Sawtooth National Forest

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The Sawtooth National Forest comprises more than 2.1 million acres of public land, most in south central Idaho with some in northern Utah, rising from the salt flats of the Great Salt Lake in the south to the 12,076 foot Hyndman Peak in the north. The Forest’s 1,100 lakes and more than 3,000 miles of rivers and streams provide native trout and annual runs of salmon and steelhead. The major rivers in the forest are the Salmon, South Fork of the Boise, South Fork of the Payette and the Wood River. The congressionally designated 754,000 acre Sawtooth National Recreation Area is a part of the Sawtooth National Forest.

History & Culture

The Sawtooth National Forest has archaeological and historical sites which reflect our heritage for the past 10,000 years. There are nearly 1,500 heritage sites recorded in this forest. The Forest places great emphasis on teaching and interpreting the archaeology of this area to forest visitors and school children. Together we can preserve and share the heritage of this area for generations to come.

Recreation

The Sawtooth Forest has a virtually unlimited amount of recreational activties. The variety of activities range from very primitive, undeveloped settings like the Sawtooth Wilderness to highly developed recreation sites such as Redfish Lake Complex. There is camping in more than 86 developed camping and picnic areas. Other opportunities include swimming, fishing, scenic driving, camping, backpacking and horseback riding. Trail bike riding and two and four-wheel drive vehicle opportunities occur in many areas of the Forest. Visitor activities such as guided hikes, campfire programs, auto tours and exhibits are provided throughout the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.

Wintertime offers outstanding wintertime recreation experiences for cross-country skiing on both groomed and ungroomed trails. Downhill skiing is offered at four developed winter sports areas that provide some of the finest terrain and snow conditions found in the Northwest. Snowmobiling is popular with marked and groomed trails and warming huts available. Springtime visitors are rewarded with snow-capped mountain peaks, rushing streams and meadows carpeted with hundreds of varieties of wildflowers.

Traveler Facts

Contact Information
Sawtooth National Forest
2647 Kimberly Road E
Twin Falls, ID 83301
Phone: 208-737-3200

Weather/Climate
The weather in the Sawtooth National Forest varies tremendously with location and elevation. Summers tend to bring clear days, with afternoon thunderstorms possible. Daytime highs are normally warm to moderate, with relatively cool to cold nights, depending on elevation. Winter can bring cold temperatures with heavy snows, especially at the high elevations. Sunny days are common between winter storms.

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