Places to Go,
Things to See - Summer
Scroll Down to View or Jump to Alphabetical Listing
Points of Interest
by Direction and Milepost Marker
NORTH of Stanley
via Highway 75
Miles
by Auto
At
Milepost
Stanley Museum0.6190
Nip and Tuck Road1.3190-191
Joe's Gulch2.4191-192
Boat Box Hot Springs3.3192-193
Basin Creek Hot Springs8.3197-198
Sunbeam Hot Springs12.1201-202
Sunbeam Dam13.0202-203
Boot Hill Cemetery22.0202-203
Yankee Fork Gold Dredge23.0202-203
Custer Museum25.0202-203
Custer Motorway Adventure Road25.0202-203
Indian Riffles Overlook15.8205-206
Salmon River (East Fork)37.7227
Bison Jump54.8243-244
Land of the Yankee Fork State Park55.1244

SOUTH of Stanley
via Highway 75
Miles
by Auto
At
Milepost
Stanley Ranger Station2.9186-187
Little Redfish Lake4.5185-186
FS Road 2104.4185-186
Redfish Lake6.4185-186
Sawtooth Fish Hatchery5.9183-184
Decker Flats15.3174-175
Hell Roaring Lake (Trailhead)15.3174-175
Fourth of July Lake (Trailhead)23.3174-175
Washington Lake (Trailhead)23.3174-175
Valley Road Scenic Drive15.5174
Pettit Lake19.8171-172
Alturas Lake22.8168-169
Pole Creek Lookout24.5165
Salmon River (Headwaters-Main Fork)26.8162-163

WEST of Stanley
via Highway 21
Miles
by Auto
At
Milepost
Alpine Lake (Trailhead)5.7128-129
Sawtooth Lake (Trailhead)5.7128-129
Kelly Creek Road6.4125-126
Old Stanley Basin6.6125-126
Basin Butte Lookout6.6125-126
Elk Mountain Bicycle Loop (Trailhead)7.3125-126
Stanley Lake8.7125-126
Elk Mountain Overlook10.5125-126
Park Creek Overlook7.4123-124
Cape Horn Guard Station Loop11.4119-120
Dagger Falls42.0109-110
Salmon River (Middle Fork)42.0109-110

In Alphabetical Order
Alpine LakeBeautiful high mountain lake in the Sawtooth Wilderness. Drive 2.5 miles W of Stanley, take Iron Creek Road 3.2 miles to trailhead at end of road. Hike 4 miles to lake. Moderate difficulty due to 1000 foot climb. 15 minutes to trailhead. (Combine with Sawtooth Lake hike, only 1 mile beyond Alpine). Hwy junction at milepost 128 to 129.
Alturas LakeFishing, boating and trailheads. Boat launching ramp. No lodge or boat rentals available. Drive 21 miles S of Stanley on Hwy 75, then W 1.8 miles on paved road (27 minutes). Hwy junction at milepost 168 to 169.
Basin Butte LookoutHistoric Challis National Forest fire lookout, accessible by Forest Service maintained dirt road. Staffed by volunteers. Typical of lookouts built in the 1930’s by the CCC. Check locally for road conditions. Drive 5 miles W of Stanley, turn N on Stanley Creek Road opposite of Stanley Lake Road, proceed 1.4 miles and take left turn to junction to Kelly Creek, turn left again, then proceed 10 miles on winding dirt road (45 minutes). Hwy junction at milepost 125 to 126.
Basin Creek Hot SpringsNatural hot springs flow out of the rocks and into the Salmon River. Users piled rocks to create pools for soaking and relaxing. Be cautious of 170 degree water flowing into pools. Drive 8.3 miles N of Stanley on river side of Hwy 75 (11 minutes). Hwy junction at milepost 197 to 198.
Bison JumpRocky bluff used by Native Americans in previous centuries to assist in the success of buffalo hunts. They would run herds of buffalo over the cliff to make their hunts easier and more productive. Drive Historical marker sign at site 54.8 miles N of Stanley on Hwy 75 near Land of the Yankee Fork Interpretive Center. Milepost 243 to 244.
