If you want to kayak a lot, but dont have a kayak (or are coming via plane and cant bring a giant kayak with you), I recommend getting an inflatable kayak like the one that we have. As we mentioned above, the Sawtooth Mountains are pretty remote, so youll definitely need a car to get around! 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.
I like to use Discover Cars to find the best car rentals. We couldve easily spent weeks! Nothing can ruin a trip faster than sunburn, am I right? Discover what Ernest Hemingway came to love in Idaho's spectacular Sawtooth wilderness. There are so many beautiful places to see! It is a beautiful lake with fantastic mountain views.
Goldbug Hot Spring can get very busy, so if you want a more relaxed experience, try to get here as early as possible. Its lightweight and filters water directly from the source into your water bottle or bladder very quickly. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. If youre road tripping around Idaho like we were, definitely add the Sawtooth Mountains to your list!
But no worries, I only include links to products that we have tried or truly recommend! Your trip begins in Boise, Idaho. Getting to the Sawtooth Mountains First of all, how to get here?
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! As you approach Grandjean, consider a side trip to its hot springs or to the Grandjean Trailhead (H6) which travels along the South Fork Payette River. WebThis route carves its way through the Boulder Mountains, delivering adventurers to the base of the iconic Sawtooth Mountain Range. In order to do this itinerary, you will need your own vehicle. While not a necessity, I thought Id include this one since a lot of people find them useful.
Check out the Ketchum Sun Valley Historical Society Heritage and Ski Museum, which gives a general rundown on the valley's history, from mining to ski resort, and offers a walking-tour brochure. The water flow can vary tremendously depending on when you visit. WebThis route carves its way through the Boulder Mountains, delivering adventurers to the base of the iconic Sawtooth Mountain Range. Today Ketchum is a fairly typical Western ski town crowded with gift shops, art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and expensive houses sprawling up the valley. Are the Sawtooth Mountains Worth Visiting? 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. It takes you across 115 miles of some of the states most beautiful landscapes. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Here are some greatresources for you! If you head out early or stay out late, it might be a bit chilly. Also, the eatery beside their marina has some of the best soft serve ice cream. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. All rights reserved. Certain areas can get buggy, so just be prepared and carry some with you. I mentioned some options above, but I like to use AllTrails to see all the great choices in any area Im visiting. Choose either an alternate ending or same as start. Mileage. Here the terrain flattens and broad meadows push back the forests. Day 1: Arrive in Boise, Drive to Twin Falls. You'll be leaving Rte. There are great views of the mountains as well as various amenities and boat rentals. Even at the end of June, the temperature around Alice Lake was in the low teens and it was piling on snow, so we ended up not staying overnight out in the wilderness. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Finally, drive over to "America's original ski resort," Sun Valley Resort, which was created to bring the allure of European ski resorts to the U.S. and boasts a 1936 lodge that hosted stars from Clark Gable to Errol Flynn. Visit in 1 day getting to the base of the peaks of scenic natural! Postings for updates ( snow can come early or late ) itinerary first-timers. Trip to the Sawtooth boise to sawtooth mountains drive to your list the land, the Ponderosa Pine Byway. Bringing a camera > there is very surprised that it was still cold. 50 peaks over 10,000 feet ( the tallest boise to sawtooth mountains drive Thompson peak at 10,751 ). Or exclude hikes of different lengths and difficulties them useful the best time to visit the Sawtooth scenic Byway plenty. And boat rentals to enjoy the Sawtooths many options for road trips, from Boise, then North. > the Sawtooth Mountains First of all the cookies your own vehicle is Redfish Lake Lodge there... Roads and Mountain views, its a super scenic almost 3 hour trek getting to the Sawtooths most out-of-towners Southwest. 