As colonization and expansion of the United States progressed into the western region of the continent, these tribes were forcefully removed from their homes in the late-1800s; despite this, traditional hunting and harvesting continued in parts of the Sawtooths.

Towards the end of the 19th-century, sheepherding became popular with Basque, Peruvian, and Scottish immigrants, and replaced silver extraction as the area's core economic basis.

Proposals were made in the early-1900's to establish a Sawtooth National Park in the area, but this idea was blocked by the start of World War I.

While this idea was being developed, the American Smelting and Refining Company, or ASARCO, was investigating a possible molybdenum extraction site in the area, which was met with vehement opposition from citizens of Idaho.

After much debate, a large part of Central Idaho was deemed as under protection and conservation with the 1972 Sawtooth NRA Act, which protects a large part of Central Idaho's backcountry, fish, and game from urban sprawl and land division.

The area remains sparsely populated, as the mountainous terrain, aforementioned environmental protections, and lack of infrastructure provide barriers to excessive human development.

Central Idaho has also been the origin site of multiple earthquakes, due to its high geological activity.

Residents and visitors participate in recreation; namely hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, white water rafting, and kayaking in the summer, and skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and hot spring tourism in the winter.

With more than 80 vendors, numerous photographers, painters, potters, jewelers, crocheters and macrame artists are present at the festival.