Oh, Idaho - Looking for tips and feedback on possible routes through Idaho

[Boudicca908]

Greetings to the Forum! 

I am planning a foray into Idaho this summer and love to hear any thoughts, tips and feedback. I’m not really set on any specific destination, but would love to see the Sawtooth range and find some good hiking and fishing spots.  To begin looking at routes, I used scenic routes suggested by friends who were not towing or camping – so I am not feeling confident in my routes. Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated. 

 I will be approaching from Jackson WY.

o   I am assuming that I should detour south on 191 through Hoback WY, to avoid towing over the steep pass on Rte 22;

o   I drive a 2500 diesel; 

o   My description is broken into segments, since I haven’t located camping spots yet. I might discard segments if the roads aren’t conducive to towing. 

o   I’ve included google map links to the loops, but I know sometimes google doesn’t behave and changes the route I've created.

o   Initially I was looking at driving all the way to Missoula along the Scenic Rte 93, through Hamilton (the first route describe, with 3A below), but there seems to be a lot of switchback mountain driving. And a lot of it is fairly remote. Anyone use this route? Or alternate route?

o   Alternate B cuts this short by taking Rte 21, the Scenic Ponderosa Pine Byway, but it still has a fair amount of remote and mountainous terrain. Anyone tow this route?

o   I may make two separate forays. First, I will take a friend along; we have 9 days total (leaving Tetons NP Day 1, returning to Tetons NP on Day 9).  I may return for a more leisurely route, focused on fishing and hiking, and a return depends on wildfire conditions and heatwaves. 

Sawtooth & Salmon Bitterroot Scenic Route 

1 – head southwest on 26/89 through Alpine, stay W on 26 to Idaho Falls (fuel & food stop) then 20/26 west to Craters of the Moon National Monument (camp if possible, limited FCFS spots);

2 – from 26W, go north on Rte 75 / Gannett Rd through Bellevue then to Ketchum (stop, see historic  Earnest Hemmingway haunts and markers, picnic lunch); drive through Sawtooth NRA and then over Galena Pass Summit (8701ft, a 5 mile descent on the way down, anyone do this towing?) – stop at Galena Pass overlook  (camp possibly at Alturas Lake or farther along at Redfish Lake, or other suggested camp sites along 75);

ALTERNATE 3A – from Stanley 

3A – stay on 75 north/east following the canyons of the Salmon River all the way to a junction with 93 – turn N on 93 and through Challis, Cronks Canyon, Salmon, Lost Trail Pass and Darby – entering Montana. 

4 – on through Hamilton, Lolo (possible camp at Lolo Traveler’s Rest) and to Missoula MT. 

5 – from Missoula, head back to Jackson WY via I-90 S to I-15 S back to 26 E to Jackson. 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/zxxMXZXUwpuSN1GZ7 

Google calculates the route from Jackson WY to Missoula MT approx. 1,020 miles  (too far imo for 9 days)

ALTERNATE 3B – from Stanley 

3B -- take Rte 21, the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway. There is another vista on Stanley Road, about 5 miles away called Elk Mountain Overlook, need to investigate road conditions and towing.  Past Cape Horn near Boise NF, Rte loops SW toward Banner Summit then descends through a narrow steep-walled canyon and then a stop at Sawtooth Overlook (if room to pull in).  

4 – Possible stop at Kirkham Hot Springs (if I can find a place to park) and/or South Fork Payette River (fishing, swimming, possible elk). Through Lowman (stop for historic markers in the area about the 1989 massive 46,000 acre fire) and Idaho City (gold boom town of 1860s)….

5A – Then return from Boise via I-84 / I-15 and then Rte 26. through Shoshone ID (camping somewhere along the Big Lost River or the Snake with fishing)

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Zrc7jKKa2W4xY5m37

Google calculates the route from Jackson through Boise approx. 875mi

Alternate 5B – from Idaho City 

5B – detour to Idaho City Falls & Twin Falls parks for hiking (camp nearby if possible). 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/fMjQZfv5r4kHnYi79

Google calculates the route from Jackson through Twin Falls approx. 870mi

 

 

 

[Galway Girl]

5 hours ago, Boudicca908 said:

1 – head southwest on 26/89 through Alpine, stay W on 26 to Idaho Falls (fuel & food stop) then 20/26 west to Craters of the Moon National Monument (camp if possible, limited FCFS spots);

A nice campground is off 26 in Ririe ID.  It's called Juniper Campground and is on the reservoir with some campsites along the rim with a view of the reservoir.  Other sites have full hookups and beautiful lawns in the park.

https://www.junipercampground.com

 

Bluff view at Juniper CG.

