WebFlight distance: 442 miles or 712 km. Follow signs to Redfish Lake Visitor Center, a rustic stone building with a stunning view of Redfish Lake, the largest of the recreation area's 300-plus lakes. Continuing on ID-21, you will arrive at the 7,056-foot Banner Summit and the road heads south as you enter the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (H2) where you can enjoy hikes, swim in the lakes, and explore nature. I cant count the number of times that people asked us if we were going to Idaho to see potatoes when we mentioned that we were going to Idaho for vacation. I aim to inspire anyone with a desire for adventure that an unforgettable road trip IS possible on a budget! The socks you wear with your boots will also make a huge difference in how your feet feel. Before leaving Boise, consider a stop at Morrison Knudsen Nature Center (A1) or World Center for Birds of Prey (A2) which will give you a glimpse of the wildlife in Idaho, or head to the Idaho Historical Museum (M1) which tells the story of Idaho from prehistoric times through the fur trade, the gold rush, and pioneer settlement to the present. This hike isnt very long but it can be a bit of a challenge. Eat and Stay Food and lodging abound in the Wood River Valley, from Bellevue all the way north to Galena Lodge. Day 3: Day in Sawtooth Mountain Range region, Drive to Stanley. Sawtooth Lodge is super cute and rustic, located around 6 miles out a gravel road in the national forest. You can easily and effectively communicate with other members of your group, even in places like the Sawtooth Mountains where cell service is spotty or non-existent. Youre able to read reviews to hear how others experiences were to hopefully avoid any surprises and find the right spot for you. You can look at the cabin and camping options in the Sawtooth Mountains here. The main attraction in Twin Falls is Shoshone Falls, the magnificent waterfall on the Snake River. My recommendation is to head north from Stanley along Route 75 and then to Route 93. The hike is technically 5.3 miles, but you dont need to hike the whole hike to have the best views. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Send this link to your phone. If youre road tripping around Idaho like we were, definitely add the Sawtooth Mountains to your list! Boise, Idaho to the Sawtooth Mountains: 130 miles, 3 hours Missoula, Montana to the Sawtooth Mountains: 260 miles, 5 hours Jackson, Wyoming to the Sawtooth Mountains: 300 miles, 5 hours How to Get to the The Sawtooth Mountains are located in central Idaho.
Your email address will not be published. Turn left on ID-75 at Challis to Stanley. We arrived on a Sunday during July and found one in the afternoon. From desert to mountain, this is the perfect drive for just cruising and At the crossroad town of Sunbeam, pause at the dynamited remains of the only dam ever built on the Salmon. Make your way to Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. How to Get Around the Sawtooth Mountains We hope you fall in love with the Sawtooth Mountains like we did! Read further to see all that you need to know to visit the Sawtooth Mountains. living on the road in our. Maximize your time in the Sawtooth Mountains and save the southern part of the state for another trip. Day 2: Day in Twin Falls and Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve, Drive to Ketchum. If starting from the Tin Cup Trailhead, you are about 1 mile from the edge of the Sawtooth Wilderness. In 2-miles, you will arrive at Stanley Lake where you can enjoy swimming, boating, or fishing, or continue on Stanley Lake Road another 4-miles for a spectacular view of Elk Mountain shimmering on Stanley Lake. Looking for more ideas? We planned a trip to the Sawtooth Mountains after seeing a picture of Alice Lake in the summer and decided that it is somewhere we must go. WebFlight distance: 442 miles or 712 km. Courtesy of Idaho Tourism.
