A Fantastic 3-Day Sawtooth Mountains Itinerary For First-Timers (2024)

If you love the great outdoors but dread dealing with the crowds, this Sawtooth Mountains, Idaho road trip itinerary is the perfect choice for your next getaway.

The Sawtooth Mountain Range is part of the Rocky Mountains, covering 217,000 acres in central Idaho. This region is definitely more of a hidden gem than some of the other popular alpine destinations like Glacier and Grand Teton, but no less spectacular.

Not sure how to plan a visit to the Sawtooth Mountains? Here is a fantastic 3-day itinerary for first-timers with everything you’ll need to plan the perfect trip. Let’s get started!

Sawtooth Mountains Map & Itinerary Overview

This itinerary is based on a very similar trip my husband and I took with two of our friends in August 2020. We were coming from Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, so our starting and ending points are different than what we recommend in this itinerary, but you can definitely make this a stand-alone destination (and I highly encourage it).

You’ll be based in Stanley, Idaho for the first two days and then make a trip down to Twin Falls for the last day. I recommend arriving in Stanley the night before to take full advantage of this itinerary. If you don’t have a full three days, check out the “If you have less than 3 days” section further down in the post.

The town of Stanley is known as the base camp for everything outdoors in the Sawtooth National Forest and makes the perfect base for your trip. However, if accommodations are hard to find, you could easily situate yourself in the Sun Valley or Ketchum areas, but you’ll have a little more driving to do the first two days and less driving on the third.

Sawtooth Mountains Itinerary Day 1 – Go for a drive

On your first day, go for a drive to see the gorgeous scenery.

My recommendation is to head north from Stanley along Route 75 and then to Route 93. This drive is winding and scenic and well worth it. Along the way, choose between these two options:

Option 1: Goldbug Hot Springs

If you are up for a hike and want to explore a bucket list-worthy hot spring, drive to Elk Bend and hike up to Goldbug.

This hike isn’t very long but it can be a bit of a challenge. It’s 3.5 miles out and back with a pretty steep hike up to the springs near the end. The scenery is pretty along the way, but wait until you get to the top! It’s amazingly beautiful.

Spend some time exploring the different hot pools of water, pick your favorite, and soak for as long as you’d like. If you want, you could pack a lunch and spend a few hours here relaxing.

Goldbug Hot Spring can get very busy, so if you want a more relaxed experience, try to get there as early as possible. The drive from Stanley will take about 1 hour 45 minutes, and then the hike up to the spring will probably take you about an hour.

Also a note: this hot spring is clothing optional, so just something to be aware of.

Option 2: Explore Salmon

If a vigorous hike today doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, you could instead drive up to the town of Salmon and explore. There are tons of things to do up there depending on your interests.

You could spend some time on the Salmon River and opt for a whitewater rafting trip or a scenic river float. You could also book a fishing trip and learn fly fishing. Or rent a kayak, paddleboard, or river tube and plan your own day on the water.

There are also things you can do in town. Explore the shops, grab a bite to eat, or visit the Lemhi County Historical Museum or Sacajawea Interpretive Center.

When you are done with whichever option you choose, take your time driving back to Stanley. I loved this stretch of road and wished we had been able to explore it a little more. There are so many beautiful places to see! Feel free to pull over and take as many pictures as you like!

Wrap up your evening with a good meal at a restaurant in Stanley. A couple of good options are Papa Brunee’s, Sawtooth Hotel Restaurant, and Redfish Lake Lodge.

Sawtooth Mountains Itinerary Day 2 – Hiking and hot springs

Today is all about the hikes and hot springs! These are two of the best things to do in Stanley Idaho and the Sawtooth range.

I’d suggest starting your day with one of the many hikes in the Sawtooth Mountains. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to hike much when we had our short visit here, but I had about half a dozen choices picked out.

I recommend checking out AllTrails to find a hike that works for you. The ones on my list for next time include Sawtooth Lake, Goat Lake, Stanley Lake, and Alice Lake.

If you want to spend your morning doing a couple of short, easy hikes, Fishhook Creek Trail and Lily Lake are both around Redfish Lake and would be good choices.

Not a fan of hiking? Check out some of the other options in the “If you have more than 3 days” section below.

