17 Incredible Things to do in Stanley Idaho + Sawtooth Mountains
Surrounded by stunning views of the Sawtooth Mountains, Stanley Idaho is the perfect basecamp for all sorts of adventures! it’s no wonder there are plenty of things to do in Stanley Idaho.
Every time we visit we find more incredible ways to spend our time in this quaint little town in Idaho.
This guide is going to help you discover what to do in Stanley Idaho when you visit.
From soaking in some of the best hot springs, to going on day hikes through alpine forests, then checking out all of the lakes in the area, your itinerary will be full of some serious fun. Plus, we’re going to give you all the details to the best camping near Stanley Idaho.
Our ultimate guide will show you everything that makes Stanley, Id a great destination for your next vacation. Keep reading to find out the top things to do in Stanley Idaho!
First of All, Where is Stanley Idaho? 📍
If you want to immerse yourself in the stunning natural surroundings of Idaho, then Stanley is a great destination.
At 6,253 feet above sea level, Stanley Id is located in Custer County. The small yet thriving community sits right in between the Sawtooth Mountains and Salmon River.
How far is Stanley Idaho from Boise?
Distance from Boise to Stanley Idaho: When visiting Stanley as a day trip from Boise, you’ll travel 137 miles, just a little over three hours drive northeast of Boise via the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway (Highway 21). Here are directions to Stanley Idaho using Google Maps.
Why Visit Stanley Idaho
Stanley Idaho is a small town with a lot of charm, hospitality, and plenty of hidden gems that will surprise you!
Not only does it have some of the most beautiful mountain views you’ve ever seen, but there are so many fun things to do in Stanley Idaho.
From hiking in the Sawtooth Mountains, exploring the many alpine lakes in the area, soaking in the local hot springs, to enjoying one of the many places to eat, it’s impossible not to feel welcomed here!
Stanley Idaho Things To Do
If you’re looking for a perfect trip from Boise, we’ve found the best place to go.
This small town is full of natural beauty and fun things to do that will keep you busy all week long- from kayaking around Stanley lakes, visiting one of the natural hot springs, to hiking up to one of the many scenic alpine lakes.
Follow our list below to learn how to make your stay in Stanley Id unforgettable!
1. Boat Box Hot Springs
There are many hot springs near Stanley that are perfect for a soak after a long day of exploring!
Boat Box Hot Springs is a natural local hot spring on the Salmon River that might be the most unique place to soak in Idaho.
The water temperature stays around 110F, which is perfect for any season of the year!
It only holds 2-4 people comfortably at a time so it’s a really intimate tub, but great if you’re looking for something different to experience.
This particular hot spring in Stanley Idaho is the closest to town, so its usually very busy. You’ll probably find yourself waiting at the pull off for people to finish their soak, before you can hop in!
The coordinates for Boat Box Hot Springs are: 44.2448647,-114.886138.
2. Redfish Lake
There is no better place to go for a day of boating than Redfish Lake. This scenic Sawtooth Mountain lake is nestled right outside of town and allows motorized boat use. The boat ramp is located at Sandy beach and is the only boat access point for Redfish lake.
If you’re looking for a more relaxing lake activity, rent a kayak or paddleboard from Sawtooth Adventure Company and spend the day on the this gorgeous alpine lake with some friends.
3. Hike to Sawtooth Lake
If you are considering day hikes in Stanley Idaho, Sawtooth Lake is the ideal destination for a scenic summer Stanley Idaho hike.
Now this is a day hike you won’t want to miss! The 10 mile trek has moderate difficulty and offers breathtaking views of mountains along with plenty see on your way up.
After climbing nearly 1,800 feet you’ll find that the overall difficulty level will be moderate and you will be rewarded with unforgettable views of Sawtooth Lake and get to check the best hike in Stanley Idaho off your list.
4. Mountain Village Resort
The Mountain Village Resort is a great place to soak with privacy and enjoy the beautiful views of the Sawtooth Mountain Range.
They have an exclusive hot spring pool that can be reserved for an hour at a time, so you get the whole place to yourself!
We had the most magical time alone in this Stanley Idaho hot spring.
5. Explore Stanley Lake
Did you know Stanley Lake is only 7 miles away from town? It’s off highway 21, only 3 miles down spur road making it super accessible.
The scenic alpine lake is a must-see. The lake offers campsites along the Sawtooth Mountain Range with a boat launch, making it easy to get out on the water in no time at all!
A variety of hiking trails around the lake also give visitors plenty of space to explore their surroundings while taking in nature’s beauty.
6. Hike to Lady Face Falls
Hiking in Stanley Idaho is an amazing way to get to know nature while exploring great scenery, rugged terrain and some of the best hiking trails the Sawtooth mountains has to offer. Lady Face Falls is one of our favorite trails.