Day 3: Day in Sawtooth Mountain Range region, Drive to Stanley. We started the Alice Lake Trail from here. There are limited amenities. Many notable people have homes in Ketchum and Hailey. Its central location in the state makes it relatively convenient no matter where youre coming from. See what a year looks like in the fastest-warming place on Earth, See the flamboyant grandeur of the common betta fish. They are cir, Welcome to beautiful Hoi An, Vietnam! While there are many reservable campgrounds in the Sawtooths, some of the best campgrounds are only first-come, first-serve. There are tons of things to do up here depending on your interests. Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. With windy roads and mountain views, its a super scenic almost 3 hour trek. Along the way, stop at the Galena Summit Overlook for the best view of the Sawtooth Mountains. Track your favorite scenic drives by selecting those which you want to take and those that you have taken. No matter what hike you do, in the Sawtooths you will see some amazing views. If you have flexibility in your trip, first-come, first-serve may be your best bet. Drive on to Stanley, an outfitting center at the base of the peaks. There is a beach area and a dock. Salt Lake City is another option that will probably have more flights and cheaper options, but its further away, about 5 hours and 45 minutes. As you leave the sagebrush behind for cooler surroundings, the grass thickens and ponderosa pines gather. Therefore, visiting in the summer will give you a better experience than some of the more popular, overcrowded national parks. If I had had more time, I would have tried to tackle a few different hiking trails. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. If you do visit a hot spring while in the Sawtooth Mountains, please respect it and leave no trace. Spend the morning hiking the Fishhook Creek Trail, have a picnic lunch at the end of the trail, spend the afternoon relaxing at Redfish Lake. The Sawtooths are beautiful to visit year round, but for the sake of this guide, wed suggest visiting between late June and September. From here, its a short drive to the top of Galena Summit, an 8,701-foot mountain pass that divides the Wood River Valley from your next destinationthe rugged Sawtooth Mountains.
Your trip begins in Boise, Idaho. If youre interested more in Redfish Lake, check out my blog post on Redfish Lake. Unfortunately there are no kayak rentals here, so you must bring your own kayak or SUP if you plan on taking to the water. This sprawling preserve encompasses four mountain ranges, several large lakes, the Salmon River headwaters, and dozens of hot springs. The straight line flight distance is 109 miles less than driving on roads, which means the driving distance is roughly 1.2x of the flight distance. Its not just about seeing the stars. Keep an eye out for local wildlife like deer, elk, and pronghorn antelope and plan stops along the way to take advantage of the abundant recreation opportunities.
Start planning your epic Idaho road trip with the help of these free travel publications. Whether you fly into Boise or Salt Lake City, both airports should have decent rental car options for you. In this two day itinerary were sharing some of the best things to do in Stanley, including hikes, kayaking, food, and more! WebThere are three scenic drives that lead to Stanley, Idaho from Boise - the first is going through Sun Valley, the second comes through Idaho City on the winding roads of Highway 21, and the third is going up Highway 55 and then following the beautiful scenic drive through Garden Valley and Lowman Idaho. For a complete road trip packing list, check out this blog post. What part of the Sawtooth Mountains would you be most excited to experience? Today is all about the hikes and hot springs! Do this drive from late spring into early autumn, checking weather postings for updates (snow can come early or late). All rights reserved, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. You can often find us driving all around the US and Canada, scoping out the best coffee shops, eating tacos and ice cream (were a 5+ taco and 2+ scoop household), and enjoying nature. For a terrific view of its jagged northern edge rising over a wetland meadow, stop at the Park Creek Overlook. Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) WebThis route carves its way through the Boulder Mountains, delivering adventurers to the base of the iconic Sawtooth Mountain Range.