After hiking, I’d recommend heading over to Boat Box Hot Springs or another hot spring to spend the evening relaxing. Boat Box is very close to Stanley and is a unique experience. You can read my complete guide on how to plan your visit to Boat Box Hot Springs here.

Sawtooth Mountains Itinerary Day 3 – Twin Falls

Get an early start this morning, check out of your Stanley accommodations, and head south toward Twin Falls for your last day.

Along the way, stop at the Galena Summit Overlook for the best view of the Sawtooth Mountains.

Make your way to Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. I’d recommend driving the Loop Road and stopping at a few of the pull-offs to view the formations that intrigue you the most. You can pick up information at the visitor’s center at the entrance to get a feel for what you’d like to see.

After you’ve had your fill of otherworldly landscapes, continue on to Twin Falls.

The main attraction in Twin Falls is Shoshone Falls, the magnificent waterfall on the Snake River. At 212 feet tall and 900 feet wide, it’s one of the largest waterfalls in the United States.

The water flow can vary tremendously depending on when you visit. We visited in late August and the flow was minimal due to water being redirected for irrigation, but it was still worth seeing. If you come in spring or early summer, the waterfall will be at its peak.

Afterward, head over to the Canyon Rim Trail and take in the view of the Snake River and the canyon. While the whole trail is 7.6 miles, I’d recommend starting at the Perrine Memorial Bridge and heading west as far as you like before heading back. This stretch is beautiful and flat, so anyone can do it.

If you have more time, I’d highly recommend renting a kayak and getting out on the Snake River. Getting up close and personal with Shoshone Falls looks so amazing – this is absolutely on my list for next time!

If you have more than 3 days…

Lucky you! The more time you have to spend in the Sawtooth Mountains, the better! There are plenty of things you can add to your itinerary if you have more than 3 days.

You can always do more Sawtooth Mountains hiking. If I had had more time, I would have tried to tackle a few different hiking trails. I mentioned some options above, but I like to use the AllTrails app to see all the great choices in any area I’m visiting.

You could also visit more hot springs. There are plenty in the Stanley area and the Sawtooth Mountains. Here’s a list of 11 options within driving distance of Stanley.

If you’re adventurous, you could go mountain biking or horseback riding. If you didn’t opt to do river rafting in Salmon you could add on a day for that or just spend some time on the water. A day of water activities on Redfish Lake is another solid choice.

Fly fishing is also a popular activity in the Sawtooth Mountains. If you have your own gear you can venture out yourself, but there are also plenty of outfitters who can teach you if you’ve never been and would love to learn.

If you have less than 3 days…

I’d recommend sticking to just the Stanley area if you don’t have a full 3 days. The drive down to Twin Falls is great, but it would be a lot of driving to try and fit in just one day in Stanley and then one day in Twin Falls. Maximize your time in the Sawtooth Mountains and save the southern part of the state for another trip.

Are the Sawtooth Mountains Worth Visiting?

If you’ve read through my 3-day Sawtooth Mountains itinerary for first-timers, then you would see that YES, the Sawtooth Mountains are absolutely worth visiting.

There are so many great activities for everyone, from hiking to fishing to whitewater rafting to hot springs and waterfalls. You really can’t go wrong with a visit here!

Getting to the Sawtooth Mountains

Compared to locations that offer similar adventures, the Sawtooth Mountains are not the easiest to get to, but that’s also why there aren’t as many crowds.

Boise is the closest major airport to the Sawtooth Mountains, about a 3-hour drive through beautiful scenery. 

Salt Lake City is another option that will probably have more flights and cheaper options, but it’s further away, about 5 hours and 45 minutes. 

How to Get Around the Sawtooth Mountains

In order to do this itinerary, you will need your own vehicle. There are no public transportation options to or around Stanley, so you’ll have to be able to get around yourself.

Whether you fly into Boise or Salt Lake City, both airports should have decent rental car options for you.

I like to use Discover Cars to find the best car rentals. They have great prices and customer service and you always get free cancellations.

Where To Stay in the Sawtooth Mountains

I’d recommend lodging in Stanley Idaho when you are in the Sawtooth Mountains.

We stayed at Sunny Gulch Campground when we visited because we were with our friends in their RV. This campground doesn’t have hookups, but for a quick stay, it was fine. It would also work well for tent camping.

