Sawtooth National Recreation Area, ID

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Sawtooth Valley in Sawtooth National Recreation Area / Sawtooth National Forest from Galena Summit, Idaho, USA
Sawtooth Valley in Sawtooth National Recreation Area / Sawtooth National Forest from Galena Summit, Idaho, USA. Image by Acroterion via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Today’s Forecast:

🌤
56°F
High: 56° | Low: 37°
Current Temperature
Station: KSNT
Observed at: 5:51 pm CDT on 9/26/26
Wind: 6 mph | Humidity: 28%
This Afternoon:Partly sunny, with a high near 50. West southwest wind around 6 mph.
Tonight:Mostly cloudy. Low around 37, with temperatures rising to around 39 overnight. Southwest wind around 6 mph.
Sunday:Cloudy, with a high near 55. Southwest wind around 6 mph.
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Today’s Report:

🥾 Hiking

Excellent
  100 /100

Excellent for hiking. High near 55°F. Low rain risk (6%). Light wind (6 mph).

  • Temp: Favorable conditions
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Excellent 100/100
Excellent for hiking. High near 56°F. Low rain risk (7%). Light wind (6 mph).

🚲 Biking

Excellent
  87 /100

Excellent for biking. High near 55°F. Low rain risk (6%). Light wind (6 mph).

  • Temp: Marginal weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Excellent 89/100
Excellent for biking. High near 56°F. Low rain risk (7%). Light wind (6 mph).

⛺ Camping

Excellent
  100 /100

Excellent for camping. High near 55°F. Low rain risk (6%). Light wind (6 mph).

  • Temp: Favorable conditions
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Excellent 100/100
Excellent for camping. High near 56°F. Low rain risk (7%). Light wind (6 mph).

🛶 Paddling

Not Recommended
  23 /100

Not Recommended for paddling. High near 55°F. Low rain risk (6%). Light wind (6 mph). Temperatures outside comfort limits (55°F).

  • Temp: Unfavorable weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Not Recommended 23/100
Not Recommended for paddling. High near 56°F. Low rain risk (7%). Light wind (6 mph). Temperatures outside comfort limits (56°F).

About Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Sawtooth National Recreation Area is an Idaho destination for a flagship recreation area with trails, lakes, campgrounds, and winter routes.

Make the Most of a Sawtooth National Recreation Area Day

Match the route, launch, facility, or turnaround time to wind, precipitation, temperature, smoke, water, snow, road access, and daylight. Keep a shorter or more sheltered backup ready.

Weather Tips for Sawtooth National Recreation Area

  • Check official access notices, alerts, road or trail conditions, fire restrictions, and local forecasts before leaving.
  • Check river flow, reservoir wind, cold-water conditions, waves, lightning, and verified local ice reports before water plans; no forecast alone proves that ice is safe.
  • Carry layers, water, navigation, sun protection, and seasonal traction or flotation appropriate to the activity.
  • Allow extra time for remote roads, mountain passes, wildfire smoke, spring runoff, and limited winter daylight.

Nearby Towns and Areas

This page can also be useful when planning outdoor time near:

  • Stanley Basin
  • Galena Summit
  • Alturas Lake
  • Redfish Lake
  • White Cloud Mountains

Plan Around the Conditions

Choose the safest version of a Sawtooth National Recreation Area day by matching the activity to current wind, precipitation, temperature, smoke, water or snow conditions, access, and daylight.

7-Day Forecast for Sawtooth National Recreation Area

🌤
56°F
High: 56° | Low: 37°
Current Temperature
Station: KSNT
Observed at: 5:51 pm CDT on 9/26/26
Wind: 6 mph | Humidity: 28%
Sat ⛅
50° 37°
0%
Sun ☁
55° 38°
6%
Mon ⛅
56° 34°
7%
Tue ☀
59° 38°
0%
Wed ☀
59° 37°
0%
Thu ☀
61° 39°
0%
Fri ☀
59° 37°
1%

7-Day High Temperature Trend

50° Sat 55° Sun 56° Mon 59° Tue 59° Wed 61° Thu 59° Fri

7-Day Low Temperature Trend

37° Sat 38° Sun 34° Mon 38° Tue 37° Wed 39° Thu 37° Fri

📊 7-Day Outdoor Outlook

Good Fair Poor 70 Sat 100 Sun 100 Mon 100 Tue 100 Wed 100 Thu 100 Fri
Forecast data from the National Weather Service  |  Last Updated: September 26, 2026 7:54 pm CDT

Sawtooth National Recreation Area Weather by Season

Winter

Winter at Sawtooth National Recreation Area can bring snow, ice, wind, short daylight, and rapidly changing road or trail access. Confirm grooming, avalanche information, ice conditions, and facility operations for the listed winter activities.

Spring

Spring brings freeze-thaw mud, snowmelt, high rivers, cold water, and lingering mountain snow. Lower routes usually open well before high passes and backcountry trailheads.

Summer

Summer usually offers the broadest access, but dry heat, thunderstorms, lightning, wildfire smoke, fire restrictions, reservoir wind, and cold mountain water can alter plans.

Fall

Fall brings cooler air, shorter daylight, hunting-season awareness, and early snow at elevation. Confirm seasonal services and allow extra travel time on remote roads.

Key Climate Data Points

  • Annual average temperature: around 35–41°F, using the relevant local and elevation context.
  • Annual snowfall: commonly 70–150 inches in valleys and much more in high terrain.
  • Warmest months: July and August are normally warmest.
  • Coolest months: December and January are typically coolest.
  • Wettest season: winter and spring usually provide the greatest mountain precipitation, with local variation.
  • Driest season: midsummer is generally driest, despite isolated thunderstorms.
  • Best outdoor window: June through October for warm-season access, with midwinter best at established winter destinations.