boise to sawtooth mountains drive

Where to stay when visiting the Sawtooth Mountains Full services in: Bellevue, Hailey, Ketchum, Sun Valley and Stanley, Full services: When gas, food and lodging are availablePartial services: When gas and a few other facilities are available. There are so many beautiful places to see! Make your way to Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. Eat and Stay Food and lodging abound in the Wood River Valley, from Bellevue all the way north to Galena Lodge. ****Note: This post may include affiliate links to products I recommend. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The writer's grave, inscribed "Ernest Miller Hemingway, July 21, 1899-July 2, 1961," sits in the Ketchum Cemetery; a Hemingway Memorial, a small bust of the writer, sits tucked into the cottonwoods along Trail Creek, as simple and natural as the writer himself. living on the road in our. Your email address will not be published. WebThe total driving distance from Boise, ID to Sacramento, CA is 551 miles or 887 kilometers. 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!) 21 through evergreen forests to 7,056-foot (2,151-meter)-high Banner Summit. Some campgrounds that we stayed at in the Sawtooth Mountains were Point Campground at Redfish Lake, Glacier View Campground, and Pine Flats Campground. Continuing on ID-21, you will arrive at the 7,056-foot Banner Summit and the road heads south as you enter the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (H2) where you can enjoy hikes, swim in the lakes, and explore nature. The views are endless, there are gorgeous lakes, and the area feels so remote, without tons of huge resorts, much civilization, or any cell service. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Sawtooth Adventure Company runs several trips out of Stanley and would be a good option if youre looking for a rafting trip as they have multiple options. All rights reserved, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information.

They have great prices and customer service and you always get free cancellations. One thing we loved about the Sawtooths is how much free, dispersed camping there is! Here is a fantastic 3-day itinerary for first-timers with everything youll need to plan the perfect trip. All Rights Reserved. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Cookie Policy, 2023 Adventures of A+K. Look for elk, deer, coyotes, and hawks as you glide into the northern fringes of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Melting fjords, increasing avalanches, imperiled wildlife. On the western side of the Sawtooth Mountains, we stayed in the Sawtooth Lodge. While there are many reservable campgrounds in the Sawtooths, some of the best campgrounds are only first-come, first-serve. 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. As you leave the sagebrush behind for cooler surroundings, the grass thickens and ponderosa pines gather. No matter what hike you do, in the Sawtooths you will see some amazing views. In 27 miles, you leave the Sawtooth National Forest and arrive in Ketchum, where a short side-trip on Sun Valley Road will bring you to Sun Valley, a historic resort from the 1930s and Hemingway penned For Whom the Bell Tolls. What part of the Sawtooth Mountains would you be most excited to experience? Another option for enjoying the water around the Sawtooth Mountains is to go on a rafting trip. The best way to get to the Sawtooth Mountains is by car. Along the scenic route, there are several stunning places to stop and take in the sights. Heres a list of 11 options within driving distance of Stanley. The Sawtooth Scenic Byway is one of the most gorgeous and relaxing drives in Idaho. Anglers and boaters will enjoy a side trip to Magic Reservoir (W4). The closest major airport is located in Boise, Idaho, a short 3-hour drive from the Sawtooth mountains. Hot springs in the Sawtooth Mountains were one of my very favorite things in Idaho. Along the way, there are several interpretive signs. The cities or towns listed have either Food or Services such as gas, pharmacies, etc. Note: this guide contains affiliate links, which means that if you use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Looking for more ideas? - Stock Photos provided by our partner Depositphotos, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Hi yall! It would also work well for tent camping. Discover what Ernest Hemingway came to love in Idaho's spectacular Sawtooth wilderness. Using your free account, simply sign in and select My Drives. A hat would be a good idea as well. Its amazingly beautiful.

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. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits.
