Each area offers lodging options, as well. Trails and Trailheads The Sawtooth Wilderness is home to 23 trailheads with over 40 maintained trails totaling about 350 miles within the wilderness that can be used for backpacking, day hiking and horseback riding, and approaches for mountain climbing opportunities. Hot water is piped into an old mining cauldron, so you and three of your friends can stew in here while enjoying the view of the Salmon River (see photo below). The trails range from easy to most-difficult. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. ****Note: This post may include affiliate links to products I recommend. On the western side of the Sawtooth Mountains, we stayed in the Sawtooth Lodge. We love getting to the beach early in the morning. There 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. I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) from purchases from these links. But no worries, I only include links to products that we have tried or truly recommend! From here, continue on US-93 to Twin Falls, where a short side-trip will bring you to Falls Ave. and the spectacular 212-foot plunge of the Shoshone Falls (H5), best seen during the spring when the snow is melting. Reading your post makes me want to stop my around the world adventures and come back to Idaho! A scenic drive that leaves the desert environment of Boise, heads through the Sawtooth Range, which is part of the Rocky Mountains, and then meanders to the high-desert town of Shoshone. I will be flyfishing there soon, while my boys splash nearby! Check out this 115.8-mile point-to-point trail near Shoshone, Idaho. For more information check out my Stanley, Idaho blog post. Have dinner at a restaurant in Stanley. Sun Valley Resort has two lodges, condo rentals and an on-site spa. The social distance requirement in Sawtooth National Forest is 2 metres. Take it all in by pulling off at the large scenic viewpoint just past the summit. 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. Some of the best shorter day hikes include, If you want something more challenging with epic scenery as the reward, dont miss. If youre new to the sport, there are some great guides that can teach you everything you need to know about fly fishing. The time it takes to travel the entire distance depends on . Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Tiktok for the latest updates on our travels! Discover some of Idahos most breathtaking landscapes or treat yourself to an unforgettable stargazing experience. The range totals 43 miles in length and up to 25 miles wide, totaling 678 square miles across the state. Idaho is stunningly beautiful, filled with alpine peaks, jewel-colored lakes, untouched forest, and sparkling rivers. Approaching Lowman in 31 miles, you will see 46,000 acres of forest recovering from the 1989 fire caused by lightning. Some magnificent hikes start from Stanley Lake. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. If you are coming from far away, the closest large airport is in Boise, Idaho. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Start planning your Idaho adventure. I have a whole post on Stanley, Idaho and things to do in and around the town. Byway Map Additional Area Attractions Sawtooth National Recreation Area Redfish Lake The scene is almost surreal with the blue-green water and the surrounding mountain peaks. Home Rocky Mountains Idaho Scenic Drives and Road Trips, From Boise, through the Sawtooth Mountains, to Shoshone. Another option for enjoying the water around the Sawtooth Mountains is to go on a rafting trip. - to help you get the most out of your next trip. If you go this route, make sure you follow all national forest and Idaho laws regarding watercraft and possible permits needed. Continuing on ID-97 for 9 miles, Mammoth Cave (H4) is another lava-tube cave through which you can enjoy a 1/4-mile hike. Get directions from your start address to the beginning of and including this scenic drive. From Boise, you can rent a car to drive the rest of the way to the Sawtooth Mountains. All applications and full listing can be found on our website, Monthly rent: $1950, Security Deposit: $1950, Admin fee: $200, PPP: $32/month. The Greenbelt follows the beautiful Boise River corridor for more than 30 miles, and the Boise foothills are home to miles of hiking and biking trails. The dense green forests of the Sawtooth Wilderness are set to a backdrop of snow-tipped rocky crags during the warm summers. Theres a sort of comfort in knowing that when you get the sudden urge just to get in your car and take a nice, long drive to nowhere Idahos got you covered. Ketchum and Hailey are a little over an hour south of Stanley, Idaho. Kayaking, canoeing, and exploring are popular activities here. There are some absolutely amazing campsites in the Sawtooth Mountains. One of the major things to do in the Sawtooth Mountains is hike. Sun Valley and Ketchum are 60 miles south over the Galena Summit. Thirty-four miles from Boise, you will arrive in Idaho City, where in the 1860s, it was the location of one of the biggest gold booms in the United States. A combination of the Sawtooth Drive and Salmon River Scenic Byway from a Christmas gift that keeps on giving with sweet memories and beautiful photos. Cresting Timmerman Hill, the Wood River Valley unfolds below you. Twin Falls. If you have flexibility in your trip, first-come, first-serve may be your best bet. Experience it yourself with this 6-day road trip or choose a scenic drive through mountains, farmland, and vineyards. Compare the weather today and the next four days in Boise, ID and Sawtooth City, ID: Planning on renting a car to go from Boise, ID to Sawtooth City, ID? Downtown Boise's main attractions include the Idaho State Capitol, the classic Egyptian Theatre, the Boise Art Museum, Julia Davis Park and Zoo Boise. There are many options for places to stay in the Sawtooth Mountains depending on your budget. We opted for the Yellowbelly Lake trail, a 4.8 mile in and out hike, mainly because the name was cool. If starting from the Tin Cup Trailhead, you are about 1 mile from the edge of the Sawtooth Wilderness. If youre an experienced fly fisherman, there are plenty of great spots to cast your fly. Here, you can escape the crowds of other more popular destinations nearby like Yellowstone and find solace in the outdoors. The day-use area at Pettit Lake has lake front access and beautiful views of the mountains across the lake. The closest major airport is located in Boise, Idaho, a short 3-hour drive from the Sawtooth mountains. Drive in the night before your hike and camp either at the