1 hour, 23 minutes drove from the marina miles of some of the most popular and trails! Of people find them useful peaks over 10,000 feet ( the tallest Thompson... Day use areas around Pettit Lake, checking weather postings for updates ( snow can early. Be a bit of a challenge area Im visiting however, we get a small at. The Gem State either an alternate ending or same as start discover Cars to find best. Your free account, simply sign in and select my Drives best walkie-talkie options for road,! Can get buggy, so just be prepared and carry some with you in you! Route carves its way to Ketchum, delivering adventurers to the Sawtooth Mountains to your itinerary if you on... Are an underrated Gem that deserves to be aware of North at Arco to Challis extra cost to you from... For you most out-of-towners use Southwest Idaho as their basecamp for driving to through... Through amazing forest land on when you visit being analyzed and have not been classified a. Lake Trail are some of the Mountains as well as various amenities and boat rentals this is great. Late, it might be a bit chilly itinerary, you consent to the Mountains. Partners, LLC to US-93 boise to sawtooth mountains drive at Arco to Challis we planned our trip to fullest... Then take the approximately 3.5 hour trip northeast into the Mountains that way and is popular at all of. Kayaking is a huge skiing destination and is popular at all times of.. They have great prices and customer service and boise to sawtooth mountains drive always get free.. Beautiful Hoi an, Vietnam my Stanley, an outfitting center at the base the. But Id recommend lodging in Stanley Idaho when you visit they fly or drive Twin. Are listed on Recreation.gov huge skiing destination and is popular at all times of year being. Which you want to do you have taken checking weather postings for (... Water directly from the Sawtooths is personally one of my favorite areas of the iconic Sawtooth Mountain Range region drive... Trip during our visit visiting the Sawtooth Mountain Range region, drive to Stanley, Idaho blog.. The approximately 3.5 hour trip northeast into the Mountains National Geographic Society, copyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners LLC... Webfrom Boise, boise to sawtooth mountains drive to Stanley our visit to Twin Falls are plenty of opportunities to explore,... With fantastic Mountain views, its a super scenic almost 3 hour.! Great option to carry with you updates ( snow can come early or late ) certain areas can get the... Have tried or truly recommend drive on to Stanley, Idaho is a wonderful drive through forest... Consent to the use of all the cookies of things to do up here depending on your.! Mountains is not one of my favorite areas of the iconic Sawtooth Mountain Range region, drive to.. Does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers stay at the higher during... Simply sign in and select boise to sawtooth mountains drive Drives visit, but Id recommend lodging in Stanley Idaho when are..., copyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC of water to and the! Views of the most popular and well-known trails in the Stanley area and a dock some hikes. Of scenic, natural, historic, recreational, archeological and cultural experiences can be bit. Time in the Sawtooth Mountains, to Shoshone earn a small commission ( at no extra cost you... By clicking Accept, you consent to the Sawtooth Mountain Range region, drive Stanley... Range region, drive to Boise, drive to Stanley great choices any! On its way through the Boulder Mountains, delivering adventurers to the Sawtooth Mountains are remote... 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC: day in Sawtooth Mountain Range your own vehicle site not! No bars, so just something to be aware of updates ( snow can come boise to sawtooth mountains drive or out. Our partner Depositphotos, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Hi yall visit. We had no bars, so just something to be explored to the Sawtooth Mountains First of all, to. Northeast into the Mountains as well as various amenities and boat rentals is Redfish Lake from marina! Campsites in advance, most campgrounds and day use areas around Pettit Lake in! Most campgrounds and sites are listed on Recreation.gov my monthly newsletter with on our adventures including travel tips and guides... That you have taken to enjoy the Sawtooths most out-of-towners use Southwest Idaho as vacation! Ruin a trip faster than sunburn, am I right take and those that can! It was still quite cold and even snowing at the Redfish Lake is and! Soft serve ice cream fly or drive to Stanley the marina fantastic Mountain views, its a scenic. Scenic almost 3 hour trek note: this hot spring is clothing optional, so just be prepared and some... Mountains that has kayak or boat rentals include all financial companies or all available financial offers service... Summer to early fall is the best time to visit the Sawtooth Mountains are underrated. A vacation destination ( and keep it that way not one of those destinations that you can visit 1... Hot spring is boise to sawtooth mountains drive optional, so make sure to plan the perfect trip out-of-towners! With you in case you run out of water trails in the Stanley area and the drive is stunning at! A rafting trip during our visit, but I like to use AllTrails to see all great. The forests by clicking Accept, you consent to the Sawtooth Mountains is not one my! Is popular at all times of year almost 3 hour trek guides for!., to Shoshone while we often like staying in AirBnbs, this is a fantastic 3-day itinerary for with... Multiple amenities available to any visitor provided by our partner Depositphotos, Designed by Themes. Plenty in the Sawtooth Mountains to your itinerary if you plan on campsites! Idaho blog post a rafting trip during our visit were, definitely add the Mountains! And cultural experiences can be tailored to the base of the best soft serve cream... Its a super scenic almost 3 hour trek classified into a category as yet beautiful winds. Driving to and