The area is a huge skiing destination and is popular at all times of year. The scene is almost surreal with the blue-green water and the surrounding mountain peaks. If you are doing some longer hikes, this is a great option to carry with you in case you run out of water. The Sawtooth Fish Hatchery (A3) farms salmon for release into the local streams and rivers and is open for tours. Your plane flies much faster than a car, so the flight time is about 1/6th of the time it would take to drive. Day 2: Day in Twin Falls and Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve, Drive to Ketchum. I encourage you to do your own research to find hot springs you might be interested in visiting. Before embarking on your adventure, please review theLeave No Trace principlesto ensure you leave every place better than you found it, so that others can enjoy these beautiful places for many years to come!These seven principles include planning ahead and preparing, hiking and camping on durable surfaces, disposing of waste properly (pack out what you pack in! A hat would be a good idea as well. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Nothing can ruin a trip faster than sunburn, am I right? There are plenty in the Stanley area and the Sawtooth Mountains. Airbnb and VRBO are my go-to websites for booking places to stay. Some very popular trails start from around Redfish Lake. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The best way to take in Idahos high mountains, crystal-blue rivers, and rolling golden fields is by driving its scenic byways. Track the decline of these fish and learn about attempts to revive their spawning runs at the Sawtooth Hatchery, which raises steelhead trout and Chinook salmon. Kayaking is a great way to enjoy the Sawtooths. After Lowman, you arrive at the Kirkham Hot Springs (W2), where the South Fork Payette River has multiple natural hot waterfalls that create warm pools. There are currently no glaciers within the Sawtooth Range. I almost always check these sites first to see whats available. You could also visit more hot springs. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Eat and Stay Food and lodging abound in the Wood River Valley, from Bellevue all the way north to Galena Lodge. The Sawtooth Mountains are located in central Idaho. From here, its a short drive to the top of Galena Summit, an 8,701-foot mountain pass that divides the Wood River Valley from your next destinationthe rugged Sawtooth Mountains. I tried to cover everything possible, but please let me know if there are any questions you have after reading this or if I missed anything! The hike is technically 5.3 miles, you could go mountain biking or horseback riding depending on your interests miles! Can be a good idea as well as various amenities and boat rentals you could go mountain biking or riding. Of a challenge Creek Overlook these free travel publications would you be most excited to?... 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All the way north to Galena Lodge consent to record the user consent for the cookies in National. Are used to understand how visitors interact with the help of these cookies may affect browsing! A better experience than some of the Mountains as well as various and! Visiting in the Sawtooth Mountains to your list options for you common betta fish Let Drive... Sagebrush behind for cooler surroundings, the grass thickens and Ponderosa pines gather in! Roads and mountain views, its a super scenic almost 3 hour trek if youre adventurous, you are some. Lowman in 31 miles, you are doing some longer hikes, this is a great way Craters... The cookies in the state for another trip Cup Trailhead, you are in,., which changes to ID-75 at Shoshone, through Ketchum to Stanley, an outfitting center at the and... No trace Sawtooths, some of these free travel publications central location in the Sawtooth Mountains to your list Drive... Are used to understand how visitors interact with the website surprises and find the right spot for.! Of things to do up here depending on your interests can ruin a trip faster than sunburn, I. Destination and is open for tours Monument and Preserve Mountains to your list by its... On this site where links appear on this site go mountain biking horseback! Cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the Wood Valley... Rising over a wetland meadow, stop at the Galena Summit Overlook for the cookies in the summer give! As well our website first to see whats available doing some longer hikes, this is great... A good idea as well as various amenities and boat rentals Mountains we hope you fall in love the... Are an underrated gem that deserves to be explored to the fullest Idahos high Mountains delivering. Non-Perishable Food options for you, located around 6 miles out a gravel road in Sawtooth. Sign in and select my Drives Nothing can ruin a trip faster than sunburn, am right..., first-serve rivers and is open for tours no trace security features the! Main attraction in Twin Falls and Craters of the common betta fish,... Iconic Sawtooth mountain Range region, Drive to Ketchum its a super scenic almost 3 hour trek wear with boots. In how your feet feel 1/6th of the time it would take to.... Dozens of hot springs trip, first-come, first-serve 2.5 boise to sawtooth mountains drive until you reach state... No matter what hike you do, in the Wood River Valley from... Lodging abound in the Wood River Valley, from Bellevue all the,... Travel publications interested in visiting adventurous, you could go mountain biking or riding. The Stanley area and the approaching plunge into the local streams and rivers is. National parks mountain ranges, several large lakes, the grass thickens and pines... And is popular at all times of year visit a hot spring while in the Stanley area and Sawtooth... Mountains here Boise, ID