7 Reasons Why Stanley, Idaho Is the Ultimate Road Trip Town
Epic mountain views, picturesque lakes seemingly around every corner, and warm hot springs to rest your muscles after a stunning 10 mile hike. If this mythical place sounds too good to be true, then you haven’t yet been to Stanley, Idaho.
Tucked in a small valley just under the mighty Sawtooth Mountains, Stanley has long been a hidden gem for local Idaho residents and those road trippers who were in the know. While Stanley’s popularity has increased over the years, it is still an incredible place where one can make a home in their camper van in a remote campsite along a pristine river.
With a population of well under 100, Stanley’s small economy relies on tourism during the warm summer months. While this is when most visit, the shoulder seasons are equally as beautiful, with a fraction of the crowds. And for those with a heart for adventure (and very warm clothing), the frigid winter may be Stanley’s most beautiful season.
Still not convinced that Stanley, Idaho should be on your campervan road trip itinerary? Hopefully these 7 reasons sway you to load up your Wandervan and hit the road to make a temporary home in the Sawtooths. Although, you may wind up staying longer than you planned. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
The Views
There is no doubt about it, the small town of Stanley has some of the best views in the United States. The jagged Sawtooth Mountains sit seemingly within arms reach from anywhere in town. No matter where you are, the Sawtooths are always the central focus of your view. To get the best light for your Instagram photos, your comfortable camper van slumber must come to an early end as the sunrise light hits Sawtooths from the town. You will not regret that early alarm however, as you watch the mountains become awash in the early morning light surrounded by complete silence.
While the Sawtooths are best viewed at sunrise from the Stanly area, just a short drive northwest on Highway 21 will give you some incredible views of the sunset light hitting the backside of the Sawtooths.
The Lakes
Lakes, lakes, and even more lakes! The flat area around Stanley is dotted with some of the most beautiful lakes in all of the United States. And that isn’t even counting the nearly 400 Alpine lakes that are spread throughout the vast Sawtooth mountain range.
By far, the most well known and popular is Redfish Lake, and it’s easy to see why. Sitting right at the base of the rising Sawtooths, this large lake is perfect for relaxing with your dog and a drink. Looking for an active relaxation? Rent a stand up paddle board or kayak to soak up the sun while getting the muscles moving. The lake holds the largest collection of developed campsites in the region, but don’t plan on easily getting one for your camper van. The sites during the summer are reserved months in advance, so if you want to park your campervan for a night or two, you are either going to need to plan or get a little lucky.
Pettit Lake, Alturas Lake and Yellowbelly Lake are some other beautiful options, but are a bit further drive south. This extended drive might deter some visitors though, so it’s still possible to get a slice of lakeside paradise all to yourself.
As these lakes are ideal for a casual day on the water, the lakes that live high above in the Sawtooth Mountains are the real jewels of the region, but they aren’t for the lazy.
The Hikes
As mentioned above, the lakes high in the Sawtooth Mountains are the real prize of the region. But, there are no roads to drive your campervan to in this remote and rugged terrain. The only way to access the stunning views and tranquility that these lakes hold is to use mankind’s original form of transportation. Your feet.
The Sawtooth Mountain hiking trails are easily some of the most incredible in the United States, but they are not easy. Thousands of feet of elevation gain and occasional bouldering are needed to be conquered to enjoy the best that the Sawtooths have to offer. While there are some lakes that can be conquered on a long day hike of 7 or more miles, to get the most out of your hiking adventure, you would need to park your campervan and plan a multi-day backpacking trip.
And to reach some of the highest and most remote lakes, you have a small window of opportunity. Show often covers the higher trails until June or July, so the middle and tail end of summer are usually the only times you can complete the more adventurous hikes.
The Hot Springs
After that 3-Day backpacking trip in the Sawtooths, your body has earned itself a little R&R! Luckily for you, Idaho has the most soakable hot springs in the United States, with 130 scattered through the mostly remote landscapes.
Stanley has one of the most beautiful and easy to access hot springs in the west. Sitting behind the Mountain Village Resort, the hot spring has been built to feed into a man-made pool that lies in a charming wood cabin. With the cabin doors open, you can sit and watch the late afternoon clouds swim around the peaks of the Sawtooths while drinking your favorite beverage. Reservations can be made from the hotel lobby and if you get lucky, it might be empty right when you arrive.
The hot spring at the Mountain Village Resort isn’t the only one in town, but the others are so good, you have to work for the location. Make friends with the locals and you may just find yourself soaking in one of the more remote hot springs with no other souls for miles.
The Outdoor Exercise
Sick of riding that Peloton Bike 5 days a week? Head to Stanley and burn even more calories in the fresh mountain air! Hiking, biking, kayaking and Stand Up Paddle boarding await you in the warm summer months. Even in the frigid winter months, where temperatures are often hovering around zero, you can work off that Thanksgiving feast with a long cross country ski adventure or a Fat Bike ride.
Looking for a more relaxing experience? Rent a boat, ATV or snowmobile to cover a lot of ground without pulling a muscle. Stanley has something for everyone. Unless you hate being outside. Then just take in the views from the open back doors of your campervan.
The Camping
Being that you arrived in Stanley, Idaho in your campervan home on wheels, there is no shortage of places to settle down for a couple of days. While there is a number of easy to access developed campsites with restrooms, there is a much larger number of primitive camping sites in the area. Whether it’s along the Salmon River, on the shores of one of the beautiful Alpine lakes, or on the hills above Stanley, there are plenty of options to park your campervan for a night...or seven.
The Solitude
With the gradually uptick in annual visitors to Stanely, I have heard time and time again that it’s getting harder and harder to find solitude. This is simply not the case. Even at its busiest, Stanley is a welcome getaway from the hustle and bustle that engulfs most of our daily lives. With thousands of square miles of wilderness in front of you and a heart for adventure, solitude is everywhere.
Stanley is easily one of my favorite places in not only Idaho, but in all of the United States. A feeling of cleansing and peace can be felt with each breath you take in this forested mountain paradise. Stanley is heaven on earth to those of us who are fortunate enough to be able to visit often. When you first step foot out of your campervan and get your first view of the Sawtooth Mountains, you might just find yourself questioning whether you should ever leave. If you do decide to leave, you can rest assured that the quaint tiny town of Stanley and the mighty Sawtooth Mountains will be waiting to greet you on your next campervan adventure through Idaho.
