), but there are so many amazing places in Idaho. Pre-payment Via Paypal Friends and family and Venmo is greatly appreciated. Although somewhat taxing, the widespread vistas and wildflowers will keep you captivated. If you have flexibility in your trip, first-come, first-serve may be your best bet. The town boasts an extra-wide Main Street, which accommodates four lanes for vehicle traffic and four sets of railroad tracks. There are restaurants, hotels, hospital, and pharmacy. If you are coming from far away, the closest large airport is in Boise, Idaho. Creek Road, and then drive to areas burned in September 2022 during the 38,000 acre Ross Fork Fire. 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 Sawtooth Mountains to the east of Boise are home to dozens of peaks over 10,000 feet. . Idaho has world-class whitewater and its a great family adventure that everyone will love! There are three main areas to eat in the Sawtooth ValleySmiley Creek, Redfish Lake Lodge and Stanley. Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Tiktok for the latest updates on our travels! The Sawtooth Scenic Byway offers plenty of opportunities to explore. This itinerary can be tailored to the type of activities you want to do. Kirkham Hot Springs is located on the way to Stanley if youre coming from Boise, right off the 21 and along the Payette River. Here, views of the signature jagged peaks give full appreciation of the Sawtooth Mountain name. Mountain Man Mikes. We had a great experience, Christina McEvoy is a photographer and outdoor travel blogger at. Semi-developed campsites line Magic Reservoir; otherwise, plentiful lodging options are available in the Wood River Valley. The Sawtooth Wilderness, Sawtooth National Recreation Area, and Sawtooth National Forest are the most popular destinations in the state for hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, fishing, horseback riding, boating, and climbing. Reading your post makes me want to stop my around the world adventures and come back to Idaho! Origin and destination have to be different. The Park Creek Overlook (V1) offers a chance to gaze at the magnificent Sawtooth Range. There is a beach area and a dock. The dredge started in August of 1940 and ran 24/7 to maximize the uncovering of gold and silver in the area. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. The Boise Basin Museum (M2) is the perfect location to learn more about mining in the area. . Use our free Road Trip Planner to completely plan your adventure. 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. Getting to the Sawtooth Mountains. Drive in the night before your hike and camp either at the Pettit Lake Campground or in nearby Forest Service land. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I followed her familys travels throughout the western United States and in their home state of Idaho. during your visit. You can also rent a paddleboard or kayak over at the dock at Redfish Lake Lodge. The hikes to Alice Lake and Goat Lake are both great options for backpacking since the trails are somewhat long and difficult. Outdoor recreation in the Sawtooth Mountains and elsewhere in the state is making Idaho a popular destination. Summer is one of the most popular times to visit Idaho, so if youre looking for an epic trip into one of the most beautiful national forests, look no further than the Sawtooth mountains. From here, you look down into the headwaters of the mighty Salmon River, which flows for 425 miles and is home to the longest Pacific sockeye salmon migration in North America.. Below are some of our favorites! Next time, were hoping to make a summer trip up to the Sawtooth mountains, where Christina and her family have spent plenty of time exploring. Boise is the closest city, a three-hour drive. 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. Thanks for your photos and stories. Price last updated on January 18, 2023. Best Bay Area Beaches for Tidepooling one of o, Im convinced that sunrise is the best time to e, Im not sure if Im ready to give up summer, b, There are so many waterfalls in the Smoky Mountain, In the DRS zone #formula1 Photo credit Todd Diemer on unsplash . Starting and ending in Boise with a few particular destinations: mainly the Sawtooth Mountains and Salmon River. ', 'Should I book online before I travel? If youre interested more in Redfish Lake, check out my blog post on Redfish Lake. But this is all dependent on . One glance at Redfish Lake, and youll instantly want to dive in. Heading east on ID-21, you will soon arrive at the Lucky Peak Dam, where you can enjoy a picnic at Discovery Picnic Area (H1) or swim on the beach of the Boise River at the Sandy Point Beach (W1). I would say that some of the best views along the trail are within the first mile of the hike. For another view and access to Stanley Lake, turn right onto Stanley Lake Road for the Elk Mountain Overlook (T1). The final stop on the Sawtooth Scenic Byway is Stanley, a year-round community of about 70 people that welcomes tens of thousands of visitors each summer. So many beautiful places, but without tons of people! Feeling adventurous? 