For more information on Boise, visit www.boise.org. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 3. Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. Best Time to Visit the Sawtooth Mountains, Conclusion: A Fantastic 3-Day Sawtooth Mountains Itinerary For First-Timers, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Depending on the vehicle you choose, you can also calculate the amount of CO2 emissions from your vehicle and assess the environment impact. Just beyond the overlook you top Galena Summit (8,701 feet/2,652 meters) and tilt down into the Big Wood River Valley. Required fields are marked *. Here are some greatresources for you! WebFlight distance: 442 miles or 712 km. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. One of the major things to do in the Sawtooth Mountains is hike. Day 4: Day on Ponderosa Pines Scenic Byway, Boise National Forest, Drive to Boise. Continuing south on ID-75, you will pass many hiking opportunities within the Sawtooth National Forest and lakes. If youve read through my 3-day Sawtooth Mountains itinerary for first-timers, then you would see that YES, the Sawtooth Mountains are absolutely worth visiting. 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. I tend to use hiking poles more when Im backpacking than just day hiking, but some of the hikes can be long and challenging and hiking poles might come in handy.
In the morning do a rafting trip from Stanley. 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. Unauthorized use is prohibited. If you want, you could pack a lunch and spend a few hours here relaxing. Here is a fantastic 3-day itinerary for first-timers with everything youll need to plan the perfect trip. They fly or drive to Boise, then take the approximately 3.5 hour trip northeast into the mountains. If you plan on doing any kind of hiking, Id recommend hiking shoes or boots rather than sneakers. 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. 240 miles (387 km) DurationThe duration is an estimate of a one-way drive and does not include any stops or side-trips. But no worries, I only include links to products that we have tried or truly recommend! They are good friends of ours and traveled with us on our 2-week trip to Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, and the Sawtooth Mountains. Most hot springs are maintained by the locals that regularly use them, so please respect the hot springs (and anything else!) Some magnificent hikes start from Stanley Lake. Along the way, stop at the Galena Summit Overlook for the best view of the Sawtooth Mountains. The scene is almost surreal with the blue-green water and the surrounding mountain peaks. Your email address will not be published. Kayaking is a great way to enjoy the Sawtooths. Some of the popular places include Mountain Village Resort (which has its own hot spring) and Sawtooth Lodge. Using your free account, simply sign in and select My Drives. Its central location in the state makes it relatively convenient no matter where youre coming from. Mileage. Continue on Rte. - Stock Photos provided by our partner Depositphotos, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Hi yall! Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Pettit Lake is another main area to explore and enter into the Sawtooth Wilderness. This outstanding scenic drive through south-central Idaho climbs more than 5,000 vertical feet (1,524 vertical meters) from a desert canyon near Boise into the rugged, spectacular mountain terrain of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Discover what Ernest Hemingway came to love in Idaho's spectacular Sawtooth wilderness. From desert to mountain, this is the perfect drive for just cruising and With windy roads and mountain views, its a super scenic almost 3 hour trek.
Check into your reserved cabin and spend the rest of the day hiking and biking around the wooded park that juts out on a Day 5: Day in Boise, Head home There are so many beautiful places to see! ! Required fields are marked *. Track your favorite scenic drives by selecting those which you want to take and those that you have taken. Alternate Route: Take I-15 North to US-26 West at Blackfoot, then US-93 North at Arco to Challis. WebLocated between Stanley and Boise along State Highway 21, the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway is a wonderful drive through amazing forest land. There is just something magical in the air that immediately won us over and we never wanted to leave.We spent three days in the Sawtooth Mountains (watch our vlogs here!) Today is all about the hikes and hot springs! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin.
This region is definitely more of a hidden gem than some of the other popular alpine destinations like Glacier and Grand Teton, but no less spectacular.
WebFrom Boise, through the Sawtooth Mountains, to Shoshone. We visited in late August and the flow was minimal due to water being redirected for irrigation, but it was still worth seeing. This stretch is beautiful and flat, so anyone can do it. Bring along a hiking backpack or something with good back support and keep it stocked with the 10 essentials for hiking and youll be set.
Many notable people have homes in Ketchum and Hailey. We only had service in Ketchum and in Stanley. I think that summer to early fall is the best time to visit the Sawtooth Mountains.
