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Last weekend, I attended Open Roads Fest, a van life festival, put on by the popular outdoor blog Bearfoot Theory. It was one of those rare occasions where meeting people was truly effortless. I’d walk by someone, exchange the pleasantries that in the “real world,” would often be the extent of the conversation, then all of a sudden be walking around together sharing life stories.
One of the people I met was the Outdoor Ambassador (cool job alert!) for Jug Mountain Ranch, the festival venue. During our second interaction, he asked where I was headed next, a common question at a van life festival. I told him that I was heading towards Jackson, Wyoming, which at the time wasthe plan and my next goal destination.
He asked what route I was taking and I told him, citing the fastest route my map app had shown me. “Don’t do that,” he said and showed me the better route through the Sawtooth Mountains and Stanley, Idaho. I said “ok,” and thanked him for the advice…and I followed it. Because if there is one thing I’ve learned in my travel and outdoor adventures it’s that you trust local knowledge especially when it’s delivered with such confidence.
Following his suggestion turned out so well that I ended up spending 4 days and 4 nights in Stanley, Idaho and there still would have been plenty more to explore. For anyone interested in checking out this Idaho gem, here’s some guidance:
WHAT TO DO IN STANLEY, IDAHO
What’s your outdoor sport of choice? Do that. Stanley has something for all types of outdoor enthusiasts. Rafting, check. Fishing, check. Mountain biking, check. Paddle boarding, check. Road biking, check. Horseback riding, check. Hiking, check. Backpacking, check. Surfing, technically, no but Boise’s Whitewater Park is just a few miles away and you can surf the river there. In Stanley, you can often combine multiple activities into one, for example, you can hike to a fishing spot or raft to a hot spring.
A lot of the action starts at one of the area’s multiple lakes, Stanley Lake, Red Fish Lake, or Little Red Fish Lake, or involves the Salmon River. Red Fish Lake is a summer hot-spot so get there early especially if you are planning to camp.
As most of you know, hiking is my outdoor drug of choice and the hike to Sawtooth Lake, a gorgeous blue alpine lake, gave me my fix and felt completely safe as a female solo hiker. Hauling most of the ten essentials for day-hikesand my camera gear in my CamelBak, I covered 10-miles total during which I saw 89 people on the way up, 19 on the way down, and had at least 1,000 good views
Sawtooth Lake. Hit self-timer and started walking. Tank top + snow = great summer hike.
More lounge-y than outdoorsy? Don’t worry, Stanley, Idaho has you covered, as long as you don’t mind a scenic view with your rest and relaxation. There are a host of hot springs within a few miles to a day trip from Stanley and local spas like Meadow Creek Inn Spa if you really want some pampering. You can also go on an ad hoc scenic drive just by cruising down Idaho Highway 21 or Idaho Highway 75 that intersect in Stanley. See where the road takes you.
For a more cultural or artsy experience, check out the Stanley Museum, the Gerheim Art Gallery, or come during the Sawtooth Mountain Mamas arts and crafts festival 40 years running. I must confess, I guiltily drove right past the museum to a hot spring.
Resources for Finding Things to Do in Stanley, Idaho
Sawtooth Adventure Company. Trips for all things water, from gentle SUP to whitewater rafting, and mountain biking.
Mystic Saddle Ranch. Guided horseback riding, hunting, and fishing trips.
River Wear. Rentals for mountain biking, river equipment, stand-up-paddling (SUP), and camping.
Hot Springs & Spas List. List of wild hot springs and spas from the Stanley Chamber of Commerce.
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK IN STANLEY, IDAHO
If you’re into food and drink, or just famished after your other activities, you can find coffee, meals, and adult beverages,concentrated in downtown Stanley. There are technically two sections, Stanley and Lower Stanley, but it is such a small area, there’s no real need for the distinction. As with the entirety of Stanley, you will find views with your meals.
I did all my cooking for this leg of the trip at campsites so I stocked up on food and camp needs at Mountain Village Mercantile.
Resources for Finding Coffee, Food, & Drinks In Stanley, Idaho
Stanley Baking Company and Café
Peaks & Perks
Papa Brunee’s
Sawtooth Luce’s Restaurant
Redd Square Restaurant
Mountain Village Restaurant
Kasino Club
WHERE TO STAY IN STANLEY, IDAHO
Stanley has a full-time population of 63 people (no I did not forget a zero) but sees about 20,000 visitors in its five-month season. As you might expect this means limited lodging…at least as far as hotels, motels, ranches…so book early.
Interesting, there’s one form of lodging that is not limited so limited: camping. Look at Stanley, Idaho on a map…you will see a lot of green space around the town. In fact, you may have trouble finding the town within the green space. That is Sawtooth National Forest which contains a plethora free and paid camping spots ranging from well-established to truly wilderness.
You will be able to find one, however, if you want a campsite in a specific location, need a few sites next to each other, or need particular amenities, especially close to Red Fish Lake, show-up early to nap your campsite, many of which are first come, first serve and go quickly.
RV parks provide a middle ground between camping and formal lodging. I thoroughly enjoyed my two nights (and hot shower and laundry) car camping at Stanley RV + Camp, which has RV sites with hook-ups and a handful of tent sites.
Upper RV section at Stanley RV + Camp. Private Showers at Stanley RV + Camp
Resources for Finding Lodging in Stanley, Idaho
Camping & RV Spots
iOverlander (I use this app quite a bit)
Campendium
Boondocking App
TheDyrt
Sawtooth National Forest: Sawtooth National Recreation Area – Camping & Cabins
Stanley RV + Camp
Other Lodging
TripAdvisor: Stanley Hotels & Places to Stay
Hotels.com: Stanley, Idaho
Red Fish Lake Lodge
Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch
Diamond D Ranch
May Family Ranch
Hope you enjoy Stanley as much as I did! And, if you do, be sure to thank the local business people that make your stay a good one with a kind word or positive review. With such a short season, they work their butts off so that you can stay and play.
