Stanley, Idaho

Stanley is a very cool little town. There are more people who float the Middle Fork than people who actually live in Stanley. In fact, the number of folks who float the Middle Fork is more than ten-fold the population of Stanley. It's a small town.

If you are staying in Stanley, most stay at the Mountain Village Lodge. Their phone number is 800-843-5475. Make sure you get reservations, as the place does fill up in the summer.

There is a grocery store across from the hotel, as well a gas station, auto mechanic, and Riverwear (a great store with clothing for the outdoors).

The best part of Stanley is the Bakery. Go there in the morning before your trip for a fabulous breakfast, good coffee, and happy people. It is on - get this- Wall Street, which is a dirt road like all the other streets in Stanley.

The Stanley runway is located above the town on the hill directly south of the hotel. The mountains behind the runway are part of the famous Sawtooth Mountain Range. Most of the peaks are over 10,000 feet high!

Some Good Things to Know About Stanley

1) It's a speed trap. Do not speed through Stanley or you will get pulled over. Be particularly careful as you approach town because the speed limit goes from 65 down to 35 very quickly.

2) It is one of the coldest places in the U.S., regardless of the season. The daily low temperature is very rarely above freezing, even in July. Be prepared for this.

3) Red Fish Lake is a beautiful lake and not too far out of Stanley. Well worth the drive to check it out.

4) Reckless Kelly is probably the best band to ever come out of Idaho and most of their band members claim to be from Stanley.

5) The total population of Stanley is 71.