19 Adventurous Things to Do in Stanley, Idaho
LOOKING FOR THINGS TO DO IN STANLEY?
We’ve got all the info you need! We both grew up in Idaho and have spent countless hours exploring our home state, including visits to Stanley. We love to enjoy the breathtaking views of rugged, snow-capped peaks, beautiful lakes, and wildlife in Stanley. A weekend here will give you just enough time to scratch the surface of all the area has to offer because there are so many fun things to do in Stanley, Idaho.
We will share with you all of our favorite things to do here, along with helpful tips to best enjoy your time in Stanley, the beautiful paradise sitting at the base of the Sawtooth Mountains on the banks of the Salmon River!
Things to Do in Stanley, Idaho
As we explained, come to Stanley prepared for spending some time in the beautiful outdoors! It is one of the best places in the state with so much to do. Whether you’re an avid hiker or just looking for an easy hike to do with your kids, Stanley is an outdoor paradise. Here are our favorite Stanley attractions.
1. Fourth of July Lake
The turnoff for Fourth of July Creek Road is about 10 miles south of the turn for Redfish Lake. From the turnoff, you will drive on a rough, one-lane 10.4-mile road to the large parking area and bathrooms.
The hike to the lake is about 1.77 miles with 615 feet of elevation gain. It was a great hike for Rowen and Raven as it was relatively easy and flat. Sadly, Raven wasn’t feeling that great, so we didn’t make it to the lake. The family we were with made it to the lake with their 4 kids though!
>>CHECK OUT SOME OF THE GREAT HIKING TRAILS NEAR BOISE!
2. Redfish Lake
One of the prettiest places in Stanley is Redfish Lake. The gorgeous alpine lake with jagged sawtooth mountains in the backdrop is stunning!
Redfish Lake is about five miles south of Stanley. Our first stop was at the North Shore Picnic Area. It had great parking very close to the beach which was super nice for Rowen and Raven.
It was a little too cold for swimming, so they resorted to rock hunting, building sandcastles, and chasing butterflies – not a bad way to spend the afternoon.
3. Redfish Lake Lodge and Visitors Center
The Redfish Lake Lodge and Visitors Center are other note-worthy stops at Redfish Lake. The Lodge sits on the North shore of the lake and here you will find all sorts of amenities. There are watercraft rentals, boat tours of the marina, beautiful sandy beaches, and dining options.
4. Sunbeam Hot Springs
One of the mornings we were in Stanley was a little chilly, so we decided to head to Sunbeam Hot Springs. This Stanley hot springs is about 15 minutes north of Stanley. This was such a family-friendly hot springs.
You can park very close and there is a restroom/changing room there. People have built up pools that very in size and temperature. Rowen and Raven loved the warm water and picking up rocks off the bottom of the river.
On the way down, they were quite vocal that they were just going to watch but ended up getting in and loved it.
There is no admission cost to Sunbeam Hot Springs.
5. Stanley Historical Museum
The Stanley Historical Museum is in the historic Valley Creek Ranger Station. In the Stanley Museum there are lots of pictures and objects showing what life in the Sawtooth Valley was like for the pioneers. The ranger station was built in 1933 and was in operation until 1972.
It is a pretty small museum so it won’t take you long to go through it but it is a fun Stanley attraction to see the artifacts.
The museum is open from 11 am to 5 pm from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
6. Camping
We brought a trailer and camped off the road that leads to the 4th of July trailhead. There aren’t any campgrounds and no services here.
If you are looking for a campsite with services, I would recommend booking a campsite ahead of time around Redfish Lake. You can camp at Redfish Lake at Point Campground and Redfish Outlet Campground.
In the busy summer season, you will need to make your reservations ahead of time. Camping is one of our favorite fun things to do in Stanley Idaho.
7. Yankee Fork Gold Dredge and Custer Ghost TownS
If you want to take a beautiful drive up through the mountains, head up to the Yankee Fork Dredge and Custer Ghost Town.
The dredge started in August of 1940 and ran 24/7 to maximize the uncovering of gold and silver in the area. You can take a tour of the dredge between the Saturday before Memorial Day through Labor Day.
8. Sawtooth Fish Hatchery
The visitors center is open year-round between 8 am and 5 pm and is one of the many fun things to do in Stanley ID. You will see Chinook and sockeye salmon, steelhead and rainbow trout in the tanks.
It is a quick stop but is a great opportunity to see the fish local to the Stanley area. If you visit between Memorial Day and Labor Day, they have tours starting at 1:30 pm.
9. Stanley Lake
Another one of the beautiful things to do in Stanley is Stanley Lake. Here you will find jaw-dropping views of a beautiful lake and the Sawtooth Mountains. At the lake, there are plenty of opportunities for water fun, picnicking, and hiking.
