The stunning, natural beauty of the Sawtooth Mountains was the main reason for our first trip to Idaho. We stopped in Boise first, then headed to Stanley which is about 3 hours away.
NOTE: because there is only one main grocery store (Mountain Village Mercantile) where inventory has to travel far, the groceries there can get expensive. Our recommendation would be to purchase most of your groceries from Boise or wherever you are before heading to Stanley, and bring them with you. One day we tried to purchase a gallon jug of water from there and they were all sold out except for one last gallon of distilled water.
We took a quick stop in Idaho City, a sleepy mining town
On the drive from Boise to Stanley, we stopped in Idaho City, which is about an hour away from Boise. Nestled in the heart of the Boise National Forest, Idaho City boasts a rich history. Established during the Gold Rush of the 1860s, it quickly developed into one of the largest cities in the Northwest, filled with prospectors seeking fortune.
Today, Idaho City maintains its historic charm, with well-preserved buildings lining its quaint streets. Visitors can step back in time while exploring its pioneer-era structures.
We did an hour-long tour of Idaho City with Rhonda, owner of the Simply Fun toy store (as of this writing, they were closing up and unsure if the shop would move). Call or email to confirm tour times. Her Facebook page is here. This was great because we got to walk around the buildings and learn about the history of this old mining town, including the chance to see a historic vault still in use inside the county clerk’s office. We would not have felt comfortable seeing this on our own!
I would also recommend grabbing sarsaparilla and ice cream from Sarsaparilla Ice Cream Parlor, Gift Shop & Suites.
Sarsaparilla is a nostalgic nod to Idaho’s frontier past. It’s a plant known for its roots, which have historically been used for medicinal purposes and to flavor beverages. During the Gold Rush era of the mid-1800s, miners and settlers in Idaho would often enjoy sarsaparilla-based drinks as a refreshing treat after a day of hard work in the mines.
While sarsaparilla itself is not native to Idaho, its popularity in the American West led to its widespread availability in the region, including Idaho. Sarsaparilla-based drinks were commonly found in saloons and general stores throughout Idaho during the 19th century.
Another place to visit in Idaho City (outside of downtown) is The Springs. This is an AWESOME hot springs resort (you can read more about it from our day trip from Boise here).
Stanley as our lodging base for the Sawtooth Mountains
We decided on Stanley for a few reasons. (1) its proximity to hikes and the overall Sawtooth Mountains; (2) a more relaxed atmosphere/quiet community and more space; and (3) being a part of the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve so we could see stars.
The other area we considered was Ketchum and Sun Valley. This area seemed much more developed and lively. We preferred to stay some place a bit quieter. If you’ve ever visited the town of Marfa in West Texas, Stanley gave off similar Marfa vibes! Terlingua, Texas as well.
We stayed in an Airbnb in lower Stanley, but there are other lodges close by like the Sawtooth Hotel and Redifsh Lake Lodge (which is about 15 minutes from the main downtown stretch in Stanley).
Hiking Adventures
We went on two main hikes during our stay (I’m not really a hiking gal but I do my best for Mr. Nacho), and these I would highly recommend. These two hikes were also hikes that someone we met in Boise highly suggested.
Bench Lakes
See more details here on our hike to the Bench Lakes.
This is a moderate difficulty trail where if you start from the trailhead without the hikers shuttle, is about 7.8 miles out and back (assuming you don’t go past the 2nd lake). The Bench Lakes are a series of alpine lakes located in the Sawtooth Mountains. These lakes are stunning with crystal-clear waters, and picturesque surroundings
Apply sunscreen especially around your neck, as the trail leading up to the first lake is very exposed to the sun.
Fishhook Creek Trail
This is an easy trail – mostly flat on the way up. It is about 4.5 miles out and back, taking about 1h 35m.
This trail follows Fishhook Creek through a scenic canyon, offering hikers stunning views of rugged peaks, alpine meadows, and pristine mountain scenery.