There are also some additional campgrounds south of Stanley at Redfish Lake and the surrounding areas. You can look at the cabin and camping options in the Sawtooth Mountains here.

If you want to book a hotel, some of the popular places include Mountain Village Resort (which has its own hot spring) and Sawtooth Lodge.

VRBO is great if you like to book homestays.

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.

What to Pack for the Sawtooth Mountains

In order to have an unforgettable trip, here are a few things you should bring.

Camera

This is a given, but I’d recommend bringing a camera.

A good phone camera would work well for most landscapes, but you might want something with a zoom lens if you want to get any wildlife pictures.

Hiking shoes & good socks

If you plan on doing any kind of hiking, I’d recommend hiking shoes or boots rather than sneakers. The socks you wear with your boots will also make a huge difference in how your feet feel. I like Cloudline wool socks, but there are lots of great brands out there.

Layers

While the Sawtooth Mountains can get hot in the summer, you should make sure you pack along a variety of clothing, including items you can layer. If you head out early or stay out late, it might be a bit chilly. It can even snow in June so you never know what the weather might bring.

I’d also recommend packing a raincoat or poncho so that if you do get some rain, your day won’t be ruined and you can still get out and explore.

Water

If you’re out driving or hiking it’s so much nicer to have plenty of water with you instead of having to stop every few hours to pick some up. I usually have several gallons stored in the car so I’m prepared.

Water filter

If you are doing some longer hikes, this is a great option to carry with you in case you run out of water.

We use this water filter when we go backpacking and love it. It’s lightweight and filters water directly from the source into your water bottle or bladder very quickly.

Hiking pack + the 10 essentials

There are quite a few trails in the Sawtooth Mountains, and there’s a good chance you might be pretty isolated from others while out hiking. Bring along a hiking backpack or something with good back support and keep it stocked with the 10 essentials for hiking and you’ll be set.

Sunglasses, sunscreen, chapstick, and a hat

Nothing can ruin a trip faster than sunburn, am I right? Ensure you protect your skin (including your lips) and your eyes from the sun. A hat would be a good idea as well.

Bug spray

Certain areas can get buggy, so just be prepared and carry some with you.

Swimsuit & Towel

If you plan to spend some time at any of the lakes or hot springs, you’ll want to make sure you have a swimsuit and towel along.

Headlamp

If you plan to do any hiking or exploring before or after dark, a headlamp is so much nicer than a handheld flashlight or your phone.

Walkie Talkies

If you are traveling in a group or even have just one extra vehicle, having some walkie-talkies is a great addition to your packing list. You can easily and effectively communicate with other members of your group, even in places like the Sawtooth Mountains where cell service is spotty or non-existent.

Check out the best walkie-talkie options for road trips here.

Optional: Hiking poles

While not a necessity, I thought I’d include this one since a lot of people find them useful. I tend to use hiking poles more when I’m backpacking than just day hiking, but some of the hikes can be long and challenging and hiking poles might come in handy.

For a complete road trip packing list, check out this blog post.

Best Time to Visit the Sawtooth Mountains

I think that summer to early fall is the best time to visit the Sawtooth Mountains.

Unlike other summer destinations, you won’t experience the overcrowding of other alpine favorites like Glacier or Grand Teton since the Sawtooth Mountains still remain mostly off the radar. Therefore, visiting in the summer will give you a better experience than some of the more popular, overcrowded national parks.

Early summer has better waterfalls (good for seeing Shoshone Falls in all its glory) and faster rivers (for intense whitewater rafting) but there is still the chance for some snow – it’s rare but not unheard of to get snow in June!

In late summer to early fall, the snow is gone but there is a higher chance of wildfires, and water levels are lower (Shoshone Falls might be a disappointment if this is a major highlight for you). This is also the best time of year to go hiking because the trails will be clear of snow.

Overall, I suggest late June to September for the best weather and experience.

Conclusion: A Fantastic 3-Day Sawtooth Mountains Itinerary For First-Timers

The Sawtooth Mountains are an underrated gem that deserves to be explored to the fullest! With three full days for your first visit, you can get a good feel for the area and have some pretty great adventures.

If you want to see a more inside scoop on what our Sawtooth Mountains experience was like, check out the video below from Happily Ever Hanks. They are good friends of ours and traveled with us on our 2-week trip to Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, and the Sawtooth Mountains.

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