Stanley (Custer County)

Sitting on the Salmon River and surrounded by the Sawtooth and White Cloud Ranges, Stanley—population 69—is the perfect base for accessing Idaho’s beautiful backcountry. From easy day hikes to multi-day backpacking trips and summit expeditions, the trails around town lead to remote wilderness experiences. Don’t forget your fishing pole, as many of the region’s alpine lakes are stocked with trout species, and in the spring steelhead cruise through town on their 900-mile upstream journey. For lakefront accommodations that don’t require a sleeping bag, the historic Redfish Lake Lodge, seven miles from town, has a range of options from simple rooms to large, stand-alone 10-person cabins big enough for the whole family.
In winter, snowmobilers rally to Stanley and its 185+ miles of groomed trails and endless fields of fresh powder—you could spend days zipping around by sled. Most snowmobilers depart from Smiley Creek Lodge, 22 miles south of town, where in the summer you can glamp out in a decked-out tepee. While the mountains really are the draw in Stanley, the town itself has some spots you shouldn’t miss. Stanley Baking Company does epic breakfasts and serves up enormous specialty pancakes, while the riverside Backcountry Bistro specializes in free-range meats and fresh seafood.