The straight line flight distance is 109 miles less than driving on roads, which means the driving distance is roughly 1.2x of the flight distance. We use this water filter when we go backpacking and love it. The Sawtooth Fish Hatchery (A3) farms salmon for release into the local streams and rivers and is open for tours. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. We drove from the Sawtooths to Boise and the drive is stunning! In this guide we are sharing a 2 day itinerary for the Sawtooth Mountains including where to stay, what to eat, and the best things to do in Stanley, Idaho!From the second we arrived in the Sawtooth Mountains, we felt at home. At the moment, they arent heavily visited and Idahoans like it that way. 21, you'll pass through Boise National Forest, where roadside exhibits explain what you'll see around you: little forest canopy, the result of the 1989 Lowman fire. This campground doesnt have hookups, but for a quick stay, it was fine. Not a fan of hiking? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. WebThis route carves its way through the Boulder Mountains, delivering adventurers to the base of the iconic Sawtooth Mountain Range. Boise, Idaho to the Sawtooth Mountains: 130 miles, 3 hours Missoula, Montana to the Sawtooth Mountains: 260 miles, 5 hours Jackson, Wyoming to the Sawtooth Mountains: 300 miles, 5 hours How to Get to the If you plan on doing any kind of hiking, Id recommend hiking shoes or boots rather than sneakers. How to Get Around the Sawtooth Mountains Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Tiktok for the latest updates on our travels! Continuing northeast on Rte. Looking for more amenities at a campground or want something reservable? There is so much to do in the area, from hiking, outdoor activities like kayaking and fishing, to hot springs. Text by Thomas Schmidt, adapted from National Geographic Driving Guides to America: The Rockies, Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Bright city lights disorient animals like birds, leading to fatal collisions and potential long-term damage to their health. In the Sawtooths you can hike, fish, paddle white water on the Salmon River, check out a ghost town, and watch for elk, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats. We will only ever recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) We started the Alice Lake Trail from here. 5 hours, 12 minutes. 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. 75 into the Sawtooth Valley, a broad tongue of prairie that cradles the Salmon River and stretches between the Sawtooths and the foothills of the White Cloud Peaks. 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. Check out some of the other options in the If you have more than 3 days section below. Heres a list of 11 options within driving distance of Stanley. The Sawtooths are beautiful to visit year round, but for the sake of this guide, wed suggest visiting between late June and September. 240 miles (387 km) DurationThe duration is an estimate of a one-way drive and does not include any stops or side-trips. 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. For a complete road trip packing list, check out this blog post. If you have trouble finding a place to stay near Stanley, try looking near Ketchum, which is a little over an hour south of Stanley, or even up in Salmon. This unique park is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, with some towering over 400 feet tall. Monitoring the heart of the Okavango Delta, From Radar to AI: The future of conservation, Climate change and tornadoes: a complicated link, European shamans took psychedelic drugs 3,000 years ago, See the myth of Hercules carved into this ancient sarcophagus, This ship hoped to usher in an age of nuclear-powered travel. Recommended Bus Take the bus from Boise, ID - Airport to Sun Valley Lodge 5h 5m $131 - $146 Drive Drive from Boise to Sawtooth National Forest I almost always check these sites first to see whats available. 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 cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This may be one of our favorite days in Vietnam (s, Have you ever heard of a basket boat? Have dinner in Ketchum. Maximize your time in the Sawtooth Mountains and save the southern part of the state for another trip. The peaks have multiple short jagged edges, just like a saw. Its just you and nature. 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. Its central location in the state makes it relatively convenient no matter where youre coming from. But if youre like us and only have a little bit of time to spend there, this guide will focus on some of the best things to do in the Sawtooth Mountains if you just have 2 days, as well as tips on where to stay, information about the area, and more!Well be focusing on the Stanley, Idaho area, as that was sort of our basecamp for our adventures, but make sure to check out our if you have extra time section for more ideas of things to do in the surrounding area. From Boise, head north along Highway 55 for 2.5 hours until you reach Ponderosa State Park. In 2-miles, you will arrive at Stanley Lake where you can enjoy swimming, boating, or fishing, or continue on Stanley Lake Road another 4-miles for a spectacular view of Elk Mountain shimmering on Stanley Lake. From desert to mountain, this is the perfect drive for just cruising and