Boat Box Hot SpringsRedwood box and rock pools with hot water flowing from natural hot springs below edge of highway on the Salmon River. Drive 3.3 miles N of Stanley on Hwy 75 near first “30 mph” curve sign. Between mileposts 192 and 193.
Boot Hill CemeteryRead the old tombstones and learn about yesteryear. Watch for ghosts nightly. Drive 13 miles N of Stanley on Hwy 75, then N 9 miles on Yankee Fork Road (35 minutes). Hwy junction at milepost 202 to 203.
Cape Horn Guard Station LoopDirt road normally well maintained, winding through meadows and hills and returning to Hwy 21 at Cape Horn. Great wildlife viewing in mornings and evenings. Take a camera. Drive 11.4 miles W of Stanley, turn N off Hwy 21, at Cape Horn Guard Station sign. The 7.3 mile trip takes about 45 minutes and returns to Hwy 21, 18.9 miles W at milepost 112 to 113. Hwy junction at milepost 119 to 120.
Custer Motorway Adventure RoadThis 35 mile journey takes the old road from Custer to Challis used in the mining era of Custer. Narrow, dirt road suitable for pickups and other high clearance vehicles. Not recommended for low clearance cars, motorhomes or travel trailers. Watch for other vehicles. Closed late October to May. Drive N on Hwy 75, then turn N at Sunbeam. Roadway begins at Custer Museum. Visit the Land of the Yankee Fork State Park Interpretive Center on the return trip from Challis, then proceed S on Hwy 75 following the Salmon River to Stanley. Entire trip will take about 3 hours. Highway junction at milepost 202 to 203.
Custer MuseumA ghost town and museum with emphasis on mining history. Open daily, mid-June through Labor Day. 10:00AM-6:00PM. Donations requested. Near Boot Hill Cemetery (see above).
Dagger FallsIn late summer, salmon can be seen attempting to jump the falls. Just below the falls, is the “put-in” for 3 and 6 day float trips down the Middle Fork of the Salmon. Allow 1-1/2 hours for the 42 mile trip each way. Drive 21.8 miles W of Stanley, take Bruce Meadows/Dagger Falls turnoff on W side of Hwy 21. Drive through Bruce Meadows to junction. Turn right and follow road bordering wilderness past Boundary Creek to Dagger Falls campground. Hwy junction at milepost 109 to 110.
Decker FlatsTrailheads. Good fishing. Drive 15.3 miles S of Stanley on Hwy 75, turn W on dirt road across bridge over the Salmon River. Hwy junction at milepost 174 to 175. (20 minutes).
Elk Meadows Loop TrailMany say it is one of the best trails they have tried. Drive 5 miles W of Stanley, take Stanley Lake Road for 2.3 miles, then see sign for loop trail on right-hand side of road. Trail is of moderate difficulty and returns to Hwy 21 about 9.3 miles W of Stanley at milepost 121 to 122, where riders can cross Hwy 21 and return to point of origin by way of Cow Camp Road to Stanley Creek Road, cross Hwy 21 again and ride in 2.3 miles on Stanley Lake Road to starting point. Hwy junction at milepost 125 to 126.
Elk Mountain OverlookDirt ad winding high above Stanley Lake with spectacular Sawtooth views. Drive 5 miles W of Stanley, take Stanley Lake Road 3.5 miles to near end of lake, stay to right and go 2 miles to top of lookout. Access by auto or bicycle (25 minutes). Hwy junction at milepost 125 to 126.
FS Road 210Back road through the hills on the west side of the valley. Often wildlife can be viewed in mornings or evenings. Drive 4.3 miles S of Stanley turn W on Redfish Lake Road for .1 mile, then left on FS Road 210 and follow S to Decker Flats, where road returns to Hwy 75. Hwy junction at milepost 185 to 186. Allow 1 hour for the 10 mile trip on FS 210 portion.
