Staying at the Sawtooth Hotel is a true rarity and treat. With only six guest rooms (in the main building) that are commonly filled well in advance, making reservations long before your expected arrival date is highly recommended. All of the rooms offer great views of the Sawtooth Mountains. Two of the rooms have private bathrooms and king-sized beds. The remaining four rooms share two bathrooms down the hall. Behind the main building there are three additional rooms with kitchenettes and private bathrooms.

What better way to start the day than with a gorgeous view of the Sawtooth Mountains? The Sawtooth Hotel allows you to do just that, with a coffee in hand and a fabulous breakfast in the works. Their restaurant is open seven days a week, May through October, and Friday-Sunday during the winter months (December through April). Their menu items are fresh, local, and delicious. During the winter months a wood fire keeps the dining area toasty warm and creates a magical ambiance.

In over 80 years both Stanley and the Sawtooth Hotel have seen a lot of changes. From remodels, to paved roads, to a huge increase in tourism – both the town and hotel have matured to accommodate the changing tides. What hasn’t changed are the things that made the Sawtooth Hotel special to begin with: great views, a comfy bed, tasty meals, and an atmosphere of authentic, small-town individuals who care about their visitors.

Contacting the Sawtooth Hotel:

Call them at 208-721-2459
Find them at 755 Ace of Diamonds St.
Visit them online at www.SawtoothHotel.com

The Middle Fork Lodge has a storied history on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. First established in the 1940’s, it served as the year-round residence of the Tom McCall family. It soon became a family business to run the “Dude Ranch” and the hunters, or “dudes”, were flown into the Forest Service dirt airstrip just a mile downstream. In fact, much of the supplies and materials used to build the structures were flown into that very airstrip, which is now known as the “Thomas Creek Airstrip”. Items that couldn’t be flown in were packed in by horse or mule or, in some instances, floated in by sweep boat.

As the Lodge gained popularity and prestige it began to take in some high-profile celebrities. Two U.S. Presidents have spent nights at the Middle Fork Lodge. With the closest town of Meyer’s Cove being 40 miles, no roads leading in or out of the property, and the fact that it’s located in the largest wilderness area in the Lower 48, the seclusion and isolation of the Lodge makes it the perfect true “get-away” for visitors.

Today’s Middle Fork Lodge has been remodeled extensively to meet the demands of its clients. High-speed satellite internet, a huge meeting room overlooking the river, and a wide array of outdoor activities offered make it a prime candidate for business meetings and team building events.

Occasionally, river rafting or fly-fishing groups that are floating the Middle Fork of the Salmon will spend a night at the Lodge. For most trips, this is mile 36 of their float down the river and marks their second or third day. Staying at the Lodge means warm showers, a night of comfortable sleep, and a beautiful place to call home for the night.

For more information about the Middle Fork Lodge, visit them online at www.MiddleForkLodge.com.

A popular stop for those on Middle Fork of the Salmon rafting or fishing trips, the Flying “B” Ranch (known simply as “the B” to most guides), has a small store used sometimes to restock float trips for their final 35 miles to the confluence with the Main Salmon River. They carry rare wilderness items like block ice, ice cream, beer and soda.

Getting supplies to the Flying “B” is no easy chore. With no road access, nearly all items are flown in via small back-country planes. When items can’t be flown in they are floated from Boundary Creek, the normal launch site for Middle Fork of the Salmon trips, to the ranch, more than 65 miles downstream. A photo in Cort Conley’s guide book to the Middle Fork of the Salmon shows a VW Bus loaded on a sweep boat on its way to the Flying “B” Ranch.

Many often wonder what exactly the “B” stands for in the Flying “B” name. Captain Bernard was a major player in the Sheepeater Indian War. Bernard Creek enters the river from the left only a mile downstream of the ranch.

Those who stay at the Flying “B” Ranch are treated to great meals and even better surroundings. The Middle Fork canyon in this area is wide-open but the “B” marks the start of what has become known to boaters as “Impassable Canyon” – where the canyon shortly pinches in and the river picks up speed. Trails from the “B” go both upstream and downstream, which allows visitors access to hundreds of miles of trail to explore, side creeks to fish, and vistas to climb.

More information about the Flying “B” Ranch:

Online: www.flyingresortranches.com
Phone: 877-562-1129
Email: flyingresort@centurytel.net

Jerry’s Country Store, located at 55 Lower Stanley, carries a full line of groceries and non-food items. There is even a gas station out front. The deli is phenomenal and blows most big-name stores out of the water. Which is a fortunate thing considering there really aren’t many other options for groceries in town.

After a day of hiking, biking, fishing, rafting, or swimming near Stanley, what better way to top it off than a barbeque of fresh steaks while over-looking the Sawtooth Mountains? If this sounds like a good plan to you too, make sure to stop at Jerry’s on the way back from your adventure. It’s a long walk or a short drive from Upper Stanley but if you happen to be staying at Jerry’s Cabins and Motel (yes, the two are of course owned by the same people) it’s right next door.

With the Upper Salmon River flowing past your doorstep, one of Jerry’s steaks on the grill, and the Sawtooths etched into the background, you too can live the Stanley, Idaho lifestyle.

Contacting Jerry’s:
Phone: 208-774-3566
Fax: 208-774-3518
Postal: HC 67 Box 300, Stanley Idaho 83278
Email: Janet@ruralnetwork.net
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Getting to Redfish Lake is a breeze. Take Highway 75 headed South for approximately 4.5 miles. Next, turn right onto Redfish Lake Road. Continue for two miles before making another left (stay on Redfish Lake Road) and arriving at the lake.