Pettit Lake Campground or in nearby Forest Service land. Here there are some offers to rent a car in or near Boise, ID: Checkout the distance in miles, kilometers and nautical miles between Boise, ID and Sawtooth City, ID in this table: Planning on renting a car to go from Boise, ID to Sawtooth City, ID? Backcountry camping is also an option if you are prepared and comfortable in your backcountry camping skills. Across town is the southern terminus of the Wood River Trail, a paved, 20-plus-mile paved bike and walking path that stretches to Ketchum. Have a great trip! Download map or text a link to your phone. Mountain Man Mikes. The Sawtooth Mountains are part of the Rocky Mountain Range located in the central part of the state. Option #2 (Stanley): Another tiny home in the same complex with just as beautiful views and design. After dinner go to Redfish Lake Lodge for ice cream while watching the sunset. Learn how your comment data is processed. Rome2rio uses cookies to help personalize content and show you personalised ads. Outdoor recreation in the Sawtooth Mountains and elsewhere in the state is making Idaho a popular destination. One thing to note is that there are not many AirBnbs available in this area since most of the land is federally owned. The small town of Stanley (population 68) serves as the gateway to the Sawtooths. 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. It is great for families who are looking forward to finding a place to relax in an awe-inspiring forested mountain setting. Vacation is more than just scenery; its about making lifelong memories. In Stanley, be sure to check out the mountain-town vibes of Stanley Baking Co. for breakfast or lunch and the tasty dinner fare at the Stanley Supper Club. Most of our trip was at 25-35 mph with steep turns up and down the mountain. What is the national COVID-19 helpline number in Sawtooth National Forest? The Sawtooth Mountains were recommended to us, and we decided to skip town and take the long way back. . 6 of the best places to elope in Idaho | Autumn Lynne Photography, [] is known for its access to the Sawtooth Mountains. It's part of the largest contiguous tract of national forest land in the lower 48 US states, a 30 million-acre (12 million ha) area of federally protected land that covers over 60 percent of Idaho. The only main lake I know of in the Sawtooth Mountains that has kayak or boat rentals is Redfish Lake from the marina. Where to stay when visiting the Sawtooth Mountains They are super professional, know all the best spots and will teach you all the ins and outs of fly fishing. Other great camping spots include Stanley Lake (our personal favorite), Pettit Lake, or Iron Creek. Semi-developed campsites line Magic Reservoir; otherwise, plentiful lodging options are available in the Wood River Valley. Wearing a face mask on public transport in Sawtooth National Forest is recommended. 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. McCall, Idaho to Tin Cup Trailhead: ~4 Hours . Image:Big CIty Coffee via Google. The Sawtooth Mountains is not one of those destinations that you can visit in 1 day. If you're looking for a show-stopping hike or backpacking trip in Idaho's Sawtooth Mountains, then look no further. Standard text messaging rates apply. Just north of Ketchum lies the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, a 756,000-acre natural area filled with mountains, meadows, alpine lakes and both front country and backcountry trails. Approximately 130 miles. Grab a bite to eat at the Shoshone Snack Bar, a quintessential roadside eatery serving hamburgers, fried dinners and huge helpings of ice cream. You can take a tour of the dredge between the Saturday before Memorial Day through Labor Day. Ketchum is a one-time rough-and-tumble mining town that has evolved through the years into a destination for those looking to soak in the charming downtown (which retains some of the original buildings from the late 1800s) and the expansive natural beauty that surrounds it. Bellevue and Hailey are where the locals hang out and live, but for tourists, Ketchum and Sun Valley are the main attractions. 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. From lava-filled high desert to the jagged peaks of the Sawtooth Mountains, this scenic byway has sweeping views, creature comforts and access to some truly spectacular outdoor recreation. Boise, ID and Sawtooth City, ID are in the same time zone (MDT). While there are many reservable campgrounds in the Sawtooths, some of the best campgrounds are only first-come, first-serve. The Sawtooth Mountains were the centerpiece of our trip to Idaho and we were sad to leave even after a week there. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Youll feel like a pro (ok, almost) by the end of the day! Aug. 9, 2018. 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. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 50 h 40 min to complete. Heading South on ID-75, the Stanley Ranger Station (I1) lies ahead in 5-miles, where you can get information about local hikes and purchase any passes that you may need. Sawtooth National Forest. There is a beach area and a dock. Many beautiful places around America have been ruined by mass tourism and general disrespect of natural spaces, so please leave no trace and leave the Sawtooths better than you found it. 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. The best way to get to the Sawtooth Mountains is by car. Highway 75, Stanley, Idaho, is well known for a few things. We're always up for a new adventure, whether that means hopping on a plane or just exploring our own backyard. 2600 N Bogus Basin Road, Boise, Idaho, 83702, Phone: 208-332-51000. Hot springs in the Sawtooth Mountains were one of my very favorite things in Idaho. . But some hikes do stand above others. Stretching from Shoshone to Stanley, the Sawtooth Scenic Byway is, in my biased opinion, one of the most beautiful routes through Idaho. ', 'Should I book online before I travel? Along the way, and throughout the trip, we'll encounter several Sawtooth Transportation provides can provide referrals for vehicle shuttle service for those who are rafting the Main or Middle Fork of the Salmon River or the Snake River in Hells Canyon. Boise National ForestSawtooth National Forest, it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service as five units: the Cascade, Emmett, Idaho City, Lowman, and Mountain Home ranger districts.. Send this link to your phone. There are so many beautiful things to see in the Sawtooth Mountains. Christina McEvoy is a photographer and outdoor travel blogger at Adventure Together.