Just over 3 hours from Boise is a town nestled within one of America’s most rugged and wild mountain ranges.
Stanley, Idaho, is home to fewer people than you’ll find at a grocery store on a busy Saturday afternoon. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in sheer beauty.
The town is surrounded by the jagged Sawtooth Mountain range, and after one visit, you’ll quickly understand where the name comes from. These peaks seemingly pierce the sky and are home to more alpine lakes, trails, and backcountry beauty than you can count.
A trip to Stanley is a must-do for anyone making a visit to the Sawtooths. It serves as a basecamp with a collection of hotels, lodges, and campgrounds and is home to fishing and backcountry guides who can help you make the most of a visit to this stunning area.
Where are the Sawtooths?
The Sawtooth Mountains are located in Central Idaho to the northeast of Boise. This nearly 700 square mile mountain range lies within the Sawtooth Wilderness area.
The popular ski destination resort of Sun Valley sits just outside the wilderness area and has an airport with daily flights from major cities around the west coast and mountain west areas.
The wilderness area is largely desolate, with the occasional lodge, ranch, or outpost town for services.
Where to Stay in the Sawtooths
Camping and lodges are the name of the game for stays around the Sawtooths.
Numerous campgrounds surround the area, with Redfish Lake being one of the most popular options. Here, you can spend your days on this incredibly scenic lake, head out for day hikes in the nearby mountains, and enjoy the amenities that come with camping just miles from nearby Stanley.
Make sure to bring a kayak or paddleboard, as the views from the water are out of this world. Don’t worry, though, if you don’t have room. The nearby Red Lake Lodge has a marina with boats, kayaks, and paddleboards for rent.
There are also numerous lodges throughout the area, with the aforementioned Redfish Lake Lodge being a stunning option. This rustic, log-framed lodge has stood along the banks of Redfish Lake for nearly a century and served as the base camp for countless adventures into the nearby mountains.
If you’re planning on heading into the Sawtooths’ backcountry, the world is your oyster. There are countless backcountry options scattered throughout the mountains.
Things To Do in the Sawtooths
Soak in the Hotsprings
The Sawtooth area is a thermal paradise filled with hot springs perfect for relaxing those sore muscles after a long weekend of backpacking. One of the closest springs to Stanley is Boat Box Hot Springs.
Located right off the road, this isn’t the place to get away from the crowds, but the easy access does make it a great spot to grab a quick soak.
There are numerous other options nearby that range from options right off the road to backcountry pools that will require a hike in.
Paddle on Redfish Lake
Redfish Lake is the perfect place to spend the day paddling and exploring its wooded shorelines and breathtaking views of the jagged peaks of the Sawtooths.
As mentioned earlier, you can rent a boat from the Redfish Lake Lodge marina or bring your own to cast off directly from your campsite.
The lodge also offers shuttles that will take you across the lake so you can explore the trails and less-visited areas of this mountain paradise.
Fish in Backcountry Streams
The Sawtooths are famous for their fly fishing options. With over 400 lakes and countless streams and rivers between them, there is an abundance of opportunities to catch the rainbow and cutthroat trout that live in these waters.
You may find it hard to focus on catching these elusive fish, though, as nearly every lake is surrounded by such outstanding views that you may find yourself spending more time looking up than at the waters in front of you.
The Idaho Fishing Planner is a must for anglers looking for information on when, where, and how to fish around the area.
Backpack Through the Mountains
Last, but most certainly not least, is backpacking through the Sawtooths. This is easily the best way to get up close and person with the peaks, lakes, valleys, and streams that make up this incredible region.
The Alice-Toxway Loop is a classic hike that will take you past some of the best scenery the Sawtooths offer. At only 18 miles long, the trip can be broken up into two or three relatively easy days.
This leaves plenty of time to set up camp by the lakes, swim to cool off after a warm day of hiking, and side trails to the nearby peaks.
