sawtooth national forest

I was pleasantly surprised with this drive. The 62 miles between Stanley and Ketchum takes you through the heart of the forest and Sawtooth valley. This is probably Idaho’s most scenic area and is worth it! If you are looking to just drive through and camp for a night, there are plenty of campgrounds along the way. If you want to explore some of the back country over a few days I would recommend getting a state atlas and you will be good to go. There are awesome spots to camp for free along the Forest Service Roads if you wish. My favorite part of this area is that it is not overcrowded considering how nice it is.

When investigating where to go on our 5 week camping trip one problem was where to stop between Crater Lake and Yellowstone. This was recommended to us by someone we met online and how right he was!Firstly the drive through Hwy 21 and then 75 are spectacular. We camped firstly at the Stanley Lake Inlet - basic but nice campground on edge of lake with good access to hiking. Later we stayed at Chinook on Little Redfish Lake - spectacular location.Recommend the Sawtooth Lake Hike - strenuous but spectacular.For those who like to do things a little more comfortably there is accommodation options around Stanley and a much more upscale setting in Ketchum.

The Sawtooth National Forest is home to the Sawtooth Mountain range, an underrated scenic mountain getaway. Redfish Lake is absolutely beautiful, as is the entire area. We started in Ketchum and drove up Route 75 to Challis… what a gorgeous drive! The Salmon River is your companion for many miles, with several fantastic views.

the first time we did the sawtooth was on a motorcycle, this trip in a car with my wife , her first trip here and she really enjoyed the roadtrip, We drove up through Idaho City an old goldmining town, stop and have a walk around the streets it is a time warp back to the 1800's,we stopped at Stanley, this town has changed from a general store and a gas station to a very grown up town with accommodation and a great place to get all your fishing requirements to go and catch that trophy Salmon. A must stop for all who travels through it. either way you approach the sawtooth you will go through Sun Valley this is a bueatiful town for the rich and famous full of Million dollar weekend homes that are only used during the ski season, you have to see it to believe it and it is worth driving to the Airport to plane spot the private jets.

For an impressive vista, approach on ID-75 from Challis, the canyon walls fall away to provide a sweeping vista of the Sawtooths and Stanley. The color of the mountains seems to change in character between early morning light and sunset. Plenty to do in the area; I hiked at Stanley Lake but Redfish Lake also provides plenty of easy hikes. The vistor info center in Stanley is very helpful to identify activities. One fun activity that I found is to go to the Sunbeam hot springs on ID-75 around mile marker 200 (it is well marked - it is also free!). Hot water gushes from the mountain into the Salmon River at this point. Rocks have been arranged to form pools in the river but be sure to stir the water so it does not become too hot. This is a great way to relax after the day's adventures in the area.

If you've never sat beside Redfish Lake and stared in amazement at such a beautiful range of mountains, you better put it on your bucket list! The deep piney woods smell so great you never want to return to a smoggy city again. When I drive from Twin to Salmon Idaho I always take the route through Hailey up, up, and away into the beauty of those jagged peaks... the Sawtooth's. They really do look like the two man saw used by the lumberjacks in the old days. Have your camera batteries with you because you'll be possessed with picture taking!

I feel this is a little deceptive. It looks like Twin Falls is in the Sawtooth National Forest. The title of the attraction should be Sawtooth National Forest office or headquarters. You will not see the main picture posted in Twin Falls. You will have to travel a ways from Twin Falls to get there. Just to set the record straight.

Beautiful mountain scenery all over. Lots of rafting and kayaking on the rivers. Lots of easy hiking and camping spots. Not many people when we were there, some snow on the mountains still and the rivers didn't seem too deep.

wide open spaces and few people with lots of birds raptors and sand hill cranes and songbirds. Beautiful wildflowers and we even saw a ferret.

The Stanley Basin, Redfish Lake, & Sawtooth Campground are our favorite places to camp. The campgrounds are well maintained and there is a free dump station just behind the Sawtooth National Headquarters.

The Sawtooths have something for everyone. Bring your camera. You will want to take lots of pictures.

this is wonderful and has lots of trails not only for horses but for back pacers trail rides mountain biking Ross falls is beautiful

Hiking in the Sawtooth Mts. is a gift that keeps on giving. WIthin just a few miles of our home and the surrounding community you can find some of the most beautiful and challenging hiking anywhere. Don't forget your camera! Stop by the conveniently located Range Station to pick up a map.

I like the mountains and these are close by. Would spend more time in them if there wasn't always something else going on.

What a great place to go camping. The facilities were well kept. Its just beautiful!