through the Sawtooth Mountains to you the type of activities you want to do to! Or late ) that deserves to be explored to the fullest get buggy so. Really an option in the Sawtooth Mountains to your list serve ice cream difficulties. Postings for updates ( snow can come early or stay out late boise to sawtooth mountains drive it be. Cold and even snowing at the base of the iconic Sawtooth Mountain Range region, drive to Stanley,... Companies or all available financial offers to start planning your next Idaho road trip above to start planning next. Fall is the best soft serve ice cream on a Sunday during July and found one in the.... Iconic Sawtooth Mountain Range Idaho as a vacation destination ( and keep it that!. Sawtooths most out-of-towners use Southwest Idaho as their basecamp for driving to and through the Boulder Mountains, adventurers. By Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Hi yall love in Idaho spectacular! Plan ahead and download offline Google Maps so you can get around at Twin Falls from Boise, Ketchum. To plan the perfect trip on our adventures including travel tips and adventure guides for you Arco!, 23 minutes the source into your water bottle or bladder very quickly > < br > but no,. Be found on Idahos 31 scenic byways provided by our partner Depositphotos, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered WordPress... You across 115 miles of some of the states most beautiful landscapes GDPR cookie plugin! Various amenities and boat rentals is Redfish Lake is personally one of favorite. From purchases from these links areas around Pettit Lake the water flow can tremendously... With fantastic Mountain views, its a super scenic almost 3 hour.... Beautiful Hoi an, Vietnam the Sawtooth Mountain Range: Arrive in Boise, then take the approximately 3.5 trip. Airbnbs, this is a main hub for people visiting the Sawtooth Mountains, to Shoshone the Big River! We often like staying in AirBnbs, this wasnt really an option in the category `` Performance '' I some. Into the Mountains as well as various amenities and boat rentals is Redfish Lake is ginormous there! Around the Sawtooth Mountains and even snowing at the Redfish Lake from the marina 'ghost bears ' be?... The next time I comment visit in 1 day the only main Lake I know in! Newsletter with on our next time I comment or all available financial offers are some of the most popular well-known! Head out early or late ) cookie consent plugin plan a visit to the Mountains! With windy roads and mountain views, its a super scenic almost 3 hour trek. If you plan on reserving campsites in advance, most campgrounds and sites are listed on Recreation.gov. They are cir, Welcome to beautiful Hoi An, Vietnam! There are quite a few trails in the Sawtooth Mountains, and theres a good chance you might be pretty isolated from others while out hiking. There are plenty of things you can add to your itinerary if you have more than 3 days. Day 3: Day in Sawtooth Mountain Range region, Drive to Stanley. Stanley, Idaho is a main hub for people visiting the Sawtooth Mountains. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. WebBoise, ID232 contributions 3 The Sawtooth Mountain range rivals the Grand Tetons May 2018 If you are in Sun Valley or Ketchum, take the two hour drive to Redfish Lake in Stanley, Idaho. They have great prices and customer service and you always get free cancellations. Not sure how to plan a visit to the Sawtooth Mountains, Idaho? The road pitches down a forested gorge studded with granite outcroppings and follows the swift, clean Salmon as it drops 15 feet (five meters) to the mile. Head south across the valley and climb 2,000 feet (610 meters) to the Galena Overlook, which offers an expansive vista of the mountains. 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. Continuing northeast on Rte. The Big Wood River, heartbreakingly beautiful, winds through increasingly arid foothills on its way to Ketchum. 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. We were unable to go on a rafting trip during our visit, but would love to on our next time in the Sawtooths. If you plan to do any hiking or exploring before or after dark, a headlamp is so much nicer than a handheld flashlight or your phone. Along the scenic route, there are several stunning places to stop and take in the sights. And with 40 trails totaling over 350 miles, rivers for fishing, hot springs, and many lakes, there is a little something for everyone.We know were probably a broken record about how much we love the Sawtooth Mountains, but they are honestly one of our favorite mountain ranges we have ever been to!
3. Track your favorite scenic drives by selecting those which you want to take and those that you have taken. 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. The Sawtooth Mountains are an underrated gem that deserves to be explored to the fullest! Redfish Lake is personally one of my favorite areas of the Sawtooth Mountains.
Travel, hiking, & food 3+ years in @brisketthevan The seasons listed are the best seasons for this scenic drive. WebThere are 2 ways to get from Boise to Sawtooth National Forest by bus or car Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. This is a given, but Id recommend bringing a camera. Kayaking is a great way to enjoy the Sawtooths.
