Trail Guide: Backpacking to Baron Lakes in Idaho from Redfish Lake

Plan an epic backpacking trip to Baron Lakes in Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains with this detailed trail guide and trip report.

Backpacker stopped on trail to look out over alpine lake view in the Sawtooth Mountains on a backpacking trip to Baron Lake

Several summers ago, Ryan and I spent a few weeks in Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains and I had a chance to tick off a trail on my backpacking bucket list: Baron Lakes.

Baron Lakes is one of those iconic hikes in the Sawtooths with several high alpine lakes to choose from and wide-open views of the jagged Sawtooth Range. It’s stunning!

We spent three nights exploring the area and had a blast swimming in the lakes, playing fetch with our dog, and relaxing while taking in the magnificent views.

Sounds like a trip you’d like to do? This guide covers everything you need to know to successfully plan a backpacking trip to the Baron Lakes in Idaho.

Best Time to Visit Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains

The best time to hike in the Sawtooth Mountains is from July through September. We hiked in late July and got hot days and cool nights and experienced very few bugs.

Snow can last through June, so if you visit in the early season, come prepared with proper equipment, navigation skills, and a high tolerance for bugs. Later in the season, there is a risk of smoky skies. Idaho is very dry and the fire season is getting longer.

Whenever you come, know that the Sawtooths can be very chilly at night, even in the height of summer.

Baron Lakes is one of those iconic hikes in Idaho's Sawtooth Mountains with several high alpine lakes to choose from and wide open views of the jagged Sawtooth Range.  Get my trail and campsite tips with this detailed Baron Lakes backpacking guide.
I hiked to Baron Lakes in late July and we had hot days and cool nights – perfect backpacking weather!

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Redfish Lake to Baron Lake Basics

Trail Basics

  • Distance: 16.8 miles roundtrip
  • Type: Out-and-back
  • Elevation Gain: 3,562 feet
  • Difficulty: Challenging
  • Dog friendly? Yes
  • Permit needed? Yes – see below
  • Map: AllTrails

Getting to the trailhead

The adventure to Baron Lake starts with just getting to the trailhead! You can several options:

  1. You can walk 4 miles around Redfish Lake to the trailhead or
  2. You can take the water taxi

The Redfish Lake Marina has a water taxi service that’ll deliver you to the base of the Sawtooth Mountains. You don’t have to arrange a reservation ahead of time; instead, just show up and they will shuttle you over as long as there are two or more people.

They do, however, have set pick-up times on the other side when you’re returning. Those times are 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 5pm and 7pm; 7 days a week from Memorial Day Weekend to mid-October.

The Redfish hiker boat shuttle is $16 one-way or $22 roundtrip & $3.00 for dogs.

Redfish Lake Marina
Part of the fun of backpacking to Baron Lakes is getting to the trailhead via the Redfish Marina ferry
Helpful Tip

Where to park your car

There is a parking area located about .25 miles from Redfish Lodge where you can find free overnight parking. Get directions to the Redfish Trailhead parking lot here.

What do know before you go

Before planning your Baron Lakes backpacking trip, here are a few important things to know:

  • Cell phone service: There is limited cell phone service at Redfish Lake and once you get to the trailhead, it is non-existent.
  • Water availability: Water is available all along the trail. You can fill up at the trailhead, in Redfish Creek, at Alpine Lake (5 miles), at seasonal tarns leading up to the Baron Divide, and at your final destination, Baron Lakes. Filter all stream and river water before drinking.
  • Trail Permits: Permits are free and can be obtained at the trailhead.
  • Fido-friendly: Regulations say dogs must be on leash while on trails from July 1st through Labor Day (use common sense, especially if your dog is not under voice control). It’s important you’re prepared to keep your dog cool on the trail and you know the essentials of backpacking with your dog.
  • Fire Regulations: All campfires in the Sawtooth Wilderness must be on a fire pan or fire blanket. We saw evidence of a lot of illegal fires and people not following the rules. Campfires are NOT allowed more than a quarter of a mile off-trail from July 1st through Labor Day. Campfires are also not allowed within 200 yards of Alpine Lake. If you want to cook, you’ll need to bring a gas backpacking stove.
  • Leave No Trace: Please brush up on Leave No Trace before you backpack to Baron Lakes to help keep it pristine. You are required to camp on a durable surface at least 100 feet from the water’s edge, and please don’t set up your tent right on the trail. Also, know how to poop outdoors and ALWAYS (I beg you) pack out your used toilet paper.

