Sawtooth Wilderness Travel Guide

Trek Zone

National park

Facts and practical information

Nestled in the heart of Idaho's Boise County, the Sawtooth Wilderness is a hidden gem for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. Boasting stunning landscapes and rugged terrains, this national recreation area offers a diverse range of activities that cater to all types of travelers.

For those seeking solitude and tranquility, the Sawtooth Wilderness is a haven of serenity. With its vast expanse of untouched wilderness, visitors can embark on epic hikes through towering mountains, verdant forests, and crystal-clear alpine lakes. The trails here cater to both novice and experienced hikers, offering a chance to witness breathtaking vistas and encounter an abundance of wildlife along the way.

Photographers and nature lovers will find themselves in paradise within the Sawtooth Wilderness. The jagged peaks that give the area its name create a dramatic backdrop for capturing stunning vistas at sunrise or sunset. Whether it's the rugged beauty of Sawtooth Mountain or the ethereal reflections on the mirror-like surface of Redfish Lake, there are countless opportunities to capture the perfect shot.

Water enthusiasts will also find plenty to indulge in within the Sawtooth Wilderness. The area is home to numerous pristine lakes, including Stanley Lake and Alturas Lake, where visitors can enjoy a refreshing swim or partake in various water sports. Fishing enthusiasts can try their luck at catching trout or salmon in the crystalline waters, while kayakers and paddleboarders can explore the secluded coves and hidden inlets that dot the shoreline.

Camping under the starry Idaho sky is an experience not to be missed in the Sawtooth Wilderness. With several campgrounds scattered throughout the area, visitors can immerse themselves in nature and enjoy the peaceful ambiance that only a remote wilderness can offer. Whether it's pitching a tent amidst towering pine trees or parking an RV near a picturesque lake, camping options are plentiful and cater to all preferences.

As you explore this enchanting wilderness, keep an eye out for the remnants of Idaho's mining history. Abandoned cabins and artifacts from the past serve as a reminder of the area's rich heritage and provide a glimpse into the lives of the pioneers who once called this land home.

Visitors per year: 32.5 thous.Elevation: 8930 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 44°0'10"N, 115°3'50"W

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IdahoUnited States

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Sawtooth Wilderness Top Attractions

Sawtooth Wilderness Attractions - What to See and Explore

Sawtooth Wilderness offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Hell Roaring Lake, Alpine Lake, Baron Lake, Alice Lake. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Hell Roaring Lake
Hell Roaring Lake is an alpine lake in Custer County, Idaho, United States, located in the Sawtooth Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The lake is approximately 13.3 miles southwest of Stanley. The lake can be accessed from State Highway 75 in the Sawtooth Valley.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Alpine Lake
Alpine Lake is an alpine lake in Custer County, Idaho, United States, located high in the Sawtooth Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The lake is approximately 6.3 mi southwest of Stanley. A trail from the Iron Creek trailhead and campground leads approximately 5 miles to Sawtooth Lake.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Baron Lake
Baron Lake is an alpine lake in Boise County, Idaho, United States, located in the Sawtooth Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Sawtooth National Forest trail 101 goes to the lake.

Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Alice Lake
Alice Lake is an alpine lake in Blaine County, Idaho, United States, located high in the Sawtooth Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Goat Lake
Goat Lake is an alpine lake in Custer County, Idaho, United States, located high in the Sawtooth Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The lake is approximately 6 miles southwest of Stanley.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Edna Lake
Edna Lake is an alpine lake in Boise County, Idaho, United States, located high in the Sawtooth Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The lake is approximately 17 miles southwest of Stanley and 14.5 miles southeast of Grandjean.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Saddleback Lakes
The Saddleback Lakes are a chain of small alpine glacial lakes in Custer County, Idaho, United States, located in the Sawtooth Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Twin Lakes
The Twin Lakes are two adjacent alpine glacial lakes separated by a narrow strip of land less than 100 ft wide in Blaine County, Idaho, United States, located in the Sawtooth Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Alpine Lake
Alpine Lake is an alpine lake in Custer County, Idaho, United States, located high in the Sawtooth Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The lake is approximately 11.4 miles southwest of Stanley.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Toxaway Lake
Toxaway Lake is an alpine lake in the western United States, in Custer County, Idaho. Located high in the Sawtooth Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, it is approximately 17 miles south of Stanley.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Sawtooth Lake
Sawtooth Lake is an alpine lake in Custer County, Idaho, United States, located high in the Sawtooth Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The lake is approximately 6.8 miles southwest of Stanley. A trail from the Iron Creek trailhead and campground leads approximately 5 miles to Sawtooth Lake.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Upper Baron Lake
Upper Baron Lake is a small alpine lake in Boise County, Idaho, United States, located in the Sawtooth Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Sawtooth National Forest trail 101 goes to the lake.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Snowyside Peak
Snowyside Peak, at 10,651 feet above sea level, is the fifth-highest peak in the Sawtooth Range of the U.S. state of Idaho. The peak is located in the Sawtooth Wilderness of Sawtooth National Recreation Area at the intersection of Blaine, Custer County, and Elmore counties.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Mount Heyburn
Mount Heyburn, at 10,229 feet is one of the many 10,000-foot peaks in the Sawtooth Range of central Idaho. Mount Heyburn is located in Custer County and within the Sawtooth Wilderness portion of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Virginia Lake
Virginia Lake is an alpine lake in Boise County, Idaho, United States, located high in the Sawtooth Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The lake is approximately 17 miles southwest of Stanley and 14.5 miles southeast of Grandjean.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Middle Cramer Lake
Middle Cramer Lake is an alpine lake in Custer County, Idaho, United States, located in the Sawtooth Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Sawtooth National Forest trail 154 leads to the lake.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
El Capitan
El Capitan is a mountain in the western United States, in the Sawtooth Range of central Idaho. Located in the Sawtooth Wilderness of Sawtooth National Recreation Area in Blaine County, it is 1.2 mi south-southeast of Peak 10,052, its line parent.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Trail Creek Lakes
The Trail Creek Lakes are a series of five small alpine glacial lakes in Boise County, Idaho, United States, located in the Sawtooth Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Farley Lake
Farley Lake is a small alpine lake in Custer County, Idaho, United States, located high in the Sawtooth Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The lake is approximately 16.5 miles south of Stanley. There are two small islands in Farley Lake, the largest of which is only about 200 feet long.

Day trips

Sawtooth Wilderness – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Sawtooth Wilderness, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Stanley Lake (Sawtooth National Recreation Area), Little Redfish Lake (Sawtooth National Recreation Area), Fourth of July Lake (Sawtooth National Recreation Area).

17 milesN
Nature, Natural attraction, Lake
Stanley Lake, Sawtooth National Recreation Area
Stanley Lake is an alpine lake in the western United States, located in Custer County, Idaho, at the base of the Sawtooth Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
13 milesNE
Nature, Natural attraction, Lake
Little Redfish Lake, Sawtooth National Recreation Area
Little Redfish Lake is a name given to two different alpine lakes in central Idaho, both in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and Custer County.
22 milesE
Nature, Natural attraction, Lake
Fourth of July Lake, Sawtooth National Recreation Area
Fourth of July Lake is an alpine lake in Custer County, Idaho, United States, located in the White Cloud Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The lake is accessed from Sawtooth National Forest trail 109.
49 milesS
Locality
Camas Prairie Centennial Marsh Wildlife Management Area
Camas Prairie Centennial Marsh Wildlife Management Area at 3,100 acres is an Idaho wildlife management area in Camas County south of the community of Hill City.
15 milesN
Nature, Natural attraction, Lake
Middle Hanson Lake, Sawtooth National Recreation Area
Middle Hansen Lake is an alpine lake in Custer County, Idaho, United States, located in the Sawtooth Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The lake is approximately 8.7 miles west of Stanley.