Typical FHU Site in middle of Juniper CG.

 

Another stop on your loop is an Idaho State park called Three Island Crossing SP.

https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/three-island-crossing/

 

It's next door to a winery for wine tasting and a golf course.  It also has a very nice interpretive center.
We've camped here several times as my wife Great Grandfather was a wagon train scout from Missouri that took folks across here 5 different times.

There are a variety of campsites FHU to no Dry Camping in this park and well worth a two day stop.

Interpretive Center in distance:

 

 

 

Typical Campsite at Thee Island Crossing SP

 

There are so many great places in that loop that you'll have no trouble finding great fishing near or at most of the state and NF campgrounds..>Have a great trip.

CS

 

 

 

 

Edited April 19 by Galway Girl
added park web link

[John Dorrer]

Hwy. 12 is a beautiful drive with great wildlife views. The LoLo Hot Springs was a fun night stop and enjoyed the hot springs. We took this route from West Idaho back to Missoula Mt.

[jd1923]

1 hour ago, John Dorrer said:

Hwy. 12 is a beautiful drive…

Looks like a great drive along the Clearwater River. We have Idaho on our short list, this fall or late spring 2026.

Interesting that Utah Hwy 12 is also a scenic drive!

Edited April 27 by jd1923

[John Dorrer]

39 minutes ago, jd1923 said:

Looks like a great drive along the Clearwater River. We have Idaho on our short list, this fall or late spring 2026.

Interesting that Utah Hwy 12 is also a scenic drive!

We drove in via Stanley, camping at a beautiful USFS campground on a canyon near the ranger station. Plenty of hot springs.

 

On through Boise to Ponderosa SP in McCall, ID on a beautiful reservoir, and then North and connecting with Hwy. 12. This will get a return visit probably 2026 or 27.

 

Don't miss Crater of the Moon National Monument

 Beautiful campground in the lava bed.

 

[Rivernerd]

On 4/19/2025 at 11:34 AM, Boudicca908 said:

Initially I was looking at driving all the way to Missoula along the Scenic Rte 93, through Hamilton (the first route describe, with 3A below), but there seems to be a lot of switchback mountain driving. And a lot of it is fairly remote. Anyone use this route? Or alternate route?

I have driven, and towed a trailer many times, on all of the routes you are considering.  I grew up in Idaho and regularly do the rivers accessible from those highways.  You will have absolutely no trouble towing your Elite II with your 2500 on any of those roads.  Just be sure to:  (1) top off your fuel tank(s) just about every chance you get, as there are long, mountainous stretches with no services along those routes and (2) use engine braking (downshift to lower gears) going down steep, long hills.  Relying exclusively on your brakes on these roads can burn them out quickly.

You have correctly prioritized seeing the Sawtooths in Stanley.   I recommend securing a reservation at Redfish Lake, if you can.  Those sites fill up long before summer.  Mid-week, there are often non-reserveable Forest Service sites along the Salmon River on Highway 75 available for a night or two.  Good luck if you get there on a weekend.

If your next priority is great scenery, either your 3A or 3B will provide lots of scenic mountain driving.  3A is more consistently scenic, with fewer miles of sagebrush prairie getting back east to Jackson, through Montana.  Once you get close to Boise on your 3B, it's all sagebrush prairie from there most of the way on I-84/I-15 back to Jackson.

If you choose "3B" through Boise, I agree with Galway Girl that Three Island State Park has good RV camping, not too far off I-84. 

Regarding your "5B" alternative, a stop at Shoshone Falls on the Snake River may be worthwhile as you pass by my hometown, Twin Falls, on I-84.  It is higher than (but not nearly as big as) Niagara Falls.  That said, I recommend finding a place to park your Elite II in town (like at Walmart) before heading down to Shoshone Falls Park, as that paved access road is quite narrow and steep.  That is the one place where I would not want to take our Elite II.

Highway 12 along the Lochsa and the Clearwater (referenced above), although beautiful, is not along the path of either your 3A or 3B.  It would be best seen on another trip through "Scenic Idaho."

Feel free to PM me if you would like to brainstorm your proposed routes, and possible RV camp spots along those routes, on the phone.  I know them all well.