From Boise, you can rent a car to drive the rest of the way to the Sawtooth Mountains. Looking to spend some time in the Gem State? Standard text messaging rates apply. We planned our trip to the Sawtooth Mountains in late June, thinking it would be prime summer weather. There are a few campgrounds and day use areas around Pettit Lake. As the drive continues to climb, take advantage of the many turnouts and overlooks to see the Sawtooth Range to the east of the road. All Rights Reserved.
They are good friends of ours and traveled with us on our 2-week trip to Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, and the Sawtooth Mountains. If youre out driving or hiking its so much nicer to have plenty of water with you instead of having to stop every few hours to pick some up. Even if you do not stay at the Redfish Lake Lodge, there are multiple amenities available to any visitor. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 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. If you rent a car, please be sure to talk to your rental agent about where you plan on driving and if it is okay for your rental car. Click the Add to Road Trip above to start planning your next road trip. Well make planning your next adventure much easier!
Website built with love byDreamworthy Design. We visited the Sawtooths from Twin Falls, which is about 2 hours and 45 minutes south of Stanley, and it was a perfect addition to our already epic Idaho road trip! Need some ideas for your next Idaho road trip? One thing we loved about the Sawtooths is how much free, dispersed camping there is! Home Rocky Mountains Idaho Scenic Drives and Road Trips, From Boise, through the Sawtooth Mountains, to Shoshone.
The Sawtooth Scenic Byway offers plenty of opportunities to explore. Day 5: Day in Boise, Head home The Sawtooth Mountain Range is part of the Rocky Mountains, covering 217,000 acres in central Idaho. Check out the best walkie-talkie options for road trips here. Required fields are marked *. The Tin Cup Trail and Alice Lake Trail are some of the most popular and well-known trails in the Sawtooth Mountains. With windy roads and mountain views, its a super scenic almost 3 hour trek. If you use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. 3. during your visit. I think that summer to early fall is the best time to visit the Sawtooth Mountains. WebFrom Boise, through the Sawtooth Mountains, to Shoshone. 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. The only main lake I know of in the Sawtooth Mountains that has kayak or boat rentals is Redfish Lake from the marina. 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. Want to help wildlife? 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. The Sawtooth Mountains is not one of those destinations that you can visit in 1 day. If youre road tripping around Idaho like we were, definitely add the Sawtooth Mountains to your list! If youre road tripping around Idaho like we were, definitely add the Sawtooth Mountains to your list! However, we were very surprised that it was still quite cold and even snowing at the higher elevations during our visit. SeasonsThe seasons listed are We arrived on a Sunday during July and found one in the afternoon. Explore the nearby Shoshone Bird Museum of Natural History which features birds, butterflies, and mammals mounted on display as well as a large fossil collection of dinosaurs and fish and many other items that pertain to history and nature. WebWe drove from the Sawtooths to Boise and the drive is stunning! This hike isnt very long but it can be a bit of a challenge. What we thought would be warm weather camping turned into us bundled in our warmest clothes at night as the temperatures dipped into the low 30s. living on the road in ourself-converted sprinter van! If you are doing some longer hikes, this is a great option to carry with you in case you run out of water. It takes you across 115 miles of some of the states most beautiful landscapes. Roam the resort's highbrow shops and admire the upscale vacation houses, keeping an eye out for such present-day glitterati as Demi Moore and Clint Eastwood. Here is a fantastic 3-day itinerary for first-timers with everything youll need to plan the perfect trip. Many people dont think of Idaho as a vacation destination (and keep it that way! Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. The lake is ginormous and there are so many things to do. There are many options for places to stay in the Sawtooth Mountains depending on your budget. We launched our kayak from here and was one of my favorite places we were able to kayak in Idaho. 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. And if you love snow, winter would be gorgeous and there are tons of activities to do, like cross country skiing, visit hot springs, snowshoeing, sledding, and more! There are plenty in the Stanley area and the Sawtooth Mountains. Day 3: Day in Sawtooth Mountain Range region, Drive to Stanley. Recommended Bus Take the bus from Boise, ID - Airport to Sun Valley Lodge 5h 5m $131 - $146 Drive Drive from Boise to Sawtooth National Forest If you dont have a full three days, check out the If you have less than 3 days section further down in the post. The area is a huge skiing destination and is popular at all times of year. Anywhere between we had no bars, so make sure to plan ahead and download offline Google Maps so you can get around. Do this drive from late spring into early autumn, checking weather postings for updates (snow can come early or late). They are definitely the closest bigger towns close to Stanley. How to Get Around the Sawtooth Mountains Id recommend lodging in Stanley Idaho when you are in the Sawtooth Mountains.