We accessed the Fishhook Creek Trail from the Redfish Lake Trailhead parking area. From there, the trail ascends gradually along Fishhook Creek, passing through forests of pine and fir trees. We hiked this the day after a heavy rain, so the creek was especially strong and cool to walk along.
Other trails we saved as options but did not do
- Mystery Lake (Hard – 5 miles; est. 3h 31m)
- Lily Pond and Redfish Lake Creek Falls (Moderate – 1.7 mi; Est. 52m)
- Hell Roaring Lake via Hell Roaring Creek Trail (Moderate – 11.1 mi; Est. 3h 58m)
- Alpine Lake via Iron Creek Trailhead (Moderate – 7.4 mi; Est. 3h 25m)
- Sawtooth Lake via Iron Creek Stanley lake Trail (Hard – 9.6 mi; Est. 4h 39m)
Other activities in Stanley
Rented a canoe on Redfish Lake
We rented a canoe from the Redfish Lake Lodge Marina, on the shores of Redfish lake. Rentals are hourly and on demand. We booked a canoe for an hour for $20 (they take both cash and credit).
The marina serves as a hub for various water-based activities on the lake, including boating, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. We even saw two people sculling.
The marina offers additional boat rentals (like kayaks), as well as guided boat tours at set times. These tours provide informative excursions around the lake with opportunities to learn about its history. They also have pontoon rentals and sunset appetizer cruises.
Visited the Sawtooth Fish Hatchery
The Idaho Fish and Game Sawtooth Fish Hatchery is a place where fish are raised to help stock lakes and rivers for fishing – pretty much a big nursery for fish. At the hatchery, fish eggs are hatched and then the baby fish, called fry, are cared for until they’re big enough to be released into the wild.
We really wanted to do a guided tour, but for whatever reason their tour season opened up a week later than what was stated on their website.
We came at a slower or less-than-stocked time, but normally visitors would be able to see different stages of fish growth, from tiny eggs to larger fish ready to go out into the lakes and rivers. It’s a neat place to learn about how fish are raised and how they help maintain healthy fish populations in Idaho’s waters.
Overall, the hatchery is a unique opportunity to learn about fish conservation and I wish we could have made it to an official tour.
Drove the Nip and Tuck dispersed camping road
The Nip and Tuck Dispersed Camping Road is a forest road in Stanley. It provides access to dispersed camping areas, which are designated spots for camping that are not in designated campgrounds. These camping areas typically do not have amenities like toilets or potable water, so campers need to practice Leave No Trace principles and be prepared to pack in and pack out supplies and waste.
While we didn’t bring any camping gear, we wanted to drive the dispersed camping road to see what it was like and to see different views of the Sawtooth Mountains. We didn’t see too many people camping there while we were there (it was still a bit chilly) but some of the views were spectacular!
Grabbed souvenirs
We loved browsing the different shirts, sweatshirts, hats, mugs, etc. from different stores around Stanley! Here are some stores we checked out:
- Riverwear
- Mercantile Village (the main – and possibly only? grocery store in town)
- Made in Idaho
- The General Store at Redfish Lake Lodge
Day trip to Craters of the Moon National Monument
We took a half day trip from Stanley to visit the Craters of the Moon National Monument and did the highlights. See more details about our Craters of the Moon trip here.
Places to eat and drink
All of these places listed below are located on the main strip in Stanley along or just off of Idaho State Highway 21. I don’t think any take reservations for groups of less than 6 people. Two other places where we did not dine but heard great things about were Stanley Supper Club and the restaurant at Redfish Lake Lodge. So take a look at those as well!
Peaks and Perks
Hours: Open daily 7am – 6pm (check online to confirm)
This is an outdoor coffee stand overlooking the Sawtooth mountains. Note that they take CASH only. In addition to coffee they also serve ice cream, milkshakes, and bagels.
