The Sawtooth Scenic Byway offers plenty of opportunities to explore. There are 71.25 miles from Boise to Sawtooth City in northeast direction and 157 miles (252.67 kilometers) by car, following the ID 21 S route. 6 of the best places to elope in Idaho | Autumn Lynne Photography, [] is known for its access to the Sawtooth Mountains. The road to Alturas is on the left soon after Smiley Creek, with the road to Pettit just a few miles beyond. Venmo . If you want to see a more inside scoop of what our Sawtooth Mountains experience was like, check out the video below from Happily Ever Hanks. The Tetons resemble the Sawtooth Mountains but the Sawtooths are a much more vast mountain range in length, depth, and land area and wilderness area. Posted on Last updated: February 26, 2019. 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. Grab a bite to eat at the Shoshone Snack Bar, a quintessential roadside eatery serving hamburgers, fried dinners and huge helpings of ice cream. There are no points of interest for most of the trip and only a few campgrounds. There are many options for places to stay in the Sawtooth Mountains depending on your budget. Lady Face Falls Trail has great views of the mountains behind expansive wildflower fields. What should I do if I have COVID-19 symptoms when I arrive in Sawtooth National Forest? Travel west on Highway 20 for sixty-six miles to Arco. The Sawtooth Range is a mountain range of the Rocky Mountains in central Idaho, United States, reaching a maximum elevation of 10,751 feet (3,277 m) at the summit of Thompson Peak. From Bonanza, you can drive a few miles on a bumpy, one lane forest service road to the Bonanza and Boot Hill cemeteries, places where a . We recommend Sawtooth Adventures. 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. It takes you across 115 miles of some of the state's most beautiful landscapes. The parking lot here overlooks a field at the base of the mountains. However, we were very surprised that it was still quite cold and even snowing at the higher elevations during our visit. In addition to all of the things to do particularly at the lake, it is also a gateway for exploring deeper in the Sawtooth Wilderness via various trails. While Black Magic Canyon about a two-hour drive south of Triangle C Cabins on the Sawtooth Scenic Byway, the hiking and sightseeing make it well worth your time. Approaching Lowman in 31 miles, you will see 46,000 acres of forest recovering from the 1989 fire caused by lightning. Our goal for the next day was to hike one of the many trails in the Sawtooth National Recreational Area. Swing into any pull-off or parking lot to get out and explore. Grab a coffee to go and drink it at beautiful Pioneer Park to wrap up your journey on this most scenic of byways. No matter how high the thermometer goes outside, the ice-filled cave stays a refreshing 23 to 33 degrees Fahrenheit. . Just after the gas station, turn left (south) on Wall St. and follow the road to the Sawtooth Valley Meditation Chapel. In the summer, the ski slopes turn into hiking trails and mountain bike routes, making this resort a sightseers paradise. Airbnbs. Anglers and boaters will enjoy a side trip to Magic Reservoir (W4). Ketchum and Hailey are popular with celebrities and was the last place that Ernest Hemmingway lived before his death. 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. Your email address will not be published. We have always been wanting to check out Idaho, in particular, The Sawtooth Mnts. This is the fastest route from Boise, ID to Sawtooth City, ID. . Youll feel like a pro (ok, almost) by the end of the day! Redfish Lake is one of the main attractions in the Sawtooth mountain range and for good reason. The town boasts an extra-wide Main Street, which accommodates four lanes for vehicle traffic and four sets of railroad tracks. Peaceful meadows, towering mountains, and views of rolling rivers enhance the drive down the Sawtooth Scenic Byway. From lava-filled high desert to the jagged peaks of the Sawtooth Mountains, this scenic byway has sweeping views, creature comforts and access to some truly spectacular outdoor recreation. Sara Sheehyis a writer and photographer who travels the world seeking wild places and great stories. For more information check out my Stanley, Idaho blog post. These are possibly the most popular hot springs in the state due to their proximity to Boise (a little under two hours) and the nearby campground, but there are quite a few pools to accommodate anyone looking for a relaxing soak after a long hike. . Once in Stanley, the drive merges onto ID-75. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. This outstanding scenic drive through south-central Idaho climbs more than 5,000 vertical feet (1,524. Within the Sawtooth Mountains are the Sawtooth Wilderness, Sawtooth National Recreation Area, and Sawtooth National Forest. Spending the night at the lake gives you a bit more time rest your feet and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Mileage. In fact, 60% of the state is covered in forestland! Hike starting from the Tin Cup Trailhead, spend the afternoon relaxing or kayaking at Petit Lake. **Note that many of the national forest access roads are gravel and most (if not all) rental car companies have rules regarding travel on gravel roads. 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. At 1.1 miles you will officially enter the Sawtooth Wilderness and soon after come to a marked junction. hiking in the Sawtooth Mountains blog post, best hikes to do in the Sawtooth Mountains, book from Falcon Guides about Pacific Northwest Hot Springs, Guide to Visiting Bormio, Italy and the Bagni di Bormio, A Winter Day in Santa Caterina di Valfurva, How to Visit Seceda, Dolomites in the Winter, 5 Awesome Waterfalls to Visit Near Ithaca, New York. 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. For more information, readourfull disclosure. Its jaw-droppingly gorgeous. 