The town of Stanley, Idaho is in the heart of the Sawtooth Mountains. It is a super cute small town with the most gorgeous main street views I have ever seen. The snow-capped Sawtooths stretch out behind the town and entice you to go hiking.
Stanley is a gateway to the wilderness. I didn’t want to leave Stanley and hope we can visit again soon. Read further to find all the info you need to visit Stanley, Idaho and have an amazing time.
****Note: This post may include affiliate links to products I recommend. I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) from purchases from these links. But no worries, I only include links to products that we have tried or truly recommend!
*****Everything in this article is my personal opinion and experiences. Check your own resources and choose to do anything I discuss at your own risk. Some of the things in this post may be dangerous and not recommended for every body.
How to Get to Stanley, Idaho
The best way to get to Stanley, Idaho is by car. If you are coming by plane, the closest large airport is found in Boise, Idaho. There are multiple car rental agencies at the airport in Boise. I like to use Booking.com to rent our rental cars because they give you the cheapest rates found anywhere and there is often free cancellation.
Missoula, Montana to Stanley, Idaho: 5 hours, 260 miles
Boise, Idaho to Stanley, Idaho: 2.5 hours, 130 miles
Jackson, WY to Staley, Idaho: 5 hours, 290 miles
Where to Stay Near Stanley, Idaho
Camping
For us, camping was the most affordable option for staying near the town of Stanley. While there is likely some privately owned campsites around, the best ones near Stanley are in National Forest Campgrounds. Recreation.gov is the best resource for finding great campsites in the national forest. My favorite campsites we stayed at were in the Point Campground and Glacier View Campground.
Lodging
There are various places to stay near or in Stanley. One highly recommended place to stay in the town of Stanley is the Basecamp Lodge. There are several super cute AirBnbs in the town as well.
Redfish Lake Lodge is another popular place to stay near Stanley. While it isn’t in the town of Stanley, it is about 15 minutes away and is along a gorgeous lake. We didn’t stay at the Redfish Lake Lodge, but visited several times for some delicious soft-serve ice cream.
Things to Do in Stanley, Idaho
Peaks and Perks Coffee
In the middle of Stanley, there is an adorable coffee place called Peaks and Perks Coffee that we went to more times than I can count. They have delicious coffee and pastries. There are multiple different coffee drink combinations. Their coffee cups even have little mountains printed on the side (which made me really happy). They also sell ice cream at all times of day (which was Luca’s favorite as he is not a huge coffee drinker.)
There is a seating area outside with picnic tables and eclectic chairs in the grass with views of the mountains and a resident dog that occasionally runs by. Peaks and Perks has the best vibes and is a wonderful place.
Stanley Baking Company & Café
A popular breakfast eatery in Stanley is the Stanley Baking Company & Café. They have many delicious dishes and baked goods. There is a small indoor seating area where locals and tourists alike crowd around wooden tables in the warm homey restaurant. I had some amazing buckwheat pancakes and bacon that I totally recommend if you’re a pancake fan.
Hot Springs
There are several hot springs close to Stanley (and even one in Stanley.) One of the fun things about hot springs is the nature of discovery and finding them on your own. A quick search on Google Maps will help you to find the hot springs close to Stanley. If you visit a hot spring, be sure to leave no trace and leave it better than you found it! They are very fragile ecosystems that can be easily ruined.
If you’re more interested in a hot spring that takes very little effort, The Mountain Village Resort has a hot spring hut that can be reserved in advance and is close to their resort. From their hot spring, you will have gorgeous views of the Sawtooth mountains. For more information about visiting the Mountain Village Resort hot spring, you can visit the Mountain Village Resort website.
If you plan on visiting any hot springs, I totally recommend bringing a quick dry towel that is perfect for drying off, even if you only stick your feet in the water. I personally use the Nomadix Towel and love it.
Stanley Museum
The Stanley Museum is located close to the outskirts of town and houses some of the town’s history. The building that the museum is in was built by the CCC and was a ranger station for many years. Today, there are various exhibits on the history of the area, including both ranching and mining.
Soak in the Mountain Views from Stanley
It is hard to find better views from a main street than those of Stanley, Idaho. The beautiful silver and white mountains tower over the town. From anywhere in town you can see the views. My favorite place in Stanley to see the views is from a small footbridge over Valley Creek. If you go to the Stanley Museum and drive past on the gravel road, you will see a parking area on the left of the road beside Valley Creek. Here you can walk across, sit on the edge above the flowing water, and see unobstructed views of the Sawtooth National Forest. (Plus you’re pretty close to a nice hot spring… 😉 )
Things nearby Stanley worth visiting
Since Stanley is in the middle of beautiful forests and mountains, there are so many incredible places to see nearby.
Stanley Lake
Stanley Lake is a short drive from Stanley and has a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains and is the starting point for several great trails. This area seemed less crowded than other areas when we visited. For more information on the trails from Stanley Lake, check out my post Guide to Visiting the Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho (+Itinerary).
Redfish Lake
Redfish Lake is a short drive south of Stanley and is a huge lake with a lot to do. It is one of the more popular areas close to Stanley, and for good reason. There is a lodge, multiple campgrounds, many trailheads, and a ton of water access points. For more information about visiting Redfish Lake, see my Redfish Lake Blog Post.
Sawtooth Wilderness
The Sawtooth Wilderness is the star of the show when it comes to things to see near Stanley. There are a ton of hiking trails into the wilderness ranging from easy to extremely difficult. Within the wilderness, there are pristine blue lakes, towering granite cliffs, and innumerable pines. Check out my Sawtooth Wilderness Hiking blog post for more information on visiting the Sawtooth Wilderness.
Other Posts You May Like
Guide to Visiting Redfish Lake
Best Hikes in Sawtooth Wilderness
Guide to Visiting the Sawtooth Mountains
I hope that this guide of Stanley, Idaho helps you have the best visit possible! Let me know if you have any questions or comments.
Thanks for reading!
-Liz
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