Read through this Sawtooth Wilderness factsheet to learn more about permits and regulations.

Baron Lakes is one of those iconic hikes in Idaho's Sawtooth Mountains with several high alpine lakes to choose from and wide open views of the jagged Sawtooth Range.  Get my trail and campsite tips with this detailed Baron Lakes backpacking guide.
There are no established campsites around Baron Lake, but make sure you set up your tent at least 100 yards from water on a hard, durable surface

My Baron Lakes Backpacking Trip Report

We planned on a three-night, four-day backpacking trip to Baron Lakes, which would give us time for a full layover day at Baron Lakes.

Day 1: Redfish Lake to Alpine Lake

  • 5.5 miles
  • ~1,900 feet of elevation gain

We got a late start out of Redfish Inlet on Day 1, so our plan was to spend our first night five miles in at Alpine Lake.

After taking the Redfish boat taxi across, we set off on the well-marked trail from Redfish Inlet.

Redfish Lake ferry
A highlight of this trip is taking the ferry across Redfish Lake to the trailhead!

The trailhead is at about 6,600 feet above sea level and the trail has a gradual incline for the first 3.7 miles until you reach Flatrock Junction.

I thought we’d be right next to Redfish Creek the entire way, as it appeared on the map, but the trail only hits the creek a couple of times. So make sure to fill your water bottles up before you leave the trailhead.

Where it does hit the creek, there are several nice places to stop and rest and splash your face with some cold water if it’s a really hot day.

Baron Lakes is one of those iconic hikes in Idaho's Sawtooth Mountains with several high alpine lakes to choose from and wide open views of the jagged Sawtooth Range.  Get my trail and campsite tips with this detailed Baron Lakes backpacking guide.
On the map, the trail looks like it follows Redfish Creek for the first few miles, but there are few access points. Fill up on water before you start your hike.
Baron Lakes is one of those iconic hikes in Idaho's Sawtooth Mountains with several high alpine lakes to choose from and wide open views of the jagged Sawtooth Range.  Get my trail and campsite tips with this detailed Baron Lakes backpacking guide.
Redfish Creek

When you hit Flatrock Junction, hang a right to follow Redfish Creek/Baron Creek Trail. This is where your steeper climb begins. Over the next mile and a half, you’ll climb a total of 850 feet up non-stop switchbacks.

There isn’t a ton of shade and there is no water on this section. Luckily you have great views to distract you!

Baron Lakes is one of those iconic hikes in Idaho's Sawtooth Mountains with several high alpine lakes to choose from and wide open views of the jagged Sawtooth Range.  Get my trail and campsite tips with this detailed Baron Lakes backpacking guide.
As you hike up the switchbacks past Flatrock Junction, you’ll be rewarded with great views of the surrounding peaks

At 5.6 miles, you reach a side trail that takes you down to Alpine Lake, which was our destination for day 1. This is a popular spot, so don’t expect much solitude, and remember that noise travels quickly across the lake. We had some noisy neighbors on the other side of the lake, and I’m not sure they realized that we could pretty much hear their entire conversation.

We found a secluded campsite on the east edge of the lake (the first end you hit when you are hiking) with a durable spot to pitch our tent away from the water. We spent the rest of the afternoon playing fetch with Charlie and enjoying the views.

Woman sitting on large rock slab overlooking an alpine lake. She is boiling water in a camp stove for a dehydrated meal
Not a bad view to enjoy our dehydrated dinners!
Baron Lakes is one of those iconic hikes in Idaho's Sawtooth Mountains with several high alpine lakes to choose from and wide open views of the jagged Sawtooth Range.  Get my trail and campsite tips with this detailed Baron Lakes backpacking guide.
The sun setting over the mountains surrounding Alpine Lake

Day 2: Alpine Lake to

  • 2.8 miles
  • ~ 700 feet of elevation gain

The next morning we got up early, packed up, and made our way up to Baron Divide. As you climb, you’ll pass a small pond and a few more seasonal tarns on the way up for water refills.

As you can see in the photos, the sky was a bit hazy on day 2 due to a fire in the nearby town of Bellevue.

