Perkins Lake
- Jun–Aug
- best months
Is Perkins Lake open right now?
Alert in the area
The Forest Service lists 4 alerts for Sawtooth National Forest.
Paradise Prescribed Burn Restricted Access
Agency alert covering Sawtooth National Forest · USFS · Sawtooth National Forest
Grandjean Area, Road, and Trail Closure
Agency alert covering Sawtooth National Forest · Order 0414-04-165 · USFS · Sawtooth National Forest
Over-Snow Vehicle and Bicycle Prohibitions
Agency alert covering Sawtooth National Forest · Order 0414-00-028 · USFS · Sawtooth National Forest
Occupancy and Use - Food Storage
Agency alert covering Sawtooth National Forest · Order 0414-04-143 · USFS · Sawtooth National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Sawtooth National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Perkins Lake is a fishing lake in Idaho's Sawtooth National Recreation Area, part of the Sawtooth National Forest managed by the Forest Service. It sits within the recreation area's ranger district, and the nearest town is Stanley, about 17 miles away. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Stanley show July and August highs around 80°F with lows near 39 to 37°F and only five or six wet days a month. Winter is cold, with January highs around 29°F and lows near 4°F. The lake makes an easy base for exploring the surrounding trails and campgrounds. Cabin Creek is less than a mile away, and Smokey Bear Campground and North Shore Campground are both within about 1.4 miles. Paddlers can reach the Salmon River, about 4 miles off.
Local outfitters
- Camp Perkinsunder a mile away
- The Sawmill Station29 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · Jun–Aug
Best time to visit Perkins Lake
Best months: June–August. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
29° / 4°
12 wet
Feb
35° / 7°
12 wet
Mar
42° / 14°
14 wet
Apr
49° / 21°
12 wet
May
60° / 30°
12 wet
Jun
69° / 35°
10 wet
Jul
80° / 39°
6 wet
Aug
80° / 37°
5 wet
Sep
70° / 31°
7 wet
Oct
55° / 24°
9 wet
Nov
39° / 14°
12 wet
Dec
28° / 6°
14 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Stanley Rs, ID, 17.2 mi away at 6,495 ft. The station sits about 500 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more waters worth the drive
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~9 min drive
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Deadwood Reservoir
~1h 24m drive
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Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness
~25 min drive
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Redfish Lake
~24 min drive
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Middle Cramer Lake
~18 min drive
Middle Cramer Lake is a 6-acre lake near Stanley, Idaho, at about 8,358 feet. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
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Salmon River
~35 min drive
Salmon River is a river in Idaho.
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Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness
~31 min drive
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Anderson Ranch Reservoir
~1h 12m drive
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Benedict Lake
~20 min drive
Benedict Lake is a 5-acre lake near Lowman, Idaho, at about 8,412 feet. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
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Big Wood River
~49 min drive
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