Fourth of July LakeSpectacular Sawtooth and White Cloud Mountain views. Take a lunch. Moderate difficulty due to 10,000 foot elevation. Drive 15.3 miles S of Stanley on Hwy 75, turn E for 8 miles on well maintained road to Happy Surprise Mine. Hike 1 mile to lake. Combine with Washington Lake, only 1 mile beyond Fourth of July. Hwy junction at milepost 174 to 175. (20 minutes by car to dirt road, 25 minutes on dirt road).
Hell Roaring LakeBeautiful and scenic lake in the Sawtooth Wilderness. Moderate difficulty. Drive to trailhead at Decker Flats, 15.3 miles S of Stanley on Hwy 75. Hwy junction at milepost 174 to 175. Hike 5 miles to Lake. (20 minutes by car to trailhead).
Indian Riffles OverlookProvides good viewing of traditional Salmon spawning beds, just four miles down river from Sunbeam. Drive 16 miles N of Stanley on Hwy 75 (20 minutes). At milepost 205 to 206.
Joe’s Gulch Jeep TrailUnmaintained dirt road (rough in places, 4 wheel drive recommended), winds into the mountains and ultimately connects with Kelly Creek Road (see next). Allow 1 hour for trip. Begins 2.4 miles N of Lower Stanley on N side of Hwy 75. Hwy junction at milepost 191 to 192.
Kelly Creek RoadMuch wildlife in the area for viewing in mornings and evenings. Take a camera (allow 1 hour for trip). Drive 5 miles W of Stanley, turn N on Stanley Creek Road opposite of Stanley Lake Road, proceed 1.4 miles and take left turn to junction to Basin Butte Lookout and turn right. Road winds into mountains and at top of summit several remains of old mining cabins and gold digs can be inspected. Further along, the road climbs again to provide fantastic Sawtooth views. Hwy junction at milepost 125 to 126.
Land of the Yankee Fork State ParkNew State Park facility for interpretation of the Yankee Fork mining district history. Brief slide show, artifacts, old photographs and free “gold panning” lessons. Located at junction of Hwy 75 and Hwy 93 in Challis. 55.1 miles N of Stanley on Hwy 75 at milepost 244. 879-5244.
Little Redfish LakeFishing and boating ....no boat motors allowed. Drive 4.3 miles S of Stanley on Hwy 75, then .2 miles on paved road (7 minutes). Hwy junction at milepost 185 to 186.
Nip and Tuck RoadScenic drive on dirt road (rough in places) from Lower Stanley into the Old Stanley Basin (see next). See abundant wildflowers in season and good overviews of the northern Sawtooth Range. Allow 30 minutes for drive. Ask any local business to direct you to Nip and Tuck Road. Returns to Hwy 21 via Stanley Creek Road across from Stanley Lake Road.
Old Stanley BasinThis little valley, W of Stanley, is historically the site of much mining activity. The first prospectors located “color” there in the 1860’s. Also located in the Basin are some of the area’s oldest ranching operations. Drive 5 miles W of Stanley on Hwy 21, turn N on Stanley Creek Road opposite of Stanley Lake Road, proceed 1.4 miles on dirt road. Can also be accessed by way of Nip and Tuck Road (see previous item). (10 minutes). Hwy junction at milepost 125 to 126.
Park Creek OverlookSpectacular views of the northern Sawtooth Mountains from paved overlook area on the S side of Hwy 21. Drive 7.4 miles W of Stanley on Hwy 21. Hwy junction at milepost 123 to 124.
Pettit LakeFishing, boating and trailheads. No lodge or boat rentals available. Drive 18.1 miles S of Stanley on Hwy 75, then W 1.7 miles on well maintained road. (25 minutes). Hwy junction at milepost 171 to 172.
Pole Creek LookoutDirt road winds to the top of mountain where old but currently manned fire lookout is located. Great views from atop peak. Drive 24.5 miles S of Stanley, take Pole Creek Road to E. Hwy junction at milepost 165.
Redfish LakeA Forest Service Visitor Center provides information and interpretive sessions on the SNRA. Boating, water skiing, trailheads, corral, boat rentals, visitor services (including RV Dump, showers and laundry). Drive 4.3 miles S of Stanley on Hwy 75, then 2.3 miles on paved road. (10 minutes). Hwy junction at milepost 185 to 186.