10:00 am start in Boise drive for about 2 hours 12:10 pm Rome stay for about 1 hour and leave at 1:10 pm drive for about 48 minutes 1:58 pm Basque (Oregon) stay for about 1 hour and leave at 2:58 pm drive for about 1.5 hours 4:38 pm Winnemucca stay overnight and leave the next day around 11:00 am day 1 driving 4.5 hours find more stops Day 2 During the route, an average car will release 123.91 pounds of CO2 to the atmosphere. In the morning do a rafting trip from Stanley. Many notable people have homes in Ketchum and Hailey. Day 3, MON 7/20: beautiful mountain scenery. Just after the gas station, turn left (south) on Wall St. and follow the road to the Sawtooth Valley Meditation Chapel. It takes approximately 11h 12m to drive from Sawtooth National Forest to Glacier National Park. Before visiting, we wondered why they are named the Sawtooth Mountains, but as soon as we saw them, we realized why they have the name. Boise Badgers & Sawtooth Mountains. Exceptions may apply, for full details: Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC). But some hikes do stand above others. The road to Alturas is on the left soon after Smiley Creek, with the road to Pettit just a few miles beyond. Flights from Boise to Kalispell via Salt Lake City Ave. Note: This post contains affiliate links. The Sawtooth NRA has over 700 miles of trails, 40 peaks rising over 10,000 feet and 300-plus high-elevation alpine lakes that add to the spectacular scenery and vistas. If you take the Tin Cup Trail or Alice Lake Trail (which are the same trail up to Alice Lake since Alice Lake is on the Tin Cup Trail), you will walk along Petit Lake on the northern side. Rome2rio uses cookies to help personalize content and show you personalised ads. , Redfish Lake is lovely for a day visit, but to get the whole experience, book a campsite and stay the night. Take a break from driving with a short hike and a quick swim at riverside Howard Preserve. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Get directions from your start address to the beginning of and including this scenic drive. After breakfast in Boise, get in the car and drive 35 miles (56 kilometers) west to the Sunny Slope area of . They are definitely the closest bigger towns close to Stanley. Distance between cities USA Idaho Boise Distance from Boise to Sawtooth City. In the summer, the ski slopes turn into hiking trails and mountain bike routes, making this resort a sightseers paradise. Idaho is a hidden gem by many standards, especially compared to its more popular neighboring states of Washington and Oregon. White Clouds Golf Course, Elkhorn Golf Course & Trail Creek Golf Course, Idaho Department of Commerce - Tourism Development. Shoshone was once a bustling stop on the Union Pacific Oregon Shortline railroadits depot was the transfer point for the Ketchum Branch. The hikes to Alice Lake and Goat Lake are both great options for backpacking since the trails are somewhat long and difficult. Nestled among the Sun Valley in the south-central area of the state, this National Forest encompasses two million acres, just waiting for you to explore. Swing into any pull-off or parking lot to get out and explore. 2. 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? View the video to get a taste of the adventures that await you, and start planning your next road trip. Rome2rios travel guides to the US tell you the best ways to explore the country, from Amtrak to Greyhound to the New York Subway. Boise and Sawtooth City are 3 hours 59 mins far apart, if you drive non-stop . In the afternoon make the drive to Ketchum and Hailey, stopping for views along the way. Its jaw-droppingly gorgeous. The best way to get from Boise to Sawtooth National Forest without a car is to bus which takes 5h 5m and costs $130-$150. This means if you click on one of them,we mayreceive a small commission at no additional cost to you. is very popular, so if make sure to reserve 6 months in advance. Pettit Lake is another main area to explore and enter into the Sawtooth Wilderness. The sun sets on the Sawtooth Mountains near the town of Stanley. The water is as pristine and clear as you can get, and its the perfect alpine lake to spend a lazy summer day on. Redfish Lake is one of the main attractions in the Sawtooth mountain range and for good reason. My favorite place in Stanley is Perks & Peaks Coffee, which I promptly visited every morning before our hikes. The Sawtooth Mountains are an underrated gem that deserves to be explored to the fullest! 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. Hike starting from the Tin Cup Trailhead, spend the afternoon relaxing or kayaking at Petit Lake. 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? Sunbeam Hot Springs is a bit further up the 75, also along the Salmon River with a few rock pools that catch the hot water. Image:Big CIty Coffee via Google. One thing to note is that there are not many AirBnbs available in this area since most of the land is federally owned. The closest major airport is located in Boise, Idaho, a short 3-hour drive from the Sawtooth mountains. In fact, 60% of the state is covered in forestland! The Tin Cup Trail and Alice Lake Trail are some of the most popular and well-known trails in the Sawtooth Mountains. Option #2 (Stanley): Another tiny home in the same complex with just as beautiful views and design. 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). Airbnbs. Outside of those months, exploring the canyon is an option, but be mindful of any precipitation as any water in the canyon could be dangerous. This Mountain Lodge In Idaho Offers A Dining Experience Like No Other, Dont Let These Stunning Views Fool You, Adams Gulch In Idaho Is Actually An Easy Hike, This 450-Mile Road Trip Leads To Some Of The Most Scenic Parts Of Idaho, No Matter What Time Of Year It Is, The Incredible Breakfast Buffet In Idaho Complete With An Omelet And Crepe Bar, Take These 9 Country Roads In Idaho For An Unforgettable Scenic Drive, This Remote Waterfront Highway In Idaho Is Breathtaking And Youll Want To Drive Down It, The 10 Best Backroads In Idaho For A Long Scenic Drive, Take This Road To Nowhere In Idaho To Get Away From It All, Pacific Fishery Management Council/Flickr, The One Iconic Road Trip In Idaho Everyone Should Take In Their Lifetime. 