Things To Do in Stanley Idaho: The Perfect 5 Day Itinerary

I grew up in Texas, where absolutely no one talks about Idaho. Even when the wanderlust bug bit me, Idaho wasn’t on my bucket list. I knew nothing about this state until I finally moved to Washington. Idaho seemed like the place to go for Washingtonians to get away for the week. I was pretty curious as to why, and when I started to research Idaho, I finally realized why. This place is incredible! It has stunning mountains, lakes, hot springs, rivers, and rolling hills. It is a remarkable place to visit, and I honestly can’t wait to come back and explore some more. Stanley is the town we stayed in during our visit, and it is perfect if you are a mountain lover. You get quick access to Sawtooth National Forest, and there are many hot springs located nearby. Keep reading on to find out the best things to do in Stanley, Idaho. You are going to LOVE this itinerary that I have made for you 🙂

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission (for which I am very grateful for) at no extra cost to you.

Weather

When it comes to the weather in Stanley, let me just say that it is pretty insane. We got there at the end of June beginning of July, and it snowed on us! Not like a little bit of powder but a whole lot of powder. So I just want to warn you that your plans might be interrupted by snow no matter what time of year.

• Summer: This is the best time to go (July and August mainly), the weather is warm, snow is melted and hikes are accessible. The early mornings are still kind of chilly so you can soak in the hot springs. The summer does bring crowds though!
• Fall: Precipitation is high during this time and crowds are lower. But the days are chillier. This is a great time to hike and to see fall foliage.
• Winter: Expect a ton of snow so the best thing to do during this time is some backcountry or cross-country skiing. It is highly recommended to have some avalanche training before this or you can hire someone to take you.
• Spring: This is the second most popular time to visit. Snow is beginning to melt and you can start to do some fantastic hikes. Just note that most of the lakes will probably still be frozen.

Where To Stay

• Redfish Lake Lodge: If we didn’t have our dog, we probably would have stayed here (no dogs allowed). This is the best place to stay in Stanley and is located next to Redfish Lake. Redfish Lake is so beautiful, and staying in a lodge right next to this lake would be a dream. They offer many types of accommodations, like large family cabins, small cabins, and regular hotel rooms. >>>Check Prices Here
• Redfish Riverside Inn: This hotel is fantastic because it is located right next to the river and has fantastic views. There are balconies so you can relax outside and drink a nice glass of wine. >>>Check Prices Here
• Mountain Village Lodge: We stayed at Mountain Village Lodge and loved our stay here. The reasons are: it is less expensive, they allow dogs, and they have one of the best hot tubs I have ever experienced! The rooms were ok, but we were only there to sleep, so I didn’t mind. >>>Check Out This Awesome Place Here

How To Get There

The easiest way to get to Stanley is to fly into Boise, Idaho. From there, rent a car and drive around 2 hours and 43 min (130 miles). Since we live in Seattle, WA, we drove, and it was a ten-hour drive for us. Stanley is out of the way from everything, but trust me! It is worth visiting this magnificent place.

Where To Eat

Some of my favorite places to eat include:

• Papa Brunee’s: A great place for Pizza after a long day of hiking.
• Mountain Village Resort Restaurant & Saloon: We ate here for breakfast and dinner, and it was very good. We loved sitting outside on beautiful days.
• Stanley Baking Company: OMG, we were obsessed with this breakfast place. We came here three times for coffee and breakfast.
• Stanley Scoops Ice Cream: I am not the biggest fan of Ice Cream, but I am a massive fan of huckleberries! I had to try their huckleberry ice cream, and it was delish!
• Redfish Lake Lodge Restaurant and Gazebo: We ate at the Gazebo for the Fourth of July so we could enjoy the beautiful views and sun around the lake!

