A rich history in the heart of the Idaho wilderness—100 years in the making.
Grandjean, a historical hideaway located in Boise County, Idaho, was named after Emile Grandjean, a Danish settler and one of the early adventures to discover the area. Grandjean first came to the region in the 1880s, and established a homestead in the Sawtooths near what is now the town of Stanley, Idaho.
In the early 1900s, Emile applied for a position with the newly established Forest Service where he was immediately hired as a forest guard ranger in the Sawtooth Forest Reserve. Although he lived many places and traveled extensively, this area was his favorite. During this time, Grandjean worked to create a large game preserve on the south fork of the Payette River (where the Sawtooth Lodge is now located). Like so many that came after him, Emile Grandjean had a great love for the Idaho wilderness and was drawn to the area's scenic beauty and recreational opportunities.
Next up Cougar “Babe” Hanson - Babe ran a packing string and was an outfitter and guide in the Boise National Forest and the Sawtooth Mountains. She began operating out of Grandjean as early as 1922 and established it as a Hunting Lodge in 1927. Babe ran her solo lodge operation out of Grandjean for 16 years before selling it to the Roden Family in 1938.
Cougar “Babe” Hansen was a legendary figure in the Sawtooth Mountains and a long-time proprietor of the Sawtooth Lodge in Grandjean, Idaho. Her real name was Harriet "Babe" Drake Hanson.
She earned her nickname "Cougar Babe" because she was a sharp shooter and outdoor adventurer and reportedly killed many cougars in the area. Hanson passed away in 1993, but her legacy lives on in the stories and memories of those who knew her and visited her lodge.
Al and Marie Lockett bought the lodge in 1953 with the intention of creating a boys' camp; however, after a few summers, they reverted to operating the lodge as a "dude ranch". Their son Rodney and his wife Linda became the managers of the lodge in 1972 and operated it until 2005. In all, there were four generations of Locketts that operated and stewarded the Sawtooth Lodge. There are still visitors of the lodge today that ask if Prime Rib is served on Friday nights. Just one of many things the Lockett family was known for.
In 1972 the Sawtooth National Recreation Area was established. The Sawtooth Lodge has operated on a Special Use Permit for over 50 years. Over the years, Sawtooth Lodge has hosted many notable guests, including Tennessee Ernie Ford, who was a frequent visitor to the lodge and owned a cabin in the Wapiti Creek summer homes.
Today, the Lodge offers a range of activities for visitors, including hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and more, making it a perfect basecamp for exploring the stunning beauty of the Sawtooth Mountains.
It serves as the jumping off point for all activities on the south side of the Sawtooth Mountains. From checking in to your cabin, grabbing breakfast, unwinding with a hot springs soak, or enjoying a hot meal the Sawtooth Lodge is the spot.
Our evening sky views are stellar in the most literal way. There's nothing quite like summer Milky Way views against the backdrop of the Sawtooth Mountains—all of the comets, meteor showers, planets and deep sky objects you could ever imagine. Don't forget your camera!