Man hiking on trail next to a small lake in Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho carrying a loaded backpacking backpack
There are several places to filter water on your way from Alpine Lake to Baron Divide
Backpacker hiking on trail in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho
The climb is gradual, but you may be feeling the elevation as Baron Divide is over 9,000 feet in elevation
Backpacker hiking up trail in the Sawtooth Mountains wilderness of Idaho
Don’t forget to look back as you climb – the views are stunning!
Yellow wildflowers near near Baron Lake in the Sawtooth Mountains Wilderness in Idaho
We saw some beautiful wildflowers on our hike in late July

It’s a little more than 1.5 miles and another 1000 feet of switchback climbing until you reach the top of Baron Divide where you get your first glimpse of Baron Lakes.

Two backpackers and their dog standing for a photo on Baron Lake trail in Idaho with mountain range in the distance

From the top of Baron Divide, it’s a short, but steep hike down over two dozen switchbacks to reach Upper Baron Lake. We found a couple of amazing campsites on the north shore of the lake between Upper Baron and Middle Baron Lake.

Since there was no one else set up there, we decided to set up camp at one of these spots.

Female backpacker standing on a rock overlook with beautiful views of Baron Lakes in the Sawtooth Mountain Wilderness in Idaho
First views of the Baron Lakes
ZPacks Ultralight tent set up at backpacking campsite near Baron Lake in Idaho
We brought our ultralight Z-packs Triplex tent. Read our review of the smaller Zpacks Duplex
Starry night sky with a purple glow to the Milky Way in the Sawtooth Wilderness in Idaho
The night sky over Baron Lake is one of the best I’ve seen on any backpacking trip!

Day 3: Exploring the Baron Lakes Basin

The next day we planned on leaving our camp set up and going further down the trail to explore Middle Baron Lake and beyond. Once you get down to Middle Baron Lake, which is much larger than Upper, you’ll find a bunch of campsites, again on the north edge of the lake. Here we found a number of groups set up, which confirmed our good decision to stay at the Upper Lake.

We hugged the north side on what seemed like a game trail until we found a place to hang out on the lake shore away from the other campers.

Reflection of a rocky mountain peak on Baron Lake in the Sawtooth Wilderness in Idaho
I highly recommend spending a full day exploring the Baron Lake Basin
Dog swimming in Baron Lake in the Sawtooth Mountain Wilderness in Idaho
Our dog Charlie enjoying the refreshing water of Baron Lake

After relaxing for a bit, we decided to continue further down the trail. We passed a series of river cascades, eventually reaching a meadow, where we dipped our toes and found a few additional campsites that I imagine don’t get too much use.

Creek running through the woods of the Sawtooth Mountain Wilderness in Idaho surrounded by lush grass and trees
Lots of water flows through the Baron Lakes Basin

We decided not to try and find the lowest of the Baron Lakes. We caught a peek of it at the top of some boulders at Middle Baron and it didn’t look that inviting or worth the effort.

In the late afternoon, we made our way back up to camp where we watched the sunset and cooked dinner.

Sunset over Baron Lake in the Sawtooth Mountain Wilderness in Idaho
Sunset over Baron Lake

Day 4: Baron Lake to Redfish Lake

  • 8.4 miles
  • ~960 feet of elevation gain

The next morning, we packed up and hiked the full way back out to Redfish Lake the same way we came.

The trip back is mostly downhill after the initial climb back up to Baron Pass. If you experience knee pain when hiking downhill, I recommend bringing trekking poles to minimize impact on your knees.

Man sitting on rock slab overlook with his dog. Baron Lake and Sawtooth Mountain landscape in front of him
Taking in final views of Baron Lakes as we head back down the trail to Redfish Lake

What to Pack

I’ve written a number of gear guides that will help you plan for your backpacking trip to Baron Lakes. Here is where I’d recommend starting:

Specific to backpacking to Baron Lakes, here are a few items I recommend including:

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I hope this Baron Lakes backpacking trail guide helps you plan an awesome trip in the Sawtooths! If you have questions, please leave a comment below.

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2 Comments

    1. Hi Kaelan, that’s definitely possible! Baron Lakes was a little quieter for camping with fewer people, but you could totally set up camp at Alpine and just take a daypack to explore Baron Lakes.