There are also campsites right on the lake here. If you are looking for a campground in the area and Redfish Lake is full, there are great options here.
If you are looking for a longer hike near the lake, Bridal Veil Falls is a beautiful waterfall.
- Length: 7.9 miles
- Elevation Gain: 570 feet
- Route Type: Out & Back
- Difficulty: Moderate
The hike starts near Stanley Lake and there is a sign to Bridal Veil Falls on Trail 640. Throughout the hike, you will have beautiful views of wildflower meadows, McGown Peak, and Stanley Lake Creek.
The majority of the hike is pretty easy but the last 1/3 mile has a steep uphill section to the waterfall. All of the elevation gain is in this last section of the hike. Bridal Veil Falls is a beautiful Stanley attraction.
10. Dark Sky Reserve
The first Dark Sky Reserve in the United States is just over the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The reserve is 1,16 square miles. Whether you’re camping or staying in a hotel, take some time to escape the lights to see the beautiful night sky in Stanley.
There are only 12 reserves worldwide so make sure to enjoy this while you are in the area.
It takes about 15 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the night sky and you are in the mountains so remember to bring some warm clothes and blankets. Even in the summer, evenings can be a little cold.
11. Horseback Riding with Mystic Saddle Ranch
If you are looking to get some time on the miles of trails, consider going on horseback rides with Mystic Saddle Ranch. It is a local, family-owned company.
There are rides that take a few hours or rides that span several days. They offer rides as short as one hour to explore the meadows surrounding the lake. If you have a bit longer you can take the 1.5-hour trail ride that circles Little Redfish Lake.
If you have some experience with riding horses, consider the Alice Lake Day Ride. It is the most scenic but most challenging ride.
Kids have to be at least 6 years to ride and double riding is not allowed.
12. Kirkham Hot Springs
Another fun natural hot springs in the area is Kirkham Hot Springs. It is about an hour west of the town of Stanley towards Garden Valley. It is a popular hot springs in the area on the side of Highway 21.
There are nice picnic tables as well as camping. If you are staying in Stanley, it would be a great morning or evening destination to pack a picnic and enjoy the hot springs.
There are 10 different pools varying in size and temperature. The bottoms of the pools can be quite sharp so it is a good idea to bring water shoes.
There is a $5.00 charge for daily parking.
13. White Water Rafting
There is a variety of white water rafting available in the Stanley area. Even if you have never been white water rafting before, you will have a great time on the river. The River Company offers a variety of different tours ranging from a Class 4 white-knuckler to a family river trip with lunch.
If you are traveling with seniors, little kids or just don’t feel comfortable on the rapids, you can go on their scenic float trips that last 1-2 hours.
14. Scenic Drive
The Stanley area is so beautiful with a number of designated scenic byways. Pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic at one of the beautiful viewpoints along the way. The Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway, Salmon River Scenic Byway and Sawtooth Scenic Byway are in the Stanley area.
15. Galena Summit
The Galena Summit is the highest summit of highway in the Northwest and part of the Sawtooth Scenic Byway.
The Galena Overlook has sweeping views of the Sawtooth Wilderness and the Salmon River in the Stanley Basin. It can be windy up there, so it would be a good idea to take a jacket if it is a colder day.
16. Day Hike to Sawtooth Lake
- Length: 9.6 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,873 feet
- Route Type: Out and Back
- Difficulty: Moderate
This is a beautiful hike if you have the time and ability for a 10-mile hike. Along the trail, there are three different lakes and consistent views of the majestic Sawtooth mountains. At about 1.7 miles into the trail take a left which will take you to Alpine Lake and then onto Sawtooth Lake.
You will need to get a free wilderness hiking permit whether you are hiking the trail in a day or backpacking.
Remember this hike is at a high elevation so if you are hiking between October and May there will probably be some snow on the trail. The hike takes 4 or 5 hours.
17. Boat Box Hot Springs
The Salmon River has a number of beautiful undeveloped hot springs. Along with Sunbeam Hot Springs, Boat Box Hot Springs is another one of the fun things to do in Stanley. The hot springs is about 3 miles north of Stanley.
There is a small pullout on the side of the road where you can park. The hot springs will be on the left.
There is a small bathtub at the hot springs that you can sit in to enjoy the 110F water. The water can get extremely hot so be careful before plunging in. It is a pretty small tub so be prepared to get cozy with whomever you are visiting with.
18. Sun Valley Resort
About an hour south of Stanley is the popular destination of Sun Valley, Idaho. It is a beautiful resort town with more outdoor activities, the famous Sun Valley Resort, and a cute downtown area in Ketchum. There are so many fun things to do in Sun Valley.