What To Pack

Hiking

1. Sunscreen: Super important and it is part of the ten essentials! I did get sunburnt while hiking in Idaho  >Buy Sunscreen
2. Chapstick: This one has SPF so your lips won’t get burned in this hot sun! >Check Out This Chapstick
3. Hiking Boots/Shoes: If you use tennis shoes, you can easily hurt your toes hitting a rock by accident (Trust me, I have done it so many times before). >Check Out My Hiking Shoes
4. Hiking socks: Having the correct socks helps prevent getting blisters. Smart Wool is probably my favorite brand out there. 🙂 >Buy Hiking Socks
5. Water Reservoir: Water reservoirs help prevent getting dehydrated while hiking. The great thing about this reservoir is that it doesn’t have the plastic taste. >Here Is My Water Reservoir
6. Water: Stay nice and hydrated.
7. Sunglasses: It can get sunny, so make sure to pack some sunglasses. >Check Out These Sunglasses
8. Snacks: The best snacks are jerky, nuts, and energy bars. Clif Bars are great for hiking.
9. Camera: The Sony A6000 was one of the first cameras I started traveling with. The Sony A6000 is an excellent camera for people that want to start improving at travel photography.  >Buy Sony Camera Here
10. First Aid Kit: This is one of the first things I bought when I first started going on adventures. It is super portable. >Buy This Awesome First Aid Kit Here
11. Day Pack to carry all your things: To carry all your gear, water, and food, you need a good backpack. Osprey is known to have some of the best backpacks in the market. >Buy This Great Quality Backpack
12. Headlamp: A headlamp is an absolute must in case you get stranded in the dark! It is a lot more portable and easier to use than a flashlight. >Buy A Headlamp Now
13. Leggings or Hiking Pants: I always wear leggings while hiking because it is what I feel most comfortable with! >Click For My Favorite Hiking Leggings
14. Breathable sweat-wicking shirts: Cotton shirts soak up your sweat when hiking, so make sure to wear something breathable. >Check out this awesome breathable shirt here.
15. Mid Base Layer: If you are hiking in the fall or spring, this might be a great idea. >Check Out My Sweater Here
16. Sports Bra: For women.
17. Jacket: I always have a jacket in my backpack, even if it is hot. I do it just in case of an emergency.  >Buy The Jacket I wore On This Trip!
18. Rain Jacket: The worst feeling in the world is being wet and cold while hiking. You can get hypothermia, so always carry a poncho or a rain jacket. It did rain and snow on us while in Idaho. Don’t be fooled by my sunny pictures. >Check Out My Rain Jacket Here
19. Tripod: This is an optional item, but it is excellent for getting the ideal sunset pictures. >Check out this tripod
20. Knife: I always carry a knife in my backpack just in case. >Check Out My Knife Here

Backpacking

1. Tent: I have had this Nemo 2 Person tent for years, and it packs so small, and it is light! >Buy The Nemo Backpacking Tent
2. Jet Boil: This is a portable mini stove that will boil water for you. This is great if you are bringing dry food >Buy My Jet Boil
3. Propane for Jet Boiler: You can buy this at Walmart or REI on the way to your campground.
4. Sleeping Pad: A sleeping pad is pretty much a small, packable inflatable mattress. I have tried many types of sleeping pads (cheap ones, light ones, comfortable ones), and the one I have linked is probably the best one I have tried. My husband uses this pad. I will mention, it is on the heavier side, so I recommend this for car camping or short/easy backpacking trips. >Check Out My All-Time Favorite Sleeping Pad
5. Dry Food: I am obsessed with this new dry food we tried out on this trip. So good and doesn’t need that much water. >Check Out Here
6. Spork: A spoon and fork in one. >Buy A Spork Now
7. Headlamp: A headlamp is an absolute must! It is a lot more portable and easier to use than a flashlight. >Buy A Headlamp Now
8. Pillows: Pillows can take a lot of room, so I recommend buying an inflatable one. I recently bought this new pillow and it is comfortable, packable, and lightweight. >Buy The Inflatable Pillow
9. Sleeping Bag: One of the most critical aspects of getting a good nights sleep! Bringing a sleeping bag is a must. >Look At Prices
10. Sandals: I hate wearing my hiking shoes when I am hanging around the campsite, so bringing some sandals for leisure is a must for me. I just bought these, and they are super comfortable. Perfect for camping. >Check Out These Sandals
11. Trash Bags: Everything you pack in, you must pack out. Bring a few trash bags with you.
12. Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Medicine & Toiletries >>>Check This Out
13. Water Reservoir: You probably need more water than a water bottles’ worth. I use this when I go camping even if I don’t hike. It saves on waste on buying water bottles or water gallons and it saves money. >Here Is My Water Reservoir
14. Coffee Maker: Y’all this coffee maker is awesome! It comes with a press and cute little cups! >Buy This Awesome Coffee set here
15. Backpacking Backpack: You need it to carry all this stuff! Osprey is the best. >>>Check Out My Backpack Here
16. Water Filter: We did have to filter our water while we were backpacking in Idaho. >>>Check Out My Water Filter Here

Stanley Idaho Map

Things To Do in Stanley Idaho

Day 1 and 2: Alice Lake, Twin Lake, Edith Lake Loop

• Distance: 21.3 miles, 
• Elevation Gain: 4,179 feet,
• Route Type: Loop
• Difficulty: Hard
• Trail Guide: Link 

We attempted this loop as a two-night backpacking trip but sadly had to turn around due to terrible snowy weather. I have backpacked in the snow before, but it was so stormy and miserable we could barely see any views 90% of the time. We decided it was best to turn around. This was at the end of June! So yeah, it can get pretty snowy here in the summer.

If you do have great weather, this is one of the best things to do in Stanley. You don’t have to do the whole 21.3-mile hike, though, and you can opt into only hiking Alice Lake, which is around 11.2 Miles Total – 1600 ft gain. A lot easier but still an all-day activity.