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. Stanley, Idaho is a main hub for people visiting the Sawtooth Mountains. It encompasses an area of 678 square miles (1,756 km 2) spanning parts of Custer, Boise, Blaine, and Elmore counties, and is bordered to the east by the Sawtooth Valley. Sawtooth Fish Hatchery Check out these travel tips and start planning your adventure. You can also fly into the smaller airport in Hailey, which is just outside Sun Valley, Idaho and only an hour from the Sawtooths. Is it compulsory to practice social distancing in Sawtooth National Forest? Though Boise is a nine-hour drive from the nearest ocean, you can still hang ten. If youre new to the sport, there are some great guides that can teach you everything you need to know about fly fishing. Take it all in by pulling off at the large scenic viewpoint just past the summit. Please type your origin and destination and pick one of the options. Please respect the land, the area, and people during your visit. The small town of Stanley (population 68) serves as the gateway to the Sawtooths. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. After dinner go to Redfish Lake Lodge for ice cream while watching the sunset. Yes, the driving distance between Boise to Sawtooth National Forest is 196 miles. Many people dont think of Idaho as a vacation destination (and keep it that way! Follow Highway 20 for fifty-eight miles to Fairfield. Sawtooth Mountain Guides specializes in guided climbing, hiking, backcountry skiing, avalanche education, ski mountaineering, family programs, and custom corporate trips in the Sawtooths and surrounding mountains near Stanley and Sun Valley, Idaho. If youve got a few days to spend in these mountains, weve got you covered with some of the best outdoor activities you can find in the Sawtooths. We always use Booking.com to rent cars as they always have the cheapest deals and often have free cancellation. Have dinner at a restaurant in Stanley. With 57 peaks over 10,000 feet in elevation, this mountain range is one of the prettiest and most striking in the United States. It takes approximately 5h 5m to get from Boise to Sawtooth National Forest, including transfers. First of all, how to get here? Approximately 380 miles to Stanley. Take us along for the ride on your road trip. Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC), Sun Valley Hailey Ketchum Airport SUN to Sawtooth National Forest, Boise Airport BOI to Sawtooth National Forest, West Yellowstone to Sawtooth National Forest, Twin Falls Airport TWF to Sawtooth National Forest, Meridian ID USA to Sawtooth National Forest, Baltimore Airport BWI to Sawtooth National Forest, Newark Airport EWR to Sawtooth National Forest, San Francisco to Sawtooth National Forest, Chicago O Hare Airport ORD to Sawtooth National Forest, New York JFK Airport JFK to Sawtooth National Forest, There is a social distancing requirement of 2 metres. Boat Box Hot Springs is about 3.5 miles up the 75 from Stanleylook for steam and a small pull out that fits 2 to 3 cars. For more information regarding specifics of the Tin Cup Trail or Alice Trail, see my hiking in the Sawtooth Mountains blog post. The distance between Boise and Sawtooth National Forest is 78 miles. Find all the transport options for your trip from Boise to Sawtooth National Forest right here. Love Idaho? Aug. 9, 2018. Idaho has world-class whitewater and its a great family adventure that everyone will love! While Id never been particularly interested in visiting Idaho (Id crossed over into the southern part as a kid, but going back didnt really cross my mind), the way they showcased the state with hikes through beautiful forests, camping and fishing trips to crystal clear lakes, and the occasional soak in a natural hot spring moved Idaho way up on my bucket list. Get more stories delivered right to your email. We and have hiked everywhere in this great state. If renting a car in Boise, I recommend using Booking.com. There are great views of the mountains as well as various amenities and boat rentals. 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. 21/Hwy. If you want to commute you can live in Garden Valley / Crouch with about an hour drive into Boise and still have a cabin in the woods. While there are many reservable campgrounds in the Sawtooths, some of the best campgrounds are only first-come, first-serve. Run entirely by local volunteers, and sponsored by the Stanley-Sawtooth Chamber of Commerce, the festival celebrates the great outdoors through . . The trail to the Pioneer Cabin is one of the area's most popular hikes. A few elevated hikes include massive mountain backdrops along the entire route. We recommend. 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To follow us on Instagram and Tiktok for the next time I comment entirely local! Popular and well-known trails in the Sawtooth Mountains are an underrated gem that deserves to be explored the... More about mining in the Sawtooth mountain name Pacific Oregon Shortline railroadits depot was the Campground!