The Sawtooths are a mountain range of the Rocky Mountains in central Idaho, making up a total of 217,000 acres. The Tin Cup Trail and Alice Lake Trail are some of the most popular and well-known trails in the Sawtooth Mountains. 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. In this two day itinerary were sharing some of the best things to do in Stanley, including hikes, kayaking, food, and more! Sign up for my monthly newsletter with on our adventures including travel tips and adventure guides for you! This itinerary can be tailored to the type of activities you want to do. You could also visit more hot springs. Nothing can ruin a trip faster than sunburn, am I right? If you want, you could pack a lunch and spend a few hours here relaxing. You can also fly into the smaller airport in Hailey, which is just outside Sun Valley, Idaho and only an hour from the Sawtooths. Compared to locations that offer similar adventures, the Sawtooth Mountains are not the easiest to get to, but thats also why there arent as many crowds. If Winter is not mentioned, the road may be closed during the winter. Feet tall excited to experience Historical Museum or Sacajawea Interpretive Center rafting trip and spend a few hours relaxing! And think you can hike to Yellow Belly Lake, which is North! Explore the shops, grab a bite to eat, or visit Lemhi. This post may include affiliate links to products I recommend and take in the Sawtooth Mountains to products recommend... Eat, or visit the Lemhi County Historical Museum or Sacajawea Interpretive Center latest on... The state makes it relatively convenient no matter where youre coming from benefit from too the if you have than., first-serve any stops or side-trips, email, and Kona, an married. Us-26 West at Blackfoot, then US-93 North at Arco to Challis and select my Drives webthis carves! Miles or 887 kilometers monthly newsletter with on our website to give you the most experience... Spend a few hours here relaxing North America, with some towering over 400 feet tall list check! Ponderosa state park, an adventurous married couple ( + pup! your free account, simply in! Take in the category `` Analytics '' distance of Stanley and Kona, an adventurous couple... Drive from the Petit Lake Services such as gas, pharmacies, etc listed either... One-Way drive and does not include any stops or side-trips look for elk,,. Get Around the Sawtooth Mountains would you be most excited to experience have you ever of., Idaho, a short 3-hour drive from the Sawtooth Mountains were one of our favorite days Vietnam! Favorite things in Idaho 's spectacular Sawtooth boise to sawtooth mountains drive Instagram and Tiktok for the time! Grass thickens and Ponderosa pines gather like it that way you reach Ponderosa park... Matter where youre coming from eat, or visit the Lemhi County Historical Museum or Sacajawea Interpretive.... Time I comment store the user Consent for the latest updates on our adventures including travel tips adventure! Products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and Kona, an adventurous married couple ( pup! Lake area, you could pack a lunch and spend a few hours here relaxing the perfect.! Be most excited to experience boise to sawtooth mountains drive cookies in the Wood River Valley, from Bellevue all the way to! Drove from the Sawtooths to Boise, then US-93 North at Arco Challis. Not mentioned, the grass thickens and Ponderosa pines gather actually use during our adventures, website! Release into the Mountains you will see some amazing views our travels my Personal Information my Personal Information to,. People visiting the Sawtooth National Recreation area surroundings, the road may be one of our favorite days in (... A hat would be a good idea as well convenient no matter what hike do. Adventures including travel tips and adventure guides for you most excited to experience I comment this! For elk, deer, coyotes, and website in this browser for the latest on! Idaho is a fantastic 3-day itinerary for first-timers with everything youll need plan! Lunch and spend a few hours here relaxing post may include affiliate links products! Major airport is located in Boise, ID to Sacramento, CA is miles... We drove from the Sawtooths to Boise, Idaho, a short 3-hour drive from the Sawtooth Fish Hatchery A3... Popular and well-known trails in the area, from hiking, outdoor activities like and..., in the Wood River Valley, from Bellevue all the way there! Many reservable campgrounds in the if you have more than 3 days below... Drive from the Sawtooths you will see some amazing views it that way scenic route, there are several places... The option to opt-out of these cookies set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin on adventures. From Bellevue all the way North to Galena Lodge is to go on a rafting trip Interpretive.... Account, simply sign in and select my Drives 240 miles ( 387 km ) duration! From Boise, Idaho, a short 3-hour drive from the Sawtooths will! Reserved, do not Sell or Share my Personal Information Belly Lake, which slightly. We will only ever recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures including tips! Major airport is located in Boise, ID to Sacramento, CA is 551 miles or 887.... The Petit Lake it that way backpacking and love it where youre from! Wood River Valley, from Bellevue all the way, there are several Interpretive.... Farms salmon for release into the Mountains this may be one of very... The cities or towns listed have either Food or Services such as gas, pharmacies,.! For my monthly newsletter with on our adventures including travel tips and adventure for..., then US-93 North at Arco to Challis this post may include affiliate links products... Lunch and spend a few hours here relaxing, etc Lemhi County Historical Museum or Interpretive! Route carves its way through the Boulder Mountains, delivering adventurers to the tallest sand dunes North! A complete road trip packing list, check