If you are headed down in the summer, you can ride the gondola to the top of Bald Mountain and hike down, attend the ice-skating show or relax at the resort spa and pool. Whatever, you decide to do in Sun Valley, you can’t go wrong.
What THINGS TO DO IN STANLEY IDAHO IN THE WINTER?
There are so many fun things to do in Stanley, Idaho in the winter making a visit a great thing to do in Boise in the winter. You can snowmobile along the 185 miles of groomed trails, soak in the hot springs or try your hand at snowshoeing. You can even cut down your own Christmas tree in Idaho.
There is no downhill skiing in Stanley though because of the rough mountain terrain. If you do want to get on some skis, there are lots of cross-country ski trails.
19. Cross-Country Ski
The two most popular cross-country ski areas near Stanley are at Alturas Lake and Park Creek. Alturas Lake has 10 miles of groomed trails along Alturas Lake Creek. There are beautiful views of the Sawtooth Mountains and creek area.
If you are not comfortable going out by yourself, Sawtooth Guides is a great company to look into for backcountry skiing. They offer ski tours for all abilities.
Map of Things to Do in Stanley ID
How to Use This Map: Click on the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest.
If you click the star next to the title of the map, this will be added to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps. Then click on the menu button, go to “Your Place” and click on Maps. You will see this map added to your list.
Is Stanley Idaho worth visiting?
If you are looking for a place to enjoy the beautiful state of Idaho, Stanley is well worth a visit. There are beautiful hiking trails, lots of hot springs, and a small downtown area to enjoy. It is also a great starting place if you want to explore the Sawtooth Mountain range.
What is Stanley Idaho known for?
Stanley is a famous outdoor wonderland. It is a great place for fly fishing, hiking, mountain biking, climbing, and white-water rafting. There are so many fun outdoor things to do in Stanley.
Directions to Stanley Idaho
Stanley is in the central part of Idaho, surrounded by the Boise National Forest and Salmon-Challis National Forest. If you are flying, you will want to fly into the Boise Airport.
Directions from Boise to Stanley, Idaho
The drive from Boise to Stanley, Idaho is about 2 hours and 45 minutes.
You will take Idaho 55 N up through the mountains past Horseshoe Bend and turn right onto the Banks Lowman Road. After about 45 minutes you will turn left onto ID-21N which will take you into the heart of Stanley.
How far is Hailey Idaho from Stanley?
The drive from Hailey to Sun Valley is about 1 hour and 30 minutes. If you are leaving from the Sun Valley/Ketchum area, the drive is just over an hour.
Stanley ID Weather
If you are looking for an escape from the heat in the summer, Stanley is a great location. The high in July is about 75 degrees Fahrenheit with about 202 sunny days a year. The two warmest months in Stanley are July and August.
In the winter, Stanley gets about 76 inches of snow each year. The January low is -2F. The high is usually around 26 °F.
Lodging in Stanley
When it comes time to find somewhere to stay in Stanley, there are a few hotels in town as well as private AirBNB rentals. If you are visiting during the popular summer months, it is a good idea to make reservations well in advance if you can.
Along with hotels and Airbnb rentals, there are numerous campgrounds as well as opportunities for boondocking in the Sawtooth National Forest. There are a number of dispersed campgrounds as well.
Hotels in Stanley, Idaho
- Redfish Riverside Inn: Located on the beautiful Salmon River, the log cabins have a mountain feel with wooden beds as well as kitchenettes in all the rooms. There are raft rentals available as well.
- Triangle C Cabins: Each individual cabin rental is a perfect place to watch the beautiful Idaho sunset. There is a fun central courtyard with firepits and games.
- Stanley High Country Inn: In the heart of downtown Stanley, a good bite to eat and outdoor adventure isn’t far away. There is also a complimentary shuttle to Redfish Lake!
Where to Eat in Stanley
In the downtown Stanley area, there are a handful of restaurants you can choose from. If you are particular about your food or have special dietary needs, you will want to bring some food or do some research before your visit.
- Stanley Baking Company: If you are looking for a homemade style meal, the Baking Company is the place for you. They are open for breakfast and lunch from 7 am – 2 pm.
- Papa Brunee’s: They specialize in pizza and sandwiches. After a fun day at the lake, we really enjoyed grabbing pizza and salad at Papa Brunee’s. We highly recommend the Stanley Cheesesteak Pizza.
- Sawtooth Luce’s Restaurant: This restaurant features American meals but with a culinary twist! You can build your own Idaho Kobe beef hamburger and be sure to try the mixed leaf berry summer salad!
If you have a kitchen or are going to be preparing your own food, you will want to bring your groceries up. The Lower Stanley Country Store and Gas Station does have a limited inventory if you really need to get something.
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