730,864-acre recreation area in central Idaho includes hiking, backpacking, white water rafting, camping, rock climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, fishing, and hunting
General Information
How to Get There
From Ketchum, ID (8 mi): Head north on ID-75 to the Sawtooth National Recreation Area Headquarters and visitor center just past town.
Overview
The Sawtooth National Recreation Area covers the Sawtooth, White Cloud, Boulder, and Smoky mountains in central Idaho, with hundreds of glacial lakes and the headwaters of the Salmon ("River of No Return"), Big Wood, Boise, and Payette rivers. Headquarters is about seven miles north of Ketchum on Highway 75, with a ranger station in Stanley.
Highlights
- Peaks: Castle Peak (11,815 feet) in the White Clouds is the highest, followed by Ryan Peak (11,714 feet) in the Boulders
- Lakes: the largest are Redfish, Alturas, Pettit, Yellow Belly, Stanley, and Sawtooth lakes
- Geology: heavy glaciation left cirques, moraines, and hanging valleys, and the 40-mile Sawtooth Fault runs through the valley
Things to Do
Explore One of Idaho's Premier Mountain Destinations
The Sawtooth National Recreation Area encompasses approximately 756,000 acres of scenic mountain country in central Idaho. The area is known for its rugged peaks, alpine lakes, wilderness landscapes, and extensive recreation opportunities, making it one of the state's most popular outdoor destinations.
Hike Through Spectacular Mountain Landscapes
With more than 700 miles of trails, visitors can explore dramatic mountain scenery, alpine meadows, lakes, rivers, and wilderness areas. Trails range from short family-friendly walks to challenging backpacking routes deep into the backcountry.
Visit Redfish Lake
Redfish Lake is one of the most popular destinations within the recreation area. Visitors can enjoy boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, camping, swimming, hiking, and scenic lake views surrounded by the Sawtooth Mountains.
Discover Beautiful Alpine Lakes
The recreation area contains more than 300 high-elevation alpine lakes. Popular destinations include Sawtooth Lake, Alpine Lake, Alice Lake, Pettit Lake, Alturas Lake, and Stanley Lake, each offering stunning scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities.
Enjoy Backpacking and Wilderness Adventures
The Sawtooth National Recreation Area includes the Sawtooth Wilderness, the Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness, and the Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness. These protected areas provide exceptional opportunities for multi-day backpacking, camping, and solitude.
Fish, Boat, and Paddle on Scenic Waterways
The area's lakes and rivers offer excellent opportunities for fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, rafting, and paddleboarding. Many visitors come specifically to enjoy water recreation amid Idaho's scenic mountain landscapes.
Top Trails
Sawtooth Lake Trail
Length: Approximately 10 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Approximately 1,650 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Often considered the signature hike of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, this trail climbs through forests and alpine terrain to Sawtooth Lake, where hikers are rewarded with spectacular views of Mount Regan and the surrounding Sawtooth Wilderness.
Alpine Lake Trail
Length: Approximately 8 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Approximately 1,100 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Beginning from the Iron Creek Trailhead, this scenic hike leads to a beautiful alpine lake surrounded by granite peaks. Many visitors combine this hike with the route to Sawtooth Lake.
Alice Lake Trail
Length: Approximately 12 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Moderate to Significant
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
One of the area's classic backcountry destinations, Alice Lake offers stunning mountain scenery, crystal-clear water, and access to additional wilderness exploration opportunities.
Bench Lakes Trail
Length: Approximately 9 to 10 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Approximately 2,000 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
This trail leads to a collection of picturesque alpine lakes with panoramic views of the Sawtooth Range. The lakes are known for excellent reflection photography and beautiful mountain scenery.
Goat Lake Trail
Length: Approximately 8 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Significant
Difficulty: Challenging
This popular trail features waterfalls, rugged terrain, and a stunning turquoise alpine lake nestled beneath steep mountain walls. Goat Lake is one of the highest and most scenic lakes in the Sawtooth Mountains.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article and official pages for Sawtooth National Recreation Area - U.S. Forest Service, Sawtooth National Forest Hiking Information, Visit Idaho - Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Sawtooth National Recreation Area, released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.