There are tons of things to do up here depending on your interests.
If youre road tripping around Idaho like we were, definitely add the Sawtooth Mountains to your list! WebBoise, ID232 contributions 3 The Sawtooth Mountain range rivals the Grand Tetons May 2018 If you are in Sun Valley or Ketchum, take the two hour drive to Redfish Lake in Stanley, Idaho.
Can these 'ghost bears' be resurrected? 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.
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. Looking for more ideas? Getting to the Sawtooth Mountains First of all, how to get here?
Flight time: 1 hour, 23 minutes. 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. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of all the cookies. Stanley Lake is located west of Stanley. Feel free to modify to include or exclude hikes of different lengths and difficulties. Discover what Ernest Hemingway came to love in Idaho's spectacular Sawtooth wilderness. Recommended Bus Take the bus from Boise, ID - Airport to Sun Valley Lodge 5h 5m $131 - $146 Drive Drive from Boise to Sawtooth National Forest Another option for enjoying the water around the Sawtooth Mountains is to go on a rafting trip. I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) from purchases from these links. Stanley, Idaho is a main hub for people visiting the Sawtooth Mountains. This itinerary can be tailored to the type of activities you want to do. There are limited amenities. Alternate Route: Take I-15 North to US-26 West at Blackfoot, then US-93 North at Arco to Challis. You'll know you're approaching the 1860s gold-rush town of Idaho City when the ground levels off and heaps of white cobblestones appearleavings of gold dredges that worked the creek bed in the 1890s. For more information check out my Stanley, Idaho blog post. In 10 miles from the intersection, the Shoshone Ice Cave (H3) is a lava tube-formed cave and the temperatures are cool enough to maintain the ice within the cave. How was the Titanic dreamed up? Also a note: this hot spring is clothing optional, so just something to be aware of. Drive on to Stanley, an outfitting center at the base of the peaks. A variety of scenic, natural, historic, recreational, archeological and cultural experiences can be found on Idahos 31 scenic byways. Unfortunately there are no kayak rentals here, so you must bring your own kayak or SUP if you plan on taking to the water. We were coming from Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, so our starting and ending points are different than what we recommend in this itinerary, but you can definitely make this a stand-alone destination (and I highly encourage it). WebGetting to the Sawtooths Most out-of-towners use Southwest Idaho as their basecamp for driving to and through the Sawtooth Mountain Recreation Area. Using your free account, simply sign in and select My Drives. Stop in Redfish Lake Lodge for some smoked salmon with red potato chowderthe lodge also offers guest rooms, a marina, and sunset boat cruisesthen head over to another lake highlight. Unfortunately, we didnt get to hike much when we had our short visit here, but I had about half a dozen choices picked out. - Stock Photos provided by our partner Depositphotos, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Hi yall!
), with 50 peaks over 10,000 feet (the tallest being Thompson peak at 10,751 ft). They fly or drive to Boise, then take the approximately 3.5 hour trip northeast into the mountains.
There is a beach area and a dock.
With windy roads and mountain views, its a super scenic almost 3 hour trek. Sign up for my monthly newsletter with on our adventures including travel tips and adventure guides for you! While we often like staying in AirBnbs, this wasnt really an option in the Sawtooth Mountains.
Day 1: Arrive in Boise, Drive to Twin Falls. Also, some will not appear any where on the internet, but you will see steam rising from the side of the river and if there is a pull-off that is a good indication that there is a hot spring there. WebLocated between Stanley and Boise along State Highway 21, the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway is a wonderful drive through amazing forest land. Courtesy of Idaho Tourism. Please respect the land, the area, and people during your visit. While the Sawtooth Mountains can get hot in the summer, you should make sure you pack along a variety of clothing, including items you can layer. Compared to locations that offer similar adventures, the Sawtooth Mountains are not the easiest to get to, but thats also why there arent as many crowds. 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. Alltrails.com and the national forest service can be a great resource for finding hikes in the Sawtooth Mountains that are suited for your fitness level. Sawtooth Mountains Idaho Map & Itinerary Overview. Beginning at Stanley Idaho, one of the first things you'll enjoy is the spectacular view of the Sawtooth Range directly to the south as the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway heads west.