewsAdd Review

Highway noise from nearby Route 20 mixes with the sound of the Big Wood River at this dispersed camping area managed by Idaho Fish and Game. The gravel access road circles through the site, allowing RVs up to 50 feet to navigate and select from multiple spots of varying levelness. Aspen trees provide some shade, though Laura M. notes "no real privacy here despite being surrounded by trees."

Direct river access makes this spot popular with campers who want water activities for themselves and their pets. The single pit toilet serves the entire area, and campers must pack out all trash since no collection services exist. Cell coverage varies by carrier, with Verizon showing weak signals while AT&T performs better according to visitor reports.

Sites fill up with a mix of tent campers and RV users taking advantage of the free camping and 10-day stay limit. The proximity to Highway 20 means steady traffic noise, particularly from semi trucks passing through the night. For those wanting more developed amenities, My Own Private Idaho offers a different experience about five miles southwest.

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Location

Public Campground

Stanton Crossing is located in Idaho

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

43.32936429 N
114.319732 W

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Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 4/3/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 10 users
    Last on 4/3/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 5 users
    Last on 4/3/26

Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 4/3/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 10 users
    Last on 4/3/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 5 users
    Last on 4/3/26

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Dispersed
  • Group
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

FREE established camping

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.

PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Stanton Crossing needs a permit.

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General Info

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Reviews

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3.5

out of 5

8 Reviews

Raime B.
Reviewed Aug. 24, 2025

Good for a night!

We stopped here for the night while visiting Craters of the Moon. A convenient stop with a good amount of camping spots and free!

Month of VisitAugust
bThe Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Jul. 24, 2023

Pretty crowded for a Sunday

I was excited to pull in, but didn’t feel safe. This is a pretty good-sized area and lots of cars and rvs. I drove through and saw several open spaces, but I didn’t feel great about the neighbors. I have nothing to back this up, but my gut. I pulled into one of the few shady spots to camp overnight and leave in the morning. But, I decided to move on after about 20 minutes. You can hear a creek from the site and tons of bugs that come with water.

Siteunknown
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Stanton Crossing by beth , July 24, 2023
Debbie J.
Reviewed Jun. 3, 2022

Free campsite

This was a great free spot. Even had a great camp host. She came over to see if we needed help when we pulled in. We found an open spot for our solar but there were also shady spots.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Stanton Crossing by Debbie J., June 3, 2022
Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Nov. 7, 2021

Dusty and Noisy

This campground sits right off of Hwy 20 along the Big Wood River. It is a dispersed campground with varying degrees of levelness and sizes. No real privacy here despite being surrounded by trees, mostly aspens which were starting to change color in September and give the place a little bit of a peaceful atmosphere. There were a few campers there with trailers when we were there that seemed to keep to themselves and only one of the trailers looked a little rundown and sketchy. 

There is river access which is nice and easy. There is road noise as it sits fairly close to the highway. 

There are pit toilets and a few of the “sites” have stone pits but fire restrictions are in effect so no fires at this time. There are no garbage cans or dumpsters so pack in and pack out. Also there were no water spigots that we found, so filter from the river or bring water. Overall this is a dusty fairly noisy stop good for a night. I wouldn’t make it a destination but if you’re tired of driving and need a place to crash it’s free and easily accessed. 

There is a 10 day limit on camping within a 30 day period. Weak Verizon, good ATT and no TMobile cell reception.

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Stanton Crossing by Laura M., November 7, 2021
  • Review photo of Stanton Crossing by Laura M., November 7, 2021
  • (8) View All
s
Reviewed Jul. 11, 2021

Great spot for an overnight spot

This was a great spot to park and camp on our way through. River for a dog swim and multiple spots. Only complaint was it was hard to spot the entrance at night.

Sitepull in spot just past the cattle guard
Month of VisitJuly
Barbara S.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed May. 2, 2021

Plenty of room for large rigs

We only stayed for one night. We have a 36ft travel Trailer and we're able to maneuver it very well. The campground road is gravelly and circles most of the small campground so you can look for a good spot. There is one pit toilet, but we didn't use it. We didn't use our computers but was able to get Amazon prime and watch a movie without glitches. Cell service was good (we have Verizon). There is a gas station and small grocery store 20 miles from the site so you are not totally removed from civilization. When we were there (in late April) it was quiet and not much traffic, this is a great place to stay for a few nights or more. Since this is a free campsite, it is not maintained but worth the stay.

Month of VisitApril
  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Stanton Crossing by Barbara S., May 2, 2021
  • Review photo of Stanton Crossing by Barbara S., May 2, 2021
  • (4) View All
Jessy M.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Jul. 21, 2020

Not too bad!

This campground was a nice break after spending the last few nights at Walmart's. Yes, you can hear road noise but still quieter than the city! There were a lot of level spots to chose from and the trees were a welcomed sight in the 90 degree heat.

  • Review photo of Stanton Crossing by Jessy M., July 21, 2020
Dakota S.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Jun. 12, 2019

Clean but traffic...

Camp ground was clean and nice! River runs close and plenty of shade! The only complaint is it is right next to a busy road so you get to listen to semi trucks drive by all night.

  • Review photo of Stanton Crossing by Dakota S., June 12, 2019
Showing results 1-8 of 8 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you camp at Magic Reservoir near Stanton Crossing?

While Stanton Crossing itself is located along the Big Wood River, Magic Reservoir is in the same general region of south-central Idaho. The reservoir does offer camping opportunities separate from Stanton Crossing. If you're looking to camp specifically at Stanton Crossing, you'll be situated along the river rather than at the reservoir. For those wanting to explore both areas, they're within reasonable driving distance of each other, making it possible to visit Magic Reservoir during your stay.

Where is Stanton Crossing Campground located in Idaho?

Stanton Crossing Campground is located alongside Highway 20 in south-central Idaho, situated on the banks of the Big Wood River. The campground is conveniently positioned as a stopover point for travelers, making it accessible for those visiting nearby attractions like Craters of the Moon National Monument. Its riverside setting offers pleasant views, though its proximity to the highway means you'll hear some road noise from passing vehicles, including semi-trucks.

How far is Stanton Crossing Campground from Sun Valley, Idaho?

Stanton Crossing Campground is approximately 30-40 miles from Sun Valley, Idaho, making it about a 40-minute to one-hour drive depending on traffic and conditions. This distance positions Stanton Crossing as a more affordable alternative to staying directly in the Sun Valley area, which is known for its upscale accommodations. The drive between the two locations follows scenic routes through south-central Idaho, offering mountain views along the way. For visitors planning day trips to Sun Valley while keeping camping costs low, Stanton Crossing provides a practical base.

What amenities and facilities are available at Stanton Crossing Campground?

Stanton Crossing is a basic, free dispersed campground with minimal amenities. The site features one pit toilet, a circular gravel road for easy navigation, and various camping spots with different levels of shade from aspen trees. There are no hookups, but the area accommodates larger RVs (up to 36-foot travel trailers have been reported to navigate easily). The Big Wood River runs alongside the campground, providing water access for pets and recreation. A camp host is sometimes present to assist visitors. The campground offers both sunny spots ideal for solar power and shaded areas for those preferring cooler temperatures.

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