Idaho’s Forgotten Fishing Lake Has Quiet Shores And Hidden Campsites
Nestled high in Idaho’s Sawtooth Wilderness lies a fishing paradise that time seems to have forgotten—Hidden Lake.
At 8,563 feet above sea level, this alpine basin was carved by ancient glaciers and remains one of the most tranquil escapes in the state.
Surrounded by jagged peaks, whispering pines, and trails that meander through wildflower meadows, the lake offers an outdoor experience as pure as Idaho gets.
A Lake Lost To Time
The first time I hiked into Hidden Lake, it felt like stepping a century into the past. No jet skis, no boat ramps, no bustling marinas—just a mirror-still expanse of water reflecting the Sawtooth skyline. Morning fog drifts across the surface, dissolving into golden light as the sun rises.
Few maps mark this lake clearly, and the trailhead itself can be easy to miss, which helps explain why solitude comes standard here. On calm mornings, the water acts like a perfect mirror of the sky, a sight that feels almost otherworldly.
Quiet Shores That Invite Reflection
The shoreline curls gracefully around the basin, a patchwork of rocky ledges, sandy alcoves, and hidden inlets. On clear days, the water is so transparent you can spot trout moving along the bottom. Eagles and osprey patrol overhead, while chipmunks dart along the rocks at your feet.
In late summer, patches of wild huckleberries ripen along the eastern shore—nature’s snack for hikers and wildlife alike. Some visitors even claim that sounds carry in strange ways across the lake, with voices echoing farther than expected.
Hidden Campsites Beneath The Pines
Unlike busy campgrounds, Hidden Lake offers primitive sites scattered around the water’s edge. The best spots are simple clearings beneath ponderosa and fir trees, where pine needles cushion the ground and the scent of resin lingers in the air.
One of my favorites sits atop a small ridge on the northwest side, giving panoramic views yet shielding you from sight of other campers. Nights here are unforgettable—no light pollution, just stars spilling across the sky. It’s the kind of place where you almost always catch a glimpse of a meteor or two.
Wildlife encounters are common but gentle. Mule deer wander past quietly, and smaller forest animals sometimes appear out of curiosity.
Fishing The Old-Fashioned Way
Idaho Fish & Game notes that Hidden Lake holds both cutthroat and rainbow trout, thriving in its cold alpine waters. The depth varies sharply, creating ledges and shelves where fish love to hide. Anglers here still prefer the traditional methods: casting from boulders, logs, or inflatable tubes rather than motorboats.
Local wisdom says darker lures in the morning and flashier spinners by afternoon. But half the fun is experimenting—last summer I caught my best trout with nothing more than a scrap of bright yellow yarn tied to a hook.
Bring a light pack rod, and don’t forget your license; even in the wilderness, Idaho wardens occasionally check.
A Secret Shared By Locals
Part of Hidden Lake’s magic is how protective locals are of it. Ask for directions in Stanley or Lowman and you may only get a smile. The unwritten code here is simple: pack out everything you bring, keep fires small, and respect the silence.
Visitors sometimes leave small notes or sketches in shared camp journals, passing along their reflections to the next hiker. It’s easy to see why—watching the lake shift from sapphire to silver as clouds drift across the peaks inspires even the most casual traveler to pause and create.