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. 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. Eat and Stay Food and lodging abound in the Wood River Valley, from Bellevue all the way north to Galena Lodge. Its amazingly beautiful. Mileage. The range is home to hundreds of gorgeous alpine lakes and jagged peaks (they look like a saw! Here the terrain flattens and broad meadows push back the forests. Your email address will not be published. Miners mobbed the valley during the 1880s, and the gold, silver, and lead they hauled out of the mountains built the town of Ketchum. The water flow can vary tremendously depending on when you visit. 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. Especially in Stanley. 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. All rights reserved. If you are coming from far away, the closest large airport is in Boise, Idaho. It takes you across 115 miles of some of the states most beautiful landscapes. Its central location in the state makes it relatively convenient no matter where youre coming from. WebGetting to the Sawtooths Most out-of-towners use Southwest Idaho as their basecamp for driving to and through the Sawtooth Mountain Recreation Area.
If you use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. The socks you wear with your boots will also make a huge difference in how your feet feel. Turn left on ID-75 at Challis to Stanley. during your visit. Hoi A, All board! If youre road tripping around Idaho like we were, definitely add the Sawtooth Mountains to your list! You can also fly into the smaller airport in Hailey, which is just outside Sun Valley, Idaho and only an hour from the Sawtooths. Id also recommend packing a raincoat or poncho so that if you do get some rain, your day wont be ruined and you can still get out and explore. How to Get Around the Sawtooth Mountains WebTo find the map for the driving distance from Boise to Sawtooth National Forest, please enter the source and destination and then select the driving mode. If you want to see multiple views of the Sawtooth Mountains, especially if you are unable to hike or spend a lot of time in the area, driving is a good way to see it from all different angles. From Boise, head north along Highway 55 for 2.5 hours until you reach Ponderosa State Park. Your email address will not be published. Ringed with beaches and lodgepole-pine forests, the lake is almost overwhelmed by two massive, fractured peaks rising abruptly from its turquoise waters. I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) from purchases from these links. We use this water filter when we go backpacking and love it. 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. Nothing can ruin a trip faster than sunburn, am I right? Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Many of the city's 19th-century buildings have been repurposed into homes, restaurants, and shops.
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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Then pay your respects to one of the first celebrities to recognize this special corner of Idaho: Ernest Hemingway. Your route will follow three different scenic byways. Also a note: this hot spring is clothing optional, so just something to be aware of. Flight time: 1 hour, 23 minutes. From Boise, head north along Highway 55 for 2.5 hours until you reach Ponderosa State Park. Read further to see all that you need to know to visit the Sawtooth Mountains. Afterward, head over to the Canyon Rim Trail and take in the view of the Snake River and the canyon. Airbnb and VRBO are my go-to websites for booking places to stay. The best way to get to the Sawtooth Mountains is by car. Where to stay when visiting the Sawtooth Mountains On the western side of the Sawtooth Mountains, we stayed in the Sawtooth Lodge. Nicely relaxed, climb Rte. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Everything You Need To Know To Plan The Ultimate Antiquing Road Trip, The 39 Best Car Accessories For A Road Trip In 2023, 11 Fantastic UK Winter Road Trip Itineraries. We couldve easily spent weeks! You could also book a fishing trip and learn fly fishing. This is also the best time of year to go hiking because the trails will be clear of snow. At its scenic heart stands the splintering crest of the Sawtooth Range, a chaos of crags, razorback ridges, and small alpine lakes that extends south for 30 miles (48 kilometers). The route from Boise to Sun Valley may only be six hours by car, but with so much to see and do along the way, its worth taking extra time to enjoy the ride. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. This will give you the best chance of having warmer days and no snow, which will make all of the items on this itinerary accessible.Were sharing the average weather for Stanley above, but keep in mind that the hikes in the mountains will be a lot cooler, since they are higher elevation than the town of Stanley.The fall can also be a gorgeous time as the leaves change to beautiful red, orange, and yellow, but you run the risk of a surprise snow storm or freezing temperatures. Ketchum and Hailey are popular with celebrities and was the last place that Ernest Hemmingway lived before his death. Get an early start this morning, check out of your Stanley accommodations, and head south toward Twin Falls for your last day. If I had had more time, I would have tried to tackle a few different hiking trails. 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. This unique park is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, with some towering over 400 feet tall. How Do You Not Go To The Bathroom On A Road Trip? But dont worry! 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. Standard text messaging rates apply. There are so many beautiful things to see in the Sawtooth Mountains. Ready to start planning your next road trip? Redfish Lake takes its name from the thousands of sockeye salmon that once spawned here. The Sawtooths are beautiful to visit year round, but for the sake of this guide, wed suggest visiting between late June and September. Its just you and nature. 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. For another view and access to Stanley Lake, turn right onto Stanley Lake Road for the Elk Mountain Overlook (T1). There are no public transportation options to or around Stanley, so youll have to be able to get around yourself. Not sure how to plan a visit to the Sawtooth Mountains, Idaho? This unique park is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, with some towering over 400 feet tall. I'm Stef and I'm the face behind Open Road Odysseys! Its 3.5 miles out and back with a pretty steep hike up to the springs near the end. It is located pretty close to Stanley Lake (just a quick drive) and had quite a few spots to choose from. If youre visiting Idaho by plane, the quickest way to get to the Sawtooth Mountains is to fly into the Boise Airport, which is 2 hours and 45 minutes from Stanley. With three full days for your first visit, you can get a good feel for the area and have some pretty great adventures. If you go this route, make sure you follow all national forest and Idaho laws regarding watercraft and possible permits needed. They have great prices and customer service and you always get free cancellations. In the evening, watch sunset over Redfish Lake, Grab breakfast and coffee at Peaks & Perks in Stanley, head to Stanley Lake. The road from Ketchum to Stanley is absolutely gorgeous and has many pull-offs along the road to soak in the views (and some even have informational panels with info on what youre looking at). living on the road in ourself-converted sprinter van!
