Things to do in Stanley, Idaho
You would have to stay a lifetime to do it all!
The Sawtooth Basin and Stanley, Idaho offer more recreation than you can do in a week, month, year and even a lifetime! Don’t feel overwhelmed! We have put together a list of our favorite must see attractions and adventures to help you squeeze all the juice out of your time in Idaho!
Redfish Lake Lodge
Redfish Lake Lodge– Is open Memorial Day through October and offers boat rentals, incredible dining and drinking, free summer concerts, a general store and souvenir shop, bike rentals and offers a hikers boat shuttle across the lake. Ask about our complementary shuttle to lodge!
Summer Activities
In the summer you can find activities like rafting, fishing, mountain biking, climbing, ATV’s and horse back riding, all right at your doorstep!
River Rafting / Fly Fishing
There are several river rafting companies for half or full-day trips down the famous Salmon River, or for multiple day trips down the Middle Fork of the Salmon. River rafting is an exciting way to explore other parts of the Idaho wilderness.
Day trips on the Salmon/ Fly Fishing
- The River Company
- Sawtooth Adventure Company
- White Cloud Rafting
- White Otter Outdoor Adventures
- Stanley Fly Shop
Hiking
Hundreds of miles of trail in the Sawtooth and White Cloud Wilderness areas, including several interesting day hikes right from Redfish Lake Lodge. Check out our favorite hiking trails in Idaho and why this is one of the best ways to explore the Sawtooth Mountains.
Horseback Riding
The Redfish Corrals offer 1 1/2 hour, half day, and full day scenic rides. Ask about the “Alpine Ride” where you climb 3000 feet to the Sawtooth Divide. Pack lunches, route planning, and guides are available.
Stanley Museum/ Redfish Visitors Center
This is a local pioneer museum with artifacts and photographs of historical significance to the settling of the Sawtooth Valley and the Stanley Basin. It is open through Labor Day and located 0.6 miles north of Stanley on the west side of Hwy. 75. Phone: 774-3517
Sawtooth Fish Hatchery
Self-guided tours are available at this facility built to help restore salmon and steelhead to their traditional waters. It is located 5.8 miles south of Stanley on Hwy. 75 (about eight minutes) between mileposts 183 and 184. Phone: 774-3684
Ghost Towns
Custer is a ghost town and museum with an emphasis on mining history. Located there is the Boot Hill Cemetery where you can read the old tombstones and learn about yesteryear’s history. You can also see the Yankee Fork Gold Dredge, a restored gold dredge on the site of its former operations. Custer is located 13 miles (about 30 minutes) north of Stanley on Hwy. 75, then north 5 miles on Yankee Fork Road between mileposts 202 and 203. It is open through Labor Day.
Check out more of the incredible ghost towns near Stanley here!