Things To Do
Dinner at Stanley Supper Club
Read about the Supper Club’s delicious eats, homey atmosphere and great honor being nominated for the James Beard Award (twice, now): https://www.mtexpress.com/news/business/stanley-supper-club-nominated-for-james-beard-award/article_1a7b0f5a-c127-11ee-a059-431a8a02c927.html
Redfish Lake, Marina & Lodge
Go for a short drive or bike on the gavel trail from Stanley to the lodge at Redfish Lake! The Redfish Lake lodge and marina offer tasty meals, boat rentals and a ferry service to access trailheads at the foot of the Sawtooth Mountains.
Stanley Lake
From Stanley, go west on State Highway 21 about 5 miles. Turn left at the Stanley Lake Road sign and continue 3.5 miles to the lake. The lake is smaller and quieter than Redfish Lake. With a beach and a dock, you can enjoy a quiet morning or afternoon sit in the sun, fish or swim on the alpine lake. For fishing information, visit Idaho Dept. of Fish & Game's website.
Hike to Fishhook Meadow
Out-and-back distance is 4.2 miles with 300 feet of gain. One of the most stunning meadow-view vistas around unfolds at the end of this short hike. The creek-and-pond laced meadow is nestled on the fringe of the Sawtooth Wilderness and provides outstanding views of several 10,000-foot-plus peaks including Heyburn, Horstmann and Thompson. The wide trail is well-suited for families as the trail’s grade is modest and much of the route is shaded beneath lodgepole pine forest. GETTING THERE: From Stanley, drive south on SH-75 for 4.2 miles and turn right on Redfish Lake Road. Proceed 1.8 miles and turn right into the large parking area. The trailhead (Redfish Trailhead) is located 300 feet northeast of the parking area, on the opposite side of the road that leads to Redfish Lodge.
Hike to Fourth of July & Washington Lakes
Out-and-back distance to the further Washington Lake is 5.6 miles with a gain of 1,050 feet. This moderate hike in the White Cloud Mountains first leads to a beautiful U-shaped cirque where Fourth of July Lake is nestled below 10,872-foot Patterson Peak. The lake is hemmed by firs and grassy meadows and provides plenty of prime camping possibilities. From here, the trail continues over a windswept saddle and descends 200 feet to the much larger Washington Lake. Most of the route to the lakes parallels Fourth of July Creek through beautiful open forest. In late September, both lakes offer excellent fall foliage. The trailhead is located at an elevation of 8,750 feet so wait until early July to explore the area. GETTING THERE: From Stanley, drive south on SH-75 for 14.5 miles and turn left on Fourth of July Creek Road (FR 209). Follow the dirt road for 9.9 miles to its end and the signed trailhead.
Hike to Alpine or Sawtooth Lake
Out and back distance is 10 miles with 1,900 feet of gain. This is a strenuous hike that will take 5–7 hours to complete, but the views are worth it! The hike to Sawtooth Lake is filled with non-stop views of craggy peaks, alpine lakes, and three gorgeous lakes. The trail is well-marked & fairly popular, so brush up on your trail etiquette and be prepared to share it with other hikers and backpackers. GETTING THERE: From Stanley, Idaho, drive northwest 2.5 miles on SH-21 and then take Forest Road 619 south for 5 miles. The Forest Road is not paved, but the road is well-maintained.
Hike Thompson Peak - the highest summit in the Sawtooth Range!
Out-and-back distance is 12.3 miles with 4,200 ft of gain. Thompson Peak is the highest summit in the Sawtooth Range, standing at nearly 10,700 feet above sea level. The peak is visible from SH-21 and SH-75, although it is fairly remote compared to other peaks in the vicinity. There are 4 routes to the top of Thompson Peak with the easiest being class 3. Thompson peak can be fairly busy for Idaho standards, but you will still likely find it free from crowds. It is an extremely aesthetic climb with amazing views from the summit. GETTING THERE: Leaving Stanley, drive 5 miles south on SH-75 and take a right at Redfish Lake Road. Drive up this paved road for about 2 miles until there is a Y in the road. At this point there is a large backpackers parking lot, which also serves as the trailhead.
Elk Meadows Hiking & Mountain Biking Loop
11.4 mile loop trail with 1,063 feet gain/loss. A moderate but non-technical dirt road climb that accesses several miles of flowing singletrack and outstanding wildflower meadows make this one of the best mountain bike rides in the Sawtooths. The loop is best ridden counter-clockwise. It can also be hiked, just watch out for mountain bikers. GETTING THERE: In your car, turn toward Stanley Lake from SH-21 and before reaching the lake, look for open camping to the right (west). A small sign says "Elk Mountain Loop". Pull in and park just off the black top. This area is 'unimproved' camping (free) so find a place to park on the dirt, get on your bike, and head back on the blacktop toward Stanley Lake. When the road goes to dirt, follow the signs to the right, up the dirt road. You'll have a couple of miles to grind up Elk Mountain Road on dirt doubletrack before reaching the Trailhead, sign-in box and singletrack trail.
Fisher Creek Mountain Biking Loop
17.7 mile loop with 2,011 feet of gain/loss. This is a strenuous mountain bike ride, but the views and swoopy descent along Fisher Creek Trail is worth it! Although there's some paved and dirt road riding required to make this a full loop, the singletrack is a sweet reward. You're never too far from where you started, but this feels like a much more remote ride than it is. Be aware that the downhill leg of the loop is also open to motorcycles, horses, and hikers. GETTING THERE: Start at the Williams Creek trailhead off SH-75, 10.9 miles south of Stanley. There's plenty of parking here, and you'll be glad you can coast back to your car at the end of the ride. You'll be starting out with a road ride warmup. Ride about 2.3 miles until you see Fisher Creek Road on your left.
Balance Bike Works Shop & Rentals
Check out Stanley's bike shop for rentals, repairs and retail gear and parts!
Riverwear Shop & Rentals
Visit Riverwear for multi-sport rental and retail options. They also sell maps, clothing and souvenirs.
Mountain Village Resort Built Hot Spring Pools
Mountain Village Resort offers three hot spring pools along the banks for Valley Creek with spectacular views of the Sawtooth Mountains! Tubs are sourced by natural hot water that has been piped into man-made, pebble bottom pools. The water temp ranges from 98–104 depending on the time of year, and what Mother Nature is feeling like providing. Soaking times are by reservation only and require a fee. Guests with a room at the Resort receive a complimentary soak.
Sunbeam Natural Hot Spring Pools
Sunbeam Hot Springs has a source of over 160 degrees that comes from the hillside. The geothermal water cascades down in the Salmon River where volunteer builders make hot spring pools. The hot spring pools sit on the bank of the Salmon River below the highway. The temperature of the hot spring rock walled pools depend on the season and the flow of the river. Hot water mixes with the cold water. The water is 100 % natural. The geothermal pools are submerged during spring run off. This hot springs get alot of foot traffic in the summer months. Bring your bathing suit. GETTING THERE: Drive 12 miles or about 20 minutes north on SH-75, from Stanley. Sunbeam Hot Springs is located on the highway, along the Salmon River through the Salmon-Challis National Forest. A short and easy walk down steps lead you from the highway to the hot springs.
Boat Box Natural Hot Spring Pools
This hot spring used to boast a cauldron for soaking 2-4 people, hence the name "boat box." Unfortunately, during a flooding event in spring 2023, the cauldron floated away. Now you can soak in natural pools along the riverbank below the highway. GETTING THERE: Drive about 4 miles north on SH-75. The hot spring is located at a curve in the road opposite a rocky face. Park in the shoulder on the southwest side of the road.