Sawtooth National Forest — Attraction in Ketchum

I just wrapped up a six day, 60 mile backpacking trip, so my experience will be different from the average visitor. There is no doubt that the park is beautiful. My complaint is that the park is actually quite busy, but understaffed. Often times national forest and wilderness areas are lightly trafficked and you expect to self serve. The back country of the Sawtooth mountains was nearly as busy as the parks like the Tetons, but without the trail maintenance you get at a National Park.

I know they had a hard winter, but there was probably 100 large down trees fully blocking trails that required crawling, climbing or hiking dangerously off trail. The level of wear on the routes around tree falls makes me believe trails haven't been cleared in more than a year. Vegetation was so thick on some trails that the trail was completely blocked.

There are tons of non official trails that give access to neat areas, but they often diverge into multiple dead ends. Topo maps and GPS is not enough, if you're going off the national Forest trails, you will be route finding.

From what I saw, the trails that would be used for day hikes we're in good condition.

Did I mention the mosquitoes were terrible?

All in all, I found the park busier than expected and less accessible than I hoped. Glad I went, but with...

Sawtooth National Forest is a hidden gem that rivals any national park in grandeur. The jagged mountain skyline, alpine lakes, and wildflower-filled meadows create a landscape that feels untouched and sacred. I drove the Galena Summit route and was floored by the panoramic views of the Sawtooth Range stretching for miles.

Hiking here is phenomenal—Sawtooth Lake, Alice-Toxaway Loop, and Goat Lake are musts. The trails range from mellow creekside strolls to challenging climbs with serious elevation gain. Wildlife sightings included deer, elk, and Cassia crossbills, and the quiet was only broken by birdsong and the wind through the pines.

Camping was peaceful, especially at Redfish Lake and Stanley Lake, where the stars felt close enough to touch. I even soaked in Sunbeam Hot Springs, where steaming water flows into the Salmon River—pure bliss after a long hike.

The forest has a raw, unpolished beauty. Some areas show signs of beetle damage, and fire restrictions are common, but it doesn’t take away from the experience. Just plan ahead—campgrounds fill fast, and cell service is spotty.

Sawtooth isn’t flashy—it’s wild, grounding, and unforgettable. If you want to feel small in the best way possible, this...

The Sawtooth National Recreation Area is located in the Wood River Valley. The majestic and breathtaking landscapes attract many tourists here. Here you will find rivers full of salmon and over 300 high mountain lakes that lie between jagged mountain peaks.

The recreation area was established in 1927 and is operated by the US Forest Service. On the territory of the park you can join hiking, rafting, camping, rock climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, fishing and hunting. Most of the trails in the central part of the park are open to mountain bikers. The remaining roads are open to SUV traffic. Fishing enthusiasts will be interested to know that boats can be used on the lakes, this will make fishing even more interesting.

In winter and spring, cross-country skiing, sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, winter camping and ice skating become...