Category: Idaho

  • Three Baby-Friendly Hikes in the Sawtooth Mountains

    Three Baby-Friendly Hikes in the Sawtooth Mountains

    Hiking in the Sawtooth Mountains is an incredible experience. The alpine scenery, lush forests, and crystal-clear lakes are just some of the main reasons why this place is a gem for family adventures. We spent a week here in the summer of 2023 when our little girl was just 11 months old. There were three trails we hiked with her that will serve any family looking to get away from distractions and reconnect to nature.

    Fishhook Creek

    A simple trail that has a small elevation gain, winding through aspen and pine forests until you reach the edge of the Sawtooth wilderness. It’s relatively easy, but the reward at the end is a stunning view of the Sawtooths and a pristine valley. We recommend going in the morning to beat the crowds and heat, and to get some of that magical early morning light.

    To get here: Head towards Redfish Lake Lodge. Before you get to the main lodge parking lot, you’ll see an overflow lot on the left. The trailhead starts right next to the creek. If you get to the lodge, you’ve gone too far.

    Alpine Lake

    This is an all-day hike but well worth the effort. It takes you from the far side of Redfish Lake up a valley and into a mountain pass, where you are rewarded with a stunning alpine lake, aptly named. Adventurous people can use the lake as a basecamp for even deeper adventures in the backcountry, or you can turn around and enjoy the evening by the shore at Redfish Lake Lodge.

    a bridge over a creek with a majestic alpine view in the sawtooth mountains of Idaho

    To get here: Take the boat shuttle ($22) from the Redfish Lake Lodge. The boat drops you off a the trailhead and signs are clearly marked. Plan on a full day – 8-10 hours will be a good hike with rest breaks along the way.

    Hell Roaring Lake Trail

    This trail is fairly easy with minimal elevation gain. I didn’t pack the phone on it but you can find some sweet images on AllTrails to whet your appetite. It’s also dog friendly, as long as your pooch stays on a leash.

    To Get Here: Turn off from highway 75 a few miles south of Redfish Lake onto Decker Flat road. Merge with Hell Roaring Creek road and follow it to the trailhead. The trail is well-marked and takes you into the mountains.

    More Info

    We offered a bit more information on our post, “Hiking the Sawtooth Mountains With a Baby”.

    Looking for more great hikes? Check out Visit Idaho’s Guide to hiking in the Sawtooth Mountains.

    Need a guide to show you the way? Talk to the fine folks at Sawtooth Mountain Guides.

  • How To Successfully Hike With a Baby in the Sawtooth Mountains

    How To Successfully Hike With a Baby in the Sawtooth Mountains

    a woman and her baby sitting beside an alpine lake in the sawtooth mountains of idaho
    Cooling off at Alpine Lake, Sawtooth Mountains, Idaho

    Exploring The Sawtooth Mountains With a Baby

    The Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho just may be the best kept secret for outdoor adventure in the United States. Despite going during peak season (Mid August), we were able to score a beautiful campsite at Redfish Lake and have an amazing week exploring the mountains with our 11-month old. We didn’t have an RV, we just had a nice tent and a love of hiking to bring us there. We highly recommend this area for adventures big and small, and for kids both younger and older. We learned a few tricks along the way, which we are happy to share with you below.

    • Scoring a campsite
    • Redfish Lake Lodge
    • The ranger station
    • Some of our favorite hikes
    • Stanley, ID
    • Other activities in the area

    Scoring a Campsite

    The Sawtooth National Recreation Area has over 30 campgrounds and over 700 sites. Being that it’s a national recreation area, it has some advantages to a national park yet still gets major federal funding to be nice. This results in some of the finest public campgrounds I’ve ever seen. In some of the more popular areas you get incredible privacy in large sites that include a dining area, fire pit, parking zone, and tent pad. The site you see in this image was part of the Sockeye campground which is the furthest campground along Redfish lake that is accessible by car. I think it was only $22 per night.

    The beauty of this campground was that it’s first-come, first-served so if you get there early in the morning, chances are you’ll get a spot. You might have to come back a day or two later or go to a neighboring site, but chances are good you’ll find a spot nearby. Or, you can plan months ahead and get one online. But if you’re like us, timing exactly which day you’ll arrive isn’t the easiest feat.

    Redfish Lake Lodge

    Sitting on the far end of Redfish Lake, the Redfish Lake Lodge is the epicenter of activities in the area. Home to a beautiful lodge with surprisingly good value food and drinks, the lodge also serves as an activity hub for both land and water play. But the best feature is the boat launch, where you can book a boat shuttle to the far end of the lake to drop you off for the day and get into the heart of the mountains. It’s well worth the fare to get you into some of incredible terrain. The Redfish Inlet Campground serves those who are self-sufficient will be even closer to the amazing trail network that begins right at the campground.

    The scene at Redfish Lake Lodge on a busy Saturday evening. Live music, food, and drinks are open to the public.

    The lodge has live music every Wednesday and Saturday night in the summer and is open to the public. It’s the perfect way to wind down after a long day exploring the mountains or sunbathing by the lake.

    The Trails

    You will find countless trails of all shapes and sizes throughout the Sawtooth mountains. Being that this was our first big trip as a family, we opted for day hikes only. But those more seasoned to backpacking with little ones will find ample opportunities for overnight camping in the wilderness. There is always another saddle to crest, another lake to swim in, and another peak to conquer if so inclined. Visit Idaho has a good Beginner’s Guide to Hiking the Sawtooth Mountains, and we are happy to share our experience below.

    Alpine Lake is a demanding, full-day hike, but even casual hikers can accomplish this. We saw people crushing beers on the boat ride over at 9 a.m. and wearing tennis shoes! No judgment, just stating that you don’t need the latest and greatest gear!

    The hike starts in the forest and follows the Redfish Lake inlet valley up toward the treeline. You’re in the subalpine for the majority of the hike with incredible views the entire way. Here are a few images that showcase some of the beauty we saw:

    Final Thoughts

    The Sawtooth Mountains are a gem of a destination for adventurous families of all types. You can camp in plush conditions right by the lake, go backpacking in the backcountry, or roll up with your RV with the whole kit n’ caboodle. The Redfish Lake Lodge is a great base of operations to start or end your day, and the surrounding mountains and lakes will keep you busy for a trip of any duration. Don’t forget to pack water and snacks!