Summer and fall activities within SNRA include fishing , hiking , mountain climbing , nature trails , wildlife viewing , mountain biking , bird watching , canoeing, kayaking and whitewater floatboating . Most trails within the Sawtooth NRA are open to mountain bike users, with the exclusion of wilderness trails. Other trails are open to motorized off-road vehicles. Many of the lakes on the SNRA are open to motorized boating . The SNRA also contains the headwaters of the Salmon River, which is a floatboater's paradise.
Redfish Lake is a wonderful place for sail boating.
Family camping attracts more recreationists to the Sawtooth National Recreation Area than any other single activity . There are 37 developed campgrounds with a total of 700 individual sites along the Salmon River, in the Stanley, Redfish, and Alturas Lake areas and in the Wood River Valley. Camping outside of developed campgrounds is allowed with some restrictions The Sawtooth NRA is heaven for those looking for scenic drives . Tape tours are available from the SNRA headquarters, the Stanley Ranger Station and the Ketchum Ranger Station. This tape tour describes the Forest Service management of the SNRA, geology, history and natural history.