The Sawtooth Scenic Byway begins in a Shoshone, one of the oldest towns in central Idaho. Led by Nick Yturri/Sawtooth NRA fire management officer, Eva Strand/University of I will be flyfishing there soon, while my boys splash nearby! The best day trips from Boise: Sawtooth National Forest. The small town of Stanley (population 68) serves as the gateway to the Sawtooths. Boise derived from the French word for wooded, but a name that also reflects a confluence of frontier myth and speculation sits below the Rocky Mountains on a verdant plain. For more information check out my Stanley, Idaho blog post. 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. Other great camping spots include Stanley Lake (our personal favorite), Pettit Lake, or Iron Creek. The Sawtooth Mountains feature about 400 . If youve worked up a sweat in the park, the nearby Blaine County Recreation District Aquatic Center offers day passes to their two family-friendly outdoor swimming pools, open seasonally. 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. Idaho is stunningly beautiful, filled with alpine peaks, jewel-colored lakes, untouched forest, and sparkling rivers. 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. 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). After the Galena Summit, the road descends into the Big Wood River Valley, where the Boulder Mountains begin to rise in the east. The longtime hiking and rock-climbing experts at Sawtooth Mountain Guides (208 . 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. The scene is almost surreal with the blue-green water and the surrounding mountain peaks. Rome2rios travel guides to the US tell you the best ways to explore the country, from Amtrak to Greyhound to the New York Subway. There are plenty of whitewater rafting day trips in the Sawtooths, but if you want something a little more adventurous, take a multi-day trip down the Salmon River. Some campgrounds that we stayed at in the Sawtooth Mountains were Point Campground at Redfish Lake, Glacier View Campground, and Pine Flats Campground. Stanley, Idaho is a main hub for people visiting the Sawtooth Mountains. 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. There is a beach area and a dock. Peaceful meadows, towering mountains, and views of rolling rivers enhance the drive down the Sawtooth Scenic Byway. The Sawtooth Lodge has a warm pool filled with water from their private hot spring. The hikes to Alice Lake and Goat Lake are both great options for backpacking since the trails are somewhat long and difficult. If you are coming from far away, the closest large airport is in Boise, Idaho. Other Incredible Drives Through the Sawtooths There are a handful of other fantastic drives throughout the Central Idaho region. If you are coming from far away, the closest large airport is in Boise, Idaho. But some hikes do stand above others. 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.. Kirkham Hot Springs is located on the way to Stanley if youre coming from Boise, right off the 21 and along the Payette River. Ill let her take it from here! You can also fly into the smaller airport in Hailey, which is just outside Sun Valley, Idaho and only an hour from the Sawtooths. Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. route from Boise, ID to Sawtooth City, ID. Redfish Lake is one of the main attractions in the Sawtooth mountain range and for good reason. Choose either an alternate ending or same as start. Sawtooth Scenic Byway | Road Trips in Central Idaho Length 115.7 miles 186.2 km Time 3 hours Region Central Idaho When to Visit Year-round 31 Byways. 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. Idaho is seriously a hidden gem. Sawtooth Mountains, [date], MSS056_11_3_Scenic_029, Frank Church Papers, MSS 056, Special Collections and Archives, Albertsons Library, Boise State University In the morning do a rafting trip from Stanley. It is so serene and peaceful there. Guided tours are available. Twin Falls. The halfway point is Lowman, ID. Catch rainbow trout in one of the many lakes or 3,000 miles of . Do I have to wear a face mask on public transport in Sawtooth National Forest? Approximately 380 miles to Stanley. Hey Randy, I'm sure you'll be right at home in the Sawtooths. If youre new to the sport, there are some great guides that can teach you everything you need to know about fly fishing. There are a lot of opportunities to enjoy the lakes and streams throughout the Sawtooth Mountains. Time/Distance . Check out our hotel recommendations: If you want to meet halfway between Boise, ID and Sawtooth City, ID or just make a stop in the middle of your trip, the exact coordinates of the halfway point of this route are 44.080334 and -115.497833, or 44 4' 49.2024" N, 115 29' 52.1988" W. This location is 78.74 miles away from Boise, ID and Sawtooth City, ID and it would take approximately 1 hour 59 mins to reach the halfway point from both locations. Some very popular trails start from around Redfish Lake. With 57 peaks over 10,000 feet in elevation, this mountain range is one of the prettiest and most striking in the United States. Camping can be a great option if you love nature and are on a smaller budget. Click the Add to Road Trip above to start planning your next road trip. An on-site marina offers boat rentals, lake tours, moorings, and a boat shuttle that whisks hikers across the lake to the designated wilderness on the other side. 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? keremeosreview.com. We opted for the Yellowbelly Lake trail, a 4.8 mile in and out hike, mainly because the name was cool. Youll feel like a pro (ok, almost) by the end of the day! The Sawtooth Mountains are located in central Idaho. One glance at Redfish Lake, and youll instantly want to dive in. drive south on Highway 75 4 miles and turn right on to the marked road for Redfish Lake . Many notable people have homes in Ketchum and Hailey. The best season for these activities is from July through to September. 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. Sawtooth National Forest 3 hours 20 minutes from Boise, Idaho Some day trips from Boise are longer than the others. They are super professional, know all the best spots and will teach you all the ins and outs of fly fishing. Length: 8.0 mi Est. Between here and Stanley, three large alpine lakes are easily reachable by vehicle: Alturas, Pettit and Redfish Lakes. The water is as pristine and clear as you can get, and its the perfect alpine lake to spend a lazy summer day on. Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Tiktok for the latest updates on our travels! By proceeding, you accept the use of cookies in accordance with our, Take the bus from Boise, ID - Airport to Sun Valley Lodge, Drive from Boise to Sawtooth National Forest. 21/Hwy. For more information, readourfull disclosure. This outstanding scenic drive through south-central Idaho climbs more than 5,000 vertical feet (1,524. Sawtooth Mountain Range is in the heart of the Sawtooth Wilderness. The day-use area at Pettit Lake has lake front access and beautiful views of the mountains across the lake. Boise, ID 83720-0065 5657 Warm Springs Ave Boise, ID 83716 (208) 334-4199 (208) 334-3741 Contact the Agency. There are restaurants, hotels, hospital, and pharmacy. There are great views of the mountains as well as various amenities and boat rentals. Run entirely by local volunteers, and sponsored by the Stanley-Sawtooth Chamber of Commerce, the festival celebrates the great outdoors through . This north-bound railroad spur was frequented first by miners, then by sheep ranchers, and then by tourists on their way to the ski slopes at Sun Valley Resort. This will be an adventure youll never forget! In my opinion, this is the best way to get around the lake and take in the beauty of the majestic mountains around you. Other trails traverse ambling rivers with postcard-worthy scenery much of the way. . 75 junction in Stanley, head west as if you're headed back to Boise. Hello, and thanks for stopping by! 5 hours, 12 minutes. Discover what Ernest Hemingway came to love in Idaho's spectacular Sawtooth wilderness. Some even call it Idahos best-kept secret because it doesnt take much to discover an empty hiking trail, quiet lake, or solitude in the backcountry. Most of the range lies within the Sawtooth Wilderness while some parts extend into the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and the Sawtooth . Sign up for the Visit Idaho Newsletter for year-round Idaho adventures. . 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. To return to Boise, head north on I-84. 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. No matter what hike you do, in the Sawtooths you will see some amazing views. Sawtooth Fish Hatchery Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. The Redfish Lodge on the Redfish Lake is an amazing place to start your exploration of this area. Along the way, there are several interpretive signs. They fly or drive to Boise, then take the approximately 3.5 hour trip northeast into the mountains. 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