Come on, let's be real. This is the real reason you're driving up to the mountains of Idaho.

There is zero shortage of activities and adventures in Stanley and the Sawtooth National Forest. If there was one spot in all of Idaho to do it all, it'd be here. Anglers, hikers, whitewater rafters, paddlers, mountain bikers, hot springers, wildlife watchers, day-drinkers—we've got you covered!

This video is a great overview of all the outdoor things to do in Stanley!

The very first thing we fell in love over was fishing—and in Stanley, you can have the same love affair.

Stanley is located on Idaho's most iconic river, the Salmon. It's also a gateway for folks who want to hike and earn that mountain cutthroat high up in the alpine mountain lakes. There are also at least a dozen crystal blue lakes that you and your posse can drive to, including Stanley Lake, Redfish Lake, and Petit Lake.

If you've never been to the area and are looking for more information on where to fish during your stay, there are guided fishing trips available as well!

There are way too many trails and hikes to list here. But if you're looking for an easy day-hike around a lake or stream, or looking to bite off something more aggressive like an overnighter in the Sawtooths, be sure to bring the boots because there is way more hiking opportunities than you'll be prepared for.

We recommend using AllTrails.com to find a good, suitable hike or walking trail, or any number of blogs written about the area.

For those more adventurous folks, be sure to check out the Stanley area's whitewater rafting opportunities. While we don't partake in any whitewater activities (except when we trip in our fly fishing waders), we have a bunch of friends who do and would be happy to provide some leads on reputable rafting guides in the Stanley Basin.

Check out THIS VIDEO if you want to see what rafting in Stanley is all about!