Sawtooth National Forest

Travel | Sawtooth National Forest

It was early September and snow began to fall as I drove into Sun Valley, Idaho. With a long detour through three national forests ahead, popping into a Ranger Station for weather information was my first stop in Sawtooth National Forest.

The Park Ranger kindly confirmed I would see snow during most of my drive, but would be at a low enough elevation to not worry about messy roads.

Perfect news! The sky and clouds were dramatic and changing quickly during my entire time in Sawtooth National Forest. Beyond excited to head back for more exploring.

Top Five Hikes + Places to Explore

• Eagle Loop - a short, easy 2.5 mile loop trail.

• Galena Overlook - after driving through some serious switchbacks, stop and take in this stunning view.

• Redfish Lake - named after the once abundant sockeye salmon run, this lake is ideal for enjoying the beach, surrounding views and water activities.

• Sawtooth Scenic Byway - a must drive on my list! 116 miles total, with canyon, mountain, river and lava deposit goodness along the way.

• Sawtooth Wilderness Area - with 50 jagged peaks over 10,000 feet tall, there's plenty of exploring to be had here.