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:

🌤
50°F
High: 50° | Low: 33°
Current Temperature
Station: KSNT
Observed at: 6:51 pm CST on 11/12/26
Wind: 10 mph | Humidity: 26%
Tonight:Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. South wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Friday:Partly sunny. High near 44, with temperatures falling to around 40 in the afternoon. South southeast wind around 13 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Friday Night:Rain and snow after 7pm. Mostly cloudy. Low around 29, with temperatures rising to around 33 overnight. South southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
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Today’s Report:

🥾 Hiking

Good
  75 /100

Good for hiking. High near 43°F. Low rain risk (4%). Light wind (13 mph).

  • Temp: Marginal weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Not Recommended 3/100
Not Recommended for hiking. High near 31°F. High rain probability (72%). Temperatures outside comfort limits (31°F).

🚲 Biking

Not Recommended
  20 /100

Not Recommended for biking. High near 43°F. Low rain risk (4%). Light wind (13 mph). Temperatures outside comfort limits (43°F).

  • Temp: Unfavorable weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Not Recommended 3/100
Not Recommended for biking. High near 31°F. High rain probability (72%). Temperatures outside comfort limits (31°F).

⛺ Camping

Good
  78 /100

Good for camping. High near 43°F. Low rain risk (4%). Light wind (13 mph).

  • Temp: Marginal weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Not Recommended 3/100
Not Recommended for camping. High near 31°F. High rain probability (72%). Temperatures outside comfort limits (31°F).

🛶 Paddling

Not Recommended
  12 /100

Not Recommended for paddling. High near 43°F. Low rain risk (4%). Breezy winds (13 mph). Temperatures outside comfort limits (43°F).

  • Temp: Unfavorable weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Marginal weather factor
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Not Recommended 4/100
Not Recommended for paddling. High near 31°F. High rain probability (72%). Temperatures outside comfort limits (31°F).

🛷 Sledding / Snowshoeing

Fair
  68 /100

Fair for sledding / snowshoeing. High near 43°F. Low rain risk (4%). Light wind (13 mph).

  • Temp: Marginal weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Not Recommended 20/100
Not Recommended for sledding / snowshoeing. High near 31°F. High rain probability (72%).

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

🌤
50°F
High: 50° | Low: 33°
Current Temperature
Station: KSNT
Observed at: 6:51 pm CST on 11/12/26
Wind: 10 mph | Humidity: 26%
Fri ⛅
44° 29°
4%
Sat ❄
33° 22°
72%
Sun ⛅
37° 26°
4%
Mon ❄
37° 25°
62%
Tue ❄
35° 21°
50%
Wed ❄
33° 20°
50%
Thu ❄
32° --°
53%

7-Day High Temperature Trend

44° Fri 33° Sat 37° Sun 37° Mon 35° Tue 33° Wed 32° Thu

7-Day Low Temperature Trend

29° Fri 22° Sat 26° Sun 25° Mon 21° Tue 20° Wed 50° Thu

📊 7-Day Outdoor Outlook

Good Fair Poor 20 Fri 19 Sat 20 Sun 19 Mon 19 Tue 19 Wed 19 Thu
Forecast data from the National Weather Service  |  Last Updated: November 12, 2026 10:42 pm CST

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.