We Spent 5 Days in the Sawtooth Mountains Idaho — Here's What We Found

We originally planned to drive across Idaho in a single day. Instead, we turned that short crossing into five days in the Sawtooth Mountains and quickly realized that a quick stop would not be enough.

The Sawtooths delivered exactly what we look for in a destination: dramatic mountain scenery, clear alpine lakes, mountain biking, small towns, and enough room for spontaneous detours.  So, is the Sawtooth Mountains Idaho Road Trip Worth It?Our answer became clear before we even left: yes, but five days was not enough.

If you are planning a Sawtooth Mountains Idaho road trip, this is what we discovered along the way.

Stanley Lake: The Best Mountain Views From Camp

Stanley Lake was our first stop in the Sawtooths, and it immediately set a high standard for the rest of the trip.

The lake was incredibly still, cold, and surrounded by jagged mountain peaks. The scenery reminded us of the kind of alpine landscape we associate with the Canadian Rockies, even though we haven’t visited that region ourselves (yet).

For us, Stanley Lake offered the strongest overall combination of scenery and campsite atmosphere. If your priority is waking up surrounded by dramatic mountain views, this would be near the top of our list.

Redfish Lake: Better From the Water

Our next stop was Redfish Lake. The weather was cold and gloomy, so we needed a reason to get out on the water. We decided to rent a boat and explore the lake from a different perspective.

That decision completely changed the experience.

From the campground and marina area, the views were pleasant. But once we traveled farther across the lake, the Sawtooth Peaks opened up behind us. The most dramatic scenery was at the far end of the lake, where the mountains meet the water.

If you are choosing only one based on easy access to great views, we preferred Stanley Lake. If you have access to a boat and want to explore more of the lake, Redfish Lake offers a different kind of adventure.

Pettit Lake: The Best of Both Worlds

Pettit Lake was the third lake on our short Sawtooth preview, and it felt like a combination of Stanley Lake and Redfish Lake.

The water was incredibly clear. We could see detail on the bottom of the lake, along with turquoise patches that would likely become even more striking in bright sunshine.

Pettit Lake also seemed to offer more flexibility for water activities. Compared with Stanley Lake and Redfish Lake, it felt like a place where you could potentially kayak, paddleboard, or boat depending on your plans and equipment.

Unfortunately, incoming thunderstorms shortened our visit. We were traveling during a cold, rainy stretch, so we did not get the sunny conditions that might have shown the lake at its best.

Mountain Biking Near Galena Lodge

Our timing was not perfect. We arrived about a week before the lodge was scheduled to open, and the weather still felt more like spring than summer. However, there was an unexpected advantage: the nearby campsites were still available.

During peak summer, finding a campsite could be much more difficult. Because the lodge was not yet open, we were able to camp nearby and ride directly from camp.

The mountain bike ride was more challenging than we expected because of the elevation change, but the scenery made the effort worthwhile.

We rode through areas filled with wildflowers and crossed a number of tree-covered sections. 

Galena Camp earned an “A” from us for mountain biking. The combination of trails, scenery, and the possibility of cooling off in the swimming hole after a ride made it feel like a place we would happily return to in warmer weather.

Ketchum and Sun Valley: A Different Side of Idaho

After the lakes and mountain biking, we headed to Ketchum to see whether the towns in the area could complete the trip.

Ketchum immediately felt more upscale than the smaller camping areas we had visited. The town is closely connected to Sun Valley and Bald Mountain, creating a different atmosphere from the remote lake and trail destinations.

We arrived on a Sunday evening during a thunderstorm, so many businesses were closed and the streets were unusually quiet. That made it difficult to experience the town at its liveliest, but we still found plenty to like.

One practical benefit was RV parking. During the early season and poor weather, we were able to find parking large enough for the EarthRoamer. We would expect that to be much more difficult during the busiest summer weeks.

We found a free campsite roughly five minutes from Ketchum and Sun Valley Resort. Finding a spot that close to town felt like a major win, especially because we had originally expected to stay at a paid campground.

Craters of the Moon: The One that Almost Was

By the time we reached Craters of the Moon, summer crowds were already arriving. The contrast was immediate. We went from having plenty of space and campsite options to searching for an available campground. In a last minute pivot, we decided to skip it and potentially come back another time when we’re in the area again during the off-season. 

What We Would Do Differently Next Time

Our five-day trip was enough to confirm that we enjoyed the Sawtooths, but it was not enough to explore the region properly. Next time, we would: Spend more time at Pettit Lake and plan around Galena Lodge’s opening date. 

Watch the full adventure!