Skip to main content

Visit Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Idaho

Discover the best activities and accommodations in Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Idaho

What to Do in Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Learn More

In south-central Idaho, the Sawtooth National Recreation Area comprises 756,000 acres of the northern division of the Sawtooth National Forest. The recreation area features three mountain ranges of peaks exceeding 11,000 feet, deep forests and high mountain lakes. The recreation area includes the Sawtooth Wilderness, the White Cloud-Boulder Mountains, portions of the Smokey Mountains, the Salmon River and five major lakes. The backcountry has 750 miles of hiking trails and more than 300 lakes.

Most Popular Hotels

Discover the best hotel experience. Review properties cleanliness, amenities and more. AAA brings you the best hotels in the city.

Learn More
Hotel

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Hailey Sun Valley

diamond-threeinspected-clean
Hotel

Sun Valley Lodge & Sun Valley Inn

diamond-fourinspected-clean
Hotel

Limelight Hotel Ketchum

diamond-threeinspected-clean
Hotel

Best Western Tyrolean Lodge

diamond-approvedinspected-clean
Hotel

Best Western Plus Kentwood Lodge

diamond-threeinspected-clean
Hotel

Hailey Airport Inn

diamond-approvedinspected-clean
HOTEL

Knob Hill Inn

HOTEL

Hotel Ketchum

HOTEL

Tamarack Lodge

See All

Vacation Packages & Tours

Discover Your Dream Vacation

Book a guided or independent trip with AAA Vacations®. Enjoy exciting vacation itineraries and experiences that you can’t find anywhere else.

See All

Travel Tips & Inspiration

AAA Travel Inspiration, Destination Information and More

Be inspired by articles and videos from AAA Travel experts, offering insights on top destinations, recommendations and travel tips for your upcoming getaway.

See All
ARTICLESawtooth National Recreation Area In south-central Idaho, the Sawtooth National Recreation Area comprises 756,000 acres of the northern division of the Sawtooth National Forest. The recreation area features three mountain ranges of peaks exceeding 11,000 feet, deep forests and high mountain lakes. The recreation area includes theSawtooth Wilderness, theWhite Cloud-Boulder Mountains, portions of the Smokey Mountains, the Salmon River and five major lakes. The backcountry has 750 miles of hiking trails and more than 300 lakes.Sawtooth National Recreation Area
NATIONAL PARKBeaverhead Deerlodge National Forest Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is part of the huge complex of national forests occupying most of southwestern Montana. In 1996, Deerlodge National Forest's 1,194,124 acres (nearly 100 square miles) were combined with Beaverhead National Forest to form an outdoor recreation area encompassing more than 3.3 million acres.Beaverhead Deerlodge National Forest
NATIONAL PARKBig Hole National Battlefield Big Hole National Battlefield is 10 miles west of Wisdom on SR 43. Covering 655 acres of Nez Perce National Historical ParkBig Hole National Battlefield
NATIONAL PARKBitterroot National Forest Bitterroot National Forest is in Montana and Idaho. The Montana section curves around the headwaters of the Bitterroot River, reaching into the Sapphire and Bitterroot ranges. This is a region of strong contrasts, with rolling subalpine woodland, open parks and lakes, and jagged, glaciated peaks and canyons.Bitterroot National Forest
NATIONAL PARKBoise National Forest In south-central Idaho, lakes, abandoned mines and ghost towns amid ponderosa pine and Douglas fir dot the 2,612,000 acres of mountainous terrain that make up the Boise National Forest. Large areas of the forest serve as summer range for big game. Black bears, wolves, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, mule deer and elk inhabit the woods. Upland game birds including chukars, sage grouse, Hungarian partridges and turkeys roam the backcountry. Salmon, trout and bass thrive in the cold, clear rivers, streams and reservoirs.Boise National Forest
NATIONAL PARKBridger Teton National Forest Bordering Grand TetonBridger Teton National Forest
NATIONAL PARKCaribou Targhee National Forest A 3- to 5-hour canoe/float trip can be taken along a 5-mile national recreation water trail just below Big Springs. Moose, trumpeter swans, ospreys and bald eagles can often be seen. Further down Henry's Fork, boaters must portage around several sections of dangerous water between Macks Inn and Ashton.Caribou Targhee National Forest
NATIONAL PARKChallis National Forest Challis National Forest
NATIONAL PARKClearwater National Forest In the northeastern part of the state, large stands of tall trees and many miles of clear, fast-running streams and rivers characterize the rugged, mountainous Clearwater National Forest. Scenic Clearwater National Forest
THE VALUE OF TRIP CANVAS

Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas

Get Ideas from the Pros

As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.

Build and Research Your Options

Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.

Book Everything in One Place

From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!

BACK TO TOP
Trip Canvas powered by AAA travel logo
AAA logo
© 2025 AAA, All Rights Reserved.

The information contained on this page is provided by independent third-party providers and may not include all applicable taxes, fees, and charges. Please note prices and product details are estimates only and are subject to availability at the time of booking. All information, including pricing, product details, and availability, is subject to change without notice. Please see independent third-party providers' websites for more details. AAA is not responsible for content on external websites.
2.44.1