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. Recreational pursuits include outdoor activities like camping, hiking, backpacking, fishing, boating and canoeing, rafting, observing nature, photography and bicycling. The lodge itself offers breakfast, lunch and snacks during the summer, as well as mountain bike rentals and lessons, yurt rentals and weekly wagon ride BBQs. You cant come to Idaho without fly fishing. Boise and Sawtooth City are 3 hours 59 mins far apart, if you drive non-stop . Cresting Timmerman Hill, the Wood River Valley unfolds below you. From Boise, you can rent a car to drive the rest of the way to the Sawtooth Mountains. We always use Booking.com to rent cars as they always have the cheapest deals and often have free cancellation. First of all, how to get here? If youre an experienced fly fisherman, there are plenty of great spots to cast your fly. The heavily forested drive was fantastic, and we enjoyed the journey as well as the destination! Sun Valley Resort has two lodges, condo rentals and an on-site spa. If you do visit a hot spring while in the Sawtooth Mountains, please respect it and leave no trace. Each area offers lodging options, as well. 21/Hwy. If you have flexibility in your trip, first-come, first-serve may be your best bet. 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.. After breakfast in Boise, get in the car and drive 35 miles (56 kilometers) west to the Sunny Slope area of . Her goalis to inspire others to get outside and explore. A. . Option #2 (Stanley): Another tiny home in the same complex with just as beautiful views and design. Our free Road Trip Planner will reverse the route and include the places of interests. Continuing south on ID-75, you will pass many hiking opportunities within the Sawtooth National Forest and lakes. . Check out these travel tips and start planning your adventure. Download map or text a link to your phone. From the Tin Cup Trailhead, the hike is 5.1 miles round trip. Highway 75, Stanley, Idaho, is well known for a few things. We and have hiked everywhere in this great state. Byway Map Additional Area Attractions Sawtooth National Recreation Area Redfish Lake Hiking the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho September 3, 2022- September 14, 2022 . Pettit Lake is another main area to explore and enter into the Sawtooth Wilderness. Locally owned farm-to-table-style restaurants are the norm, though youll find everything from breakfast cafes to slope side dining to rooftop bars to taco lounges. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Ill let her take it from here! SeasonsThe seasons listed are the best seasons for this scenic drive. 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. Last updated: 18 Jan 2023 Also, along the road to the Sawtooth Lodge, there are some nice hot springs alongside the river. Distance from Boise: 108.3 miles (2 hours and 14 minutes) Payette Lake Near McCall, Idaho McCall is known as an Idaho destination that can be an excellent choice for the ones who love wild outdoor adventures. Also, the eatery beside their marina has some of the best soft serve ice cream. There are so many beautiful things to see in the Sawtooth Mountains. If you want to take a beautiful drive up through the mountains, head up to the Yankee Fork Dredge and Custer Ghost Town. There are great views of the mountains as well as various amenities and boat rentals. Theres a sort of comfort in knowing that when you get the sudden urge just to get in your car and take a nice, long drive to nowhere Idahos got you covered. I mostly used Google Maps to find the hot springs that we visited that were unnamed. Sawtooth Fish Hatchery I followed her familys travels throughout the western United States and in their home state of Idaho. But this is all dependent on . 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. The trails range from easy to most-difficult. 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. On our trip, I fell and hit my head (thats a story for another day), so we had to spend some time taking it slow. 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 We were unable to go on a rafting trip during our visit, but would love to on our next time in the Sawtooths. If renting a car in Boise, I recommend using Booking.com. Pioneer Cabin Trail #122: A popular day hike to a cool cabin and spectacular views of the Pioneer Mountains. Use our free Road Trip Planner to completely plan your adventure. Tickets cost $90 and the journey takes 3h. 8. Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. It is so serene and peaceful there. This scenic drive completes as you arrive in Shoshone. Downtown Stanley is home to a handful of restaurants, and the surrounding area has a variety of lodging options, from cabin rentals to hotels to camping. Other great camping spots include Stanley Lake (our personal favorite), Pettit Lake, or Iron Creek. Here are just a handful of the highlights along this route, traveling from south to north. There are three main areas to eat in the Sawtooth ValleySmiley Creek, Redfish Lake Lodge and Stanley. You can tailor your trip to what you have time for, but many of the prettiest area are spread out and will take time to visit. Track your favorite scenic drives by selecting those which you want to take and those that you have taken. After Lowman, you arrive at the Kirkham Hot Springs (W2), where the South Fork Payette River has multiple natural hot waterfalls that create warm pools. With three full days for your first visit, you can get a good feel for the area and have some pretty great adventures. There is so much beauty in just one place! We opted for the Yellowbelly Lake trail, a 4.8 mile in and out hike, mainly because the name was cool. Your email address will not be published. First of all, how to get here? With 57 peaks over 10,000 feet in elevation, this mountain range is one of the prettiest and most striking in the United States. Also check Airbnb in the area for a cozy cabin or a larger home if youre coming with a bigger crew (and if youre new to Airbnb, sign up using our link here and get $40 off your first stay). McCall, Idaho to Tin Cup Trailhead: ~4 Hours . When you think of Idaho, the first thing that comes to mind is probably potatoes, but did you know that Idaho has more wilderness than any other state in the lower 48? Peaks to Craters Scenic Byway runs alongside Mount Borah, Idaho's tallest mountain . Redfish Lake is personally one of my favorite areas of the Sawtooth Mountains. Located in Central Idaho, the Sawtooth Mountains are home to hundreds of gorgeous alpine lakes and jagged peaks (they look like a saw! Take it all in by pulling off at the large scenic viewpoint just past the summit. Well known for a few campgrounds at beautiful Pioneer Park to wrap up your journey on most! Sawtooth mountain range and for good reason National Recreation Area, and Sawtooth Recreational... 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