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The sensationally scenic Sawtooth National Recreation Area covers over 217,000 acres of pristine wilderness liberally dotted with soaring mountain peaks, alpine lakes, and dozens of campsites where you can pitch a tent and really get back to nature. During the short hiking season which commences with the appearance of the spectacular wild flowers in June/July, hikers can choose from dozens of trails covering over 350 miles, varying from fairly easy day-trips to challenging back-packing routes. You can also bring your mountain bike to enjoy the trails in the Minidoka, Ketchum and Fairfield Ranger Districts, where there are also several trails for horse-back riding.
Avid fishermen can try their hand at fishing in some of the many ponds and lakes or try casting a line into a stream or river to catch their dinner. Other popular summer activities are wildlife watching (there is a great variety of wildlife in the forests including wolves, many species of deer and various small mammals), photography and canoeing, rafting and kayaking along the scenic waterways. Children (and adults) can attend various educational programs at the Learning Center or participate in ranger-led activities. In winter, the entire Sawtooth National Recreation Area is blanketed in snow and becomes a hotspot for winter sport fanatics, and you can try downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and snowmobiling throughout the area.
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