Sawtooth National Recreation Area

The Sawtooth National Recreation Area is a federally managed protected area in central Idaho centered on the Sawtooth Range. It was established in 1972 to conserve scenic, recreational and ecological values across a large swath of mountains, lakes and rivers.

The area includes rugged granite peaks, hundreds of alpine lakes, extensive trail networks, and dispersed backcountry suitable for hiking, backpacking, fishing, climbing and skiing. Recreation ranges from short day hikes to multi-day wilderness routes.

Popular access points and amenities cluster near the town of Stanley and Redfish Lake, which serve as common bases for trailheads into the Sawtooth Wilderness and surrounding ranges. The region supports diverse wildlife and offers numerous photographic opportunities.

Congress created the recreation area in 1972 to balance conservation and public access; management combines designated wilderness protection with developed recreation sites and trail systems.

Located in central Idaho, the recreation area encompasses the Sawtooth Range and adjacent landscapes and is accessed primarily from towns such as Stanley and Ketchum in the central Idaho mountain region.

• Establishment date: Created by an act of Congress in 1972 to protect scenic, recreational and fish-and-wildlife values in the Sawtooth region.
• Gateway town: Home to high alpine terrain and many trailheads near the town of Stanley, making Stanley a common gateway for day trips and multi-day trips into the area.

What to See#

• Sawtooth Wilderness: A designated wilderness area within the recreation area that preserves much of the Sawtooth Range’s backcountry, including rugged granite peaks, cirques and alpine lakes; Thompson Peak at 10,751 feet is the range’s highest summit.
• Redfish Lake: Redfish Lake, a glacial lake near the town of Stanley that serves as a major trailhead and base for recreation including boating, fishing and access to Alpine trails.
• Salmon River and tributaries: The Salmon River and its tributaries which originate in the area and provide important habitat and recreation opportunities for fishing, boating and whitewater activities.