Stanley Lake
Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Idaho · 6,513 ft
Typical peak
Sep 13 – Sep 21
low confidence in typical timing.
Best light
Best at sunrise
Classic view faces WNW (285°)
McGown Peak stands off the west end of the lake and reflects the whole way across on a calm morning. Aspen and cottonwood along the inlet and the Stanley Lake Creek bottom lay a yellow band at the base of the peak.
Seasonal model estimate. Timing remains uncertain; check recent reports before traveling. Source: seasonal timing model. Calculated .
Crowds
moderate
Often busier by mid-morning; consider arriving at first light.
Getting there
Turn west off ID-21 onto Stanley Lake Road (Forest Road 455) about five miles northwest of Stanley and drive 3.5 miles to the campground and boat ramp.
What turns here
- quaking aspen
- black cottonwood
Color progression
Typical peak Sep 17Typical color progression for Stanley Lake. No change from Aug 10 to Aug 27. First color from Aug 27 to Sep 5. Approaching peak from Sep 5 to Sep 13. Peak from Sep 13 to Sep 21. Past peak from Sep 21 to Oct 1. Bare from Oct 1 to Oct 15.
Leaves are typically down on Nov 1, 2026. Color starts around Aug 27.
This season so far
First frost
Aug 31
31 nights at or below 32°F since Aug 1.
Last 14 days
51°F / 28°F
Average daily high and low.
Modeled weather for these coordinates from the Open-Meteo historical archive, Aug 1 – Oct 31; not a station record. Reported peak is the median date of approved peak-color reports.
Plan the light
Stanley Lake on September 17, 2026, the center of its typical peak window.
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| First light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 6:52 AM |
| Sunrise Rises E · 86° | 7:21 AM |
| Morning golden hour ends 38 min of low, warm light | 7:59 AM |
| Solar noon Highest sun, flattest light | 1:34 PM |
| Evening golden hour starts 38 min before sunset | 7:09 PM |
| Sunset Sets W · 274° | 7:47 PM |
| Last light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 8:16 PM |
Times in America/Boise · day length 12h 26m · computed from NOAA solar equations.
Local terrain can hide the sun; allow extra time to reach your viewpoint.
Which way to point the camera
Sunrise: front-lit
Sun behind you. Flat, even light — accurate color, little drama. Good for wide valley scenes, weak for single trees.
Sunset: backlit
Sun behind the canopy — leaves glow translucent. The shot most people are after. Expect flare; a hood or a hand helps.
Classic composition faces WNW (285°).
Shooting conditions
Glassy water, wind blur, and what the cloud will do to your light.
Recent reports
What people actually saw here. Been recently? Add yours.
Nearby locations
Within 100 miles in a straight line; road distances can be longer.