Sawtooth National Recreation Area


Area Status: Open

The Sawtooth National Recreation Area (Sawtooth NRA) consists of 756,000 acres of beautiful mountainous scenery. The Sawtooth NRA includes the Sawtooth Wilderness, Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness, and the Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness areas. The Sawtooth NRA has over 700 miles of trails, 40 peaks rising over 10,000 feet and 300-plus high-elevation alpine lakes that add to the spectacular scenery and vistas. Recreational pursuits include outdoor activities like camping, hiking, backpacking, fishing, boating and canoeing, rafting, observing nature, photography and bicycling. For information please contact us.

 

Sawtooth NRA Camping Fees and Information

Sawtooth Wilderness Map

Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness Map

White Clouds Wilderness Map

Stanley Lake Plan Map

Redfish to Stanley Trail Map

Public Law 92-400

At a Glance

Operational Hours: Office Hours by Phone Only: ***At this time we are not able to have any visitors in the office but call or knock on the door and we will meet visitors outside! Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 12:00 pm; 1:00 pm - 4:30pm. (closed 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm).
Reservations: Campsites and picnic/day use areas that accept reservations need to be made through www.recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777.
Area Amenities: Interpretive Site, Boat ramp, Tent camping, Camping trailer, Fee charged for some activities, Picnic tables, Toilets, Drinking water, Parking
Fees: Sawtooth NRA Camping Fees and Information
Permit Info: All Sawtooth Wilderness users must have a permit which are available at all trailheads at no cost. Groups with 8 -12 people or groups with stock must contact a Forest Service Office to obtain a permit. In the Sawtooth Wilderness groups may not exceed 12 people and 14 head of stock. In the Hemingway-Boulder Wilderness and Cecil D. Andrus- White Cloud Wilderness there is a sign-in sheet at the trailheads and groups may not exceed 12 people and 14 head of stock. 
Restrictions: Please keep your pets on a leash. Motorized vehicles and bicycles are not allowed in any of the designated wilderness areas. STAY LIMITS: All occupancy (includes developed/dispersed camping, boats, boat trailers, travel trailers, tents, etc): Occupancy limit is 10 days in a 30 day period within a 30 mile radius for all of SNRA. After 10 days you must move at least 30 miles. This rule also applies to any personal belongings (travel trailers, boats, boat trailers, tents, etc.). Camp at least 100 feet from trails, lakes and streams. FIRE: All campfires must be on a fire pan or fire blanket. Use of gas stoves is highly recommended. If you must build a fire, only use dead and down wood. Fires damage vegetation, sterilize soil and scar the land. Campfires are not allowed: Off-trail from July 1st through Labor Day. In the following drainages: Alice/Twin Lakes, Toxaway/Farley Lakes, Goat Creek (tributary of the South Fork of the Payette River), or Alpine Creek. Within 200 yards of Sawtooth, Goat and Alpine Lakes near Iron Creek, Alpine and Saddleback Lakes in the Redfish drainage, and Scenic Lakes. SANITATION: We have a Leave-No-Trace policy so please pack out all trash. Help remove evidence of your stay and keep the area clean. Wash 150 feet away from lakes and streams. Even "biodegradable" soap pollutes. Keep it pure! Bury human waste at least 100 feet from water sources. Cat-holes for waste should be 6-8 inches deep and covered with soil. Properly dispose of toilet paper. WILDERNESS REGULATIONS FOR STOCK: Use proper stock containment methods. If you must tie to live trees limit it to periods of less than one hour. Stock are not to be tethered within 100 feet of springs, lakes and streams, nor grazed within 200 yards of lake shores. Keep bacteria out of water sources and protect fragile lake and stream shores. Grazing of equine stock is not allowed in the Salmon River drainage (east side of the wilderness). Feed is very limited. Carry pelletized feed. Packing in loose hay or straw is prohibited. Prevent introduction of weeds. No stock are allowed in the Goat Creek drainage (tributary of the S. Fk. of the Payette) or Alpine Creek drainage (near Alturas Lake). Help protect these fragile areas. Equine stock are not allowed overnight at Edith Lake. Help protect this fragile area. Stock are allowed in campsites only when loading and unloading.
Closest Towns: Stanley, Idaho. Ketchum, Idaho. 
Information Center: For information please contact the Sawtooth NRA at (208)727-5000, the Ketchum Ranger Station at (208)622-0090, the Stanley Ranger Station at (208)774-3000 or the supervisors office in Jerome at (208)423-7500.

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Mountain Biking

Areas for Mountain Biking at Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Road Cycling

Campground Camping

The camping season usually extends from Memorial Day to about mid-September. Fee boxes are located at each campground. Regulations and camping limits are posted at each campground. All occupancy (includes developed/dispersed camping, boats, boat trailers, travel trailers, tents, etc): Occupancy limit is 10 days in a 30 day period within a 30 mile radius for all of SNRA except for the 6 day limit during irrigation at Outlet, Glacier View and Point Campgrounds located at Redfish Lake. Approximately, fifty percent of the sites are first come first serve.

 

Areas for Campground Camping at Sawtooth National Recreation Area

RV Camping

Areas for RV Camping at Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Group Camping

Areas for Group Camping at Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Dispersed Camping

Areas for Dispersed Camping at Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Cabin Rentals

Redfish Lake Cabin Information

Lake and Pond Fishing

Areas for Lake and Pond Fishing at Sawtooth National Recreation Area

River and Stream Fishing

Major watersheds on the Sawtooth NRA include the North and Middle Fork of the Boise River, South Fork of the Payette River, Big Wood River and East Fork and Main Salmon River. Regulations regarding fishing seasons, bag limit, and licenses are established by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. A valid Idaho license is required when fishing the Sawtooth NRA streams and rivers. Licenses can be obtained from sporting good stores and from local Drug Stores. Forest Service offices Do Not sell licenses. General season opens in late May (usually Memorial Day). Resident game fish species include cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, golden trout, brook trout, Dolly Varden, and grayling. Whitefish are present in most streams and help extend angling season. Idaho Fish and Game stock the streams and lakes.

Areas for River and Stream Fishing at Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Day Hiking

Areas for Day Hiking at Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Backpacking

Areas for Backpacking at Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Horse Camping

Areas for Horse Camping at Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Big Game Hunting

Small Game Hunting

Game Bird/Waterfowl

Viewing Wildlife

Areas for Viewing Wildlife at Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Viewing Plants

Areas for Viewing Plants at Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Viewing Scenery

Areas for Viewing Scenery at Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Visitor Programs

The Sawtooth NRA offers a variety of educational and interpretive programs throughout the year

Areas for Visitor Programs at Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Interpretive Areas

Areas for Interpretive Areas at Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Visitor Centers

Areas for Visitor Centers at Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Picnicking

Areas for Picnicking at Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Group Picnicking

Areas for Group Picnicking at Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Scenic Driving

Boating - Motorized

Areas for Boating - Motorized at Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Boating - Non-Motorized

Areas for Boating - Non-Motorized at Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Swimming

Areas for Swimming at Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Tubing

Areas for Tubing at Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Waterskiing

Areas for Waterskiing at Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Windsurfing

Areas for Windsurfing at Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Skiing/Snowboarding

XC Skiing/Snowshoeing

Areas for XC Skiing/Snowshoeing at Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Snowmobiling

Amenities

Interpretive Site:
Camping trailer:
Picnic tables:
Tent camping:
Fee charged for some activities:
Toilets:
Parking:
Boat ramp:
Drinking water:

Quick Links

Related Information

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

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Location

 
  Latitude : 
43.789216

  Longitude : 
-114.42193