We grabbed coffee here for a couple of our excursions and also on our way back to Boise. We ordered regular drip (medium roast) and also fancy coffee. Both were delicious. The fancy coffee Mr. Nacho ordered was the White Elephant, which is Ghirardelli white chocolate, hazelnut, espresso and milk.
They offer non-dairy alternatives as well (oat milk, almond milk, and coconut milk).
Lots of parking (watch out for “no parking” signs), and tables to sit at (only a couple are covered). There is also a porta-potty available in the parking area.
Stanley Baking Co
Hours: 7am – 2pm daily from mid-May through October. Still check hours if coming early in the season, as we did find trying to dine there at 1pm one day the first week of June they were closed.
Stanley Baking Co was DELICIOUS and I wish we would have gone there more. We first dined there before heading to our Bench Lakes hike.
I loved that there is traditional breakfast fare here, but also lighter dishes (because the last thing I want is a heavy meal before a big hike!).
Mr. Nacho ordered the sourdough pancakes and they were to die for (and I say this as not a pancake fan). I ordered “We got the beet” which was a homemade patty of organic beets, turnips, carrots, zucchini, sweet potato, rice, and toasted hazelnuts, served on arugula with a poached egg or tofu, avocado, and almond cream with Bigwood Bread toast (I chose the sourdough). “We got the beet” comes in either a half or full portion, and the half portion was just enough for me before a hike.
We came right before peak season so it was busy, but manageable, but I have read that it is definitely a bustling environment and there will often be lines out the door. You order at the counter, take a seat, and they will bring you your food.
The coffee was also delicious. We did not try pastries or lunch (which starts being served at 11 am)
Sawtooth Hotel
Hours: 5-9 Thursday through Monday
The Sawtooth Hotel has the same owners as Stanley Baking Co. We had a great meal here and would recommend dining here!
We were seated by the window with a gorgeous view of the Sawtooth Mountains. It was a really casual atmosphere, but food was all homemade and top notch. Call if you have a party of 6 or more.
Sawtooth Luce’s Restaurant
Hours: open daily from 11:30 am – 8:30 pm
This is also a casual atmosphere for dining but the food was good! I opted for a burger and fries and fry sauce (super crispy fries, which I appreciated), and Mr. Nacho got the mussels which were also good. I hear the curry is a popular item, and I wish we could have tried it!
They have outdoor seating as well.
Papa Brunee’s
Hours: they can vary based on what I’ve seen online and when we visited, but generally open for dinner until 8 or 9 pm, and at least weekends for lunch. Closed Tuesdays.
We went to the family-owned and operated Papa Brunees for pizza and cheesy bread. This hit the spot after a long day of driving! We ordered the Hawaiian pizza, and a regular cheesy bread which comes with tomato sauce and ranch. I also got a side Caesar salad. Note: ask for the dressing on the side though for salads because even when ordering a side salad to go, the dressing was already mixed in (and there was a lot of it). The salad was still good
You order at the counter and they will bring the food out to you.
They have other dishes like wings, subs and dessert which I’m sure are also tasty.
Mr. Nacho also mentioned he saw they had a “take and bake” option where you can take a pizza and bake it in your own oven which is an awesome idea for those that want to eat at home!
Here’s the history of Papa Brunee’s (taken from their website):
In 1923, Pete Piva, the great-grandfather of the current owners, left his small Italian village of Olgiasca on the northeast shore of Lake Como, where Italy meets the Swiss Alps, and came to Challis, Idaho to summer range herds of sheep. The stunning Sawtooth Mountain Range likely reminded him of home. Pete’s son, Bruno Piva, is the namesake of the restaurant. When one of Bruno’s grandkids couldn’t pronounce his name, they began calling him Papa Brunee, and the nickname stuck. In 1998, Papa Brunee’s Pizza and Subs was opened by Papa Brunee’s son, Mike, with the secret pizza sauce recipe created by Aunt Ruby. Today, the restaurant remains a family operation with Papa Brunee’s grandson Josh and his wife Inga at the helm. Keep an eye out for their young daughters – the next generation is already here!
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