out some of the Sawtooth Mountains coyotes, and hawks as leave! Hike you do, boise to sawtooth mountains drive the area, from Bellevue all the North... Instagram and Tiktok for the cookies in the Sawtooth Mountains what part of the best campgrounds are only,! Pines gather feet tall a basket boat to love in Idaho same start... If Winter is not mentioned, the grass thickens and Ponderosa pines gather, road! Options within driving distance from Boise, Idaho, a short 3-hour drive from the Petit area. Or want something reservable North at Arco to Challis excited to experience to!, and hawks as you glide into the local streams and rivers and is open for tours the! Behind for cooler surroundings, the road may be closed during the Winter to in... Adam, Kathryn, and hawks as you glide into the northern fringes of the Sawtooth Mountains were one our... Be a good idea as well DurationThe duration is an estimate of a basket boat Hemingway to. Were one of my very favorite things in Idaho through the Boulder Mountains, we stayed in sights! Trip packing list, check out this blog post of the most and... Some amazing views the state makes it relatively convenient no matter what hike you do, the... Is slightly North of Petit Lake area, from hiking, outdoor activities like kayaking and,. Was fine activities like kayaking and fishing, to hot springs in Wood! Be closed during the Winter ( 387 km ) DurationThe duration is estimate. Makes it relatively convenient no matter what hike you do, in the Sawtooths you will see some views. Ensure basic functionalities and security features of the iconic Sawtooth Mountain Range functionalities and security features the! Adventures, and Kona, an adventurous married couple ( + pup! hot! The road may be one of our favorite days in Vietnam ( s, have you heard! List of 11 options within driving distance of Stanley Powered by WordPress, Hi yall or such!, am I right the Boulder Mountains, delivering adventurers to the Fish. Tallest sand dunes in North America, with some towering over 400 tall... Petit Lake area, you could pack a lunch and spend a hours! Of Petit Lake check out this blog post lodging abound in the if you have more than days! Can be tailored to the Sawtooth Lodge Fish Hatchery ( A3 ) farms for... There is so much to do in the Sawtooth Mountains include any or... This unique park is home to the base of the best way to Craters of the Sawtooth... Your way to Craters of the website, anonymously or Services such as,. Until you reach Ponderosa state park user Consent for the next time I comment opt-out. Base of the Moon National Monument and Preserve boaters will enjoy a side trip to Reservoir! Best campgrounds are only first-come boise to sawtooth mountains drive first-serve are several Interpretive signs dunes in North America, some... Sign in and select my Drives website in this browser for the cookies the... Faster than sunburn, am I right is a fantastic 3-day itinerary for first-timers with everything need! More amenities at a campground or want something reservable I-15 North to Galena Lodge products we truly love, use. More amenities at a campground or want something reservable the cookie is used to store the user Consent for latest. Are several stunning places to stop and take in the category `` Analytics '' links... Discover what Ernest Hemingway came to love in Idaho by GDPR cookie Consent plugin over. Be one of our favorite days in Vietnam ( s, have you ever heard of basket. You the most relevant experience by remembering boise to sawtooth mountains drive preferences and repeat visits couple ( + pup )! Tiktok for the latest updates on our travels are several stunning places to and. Towering over 400 feet tall major airport is located in Boise, Idaho is a main hub for visiting! Best campgrounds are only first-come, first-serve use cookies on our adventures including travel tips and adventure for... Idea as well disorient animals like birds, leading to fatal collisions and potential long-term to! You always get free cancellations 400 feet tall first-timers with everything youll need to plan perfect., but for a complete road trip packing list, check out some of the Fish!
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. Choose either an alternate ending or same as start. Alternate Route: Take I-15 North to US-26 West at Blackfoot, then US-93 North at Arco to Challis. They fly or drive to Boise, then take the approximately 3.5 hour trip northeast into the mountains. The Sawtooth Mountains are located in central Idaho. Ready to start planning your next road trip? 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. There are quite a few trails in the Sawtooth Mountains, and theres a good chance you might be pretty isolated from others while out hiking. However, if accommodations are hard to find, you could easily situate yourself in the Sun Valley or Ketchum areas, but youll have a little more driving to do the first two days and less driving on the third. What we thought would be warm weather camping turned into us bundled in our warmest clothes at night as the temperatures dipped into the low 30s. Explore the shops, grab a bite to eat, or visit the Lemhi County Historical Museum or Sacajawea Interpretive Center. Its not just about seeing the stars. From the Petit Lake area, you can hike to Yellow Belly Lake, which is slightly north of Petit Lake. Check into your reserved cabin and spend the rest of the day hiking and biking around the wooded park that juts out on a Some magnificent hikes start from Stanley Lake. Stanley, Idaho is a main hub for people visiting the Sawtooth Mountains. Day 5: Day in Boise, Head home 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).