Top 20 Lakes in Sawtooth National Forest

For family-friendly experiences, Redfish Lake Marina and Redfish Lake ferry dock and campground are excellent choices. Redfish Lake offers a wide range of activities including camping, fishing, boating, and shoreside dining, with easy accessibility. Alturas Lake is another large glacial lake that is generally less crowded than Redfish, providing a more tranquil family experience with camping options.

Yes, there are several easy hiking options. While many lakes require moderate to challenging treks, you can find easier trails, especially around more accessible lakes like Redfish Lake. For a broader selection of less strenuous routes, explore the Easy hikes in Sawtooth National Forest guide, which includes trails like the White Cloud Peaks Loop and Fourth of July Lake Trail.

For a challenging experience, consider the hike to Goat Lake, an 8-mile trek with significant elevation gain that rewards with dramatic alpine scenery. The Bench Lakes series also offers increasing difficulty, with the path to the fifth lake being much steeper and less defined, leading to solitude at the base of Mount Heyburn. The Cramer Lakes also involve significant elevation gain, often accessed by a boat shuttle across Redfish Lake.

Beyond hiking, the lakes in Sawtooth National Forest offer a variety of activities. Redfish Lake is popular for camping, mountain biking, and water sports, with bike rentals available. Pettit Lake is great for swimming, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. You can also find cycling routes in the area; check out the Cycling in Sawtooth National Forest guide for options like the Stanley Lake loop, or the Gravel biking in Sawtooth National Forest guide for routes like the Redfish Lake Marina loop.

The best time to visit the lakes is typically during the summer months, from late June through early September, when trails are clear of snow and the weather is warm enough for swimming. Many services, like the Redfish Lake ferry, operate during this period. Early season or weekdays can offer more solitude at popular spots like Sawtooth Lake.

Yes, wilderness permits are often required for hiking into the wilderness areas, such as to Alice Lake, Sawtooth Lake, or Alpine Lake. These permits can typically be obtained at trailheads. For example, a permit is needed to enter the wilderness from Pettit Lake & trail junction.

Many of the alpine lakes in the Sawtooth National Forest are clear and cold, but some are suitable for swimming during the warmer summer months. Alice Lake, the largest lake in the Sawtooth Wilderness, has water warm enough for swimming in summer. Pettit Lake is also a great spot for swimming. Redfish Lake offers white sand beaches perfect for enjoying after an activity.

The lakes are set amidst stunning natural beauty, often at the base of chiseled U-shaped granite valleys and jagged, steep peaks. Many are glacial in origin, contributing to their striking beauty and clear waters. You'll find diverse forest landscapes, especially around areas like the Junction Observation Peak/ Trail Creek Lakes, though some areas may be old burn zones with less shade.

Visitors highly appreciate the breathtaking views of the Sawtooth Mountains reflected in the clear waters, the opportunities for solitude, and the wide range of outdoor activities. The convenience of facilities and services at places like Redfish Lake, combined with access to remote wilderness trails, makes the region appealing for diverse interests. The scenic beauty, especially at lakes like Sawtooth Lake and Alice Lake, is a consistent highlight.

Yes, if you're seeking more solitude, Alturas Lake is a great option. It offers similar beautiful views to Redfish Lake but is generally less crowded, making it ideal for those looking for a quieter experience. While Alice Lake is popular, starting from Pettit Lake can help deter some crowds, and the trail to the fifth Bench Lake offers utter solitude.

Yes, some lakes are part of larger loop systems. For example, Alice Lake can be incorporated into longer backpacking loops, such as the Imogene, Toxaway, and Alice Lake Loop. From Pettit Lake & trail junction, you can hike a large loop to visit Edith and Farley Lake. The Sawtooth National Forest also offers various cycling and gravel biking loops that pass by or around lakes.

Parking is available at various trailheads leading to the lakes. For popular spots like Redfish Lake, there are designated parking areas. For trails accessed via a ferry, such as to Cramer Lakes or some Redfish Lake hikes, parking is available at the ferry departure points. Always check for specific parking instructions and any required fees or permits for the trailhead you plan to use.