Sawtooth Wilderness

Travel & Camping: Motorized equipment and mechanized travel is not allowed in any designated wilderness areas, including bicycles, motorbikes, chainsaws, carts, and drones. Camp on already impacted surfaces, never camp on meadows or green vegetation. Good campsites are found, not made.     

Fire: No ground campfires are allowed anywhere within the Sawtooth Wilderness. All campfires must be a Leave-No-Trace fire on a fire pan or fire blanket. Campfires are not allowed more than a quarter of a mile off-trail from July 1st through Labor Day and are not allowed in the following drainages: Alice/Twin Lakes, Toxaway/Farley Lakes, Goat Creek (tributary of the South Fork of the Payette River), or Alpine Creek (Near Alturas). Campfires are not allowed within 200 yards of Sawtooth Lake, Goat Lake and Alpine Lake near Iron Creek, Alpine and Saddleback Lakes in the Redfish drainage, and Scenic Lakes. Areas closed to campfires are shown in the Sawtooth Wilderness Regulations Map. Fires outside of these closure areas must be built on fire pans or blankets and should only use only use dead and down wood. Ashes need to be cold to the touch and spread away from camping. Wood-burning camp stoves are prohibited in areas closed to all fires.      Human Waste: Human waste is a threat to the fragile alpine environments found in the Sawtooth Wilderness. It is necessary that users dig catholes 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 100 feet from water sources. Given our rocky terrain, we strongly recommend digging tools. WAG Bags are also encouraged to carry out all waste. Toilet paper should never be buried and needs to be carried out with users.   Bears: All food should be stored in a bear safe way, in a bear box, bear bag or bear hang. Bear hangs must be 10 ft up and 4 ft out from the base of the tree. Hang all scented items such as snacks, toothpaste, wrappers, garbage, dirty dishes and dog food.   Dogs: Dogs must be on leash while on trails from July 1 through Labor Day. Control your pet. Loose dogs can harass wildlife and stock, and disturb other visitors. Dogs are not allowed in the Goat Creek drainage (tributary of the South Fork of the Payette River).    Sanitation: Pack out all trash. This includes food scraps. 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.   Stock: Groups are limited to 14 head of pack or saddle stock. Stock Closure areas and no grazing zones are shown in the Sawtooth Wilderness Regulations Map. Stock are not allowed in the Goat Creek drainage (tributary of the S. Fk. of the Payette) or Alpine Creek drainage (near Alturas Lake). Equine stock cannot overnight stay at Edith Lake. Grazing of Equine stock is not allowed on the east side of the Wilderness (anywhere that drains into the Salmon River), high lines are recommended. Stock grazing is not allowed within 200 yards of lake shores, and stock must be kept at least 100 ft away from springs, lakes, and streams –except at agency provided tie-ups. If you must tie to live trees limit it to periods of less than one hour. Feed must be certified noxious weed seed free pelletized or cubed, and no loose hay or straw is allowed. Help protect this fragile area and please respect other users.