Backpacking the Sawtooth Mountains Toxaway Lake Loop
New pencils, paper, soccer cleats and wardrobe. It's mid-late August and the summer is winding down and kids are preparing for the new year. The hot days of summer make a perfect time to go backpacking in the cool alpine mountains. Yellowstone was the initial destination idea, but getting permits proved to be an obstacle. The Sawtooth mountains are close and have a flexible permitting process to accommodate our impromtu trip. With a little bit of research I decided backpacking the Sawtooth Mountains Toxaway Lake loop from Yellow Belly Lake to Toxaway Lake.
Yellow Belly - Toxaway Lake - Alice Lake Loop
Backpacking the Toxaway to Alice Lake Loop looked like a good option for a 3 night camping trip. I was planning on taking a kiddo and didn't want the trip to feel like never ending death march. This loop looked manageable with short day 6.5 mile hikes between campsites and not too much elevation gain. When we got there and saw the trail for the 1st time not on a digital screen, I was relieved to know that my trip idea was perfect. The trails in the Sawtooth National Recreation area are like national park trails smooth and obstacle free. The campsites were situated all along the side of the main trail. This is nice because if you can't make the distance you planned, there are many nice camping spots along the way.
43.99079, -114.90440
43.96408, -114.96890
Fishing is excellent with easy access and beautiful streams and lakes along the way. We fished several lakes and had good luck catching during the whole backpacking trip. We used a collapsable fishing pole with a bobber and fly.
Fishing Regulations: https://idfg.idaho.gov/sites/default/files/seasons-rules-fish-2025-2027.pdf
pg 46-48
Pg 78 non-resident license
Grizzly bears: camping in grizzly bear country is more work and safer in groups of multiple adults. By more work I mean and added level of awareness and extra effort in food preparation/storage. The Sawtooths have black bears which still require attention to food prep and storage but the same level of added awareness you need in grizzly country. Although we're no strangers to camping in grizzly bear country, I prefer not to, especially with just me and my kiddo. Are there grizzly bears in the Sawtooth mountains?
According to Google:
No, grizzly bears are not typically found in Idaho's Sawtooth Mountains; they are mainly located in the northern and eastern parts of Idaho near the Yellowstone ecosystem, with the Sawtooth National Recreation Area only supporting black bears.
In conclusion, backpacking the Sawtooth Mountains Toxaway Lake Loop is a fun, beautiful, and fish filled experience. The convenience of the self-service forest permit system, and lack of grizzly bears make it great for a last minute, light logistics, backpacking trip for families or less experienced backpackers. I give it a 10/10.
Photo gallery: https://theoutdoorclick.smugmug.com/Sun-Valley-Sawtooth-Mountains/Toxaway-Lake-Backpacking-July-2025
Another nearby Idaho adventure is Hell Roaring Lake Trailhead near Stanley, Idaho. This is a popular trail for backpacking with kids, birding & fishing...