Steal my favorite itinerary! 🤍


Stanley, Idaho has to be one of my favorite places in the world.


It's where incredible peaks and stunning alpine lakes are mixed with a slow pace of life and (almost) no cell service. It truly feels like you're exploring a little hidden corner of the world.


The first time I ever saw the Sawtooth Mountains was actually when I was in Stanley for the Stanley Sled Dog Rendezvous (yes, Stanley used to host a sled dog race!). I was competing in the six-dog division, and I still remember waking up around 4:00 a.m. to feed the dogs as the sun came up. Looking up and seeing the alpenglow hit the Sawtooths for the very first time is something I'll never forget.


Since then, these mountains have become home to some of my favorite memories. I've backpacked here with family and friends, Ryan and I did our very first backpacking trip together here, and we've spent so many weekends camping, hiking, and exploring this area. Safe to say... this place has a very special place in my heart.


I've been coming to Stanley for years, so I wanted to put together my ideal weekend itinerary for couples planning an engagement session, elopement, or honestly just a fun mountain getaway. If you're heading to Stanley... steal my itinerary!



Friday | Arrive & Settle In


Don't rush this weekend!! Stanley is one of those places that's best enjoyed slowly. :)


Best Places to Stay in Stanley

A few of my favorite places:

Mountain Village Resort – My personal favorite! They have private hot spring tubs you can rent, and trust me... soaking after a long hike is hard to beat.

Triple C Cabins – Cozy cabins with a great mountain feel.

Redfish Lake Lodge – An absolute MUST if you can snag a reservation! It books up months in advance, so plan ahead.

There are also some incredible Airbnbs throughout the valley if you're looking for something a little more private.


Dinner

My recommendation is Sawtooth Luce's! My recommendations are to either get the Blue Cheese Burger or The Big Bird, and for dessert, the warm chocolate brownie.


Evening Walk

After dinner, take the walking path right out of the town of Stanley. It's an easy walk with one of the prettiest views of the Sawtooths, especially if you're there while the sun is starting to set.


Saturday | Adventure Day


The earlier you get up, the better! Summers are warm, afternoons can get hot, and mornings in Stanley are absolutely beautiful.


Breakfast

The legendary Stanley Baking Co.

They open at 7:00 a.m., and the line gets LONG as the morning goes on.

Grab a coffee, a breakfast burrito, and one of their famous cinnamon rolls (a MUST!)

If you're planning on hiking, either grab one of their sandwiches to go or stop by the local grocery store and pack your own lunch before heading out.


Pick Your Adventure!!


There are SO many incredible hikes around Stanley, but these are the ones I recommend over and over.


Want a relaxing lake day?

Spend the day at Redfish Lake!

  • Rent paddleboards
  • Go swimming
  • Take the shuttle boat across the lake (it runs about every 30 minutes) and hike from the other side
  • Grab lunch at the marina restaurant

You honestly could spend the entire day here.


Here are the best hikes in Stanley! (in my opinion) :)

  • Easy
  • Fishhook Creek (4 miles)
  • Redfish Lake Shoreline (1–2 miles and especially beautiful in the evening
  • Stanley Lake shoreline
  • More Challenging
  • Bench Lakes (7 miles)
  • Goat Lake (8 miles – the last half mile gets a little scrambly)
  • Sawtooth Lake (10 miles)
  • Twin Lakes / Alice Lake (14 miles)

No matter which one you choose, you really can't go wrong.


Dinner

If you're wanting a nicer date night dinner, I recommend:

  • Limbert's at Redfish Lake Lodge
  • Sawtooth Luce's

If you're looking for something a little more casual:

  • Papa Brunee's Pizza & Subs
  • Kasino Club (great comfort food and often live music!)



Sunset Engagement Session ✨

This is exactly why I recommend making your engagement session part of a whole weekend instead of driving up and back in one day.

By the time we meet, you've already spent the day hiking and exploring together, and soaking in everything Stanley has to offer.

You're relaxed. You're not thinking about work tomorrow. You're not watching the clock. You're simply enjoying being together. that's a huge part of what makes the photos feel so natural. :)

We'll spend the evening exploring some of my favorite spots, and creating photos that remind you of this entire weekend! not just your engagement session.


End the Night

Head back to Mountain Village Resort and reserve one of their private hot spring tubs (ideally reserve this ahead of time to get your time slot).

They have reservations available into the evening, and I seriously can't think of a better way to end the day.


Sunday - Slow Morning

Don't feel like you have to pack the day full! Sleep in and grab another coffee.


If there's a longer hike you've been wanting to do, today is the perfect day. Or keep it simple with one last walk around Stanley before heading home. Sometimes my favorite part of the weekend is just sitting outside with a cup of coffee and one last view of the Sawtooths before making the drive back.


I hope you love Stanley as much as I do. 🤍


Love, Annalisa