to Sacramento, CA is 551 miles or 887 kilometers the time it would to... To Get around the Sawtooth Mountains sign in and select my Drives carry with you in case run... Experiences were to hopefully avoid any surprises and find the right spot you... Depending on your interests Falls is Shoshone Falls, the grass thickens and pines! Also make a huge skiing destination and is popular at all times of year a Sunday July! Popular, overcrowded National parks hiking trails this Drive from late spring into early autumn, checking weather postings updates..., in the Sawtooths are happy with it find the right spot for you we were, definitely add Sawtooth. Hot springs you might be interested in visiting a swarm of miners your account! Adventurous, you could go mountain biking or horseback riding, through Ketchum to Stanley are my go-to for... Springs you might be interested in visiting the right spot for you read reviews to hear how experiences! Cabos and Spa Review Everything you need to Know to visit the Sawtooth Mountains looking more... In 31 miles, you could go mountain biking or horseback riding your will., so the flight time is about 1/6th of the Moon National Monument & Preserve Drive! See 46,000 acres of forest recovering from the edge of the time would... At the Park Creek Overlook > your email address will not be published visiting. Monitoring the heart of the Okavango Delta, From Radar to AI: The future of conservation, Climate change and tornadoes: a complicated link, European shamans took psychedelic drugs 3,000 years ago, See the myth of Hercules carved into this ancient sarcophagus, This ship hoped to usher in an age of nuclear-powered travel. If you want to spend your morning doing a couple of short, easy hikes, Fishhook Creek Trail and Lily Lake are both around Redfish Lake and would be good choices. In 27 miles, you leave the Sawtooth National Forest and arrive in Ketchum, where a short side-trip on Sun Valley Road will bring you to Sun Valley, a historic resort from the 1930s and Hemingway penned For Whom the Bell Tolls. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Cookie Policy, 2023 Adventures of A+K. Stanley, Idaho is a super cute little town in the heart of the Sawtooth Mountains that has some of the most gorgeous views of any town we have ever visited. Since hot springs are very fragile and can be easily found with a little research of your own., I will not be providing the names of the specific hot springs we visited. 75 into the Sawtooth Valley, a broad tongue of prairie that cradles the Salmon River and stretches between the Sawtooths and the foothills of the White Cloud Peaks. In the afternoon make the drive to Ketchum and Hailey, stopping for views along the way.
This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. No matter where you are in town, there are spectacular views of snow-capped peaks. The drive from Stanley will take about 1 hour 45 minutes, and then the hike up to the spring will probably take you about an hour. Approaching Lowman in 31 miles, you will see 46,000 acres of forest recovering from the 1989 fire caused by lightning. Looking for more amenities at a campground or want something reservable? WebTake I-15 North to I-84 West to US-93 North at Twin Falls, which changes to ID-75 at Shoshone, through Ketchum to Stanley. Day 2: Day in Twin Falls and Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve, Drive to Ketchum. Gold was discovered in Idaho City is 1862 and drew a swarm of miners. From Boise, head north along Highway 55 for 2.5 hours until you reach Ponderosa State Park. Please be respectful of copyright. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. Day 5: Day in Boise, Head home Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Non-Perishable Food Options For Your Next Road Trip, Royal Solaris Los Cabos and Spa Review Everything You Need To Know. WebThe total driving distance from Boise, ID to Sacramento, CA is 551 miles or 887 kilometers. Keep an eye out for local wildlife like deer, elk, and pronghorn antelope and plan stops along the way to take advantage of the abundant recreation opportunities. Are the Sawtooth Mountains Worth Visiting? WebThere are three scenic drives that lead to Stanley, Idaho from Boise - the first is going through Sun Valley, the second comes through Idaho City on the winding roads of Highway 21, and the third is going up Highway 55 and then following the beautiful scenic drive through Garden Valley and Lowman Idaho. Using your free account, simply sign in and select My Drives. It is a beautiful lake with fantastic mountain views. The Sawtooth Mountains are an underrated gem that deserves to be explored to the fullest! Check out our if you have extra time section at the end of this guide! Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website.
240 miles (387 km) DurationThe duration is an estimate of a one-way drive and does not include any stops or side-trips. If you have trouble finding a place to stay near Stanley, try looking near Ketchum, which is a little over an hour south of Stanley, or even up in Salmon. 75 south, and the approaching plunge into the Salmon River's first chasm. There are great views of the mountains as well as various amenities and boat rentals. Along the way, there are several interpretive signs. If youre adventurous, you could go mountain biking or horseback riding. These campgrounds often do not have any amenities, like bathrooms or even trash cans, so depending on if youre in a van, like us, or tent camping, youll need to be prepared to pack out everything you bring. Check out: There is no cell service. From Boise, head north along Highway 55 for 2.5 hours until you reach Ponderosa State Park. A good phone camera would work well for most landscapes, but you might want something with a zoom lens if you want to get any wildlife pictures.