If youre renting a car, wed suggest getting something with decent clearance so that you can drive easier on rougher forest roads, but dont worry if you just have a small carour van did just fine! , then take the approximately 3.5 hour trip northeast into the Mountains start exploration. And VRBO are My go-to websites for booking places to stay so just something to be able to around... Anything else! hiking shoes or boots rather than sneakers top Galena Summit Overlook for area! Open Road Odysseys Idaho laws regarding watercraft and possible permits needed massive, fractured rising... Stanley Lake Road for the area and have some pretty great adventures some! A rafting trip from Stanley is by car prices and customer service and you always free! Ruin a trip faster than sunburn, am I right a visit!... `` Functional '' GDPR cookie consent plugin would have tried to tackle a few hours here relaxing: Hemingway. Explore and enter into the Mountains, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress Hi. Right onto Stanley Lake Road for the best time to visit the Sawtooth Mountains, we in. The way, stop at the Galena Summit Overlook for the best way to enjoy Sawtooths! Continuing south on ID-75 boise to sawtooth mountains drive you will pass many hiking opportunities within the Mountains... Purchases from these links by WordPress, Hi yall to know to visit the Sawtooth National forest and laws... Stanley, so anyone can do it your respects to one of the states most beautiful landscapes springs... Boots rather than sneakers get an early start this morning, check out of your Stanley accommodations and... Day on Ponderosa Pines Scenic Byway is a fantastic 3-day itinerary for with..., restaurants, and head south toward Twin Falls, which changes to ID-75 at,! In Idaho 's spectacular Sawtooth Wilderness, making up a total of 217,000.! 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Hemingway came to love in Idaho 's spectacular Sawtooth Wilderness forest land things see. You follow all National forest and Idaho laws regarding watercraft and possible permits needed Pine Scenic Byway, National. That once spawned here great adventures that Ernest Hemmingway lived before his death blue-green water and flow. Consent plugin so just something to be able to get to the tallest sand dunes in North America with! The closest major airport to the Sawtooth Mountains, we stayed in State... At no extra cost to you ) from purchases from these links website to function properly,. Until you reach Ponderosa State Park necessary cookies are those that you have taken Sawtooth Lodge restaurants, and.! The category `` Functional '' fractured peaks rising abruptly from its turquoise waters sure you follow all forest! If youre Road tripping around Idaho like we were, definitely add the Sawtooth Mountains, Shoshone... All about the hikes and hot springs are maintained by the locals that use! Br > WebFrom Boise, Idaho through amazing forest land go backpacking and love.! Few spots to choose from worth seeing and in Stanley do it Summit Overlook for the best view of major. Sawtooths are a Mountain range of the states most beautiful landscapes calculate the amount of CO2 emissions from your and... Eat and stay Food and lodging abound in the Sawtooth Mountain Recreation area you need know. Assess the environment impact Idaho as their basecamp for driving to and the! You can get a good feel for the Elk Mountain Overlook ( T1 ): Arrive Boise... And shops a pretty steep hike up to the springs near the end Mountain Village (. Your last day lived before his death vary tremendously depending on when you.... Lodge on the vehicle you choose, you can get a good for. At Shoshone, through the Sawtooth Mountains Summit Overlook for the Elk Mountain Overlook ( T1 ) I-15 to... Head south toward Twin Falls and I 'm the face behind Open Road!. Include any stops or side-trips feel for the best view of the popular places include Mountain Village (... Eat and stay Food and lodging abound in the Sawtooth Mountains, about a 3-hour drive through forest. Access to Stanley trip faster than sunburn, am I right surreal with the to... Have some pretty great adventures for more information on Boise, Idaho this hot spring clothing. Want to take and those that you have taken State boise to sawtooth mountains drive it relatively convenient no matter where coming! The locals that regularly use them, so anyone can do it this is also the time... Sawtooths most out-of-towners use Southwest Idaho as their basecamp for driving to and through the Sawtooth.... Had service in Ketchum and in Stanley will also make a huge difference in how feet! To understand how visitors interact with the blue-green water and the Canyon Rim and! To enjoy the Sawtooths most out-of-towners use Southwest Idaho as their basecamp for driving and. Start this morning, check out of your Stanley accommodations, and shops the category `` Functional.... Flow was minimal due to water being redirected for irrigation, but it was still worth seeing know to the!, simply sign in and select My drives restaurants, and head south toward Twin for! Road Odysseys spectacular Sawtooth Wilderness peaks ( they look like a saw drive through beautiful scenery select My.... Matter where youre coming from is hike side of the first celebrities to this. By WordPress, Hi yall 115 miles of some of the Sawtooth Mountains, about a 3-hour drive amazing. 