A Day in Stanley Idaho Gateway to the Sawtooths
Driving south on Highway 75, a sign greets travelers, ‘Welcome to Stanley: Gateway to the Sawtooth Wilderness.” Gazing up from the sign reveals a spread of mountains that would leave Ansell Adams spellbound behind his lens for weeks on end. The Sawtooth range rises from the green meadows of central Idaho, their craggy peaks mingling amongst the clouds of the western sky.
The small western town is home to 100 year round residents though the population swells to more than 1,000 on busy summer days. Surrounded by wilderness and national forest, the Stanley basin serves as a hub for outdoor recreation. Mountain bikers and motorcyclists explore the vast network of trails in the White Cloud National forest to the south east of Stanley proper. To the southwest lie to majestic and craggy peaks of the Sawtooth wilderness, beckoning hikers to some of the most magnificent glacially sculpted landscapes in the Western United States. The Salmon River runs through town and several outfitters offer whitewater rafting day trips down the stretch of water. Tourists flock from around the globe for a more adventurous expedition down the world famous Middle Fork of the Salmon River. The journey takes more than a week as the river plunges through the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.
Returning from a long day (or week) in the mountains or on the river, visitors find dozens of charming in town attractions for lodging and dining. The Stanley Bakery offers breakfast and lunch which visitors travel up to 100 miles round trip for. The Bridge Street Grill provides a real cowboy experience with western dishes and if tourists are lucky a chat with the enigmatic owner Bret Woolley.
The small western town is home to 100 year round residents though the population swells to more than 1,000 on busy summer days. Surrounded by wilderness and national forest, the Stanley basin serves as a hub for outdoor recreation. Mountain bikers and motorcyclists explore the vast network of trails in the White Cloud National forest to the south east of Stanley proper. To the southwest lie to majestic and craggy peaks of the Sawtooth wilderness, beckoning hikers to some of the most magnificent glacially sculpted landscapes in the Western United States. The Salmon River runs through town and several outfitters offer whitewater rafting day trips down the stretch of water. Tourists flock from around the globe for a more adventurous expedition down the world famous Middle Fork of the Salmon River. The journey takes more than a week as the river plunges through the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.
Returning from a long day (or week) in the mountains or on the river, visitors find dozens of charming in town attractions for lodging and dining. The Stanley Bakery offers breakfast and lunch which visitors travel up to 100 miles round trip for. The Bridge Street Grill provides a real cowboy experience with western dishes and if tourists are lucky a chat with the enigmatic owner Bret Woolley.
