Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Join us on an epic Idaho RVenture as we explore Stanley, Idaho and take on our first-ever overnight backpacking trip to Goldbug Hot Springs!
We kick things off by showing you an amazing free campsite near Stanley, surrounded by jaw-dropping mountain views and nature’s beauty. From there, we check out some of the area’s incredible hot springs (and how to access them), plus a stop at Sunny Gulch Campground to compare options.
Next, we head over to Redfish Lake & Lodge for swimming, metal detecting, and soaking in the scenery, complete with a drone flyover of our campsite. Hungry? We fuel up at the Real Deal Smokehouse for some unforgettable Idaho BBQ before starting our backpacking journey to Goldbug Hot Springs.
On the trail, we show off our backpacking setup, enjoy hot toddys for breakfast with an unbeatable view, and hike back down through Idaho’s rugged beauty. The adventure doesn’t stop there—we explore the historic home of Dugout Dick, the legendary Idaho hermit, and wander through Bayhorse Ghost Town, an authentic glimpse into Idaho’s mining past.
Finally, we swing back to Round Valley Campground to grab our RV and continue our journey to the next big RVenture!
If you love RV life, free camping, backpacking, hot springs, ghost towns, and epic mountain scenery, this is a trip you don’t want to miss!
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more RV travel, adventures, and tips!
Where we camped near Stanley:
fs.usda.gov/r04/sawtooth/recreation/sunny-gulch-campground
(Free campgrounds on both sides of sunny gulch)
Goldbug Hot Springs:
blm.gov/visit/goldbug-hot-springs
Real Deal Smokehouse Challis, Idaho:
facebook.com/p/Real-Deal-Smokehouse-100057368593636
Redfish Lake Lodge:
redfishlake.com
Information on Dugout Dick and the Idaho Hermits:
hmdb.org/m.asp?m=109678
Round Valley RV Park Challis, Idaho:
roundvalleyrv.com
Join us on an epic Idaho RVenture as we explore Stanley, Idaho and take on our first-ever overnight backpacking trip to Goldbug Hot Springs!
We kick things off by showing you an amazing free campsite near Stanley, surrounded by jaw-dropping mountain views and nature’s beauty. From there, we check out some of the area’s incredible hot springs (and how to access them), plus a stop at Sunny Gulch Campground to compare options.
Next, we head over to Redfish Lake & Lodge for swimming, metal detecting, and soaking in the scenery, complete with a drone flyover of our campsite. Hungry? We fuel up at the Real Deal Smokehouse for some unforgettable Idaho BBQ before starting our backpacking journey to Goldbug Hot Springs.
On the trail, we show off our backpacking setup, enjoy hot toddys for breakfast with an unbeatable view, and hike back down through Idaho’s rugged beauty. The adventure doesn’t stop there—we explore the historic home of Dugout Dick, the legendary Idaho hermit, and wander through Bayhorse Ghost Town, an authentic glimpse into Idaho’s mining past.
Finally, we swing back to Round Valley Campground to grab our RV and continue our journey to the next big RVenture!
If you love RV life, free camping, backpacking, hot springs, ghost towns, and epic mountain scenery, this is a trip you don’t want to miss!
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more RV travel, adventures, and tips!
Where we camped near Stanley:
fs.usda.gov/r04/sawtooth/recreation/sunny-gulch-campground
(Free campgrounds on both sides of sunny gulch)
Goldbug Hot Springs:
blm.gov/visit/goldbug-hot-springs
Real Deal Smokehouse Challis, Idaho:
facebook.com/p/Real-Deal-Smokehouse-100057368593636
Redfish Lake Lodge:
redfishlake.com
Information on Dugout Dick and the Idaho Hermits:
hmdb.org/m.asp?m=109678
Round Valley RV Park Challis, Idaho:
roundvalleyrv.com
