Federal campground in Sawtooth National Forest
Location: Stanley, ID, ID
Price: From $20 per night
Rating: 4 out of 5 (0 reviews)
Season: May through October
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/upper-obrien-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Quiet campground located right next to the Salmon River with a 4.8/5 rating from campers who appreciate its peaceful setting. Great for overnight stays or longer weekend getaways.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear, American Elk, Bighorn Sheep, Mule Deer, and American Pronghorn present in the area within 8km
Insider tips for Upper O’Brien Campground: First-come, first-served basis only — arrive physically at campground to claim sites Download Recreation.gov mobile app before arrival to use Scan and Pay feature if available in remote area Water available via hand pump — bring containers One-lane bridge access is manageable even for trucks with 18-foot trailers
Skip Upper O’Brien Campground if: You need hookups — no hookups available. You require advance reservations — first-come, first-served only. You prefer paved roads — all roads are dirt and gravel. You visit outside May-October — seasonal operations only.
Best time to visit Upper O’Brien Campground: May-October — Official operating season for the campground.
Nearby campgrounds: Lower O’Brien Campground (Stanley, ID), Mormon Bend Campground (Stanley, ID), Whiskey Flat Campground (Clayton, ID), Riverside Campground (Id) (Stanley, ID).
Cell signal at Upper O’Brien Campground (Stanley, ID): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature.
Known issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
First-come, first-served basis only
arrive physically at campground to claim sites
Download Recreation.gov mobile app before arrival to use Scan and Pay feature if available in remote area
Water available via hand pump
bring containers
One-lane bridge access is manageable even for trucks with 18-foot trailers
Official operating season for the campground
FCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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