The Forest is primarily located in the central heart of Idaho. There is one unit in northern Utah, four units south of the Snake River with the remainder of the units located east and west of Bellevue, Idaho all the way north to Stanley and the Salmon River. The Forest is divided into five management units. These units include the Twin Falls, Burley, Ketchum, Fairfield Ranger Districts and the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.

Heritage Resources
The Sawtooth National Forest is managed for multiple benefits. Professional management insures adequate yields of high quality water and continuing soil productivity. Cattle and sheep grazed on this National Forest produce more than 6,300 tons of red meat annually. The Forest provides homes for more than 220 species of birds, 78 different mammals, 28 species of reptiles and amphibians and 25 species of cold water fish. Trees here not only provide homes for wildlife and a pleasant visual backdrop for residents and visitors, but also contribute to the nation's need for wood products. Each year trees are harvested for firewood, posts, poles, house logs, sawtimber, landscaping and Christmas trees.