Topic: Best Place to Stay in Sawtooth Mountains/North Idaho on a Budget?

[Evergreen]

Hey, I am still planning my little adventure to Idaho and I am hoping to be able to see as many scenic places as I can on my little journey.  I've been stuck in the state of Oregon for years and will be happy to finally get out and see somewhere new for a change.  My trip will start out in Boise, where I will explore the metro area, as I am planning on relocating there. After that, I will head up north for the mountains and hopefully get to enjoy some nice mountain scenery and do some mountain hiking, which I am have been so eager to do.

The one issue I am facing is money.  Yeah, I really am on a tight budget and considering I may stay in Idaho for about a 2 -4 weeks or so, I really need to stay on the tightest budget possible.  My desire is to find a place that is clean, quiet, not run-down or full of drug-addicts and that is not overly expensive.  I've found a few cheap motels to stay in the Boise area, but once I leave and go into the mountain areas it appears there is a lot of very expensive resort places that I am hoping to avoid.  I'm thinking I'd like to find places under $70 a night and the cheaper the better, as long as I don't end up in a flea pit.  

I'm thinking after Boise, I will venture up to the Sawtooth Mountains, then from there I may either go back home or journey up north to Northern Idaho and possibly Western Montana.  I was considering seeing the Bitterroot Mountains.  I'm thinking I will hold off on seeing Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Glacier until next year, when I am hopefully living closer in Idaho.  Yeah, it's a real heartbreak, but my work and income won't allow me to travel everywhere I wish I could go.   So, after the Sawtooths, I may go up to Challis or skip that and head up to Coeur d'Alene, then to Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry.  It all depends on the time it takes and what places are available for me to stay.  

Anyway, I appreciate any input people can give me here.  I've not been to Idaho since I was a kid, over 20+ years ago, so I just got to figure the place out.  

Also, if anyone knows good hiking trails where I can see nice mountain scenery near Stanley, ID in Sawtooths I'd be interested to hear.  I guess nice hiking trails will be easy enough to find in North Idaho, as the lakes probably host a great deal of outdoor recreation and amenities.

[ida83704]

it is way cheaper if you are willing to tent it, if not free.

I'm not aware of any crackhead campgrounds in Idaho

[fj40mojo]

I'll 2nd the camping idea. Cheap and if there are bed bugs you brought 'em. Not much to see in Challis, but Salmon on the other hand is something else, I may be biased. You can make a nice loop north into the Bitterroot Valley to Lolo then back across at Highway 12 on the Lochsa or go further north to Rose Lake  and the Chain lakes south of Couer d'Alene back through St Maries and down the west edge of Idaho's Palouse country. There is another route from St Regis MT over to Avery ID and down the St Joe river to St. Maries but that one involves some primative roads.

[idahobuckeye]

There is a great trail at Stanley Lake inlet that will take you along the base of the Sawtooths to Bridalveil Falls and up to McGowan Peak.  Great scenery and chance to spot some great wildlife along the way.  Here is a link also explaining some great hikes in the Sawtooth NF.

http://www.summitpost.org/observation-peak/690885

[Evergreen]

I know I feel stupid, but I haven't been camping in years.  Actually, I don't know if I even have all the proper equipment anymore to do camping.  When I was younger, I actually would go hike out in the mountains with a tent and all my gear and go camping, but I just haven't had the time.  Camping sounds like a great idea, but I just don't have the know how or the time to figure out to setup a camping trip.  Basically, I'm just looking to stay at a cheap motel where I can go explore the area by driving and do some day hiking trips.  In Oregon, also most campgrounds and campsites are reserved months in advance, so it is also hard to find a good camping spot where I live.  Maybe in Idaho, it would be easier, but I am not sure how it all works out in the various areas I am looking to explore.  Maybe, by next year, I will be more camping saavy and get more prepared for that type of trip.   Also, I'd probably be bringing a rifle with me, as I plan on doing some shooting in Idaho.  I don't really want to leave my gun in my car while I am out camping in the bush.  Also, I don't want to lug it around with me.

Thanks for that link buckeye.. I will certainly read it over. I'd like to learn more about the hiking trails in this area. This looks like some good information.  I love the pictures in this website.  I've never seen the Rocky Mountains before and I am truly at awe at their rugged and jagged beauty.  Despite, some of our glorious peaks, the Cascades just don't have this type of unique landscape of the northern Rockies.

[Grumblecakes]

I've gone into the Stanley area a few times with just a tarp and a sleeping bag as far as camping gear goes. It can get chilli at night buts not to bad in the summer. Just find a nice little spot off the dirt roads. You can roast bacon on a stick so that's pretty much all you need