Sawmill Campground

Signs and Info

Campsites

Recreation

Name: Sawmill Campground

Sawmill Campground is nestled along the banks of the East Fork of the Big Wood River surrounded by aspen trees. It is only about 15 miles from Ketchum and Sun Valley, Idaho. The Pioneer Mountains watch over it from the east with peaks reaching over 12,000 feet. The peaks are Hyndman Peak, Cobb Peak, Devil's Bedstead and Grays Peak. The East Fork of the Big Wood River is so small here I could jump over it. Sawmill is a small campground, but it offers camping in some beautiful country.

Campsites: There are 3 campsites, each having a picnic table and fire ring with attached grill. The road and driveways are gravel. This would not be a good location for a large RV as the sites are on the smaller side and the turn around area is small.

Host on Site: No.

Water: No potable water available.

Garbage Services: No.

Electricity Available: No.

Restroom: There is a nice vault style outhouse which was clean and well supplied.

Handicap Accessible: Only the outhouse is handicap accessible.

Firewood: You will need to provide your own.

Pets: No stipulations.

Picnic Area: This is a free campground, so feel free to use a campsite for your picnic area.

Recreation: I enjoyed camping here. It was very peaceful with the aspen leaves rattling in the breeze and the river splashing its way down the valley. I imagine Sawmill Campground is used by hunters each fall and by backpackers for a base camp. Federal Gulch Campground is nearer to the trails but not nearly as picturesque.

Fishing: Check out the nearby mountain streams. They are very small but there would be pools one could fish. There are some high mountain lakes to the northeast one could hike to, but these hikes would be very challenging. Check the regulations for local restrictions.

Boating: No.

Swimming: No.

Wildlife: We did not see any big game type of wildlife but there were woodpeckers and other birds and squirrels. I saw deer and fox tracks.

Additional Camping Opportunities: We have reviews for these nearby campgrounds; Federal Gulch Campground, Deer Creek Campground, Boundary Campground and Wood River Campground.

Phone service: We picked up cell reception on our ATT phones a mile or two from Hwy 75, but there was no reception at Sawmill Campground. There are pay phones at several locations along Hwy 75.

Nearby Services: Ketchum, Idaho, is your nearby source for supplies. You will find pretty much any supply you might run short on such as pop, food, marshmallows and hot chocolate.

RV Dumping Site: The nearest dumping station is just north of the Sawtooth National Recreation Visitors Information Center. Follow this link for a google map.

Location/Driving instructions: From Ketchum, Idaho, take Hwy 75 south 5.7 miles to a left turn onto the East Fork Wood River Rd. As you follow the East Fork Wood River Rd, it becomes the East Fork Rd and is very narrow. Sawmill Campground is 10.9 miles and on your right side.

Coordinates: 43.6661468,-114.1655495

Elevation: 6693 Feet

Reviewed Date: July 2010

Fees And Reservations: No. Free.

This information is accurate as of the date of the review.