Lady Face Falls is a beautiful and secluded waterfall that can only be seen by scrambling down slippery rocks to see it. The hike to lady face falls is an easy 5.3 mile out and back trail where you gain less than 400 ft of elevation gain.
Other Hiking Trails to Consider
- Bench Lakes – 3.5 Miles
- Fishhook Creek Trail – 4.4 Miles
- Marshall Lake – 4.5 Miles
- Redfish Lake Creek Trail
- Alice Lake – 11.2 Miles
- Yellowbelly Lake from Pettit Lake – 5.1 Miles
What to Bring Hiking in Stanley Idaho
Did you know that the Stanley area is one of the coldest places in the lower 48? With that in mind, you should pack accordingly for your hiking adventure in the Idaho wilderness even in the summer. Here is a guide to the appropriate hiking gear when visiting Stanley.
- Bear Spray: Stanley is in Bear Country. A good quality bear spray keeps you safe and allows you to easily protect yourself without doing any real long-lasting damage.
- Hiking Boots: Comfortable hiking boots make a huge difference on the trail.
- Hat + Sunscreen: Bring a hat and sunscreen to protect from those UV rays.
- Water bottle: We love to bring a 1 liter Nalgene on every hiking adventure.
- Bug Spray: nothing ruins an outdoor experience quite like itchy bug bites. Don’t get bitten and bring your bug spray.
- Layers: The weather can change quickly, bring extra layers.
- Camera: A fully-charged camera with extra batteries – there are some incredible photo opportunities everywhere in Stanley.
Your gear is key to have a good day hike, so make sure you’ve got everything before heading out. Check out this post for a more detailed list of What Gear Should go in Your Backpack or head over to our Hiking Safety Guide for Beginners if you’re just starting on the trail!
7. Cove Creek Hot Springs
If you want to experience a unique and intimate natural hot springs pool, look no further than Cove Hot Springs.
Cove Hot Springs is another local hot spring option located along the Salmon River in the sawtooth National Recreation area.
What we love about hot springs that are on the river, is that you can move around the river rock to let in more cold water if the pool gets too hot.
8. Cast a Line on the Salmon River
The Salmon River is a popular destination for anglers. Salmon are the main game fish in this area, but you might also reel in some trout and steelhead.
Fly fishing can be a complicated hobby, but luckily there are guides in Stanley who know where all the good spots are on the Salmon River. Places like Headwaters Fly-Fishing Guides and Salmon River Anglers offer half day trips as well as full days of fly fishing experience.
9. Sunbeam Hot Springs
Sunbeam Hot Springs Stanley Idaho are among the list of most famous thermal hot springs in the area.
The soothing, healing waters of Sunbeam Hot Springs are must for those wishing to soak in the Salmon River and Sawtooth Mountain scenery.
There are a few different pools to soak in with the option to adjust the temperature based on your desired soaking preferences.
Other Nearby Hot Springs
- Valley Creek Hot Springs
- Kirkham Hot Springs
- Goldbug Hot Springs
- Frenchman’s Hot Springs
10. Check Out the Stanley Historical Museum
The first settlers of the Sawtooth Valley were hard-working people who traveled from all over. They carried with them their hopes and dreams for a better life, but they soon found themselves in an unforgiving landscape that offered little to no sustenance or resources.
But through great adversity comes great creativity. This group created some incredible art pieces. These artifacts can be seen today at Stanley Historical Museum.
With its special permit from the Forest Service, in 1972 Sawtooth Interpretive and Historical Association was able to open up a museum on site where they showcase these incredible artifacts.
If you’re looking for things to do in Stanley Idaho that teach you about the history of the area, the Stanley Museum is open from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, daily.
11. Ride a Single Track
If you want to take on the challenge of riding a single track in Stanley, Id then don’t miss this opportunity to hit one of the many dirt bike trails in the area.
There are many trails with varying degrees of difficulty that will challenge even experienced dirt bikers! Some of our favorite single track trails in the Sawtooth Mountains of Stanley Idaho include:
- Little Casino
- Big Casino
- Germania trail head
12. Horseback Riding
Mystic Saddle Ranch features breathtaking views of the sawtooth wilderness from the saddle as you explore some of North America’s most beautiful terrain. You will be accompanied by friendly guides who will share their knowledge about the Stanley area!
Since 1969, Mystic Saddle Ranch has provided unforgettable guided horseback Riding in Stanley Idaho. Schedule a horseback ride and experience the beauty of Idaho from a whole new perspective.
13. Camping Near Stanley Idaho
Camping At Redfish Lake Campgrounds
Pack up your tent and head to one of the three campgrounds at Redfish lake; Sockeye Campground, Redfish Outlet Campground or Glacier View Campground. The campgrounds are often first come, first served. Show up early to get a site or make your reservation online!
