side view of a bridge crossing over a river lined with trees with mountains in the background — Big Wood River, Ketchum. Photo credit: Idaho Tourism.

an elk eating grass beside a fence, surrounded by trees — Elk in Ketchum. Photo credit: Idaho Tourism.

overhead view of a small town and a river running through a grassy landscape, with mountains in the background — Hiking with a viewpoint of Stanley. Photo credit: Idaho Tourism.

overhead view of a city with green and yellow trees scattered throughout the area, and mountains in the background — Ketchum. Photo credit: Idaho Tourism.

a man standing in a river and fishing, surrounded by a forest of trees — Lake Creek Trailhead, Big Wood River, near Ketchum. Photo credit: Idaho Tourism.

A person at a golf course surrounded by green and gold trees, preparing to swing a golf club. — Trail Creek Golf Course, Sun Valley. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.

a man and a woman carrying fishing rods and walking their dog along the water with mountains in the background — Fly-fishing in Stanley. Photo credit: Idaho Tourism.

an overhead view of a highway snaking through a tree covered landscape with mountains in the background — Galena Summit in the Boulder Mountains, Sawtooth National Forest. Photo credit: Idaho Tourism.

a man with a fishing rod, selecting a fishing lure from a small case — Lake Creek Trailhead, Big Wood River, near Ketchum. Photo credit: Idaho Tourism.

a person walking across a bridge spanning a river lined with trees — Lake Creek Trailhead, Big Wood River, near Ketchum. Photo credit: Idaho Tourism.

side view of a highway passing through a landscape of green and yellow trees — Sawtooth Scenic Byway, near Galena Summit. Photo credit: Idaho Tourism.

two people with mountain bikes on a trail with mountains in the distance — Redfish Lake Loop, near Stanley. Photo credit: Idaho Tourism.

overhead view of lava flows and a crater area beside a highway — Highway 75, Black Butte Crater Area, near Shoshone. Photo credit: Idaho Tourism.

a person with fishing gear walking through a forest of trees — Lake Creek Trailhead, Big Wood River, near Ketchum. Photo credit: Idaho Tourism.

A forest of trees with mountains in the background. — Iron Creek Trailhead, Sawtooth Mountains, near Stanley. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.

a winding road running alongside a river, surrounded by tree covered mountains — Salmon River, near Stanley. Photo credit: Idaho Tourism.

overhead view of a straight highway crossing through a desert landscape — Highway 75, near Black Butte Crater, near Shoshone. Photo credit: Idaho Tourism.

Several deer standing in a river surrounded by green and yellow trees. — Big Wood River, near Ketchum. Photo credit: Idaho Tourism.

Sawtooth Scenic Byway

Rugged mountain peaks are the star of the show on the Sawtooth Scenic Byway. This route carves its way through the Boulder Mountains, delivering adventurers to the base of the iconic Sawtooth Mountain Range. Keep an eye out for local wildlife like deer, elk and pronghorn antelope, and plan stops along the way to take advantage of the abundant recreation opportunities. When the sun sets, the night skies will take your breath away.

Length

116 miles
187 km

Time

2 hours,
16 minutes

Region

Central Idaho

When to Visit

Year-round

31 Byways. 31 Ways to Be Inspired.

A variety of scenic, natural, historic, recreational, archeological and cultural experiences can be found on Idaho’s 31 scenic byways. View the video to get a taste of the adventures that await you, and start planning your next road trip.

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Road Trip Tips

Turn-by-Turn Directions: From Shoshone, take Idaho 75 north to Stanley.

Full services in: Bellevue, Hailey, Ketchum, Sun Valley and Stanley

Partial Services in: Shoshone

Motorcycle Route: Yes

Full services: When gas, food and lodging are available
Partial services: When gas and a few other facilities are available

Nearby Adventures

Discover some of Idaho’s most breathtaking landscapes or treat yourself to an unforgettable stargazing experience. The Sawtooth Scenic Byway offers plenty of opportunities to explore.