Salmon River (East Fork)Many ranching operations at the lower end of the river. Much wildlife from Big Horn Sheep to Mule Deer and Eagles can be viewed while driving. Turn S off Hwy 75, 37.7 miles N of Stanley. Hwy junction at milepost 227.
Salmon River (Headwaters - Main Fork)See next.
Salmon River (Main Fork)The “River of No Return.” Its rapids offer great challenge to rafters and kayakers. The river is open to fishing for Trout, Whitefish and Steelhead in season. Check regulations for seasons and closures. See the headwaters of this historic river in the upper reaches of the Sawtooth Valley S of Sawtooth City. Drive 26.8 miles S on Hwy 75, see “Headwaters” sign on S side of highway. Hwy junction at milepost 162 to 163. (35 minutes).
Salmon River (Middle Fork)See “Dagger Falls.”
Sawtooth Fish HatcheryA facility built in the early 1980's to restore salmon and steelhead to their traditional waters. Summer tours Memorial Day through Labor Day. Three tours per day. Drive 5.9 miles S of Stanley on Hwy 75 (8 minutes). Hwy junction at milepost 183 to 184. 774-3684.
Sawtooth LakeSee Alpine Lake. (Combine with Alpine Lake hike, Sawtooth is only 1 mile beyond Alpine).
Stanley LakeFishing, boating, trailheads. No lodge or boat rentals available. Birdwatchers may be interested in some of the 219 species that fly through Sawtooth country, including the protected Sandhill Crane. Drive 5 miles W of Stanley on Hwy 21, then S 3.7 miles on well maintained road (15 minutes). Hwy junction at milepost 125 to 126.
Stanley MuseumLocal pioneer museum with artifacts and photographs of historical significance to the settling of the Sawtooth Valley and the Stanley Basin. Open late-May through Labor Day. Operated by the Sawtooth Interpretive & Historical Association, the museum also offers a map for a walking tour of the historical buildings in Stanley. Drive .6 mile N of Stanley on W side of Hwy 75. Hwy junction at milepost 190. 774-3517.
Stanley Ranger StationUSFS Ranger Station. Open daily in the summer; Monday through Friday the rest of the year. National Forest information and maps available. Free automobile tour tapes. RV Dump Station. Drive 2.6 miles S of Stanley off W side of Hwy 75 (4 minutes). Hwy junction at milepost 186 to 187. 774-3681.
Sunbeam DamOld hydroelectric dam built in the 1920’s to provide power for Yankee Fork mining, but virtually wiped out all salmon runs in the Main Salmon River. Dynamited in the 1930’s when it was no longer needed and both Chinook and Sockeye Salmon reestablished themselves in the river by the early 1940's. In canyon off S side of road, 13 miles N of Stanley on Hwy 75. At milepost 202 to 203.
Sunbeam Hot Springs Hot spring pools at edge of the Salmon River, where 170 degree water mixes with the cool river water for a delightful, soothing dip. Restrooms and dressing rooms on site. Drive 12.1 miles N of Stanley on river side of Hwy 75 (15 minutes). At milepost 201 to 202.
Valley Creek Lodge & RV ParkBest place to stay in the area!
Valley Road Scenic DriveOriginal road through the Sawtooth Valley along upper eastern side of the Valley and the Salmon River. Starting 15.5 miles S of Stanley at milepost 174, dirt road runs to E and S to Pole Creek Road intersection with Hwy 75, 25.5 miles to the S of Stanley at milepost 165. (Allow one hour for the 14 mile trip).
Washington LakeSee Fourth of July Lake. (Only 1 mile beyond Fourth of July Lake)
Yankee Fork Gold DredgeRestored gold dredge on the site of its former operations. Open July 1 through Labor Day. Tours daily 10:00AM-6:00PM. Donations requested. Near Custer Museum noted previously.
HAVE FUN AND DRIVE DEFENSIVELY!

to SUMMER PAGE


Last updated: Sunday, June 17, 2012 ©
Valley Creek Co. 2004-2012