Facilities at the lodge include a great restaurant that has windows looking out at the lake. There is also outdoor seating, which in the summer time is quite pleasant. There are lots of different lodging options: from small and large cabins to single rooms – each one is rustic but comfortable. For large groups, some of the cabins include a kitchen.

Recreation around the lake area is plentiful. From hiking, biking, and running trails to fishing, swimming, and paddling in the lake itself – opportunities abound.

What’s the perfect closing to a fun day outside? Lay down on the front lawn of the lodge and listen to live music resonate off the neighboring mountains. The Redfish Lake Lodge has a schedule of musicians available on their website at www.redfishlake.com.  The evenings are fun, festival, and delicious. The menu features their famous Prime Rib, but for a more local bite go for the Ruby Red Idaho Trout.

For more information about Redfish Lake, visit www.redfishlake.com or call them at  208-774-3563.

The Sawtooth Hotel in Stanley, Idaho

It was built back in 1931 and since then has passed through a variety of owners, including the College of Idaho, which used it for writing workshops and environmental studies. In 2004, however, the college sold it to now current-owners Tim and Becky Cron. The first thing the new owners did was bring the hotel into the 21^st century with a major restoration that took three years to complete but now leaves the hotel as charming as ever.

Included in their renovations was the addition of a new commercial kitchen and dining area. Visitors can indulge in their brunch and dinner menus, which include the likes of Ham and Smoked Gouda Sandwiches, Soups, Huevos Rancheros, Sauteed Coho Salmon, and Cornmeal Encrusted Chicken.

The Sawtooth Hotel is located at 755 Ace of Diamonds Street in downtown Stanley, Idaho. It is within easy walking distance of the dirt airstrip, fly fishing shop, grocery store, and various restaurants and bars.

View Larger Map

Contact the Sawtooth Hotel:
Visit them online at www.sawtoothhotel.com
Call them at 208-721-2459
Find them at 755 Ace of Diamonds Street

Staying in the Grandjean area will give you a view of the Sawtooth range not commonly seen. The Sawtooth Lodge (www.sawtoothlodge.com) is at the base of the western side of the mountains. The road you take to get to Grandjean dead-ends at the resort, however a well maintained trail continues further up the Payette, allowing for easy access to some of the best views of the Sawtooth Mountains.

The Sawtooth Lodge in Grandjean offers rustic cabins, a large hot-spring heated pool, and ample camping space for a large party. In August of 2010, a group of Middle Fork of the Salmon guides descended upon Grandjean for a fellow guide’s wedding. With over 200 people in attendance, Grandjean fit the bill perfectly. To top it off, the South Fork of the Payette is gorgeous in this area and the hotsprings that speckle its banks only add to the surreal beauty.

If you find yourself in an exploratory mood, Grandjean could be the perfect destination for an afternoon or even a weekend get-away.

How to get to Grandjean from Stanley:

1)    Head south on Highway 21.
2)    After 36 miles on Highway 21, turn left on Grandjean Road.
3)    Continue roughly 6 miles until you see a few cabins and lodge.

How to get to Grandjean from Boise:

1.     Head north on Highway 21.
2.     After 54 miles on Highway 21, turn right on Grandjean Road.
3.     Continue roughly 6 miles until you see a few cabins and lodge.

Mountain Village also offers a full service restaurant and lounge. The restaurant features breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Service is friendly and quick The food is good and varied.

Mountain Village Resort, is easily accessible at the junctions of State Highway 21 and State Highway 75. They are located at the intersection of three designated scenic routes, the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway, the Sawtooth Scenic Byway and the Salmon River Scenic Byway. Just 60 miles north of Sun Valley.
Mountain Village Resort
P.O. Box 150
Stanley, ID 83278
Phone: 208-774-3661
Reservations: 800-843-5475
Email: info@mountainvillage.com

The ranch property was originally a homestead by a pioneer to the Stanley Basin named Dave Williams. The homestead was purchase in 1929 by an executive of the Frigidaire Corporation, Winston Paul who had the lodge and cabins built and then formed the Idaho Rocky Mountain Club.  A private retreat by invitation only.  The third owner was Ed Bogert, an automobile dealer from Pocatello, Idaho.  With that purchase a new era began. instead of a private ranch it became a guest ranch. With the passing of Mr. Bogert his daughter Rozalys Smith took over the operation. The tradition of a family guest ranch continued until 2005.  Today, as in the past it is a family owned and operated guest ranch. Steve and Courtney Kapp and David Singer and Diana Kapp run the ranch to insure the preservation of the history and guest operation which continues  bringing people from all walks of life to a truely awesome  part of Idaho.

The folks at Solitude River Trips heartidly recomend a stay at this truley unique and friendly ranch with the most beautiful view of the Sawtooth Mountains. Their warm hospitallity and that of their staff make you feel  like one of the family. Great food, great music, great things to do.

Contact Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch at the following:

ICMR Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch, HC 64 Box 9934. Stanley, Idaho 83278. Phone: 1-208-774-3644. Fax: 1-208-774-3477. E-Mail: Info@IdahoRocky.com Web Site: www.IdahoRocky.com

Happy Trails,

While spendnng time at the ranch why not extend your vacation and come float and fish the Middle Fork of the Salmon River for 5 nights and 6 days and 100 miles of wilderness with Solitude River Trips. Visit Solitude at www.RiverTrips.com