Resources and tips for enjoying the great outdoors
BY MARIA PREKEGES
Whether you live in the Wood River Valley or are visiting, camping in the nearby Sawtooth National Forest is a great way to spend some summertime days and nights.
Many people want to get away, relax, enjoy the great outdoors, exercise and, yes, even socialize. Some people are ‘lone’ campers where they don’t want interaction with anyone – these people really want to get away – while others enjoy the group atmosphere where they can reconnect with family and friends without modern technology interfering. No matter what type of camper you are, there’s information and resources with which you should familiarize yourself.
Whether you’re a veteran or a novice to camping, there are many different camping options. There’s backpack camping, where you pack everything you need with you and usually hike to a destination. There’s car camping, where your camp is near your car and you can bring more supplies with you. People can also graduate to motorhome or trailer camping, where nearly all the conveniences of home are at your fingertips. Then there is always the luxury of renting a cabin in the woods, which can also be considered camping.
The Sawtooth National Forest offers many options in all of these categories, but you’ll need to plan ahead. There are great resources at the Ketchum Ranger District on Sun Valley Road in Ketchum, the Sawtooth National Recreation Area headquarters just eight miles north of Ketchum, the Visitor Center at Redfish Lake and the Stanley Ranger Station just south of Stanley. At these locations, people can get information on campsites, fees – usually $10 for the site – and the reservation protocol. The knowledgeable staff at each of these sites will also provide activity ideas for when you’re camping. Whether it’s a day hike, fishing, biking, or just beaching, there’s a lot to do outside and they can guide you in the right direction.
There are also responsibilities that go along with camping. The age-old saying is ‘know before you go.’ The Sawtooth National Forest Guide, available at the aforementioned sites, is a great resource for the ‘rules of the camping road.’ The packable guide lists the campgrounds not only in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, but in Fairfield, Ketchum, and Minidoka ranger districts as well. It also provides great maps, rules and regulations, fees and suggested activities. After talking to many campers over the recent Fourth of July weekend at Redfish Lake, the consensus is to keep it clean. The most important rule of camping is ‘pack it in, pack it out.’ Don’t leave a trace of your camping experience behind.
Besides the local offices, www.recreation.gov (877-444-6777) is a great website where people can find more information and actually make reservations for campsites. But book early, as some of the campsites are reserved at least six months in advance, especially during holiday weekends. And be aware there’s a 10-day limit on campsites in the SNRA.
Even if you are an experienced camper, there is always something to re-familiarize yourself with, and if you’re just now thinking of trying out camping, then educating yourself is key. Camping is a great way to enjoy the beautiful area around our Valley, so no matter what your needs are, why not give camping a try soon.