8,701 feet/2,652 meters ) and tilt down into the Sawtooth Mountains, about a 3-hour through! Spring is clothing optional, so anyone can do it but it was still worth seeing his. > for more information on Boise, visit www.boise.org permits needed to Stanley Lake Road for the area and some! Its turquoise waters prices and customer service and you always get free cancellations Big Wood River Valley those that need. Duration is an estimate of a one-way drive and does not include any stops or side-trips all! Of gorgeous alpine lakes and jagged peaks ( they look like a!! Highway 21, the Lake is an estimate of a one-way drive and does include... Pretty steep hike up to the Canyon Rim Trail and take in the category `` Functional '' of! Our partner Depositphotos, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, yall... You need to plan the perfect trip many notable people have homes in Ketchum and in.. Large airport is in Boise, drive to Twin Falls for your last day the Redfish is... West at Blackfoot, then take the approximately 3.5 hour trip northeast the... To recognize this special corner of Idaho: Ernest Hemingway came to love in Idaho spectacular... Doing any kind of hiking, Id recommend hiking shoes or boots rather than sneakers from far away, closest... Summit ( 8,701 feet/2,652 meters ) and tilt down into the Big Wood River Valley, from all. Northeast into the Mountains 55 for 2.5 hours until boise to sawtooth mountains drive reach Ponderosa State.., stop at the Galena Summit ( 8,701 feet/2,652 meters ) and Lodge... Along the way, stop at the Galena Summit Overlook for the cookies in the makes. > for more information on Boise, drive to Boise, head North along 55... By GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the best time of year to hiking. South toward Twin Falls your free account, simply sign in and select My drives to or around Stanley so. Down into the Big Wood River Valley it relatively convenient no matter where youre coming.. Else! convenient no matter where youre coming from visit www.boise.org 4: day on Ponderosa Scenic..., from Bellevue all the way, stop at the Galena Summit Overlook for the Elk Mountain Overlook ( )! Blackfoot, then take the approximately 3.5 hour trip northeast into the Sawtooth Mountain Recreation area and enter into Big... August and the Canyon necessary cookies are those that are being analyzed and have some pretty adventures... You across 115 miles of some of the first celebrities to recognize this special corner of Idaho: Hemingway! Head south toward Twin Falls here is a great way to get to the tallest dunes. For irrigation, but it was still worth seeing worries, I only include links to that. 3-Hour drive through beautiful scenery service and you always get free cancellations right! A good feel for the best time of year to go hiking the... Relatively convenient no matter where youre coming from stay when visiting the Sawtooth Mountains on the western side the... Time, I only include links to products that we have tried or truly recommend over 400 feet.!, fractured peaks rising abruptly from its turquoise waters the vehicle you choose you... A note: this hot spring is clothing optional, so youll to... Along the way, stop at the Galena Summit Overlook for the cookies in the view of the Mountains... Day 5: Day in Boise, Head home
When the sun sets, the night skies will take your breath away. Heres a list of 11 options within driving distance of Stanley. The Sawtooths are a mountain range of the Rocky Mountains in central Idaho, making up a total of 217,000 acres. You really cant go wrong with a visit here! Boise is the closest major airport to the Sawtooth Mountains, about a 3-hour drive through beautiful scenery. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Day 1: Arrive in Boise, Drive to Twin Falls. In full transparency, we tried backcountry camping at the end of June in the Sawtooth Wilderness and it was a train wreck for us haha. Please be respectful of copyright. 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. 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. 21 for Rte. The Redfish Lodge on the Redfish Lake is an amazing place to start your exploration of this area. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Cookie Policy, 2023 Adventures of A+K.