 

Edited April 27 by Rivernerd
Typo

[topgun2]

1 hour ago, Rivernerd said:

You have correctly prioritized seeing the Sawtooths in Stanley.   I recommend securing a reservation at Redfish Lake, if you can.  Those sites fill up long before summer.  Mid-week, there are often non-reserveable Forest Service sites along the Salmon River on Highway 75 available for a night or two.  Good luck if you get there on a weekend.

Don't miss the Yankee Fork which feeds into the Salmon River.  Trout Unlimited and others have done a good job on restoring the Yankee Fork.  A tour of the Dredge (GPS: 44.377737, -114.72268) is in order while here and so is the ghost town of Custer (GPS: 44.38767, -114.69656).  Pole Flat Campground (GPS: 44.30335, -114.72012) is fine with water and pit toilets - the best sites at at the northeast (top) corner of the looped campground road (Forest Service Road 40369).

The last pic below is the hot springs just west of Yankee Fork Road right on the Salmon River (free).

 

Edited April 27 by topgun2
added detail

[John Dorrer]

I found dispersed camping off 20 outside Yellowstone, right on the Henry's Fork. I spent 3 days in the middle of the river with trout rising within feet of me, and didn't get one hit. It was still fun fishing one the top trout streams.

[topgun2]

12 hours ago, John Dorrer said:

I found dispersed camping off 20 outside Yellowstone, right on the Henry's Fork. I spent 3 days in the middle of the river with trout rising within feet of me, and didn't get one hit. It was still fun fishing one the top trout streams.

That's why they call it "fishing" and not "catching"?

Unfortunately, those fish get hit so hard by so many fishermen that they are very well educated (PHD level).  

There are many streams in the Yellowstone area (both inside and outside the Park) that are not as well known but do provide excellent fishing opportunities.

Bill

[Boudicca908]

22 hours ago, Rivernerd said:

Just be sure to:  (1) top off your fuel tank(s) just about every chance you get, as there are long, mountainous stretches with no services along those routes and (2) use engine braking (downshift to lower gears) going down steep, long hills.  Relying exclusively on your brakes on these roads can burn them out quickly.

@Rivernerd -  Thank you for the tips and positive feedback!  I will be mindful of downshifting in the mountains; in Florida, driving is practically all coasting (haha). It's good to know that the Sawtooths are a solid pick for my first foray. Given the timeframe, I am set on the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway (my 3B) plus hiking in Twin Falls. 

Unfortunately, the 'reservable' cg spots around Redfish Lake and Stanely Lake were already full last week; also full at many of the nearby locations, but there are quite a few FF as mentioned, so I am hoping for something to be available.  It will be mid-week when I drive through the area. 

If wildfires or extreme heat don't deter me, I plan to drive back to Idaho later in the summer, making a different pass at fishing and camping. I also found references to the Dark Sky Reserve, though they don't have any events posted online yet for this year. That Highway 12 looks very interesting, as well as the Rte 75 north to Montana. 

23 hours ago, Rivernerd said:

Highway 12 along the Lochsa and the Clearwater

Definitely looks inviting. 

22 hours ago, topgun2 said:

Don't miss the Yankee Fork which feeds into the Salmon River

I think I may take this route later in the summer. I remember that you mentioned the dredge on another thread, and it looks really interesting. Plus, the FISHING! Yay! 

On 4/27/2025 at 12:36 PM, John Dorrer said:

Don't miss Crater of the Moon National Monument

@John Dorrer - Crater of the Moon is my first stop - the camping is limited and FF, and I will be arriving on a Sunday, so fingers crossed! 

Thank you all for your input! 

[Zodd]

For your 3B route you also pass the Atomic Museum Experimental Breeder Reactor-I.

Quote

The facility, a National Historic Landmark where usable electricity was first generated from nuclear energy in 1951, is the only place in America you can see four nuclear reactors — including two aircraft nuclear propulsion prototypes, a reactor control room and much more.

If that type of history is of interest to you I highly recommend it. We enjoyed the self-directed tour a lot and found it very educational. 

We also did Craters of the Moon last year and hiked into the Lava Caves which was very enjoyable. If the weather turns hot while you are there make sure to bring water as it can get very hot in the sun walk over all the black lava rock. It is very cool scenery. 

While in Twin Falls along with the Shoshone Falls Park the Scenic View Perrine Coulee Waterfall is cool as well.