One Thing Makes Idaho Lake North Of Twin Falls Easy To Avoid

I refer to the region I've most enjoyed exploring over the past nearly two decades of Gem State travel as south-central Idaho. It's an incredibly beautiful area of the country and boasts many lakes that I've had the good fortune of spending free time at, and one that I've never launched my kayak into even after repeated attempts to do so.

Southern Idahoans can be funny when it comes to state geography and direction. For instance, I know locals that refer to Boise as West Idaho and Pocatello as East Idaho. A few I've met identify spots like Challis and Stanley as central Idaho.

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I couldn't disagree with this thinking more. All of these locations are in the south in my opinion, but I've caved in recent years and begun referring to my favorite lakes surrounding Sawtooth City as south-central Idaho. I've regularly spent weekends camping, floating, and kayaking throughout this region going back to 2006.

One lake I've never had the chance to submerge my toes into is Redfish Lake. The reason for this you may ask. You'd think the largest lake in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area would be easy to see and enjoy, but it's just not the case. Redfish Lake is 140 miles north of Twin Falls, and just under a three-hour drive.

Redfish Lake is ALWAYS jam-packed with other humans. Maybe I've just chosen bad months to visit, but the last few attempts to spend time there I haven't even been able to find a parking spot. It's not that I don't like people, but damn, I see more humans than I do trees surrounding Redfish Lake, and I don't have this problem at other nearby bodies of water such as Stanley Lake and Alturas Lake.

Do you find Redfish Lake to be way too packed in the spring and summer months?