Day 3: Check Out All The Hot Springs

Idaho is known for its fantastic hot springs, but sadly everyone else knows this; it can get pretty crowded. Make sure to arrive around sunrise to get the places all to yourself. I know I know, it can be a pain to get up early, but it is so worth it, I promise! Please note that I have the location of all these springs in the Google Maps above.

Boat Box Hot Springs

This hot spring area is stunning! I loved being here for sunrise and taking in the colors of the valley surrounding me. But let me warn you, it is a tiny area. So at most, three people can be in this box at once and so you might have to wait in line. The best way to avoid this is by getting there super early on a weekday. We got there around sunrise and only had to wait for a nice couple to leave. Then we had it all to ourselves.

Cove Creek Hot Springs

This was probably my least favorite hot spring because the water was too low. We had it to ourselves, but we barely stayed ten minutes. It was still cool to experience it, though. The cool thing about this area is that there is a campsite right next to this hot spring so you can camp and just walk over here whenever you want.

Sun Beam Hot Springs

This was probably my favorite hot spring. The water wasn’t too low, it was a perfect temperature, and there were some wildflowers nearby. Again we had it all to ourselves, but I can see it getting pretty crowded, and it taking away from the experience. Get there early!

Mountain Village Resort

This place was an absolute dream, and we had it all to ourselves for an hour. How did I do it, you might ask? By reserving a spot at the Mountain Village Lodge! If you are a guest at the resort, you can book this spot for free. Make sure to let the front desk know that you want to reserve a place when you arrive. Spots can be limited. They give you a time, and you have the hot springs for an hour.

Other Nearby Hot Springs

• Kirkham Hot Springs – $5 for day use, and you can camp there.
• Goldbug Hot Springs – This hot spring is known to be the most beautiful one in Idaho. The views of the mountains while soaking up the warm water is fantastic. It is a 4-mile round trip hike, and you probably need to get there at sunrise to avoid the crowds. You can camp at the hot springs, but you need to be at least 500 feet away.
• Frenchman’s Hot Springs – I went to Frenchmans to meet up with some friends during sunset. It was crowded and a little far, but it was a fun time chilling with friends.

Day 4: Redfish Lake and Lady Face Trail

Redfish Lake

Redfish lake is a must-visit area! This lake has so many fun activities. You can kayak, relax at the beach, have some drinks and food at the bar or take a hike. Another plus is that the views are outstanding! If you are looking for a relaxing time, this is the place to be. Our group hung out here for the Fourth of July and drank some margaritas while we hung out at the off-leash dog beach.

Fishhook Creek Trail

• Distance: 4.4 miles, 
• Elevation Gain: 275 feet,
• Route Type: Out & Back
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trail Guide: Link 

If you are up to hiking around Redfish Lake, Fishhook is a great place to start! It is pretty easy, short, and perfect for the whole family.

Lady Face Falls Trail

• Distance: 5.3 miles, 
• Elevation Gain: 364 feet,
• Route Type: Out & Back
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trail Guide: Link 

I loved this trail! The best part of the trail, are the views of the mountains in the beginning. As you can see from the pictures above, my dog enjoyed the area as well. The waterfall is beautiful, but please note that not everyone will be able to view it. The waterfall is in an area where you have to scramble down to see it. My group was one of the only people to scramble down. Even if you can’t see the waterfall, I feel like the views, in the beginning, are worth it.

Day 5: Hike To Sawtooth Lake

• Distance: 10 miles, 
• Elevation Gain: 1873 feet,
• Route Type: Out & Back
• Difficulty: Hard
• Trail Guide: Link 

Ok, if I had time for only one thing in this WHOLE list, I would pick this activity in a heartbeat. I LOVED Sawtooth Lake. Keep in mind that I live in Washington, where there are a million colorful lakes, and Sawtooth Lake is probably one of my favorite lakes I have ever seen. The bright blue, sapphire colors were so vibrant that I couldn’t stop staring at it. It kind of reminded me of Crater Lake National Park.

There is also a great lake on the way to Sawtooth Lake called Alpine Lake. It isn’t too hard or too far to get here, so I recommend adding this to your trek. You will eventually hit a junction where there is a sign that says “Alpine Lake”.

Instead of doing a day hike, we opted to backpack and spend the night here. I highly recommend this as you can experience sunrise where the mountains turn orange in the morning light. If you do backpack here, you can also experience other lakes nearby.

You do need a permit to hike or backpack this trail, so make sure you fill out a form at the trailhead.

Final Thoughts On Things To Do Near Stanley Idaho

Thanks for reading about this excellent place in Idaho! Make sure to check out some of my other popular blog posts:

• Utah National Parks Road Trip
• How To Plan A USA National Park Road Trip
• Best USA National Park To Visit This Summer
• 25 Absolute Best Things To Do In Yellowstone National Park
• 13 Stunning Idaho Hot Springs

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