The The Sawtooth National Recreation Area Visitor Center offers focused natural-history exhibits and short interpretive films that introduce the region’s human and ecological story. One highlight is the history of the Tukudika, or “Eaters of Mountain Sheep,” a mountain-adapted band of the Shoshone. Wildlife displays cover species encountered in the Sawtooths, including gray wolves and mountain goats. Botanical exhibits help riders identify dominant forest types—Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, subalpine fir, and Engelmann spruce—as well as riparian cottonwood and aspen stands. Seasonal wildflower panels feature lupine, fireweed, elephant’s head, and alpine forget-me-nots. ardian buckwheat.

Boulder Peak comes into view along the route. At nearly 11,000 feet in elevation, Boulder Peak is the most visible of the Boulder Mountains. The area drains to the Big Wood River via creeks like Boulder Creek. While it is only the 127th tallest peak in Idaho, it is steep and rugged and provides a stunning view into the deep wild areas of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.

Open seasonally from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Easley Hot Springs have soothed aching muscles for a very long time. Originally dug out by John V. Easley, there was a log house to provide miners a place to stay and clean up. With the decline in mining, the hot springs fell into disrepair. Then, in 1919, a Baptist Convention noticed the hot water in the river, and eventually petitioned the Forest Service for a permit in order to rebuild the facilities. Over the next century, Easley Hot Springs has seen many renovations as time and nature have taken its tolls. Nevertheless, it’s worth a stop to feel the warm water.

Founded as a mining town in 1879, Galena served the Wood River Valley with several hotels, stables, a meat market, and the Daisy Saloon. But when the veins of ore dried up in the 1890s, Galena was abandoned and left virtually a ghost town. In the early 1900s, with interest in outdoor recreation growing, the Galena Store served folks coming to visit the “Switzerland of America.” It became a Lodge in the 1960s, catering to skiers and other visitors. Continuing this tradition today, Galena Lodge offers guests a quiet place to enjoy the scenery, eat good food, rent gear, or stay overnight.

“A roadhouse once stood in the meadow before you, serving as a way station for the first mail carrier of the north valley corridor.” According to local legend and lore, the ghost of Russian John visits campers and, as he is apparently a prankster, rearranges their campsites.

The Pioneer Mountains are home to America’s first Backcountry ski hut. Built in 1937 by Averell Harriman, the Pioneer Cabin was modeled after the high-country touring huts used in the European Alps. Around the same time that the cabin was built, Harriman also began construction of Sun Valley Lodge and Resort, complete with groomed trails, and the world’s first modern chair lifts.