Enjoy Mountains, Hot Springs, and Small-Town Charm in Stanley, Idaho

What to Do

No matter the time of year, there’s always plenty to do in Stanley. From summer activities like hiking, fishing, and river rafting to winter activities like snowmobiling and hot springing to year-round events, Stanley has a little something for everyone.

Those interested in hiking and biking can rent gear, including both regular and mountain bikes in town, and buy guidebooks and trailmaps at many of the stores in town. The Stanley Trails app is available in the App Store and on iTunes and is a great guide for hiking and biking.

Guides are available for hire for hiking, climbing, mountain lake fishing, and skiing from Sawtooth Mountain Guides. White Cloud Outfitters can provide guided hiking, backpacking, horseback trail-riding, fishing, hunting, and river floating trips. A number of companies offer guiding for just river rafting trips and ATVs are also available for rent in Stanley.

Hiking up to an alpine lake is one of the most classic activities to do in Stanley in the warmer months. Some of the more popular hikes are Alice Lake and Sawtooth Lake, both moderate hikes.

Stanley is also host to a number of annual events both in summer and winter such as the Mountain Mamas craft fair, Sawtooth Valley Gathering music festival, and Stanley Winterfest.

For winding down after a long day in the mountains, head to one of the roughly 23 hot springs in the area, several of which are right within town.

Where to Eat

For a town only serving a yearly population of less than 100, Stanley has an array of food choices between its seven restaurants.

The Bridge Street Grill is a family-owned and family-run open daily for lunch and dinner. The only restaurant in Stanley located right on the Salmon River, meals on the deck in the warmer months are a real treat and often include live music. Mountain Village Resort and Saloon serves up classic American fare with full-service breakfast, lunch, and dinner year-round, seven days a week. In winter, enjoy eating in their rustic dining room and in summer, take in the views from their sunny deck. For those looking for fun on a Friday night, the Saloon has large flat-screen TVs, a pool table, Foosball table, outdoor seating and fire pit, occasional karaoke nights, and happy hour from 4-6pm. Food is also served late-night at the Saloon. Stanley’s main bar, the Kasino Club also serves dinner. More casual bites can be grabbed from Papa Bruneeswhere serves up classic sub sandwiches and pizza or the famous Stanley Bakery, an establishment so well-known for its homemade food and amazing pastries that in the summer lines are often out the door. The Bakery serves breakfast and lunch seven days a week from the second week of May through the third week of October. Perhaps the finest dining in town is to be found at the Sawtooth Hotel which only serves dinner. While the atmosphere is casual, the quality of food is anything but with every homemade dish made with only the freshest, local ingredients. The Redd Square Restaurantfeatures classic lunch and dinner dishes with a twist like snap pea slaw, beer-battered Idaho Rainbow Trout, or shrimp and andouille sausage jambalaya. The restaurant serves wine as well as a rotating selection of craft beers with a focus on Idaho’s best breweries. The Sun Beam Café is part of White Otter Rafting’s outfit and makes for a great meal before or after rafting the river, or anytime! Beam serves local, organic, seasonal, and sustainable breakfast, lunch, and dinner June through August. Their season and menu are both short but well worth it!

Where to Shop

Shopping is Stanley is relatively limited but you’ll find everything you need right in town. For groceries and gas, visit the Lower Stanley Country Store or Mountain Village Mercantile which also carries sporting goods, hunting/fishing licenses, and liquor.

For a fun souvenir, check out the Sawtooth Spirit, a unique retail store with apparel and footwear, craft beer and regional wine, and artisanal food items. The Riverwear store rents camping and river equipment as well as mountain bikes and stand up paddleboards and sells goods ranging from apparel to gear to anything else you might need (and more!) for the Stanley area. The Stanley Fly Shop has all your fishing gear and rental needs while those looking to take home a unique piece of art from a true Idaho artist can visit the Gerheim Gallery.