Sawtooth Salmon Festival

August 23 & 24 - Stanley, Idaho

Join Idaho Rivers United and the Sawtooth Historical & Interpretive Society for the annual Sawtooth Salmon Festival!

Statement on behalf of Idaho Rivers United and the Sawtooth Association for Sawtooth Salmon Festival 2024:

As many of you know there are multiple wildfires in the state and Stanley area, with smoke impacting air quality and road closures. Our organizations, who are hosting this annual event in Stanley on Saturday, August 24th, are advising that attendees be flexible and nimble with travel plans and health needs during this time period due to smoke conditions.

We will still host this event – yet it might change as weather and air conditions continue to evolve in the next few days. Please understand that we are doing our best to put on and ensure a great event, and that we want everyone to stay safe. Please check our website, social media @idahoriversunited and other travel information to stay informed. We still hope to see you there and thank you for understanding that mother nature is ultimately in control.

Thank you,

Idaho Rivers United & the Sawtooth Association

This free community, family friendly event celebrates our iconic species in the heart of the Sawtooth mountains in Stanley, Idaho each August.

We’ll take you out to the river to see wild salmon spawning in their natal habitat – one of the most unique and pristine spots remaining for salmon in the lower 48 states. Join our conservation staff to learn more about their migration, the threats facing them, and why we MUST remove the four Lower Snake River dams to stop them from going extinct. Our staff is passionate about sharing knowledge and educating the public at this special event. We hope to see you there!
Vendors, live music, activities, food, and fun for the whole family in the beautiful Sawtooth Valley!

Salmon Sip 'n Paint Night

Friday, August 23rd at 7pm at Sawtooth Spirit at 440 Eva Falls Ave Stanley, ID).
Join Idaho Rivers United’s artist in residence, Stacey Barker of Barking Goat Studios for a Salmon Sip ‘n Paint night! Get your $35 ticket which includes all paint materials, instruction, and a beverage of choice. IRU staff will be there to discuss salmon recovery efforts.
Get tickets here!
Sawtooth Salmon Festival

Saturday, August 24th from 10am-5pm at The Sawtooth Interpretive & Historical Society (2 Museum Dr. Hwy 75, Stanley).
FREE, family friendly event to celebrate salmon! Conservation, vendors, food trucks, music & fun!
Meet at Pettit Lake at 10am to tour a fish weir and learn about Shoshone-Bannock fish conservation work. Salmon tours begin at the museum at 11:30am, running on the hour.
Live music featuring opener Bloom & Brother from Bread & Circus and headliner David Henry Duo. Please keep your dogs on a leash.
Explore the Stanley & the Sawtooth's!

Enjoy all that the beautifu Sawtooth Recreation Area has to offer! Recreation opportunities are endless: hike, camp, swim, and more. Please be conscious of marked floating and fishing regulations as many are closed in August/September for spawning salmon and steelhead. Learn more about our wild Idaho fish runs here.
Check out our Salmon Fest partners, the Sawtooth Interpretive & Historical Association here.

Thank you to our sponsors & vendors!

Please email lindsey@idahorivers.org with questions about the event. Parking is limited at the museum and on Hwy 75 - we encourage you to carpool, bike, or walk to the event from downtown Stanley. Thank you for celebrating wild salmon and steelhead with IRU!