Overview

With a population of about 1,000, Challis offers a quaint mountain town environment and excellent outdoor opportunities. Challis is the ideal base camp for recreating in the vast 3 million acres of Custer County, in the heart of Central Idaho.

Location

Challis is located along US Highway 93, making it an easy trip from Sun Valley, or a nice stop on the way to the Bitterroot Valley.

Services/Amenities

This a small little community, there are several places to camp during the summer months and a variety of hotels/motels for year round lodging. There are also several different places to grab a bite to eat.

Activities

Challis, Idaho is surrounded by the Salmon River, the Rocky Mountains, and the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area. With so much natural beauty, you'll find yourself kayaking, boating, climbing, hiking, camping, and fishing. No matter what season you choose to visit Challis, you'll be inspired by its vistas. Spring brings green grasses, summers yield colorful wildflowers, while fall months turn everything golden yellows and oranges. Winters bring snow to the mountains and give the area a refreshing white background.

If you come to Challis ready to fish, hunt, or hike, but do not have the experience, there are many outfitters ready to help you get that 6 point elk or foot-long trout. Many outfitters and guides offer full-day trips to multi-day trips.

Attractions

• Land of the Yankee Fork Historic Area
  An area of old mines, mining camps, ghost towns and relics of an earlier age lying west of US Highway 93 and north of Highway 75.
• Custer Motorway Adventure Road
  This 40-mile section of road once provided wagon and stage access for delivering supplies to the mining camps and towns that sprung up along the Yankee Fork. Today, the Motorway follows much of the route of the original toll road and takes the traveler past numerous historic sites and scenic vistas between Custer and Challis.

Getting Here

The route between Sun Valley and Challis is one of the most scenic drives in the United States. Heading north from Sun Valley, you will travel through the Sawtooth National Forest, up and over Galena Summit and into the Stanley Basin.
Take advantage of the many roadside pullouts and take in the view. Continue pass the little community of Stanley and on up the valley to Challis.