About Smiley Creek Lodge

October 1, 2021

A Letter from the Crist Family, Owners & Operators, Smiley Creek Lodge

The Smiley Creek Lodge has a long beautiful history dating back to the 1950’s when it was originally built as a sawmill, serving the former mining town of Sawtooth City. The mill was later transformed into a roadhouse restaurant with an adjoining mobile home park. Nearly 70 years later, the Lodge maintains much of it’s original charm and it continues to serve local residents and travelers along Highway 75. Today the Lodge provides rooms, yurts, teepees, cabins, RV sites, a restaurant, mercantile, gas, snowmobile rentals and a guide service. The same spirit of discovery that once inspired Levi Smiley to establish successful mining claims in the 1870’s continues to fuel adventurers who use the Lodge today as a basecamp for daily excursions into the local backcountry.

When the Crist’s moved to Sun Valley in 1979, we immediately began to familiarize ourselves with the surrounding mountains through family outings, school trips and good friends who were equally keen to explore this incredible backyard. Skis, bikes, boats and some good hiking shoes became our preferred modes of backcountry travel. Paddling the Salmon River and it’s tributaries, backpacking in the Sawtooth’s and ski touring on Galena Pass shaped our childhood and now our children’s in Southern Idaho. Looking back, it’s clear that these formative adventures taught us a great deal of respect for these mountains and the wonderful community of people who enjoy them.

Many of those who pass through the Sawtooth Valley may only stop at the Lodge for gas, a tasty meal or a signature milkshake. Others may choose to stay overnight with a desire to explore the wild landscape around the Lodge. Our goal is to serve our guests with unique access to this extraordinary landscape, while impressing upon them the importance of preserving this experience for future visitors. For those who step out into the National Forest and Wilderness Areas, we aim to inform their decision-making process in an effort to keep them safe and to respect the land, the wildlife who depends upon it and the locals who cherish it.

On any given day, there’s a phenomenal experience to be had in the Sawtooth National Forest. Smiley Creek Lodge intends to support those adventurous souls with delicious food, thoughtful provisions, a cozy pillow and some local knowledge with a smile. Our guide staff consists of highly educated professionals with extraordinary mountain savvy. Get to know them, and if they like you, they might take you out for an adventure you will always remember.

From the Crist family and our team at the Smiley Creek Lodge, we look forward to helping you and your friends get out and about for an experience that will fill your hearts and blow your mind!