Camping At Stanley Lake Campgrounds
Stanley Lake offers a campground with nightly fees that allow you to enjoy camping at its finest. The Campground is composed of 19 campsites at the foot of the Sawtooth Mountains with views of McGowan Peak and Stanley Lake. This campsite accepts reservations which can be made by visiting www.recreation.gov
There is no shortage of camping in the Sawtooth National Forest, but did you know that there is also a free dispersed camping Stanley Idaho? We always use Campendium to find all our free camping locations in the US.
Have you ever wanted to RV camp for free, but don’t know where to get started? For tips on how to do it, check out How We Find RV Camping for FREE!
If you want more information about camping without amenities, we have a Complete Guide To RV Boondocking with all sorts of good advice. The guide is very detailed so there’s something in here for everybody no matter what your experience level may be!
14. White Water Rafting Adventure
The Salmon River is a gorgeous, scenic river that winds through the wilderness of Idaho. The Class III rapids on the Upper Salmon can be a safe, perfect whitewater rafting experience for first-time rafters and seasoned river enthusiasts.
Book a scenic float trip with one of these experienced river guide companies. With their experience and expertise white water rafting down the Salmon River, there is no one better to take you down the most scenic part of the Idaho Wilderness.
- White Cloud Rafting Adventures
- Sawtooth Adventure Company
- The River Company
15. Have a Picnic at Pettit Lake
Pack up your favorite picnic supplies, and head to Pettit Lake- a pristine and beautiful glacier-made lake in the Sawtooth National Forest.
Located 17 miles south of Stanley, Idaho it’s surrounded by the majestic Sawtooth Mountains. This lake is a short drive away from Stanley with beautiful scenery waiting to be discovered!
There are a number of other outdoor activities around Pettit lake that you can explore if you want to stay longer.
The lake provides a great place to camp, with many trailheads for day hikes, kayaking opportunities, and even fishing are some of your many options to enjoy when figuring out what to do in Stanley Idaho.
16. Rent A Side-by-Side and Go off-Roading
Rent a side by side from Sawtooth Traxx. With hundreds of miles worth of trails in Sun Valley just waiting for you to explore. Half day rentals start at 3 and a half hours or all-day rentals for 7 hours of fun and excitement! All rentals include helmets and one tank of gas. Check their websites for prices and to book an adventure online.
17. Enjoy a Meal at one of Stanley's Many Restaurants
You don’t have to go far to find amazing Stanley Idaho food. There are so many fantastic eateries in the area!
Experience local flavor and cuisine with some of these delicious Stanley Idaho restaurants that offer locally sourced produce, flavors, and ingredients – there is something that will satisfy everyone’s taste buds while they enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Sawtooth Mountain Range.
Check out some of our favorite places to eat in Stanley Idaho.
Stanley Baking Company – This quaint bakery is the perfect place to sip coffee and enjoy scenic views of the Sawtooth Mountains. With the aroma of freshly baked goods, you’ll have no choice but to stop and enjoy the best breakfast in Stanley Idaho. Their fresh treats to fuel up for a day of adventure.
Papa Brunee’s –Looking for an eatery to satisfy your Italian food desires? Papa Brunee’s is full of authentic pizzas, calzones and sandwiches made with fresh ingredients daily. It’s the best Italian food you’ll find in town!
Sawtooth Luce’s – Burgers and brews are the highlights at Sawtooth Luce’s. Sit out on their deck to enjoy your tasty grub while relaxing with a beautiful view overlooking Stanley and all of its mountain ranges.
Lodging in Stanley Idaho
There are many hotels and lodging accommodations with amenities to make for an enjoyable experience. Here are the best places to stay in Stanley Idaho:
Redfish Lake Lodge
The Lodge sits on the North shore of Redfish lake, and offers visitors secluded vacations for two all the way up to an eight-person bunkhouse that will accommodate everyone. The Redfish Lake Lodge has a rental perfect for every type of traveler.
For visitors looking for lodging close to downtown, here are some comfortable accommodations with convenient access to town that are rated as Stanley Idaho best places to stay:
- Stanley High Country Inn
- Redfish Riverside Inn
- Mountain Village Resort
- Sun Valley Resort
Final Thoughts On Things To Do Near Stanley Idaho
If you’re looking for a vacation destination that is jam-packed with activities, breathtaking scenery and an abundance of outdoor adventures to suit any taste – look no further for finding the best things to do In Stanley Idaho.
This ultimate guide has something for everyone! We hope you find the information in this blog post useful and that it helps to plan your next visit to this charming mountain town!
Have you ever visited Stanley Idaho? Tell us about your favorite activities in the comments below!
If you visit Stanley because of this guide, let us know and tag us in your photos on Instagram @livingtinywithawolf
Thank you for this guide. We RV also with our dog .