Forest Service Road 579 – Lowman to Stanley
Mining road linking mountain towns via hot springs
Forest Service Road 579 follows an old mining supply route between Lowman and Stanley through the heart of Idaho’s Sawtooth National Forest, passing a dozen natural hot springs that miners used to soak their aches after long days in the diggings. The road climbs over Grandjean Summit at 7,000 feet before descending through the South Fork Payette drainage, where foundations and rusted equipment mark forgotten mining camps like Stibnite and Yellow Pine. The route offers constant views of Idaho’s signature granite peaks and access to some of the state’s best-kept hot spring secrets.
Moderate difficulty suitable for stock 4WD vehicles with decent ground clearance, though rocky sections after Grandjean require careful tire placement. Summer and early fall provide the best conditions, as snow blocks the high country from October through June. No permits needed, but fuel up in either Lowman or Stanley before starting. The road can get dusty in dry conditions and muddy after storms. Dispersed camping opportunities abound, and several developed hot springs along the route make perfect overnight stops for trail-weary overlanders.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 48 mi / 77.2 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7000 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Lowman, Idaho |
| Land manager | Sawtooth National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner run FS 579 without modifications?
Yes — stock 4WD with high clearance is the minimum and handles this trail fine under normal conditions. Lifted rigs have more margin on the rougher washboard sections, but a bone-stock Tacoma or 4Runner in good mechanical shape is not going to get in trouble here.
When does FS 579 actually open after winter, and is snow still an issue in early June?
The road typically opens late May to mid-June depending on snowpack, but snow lingers at higher elevations near the 7,000-foot mark well into June. Check with Sawtooth National Forest before you go — early season openings can be soft and muddy even when passable.
Do I need a permit or pay any fees to drive FS 579?
No permit required to drive the road. If you're camping at developed sites along the route you may encounter a small nightly fee, but dispersed camping on National Forest land is free with no reservation needed.
What's the hardest section of this trail and what should I actually be ready for?
The road is rated moderate with no major technical obstacles, but expect loose rock, rutted washboard, and some narrow shelf sections with steep drop-offs. The trickiest part is the water crossings — depth and flow vary significantly by season, and early summer runoff can make them more serious than they look on a map.
Is there any gas or services between Lowman and Stanley, and how far is the gap?
None — zero services on the 48-mile route between the two towns. Fuel up in Lowman before you leave; Stanley has gas but you're not guaranteed it'll be open or cheap, so don't count on either end bailing you out.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.