Idaho Bucket List
This adventurous Idaho bucket list has you covered from the panhandle to Idaho's southern border. Discover beautiful attractions and find out why Idaho is known as the Gem state.
We have listed some of the best things to do and what you must see in this Idaho bucket list.
Obviously there is so much more than what is listed here but we’ll leave the rest for you to discover on your own.
Best Things To Do In Idaho For The Adventurous Traveler
Visit Shoshone Falls
Shoshone Falls is often referred to as the Niagara Falls of the west and believe it or not, is actually 40 feet higher than Niagara Falls, although not as wide.
You can visit this waterfall at Shoshone Falls State Park in Twin Falls. The impressive waterfall is best viewed in spring and early summer although it is still worth seeing at any time of the year even when it is not at its peak.
If you are lucky enough to be visiting at the end of May, Shoshone Falls looks even more spectacular when it is illuminated every evening for ‘Shoshone Falls After Dark’, a dazzling display of lights and effects that create a magical experience for viewers.
Walk Across The Perrine Bridge
The Perrine Bridge is the eighth highest bridge in the USA with a height of 486 feet above the Snake River.
If you aren’t afraid of heights, you can walk along a very narrow foot bridge across this amazing feat of engineering. Yes, it is a little frightening!
On both sides of the bridge is a viewing platform that is located underneath the bridge and offers up close views of the bridge construction as well as views of the magnificent Snake River.
See this driving itinerary between Twin Falls and Boise to find other cool places in the area.
Bruneau Sand Dunes
Bruneau Sand Dunes State Park is home to the single tallest sand dune in the United States! This mammoth-sized sand dune is a towering 470 feet high beating even the tallest sand dunes in Death Valley National Park.
One of the most popular activities in this state park is to go sandboarding down the sand dunes. You don’t have to worry about gear either because the Visitor Center inside the park can provide sandboard rentals.
Other fun things to do here include hiking, fishing, birdwatching, camping, and stargazing.
There is an onsite observatory where guests can use free telescopes to get a closer look at the stars and galaxy. The observatory is open to the public from April through to mid-October.
Float The Boise River
If you’re looking for a fun summer activity in Boise, head to Barber Park where you can float the Boise River. The park which is located only a few miles from downtown is open year-round however the float season typically begins sometime in late June.
If you don’t have your own raft not to worry as there are tube and raft rentals available as well as free air stations nearby to pump up your own floating equipment.
Find Box Canyon
Hidden amongst the flat farmland and dairy pastures of Southern Idaho is a secluded canyon where crystal clear water seeps from rock walls into a brilliant blue pool.
This is the 11th largest spring in the United States and flows at a rate of 180,000 gallons per minute!
This natural wonder is a hidden gem and really must be seen to be believed! Finding it is part of the fun as you drive along farm roads before coming to a small parking lot in what seems to be the middle of nowhere. But not before long you’ll stumble across a wide chasm with a sparkling pool of light blue water appear at the bottom.
It’s a mind blowing contrast seeing the flat and featureless farmland against the lush plant life growing below.
The adventure doesn’t end there. You can also choose to hike to the bottom of the canyon where you’ll find a hidden waterfall and places where you can plunge into the refreshing spring water.
Read: Box Canyon State Park: How To Hike Down To Box Canyon & Where To Swim
Stare In Awe At The Breathtaking Sawtooth Mountain Range
Many travelers through Idaho are often surprised to learn that the state holds majestic mountain peaks like the Sawtooth Mountain Range.
This mountain range is part of the Rocky Mountains and there are 57 peaks with an elevation over 10,000 feet.
The Sawtooth Mountains look very much like the Grand Teton Range found in Grand Teton National Park but has so far largely remained a secret.
So if you are looking for a new outdoor destination to enjoy your next summer vacation minus the crowds, consider the Sawtooth Mountains. You’ll be able to enjoy hiking trails, lakes, and hot springs here in peace.
Hike In The Sawtooth National Forest
The best way to enjoy Idaho’s mountainous scenery is to hit the hiking trails. One of the best areas to hike is in the Sawtooth National Forest in Central Idaho where there is no shortage of stunning mountain and alpine lake visuals.
There are many popular and bucket list worthy hikes here such as the trails to Sawtooth Lake, Goat Lake, and Bench Lakes.
Just remember that hiking season starts a little late in central Idaho due to long winters and unpredictable weather early summer. Therefore the best time to hike in central Idaho is mid-July to early October.
Read: Goat Lake Trail: Hike To The Most Unreal Lake In The Sawtooth Mountains
Explore Craters Of The Moon National Monument
Craters Of The Moon National Monument and Preserve is an unusual but scenic landscape you can visit about one hundred miles northeast of Twin Falls.
The area is a sea of lava that looks like what one might imagine the moon’s surface looks like, hence the name.
Craters of the Moon formed during eight major eruptive periods between 15,000 and 2000 years ago when lava erupted from vents and cracks in the earth’s surface.
The best way to view this geologic activity is to drive the scenic 7 Mile Loop Road through the park which leads to all the top attractions, and to hike a few of the trails which are mostly rated easy to moderate.
The two most popular hiking trails at Craters Of The Moon are the Devil’s Orchard Nature Trail and the hike up Inferno Cone. The latter being a short hike to a cinder cone summit with spectacular views of the entire park.
Read: Complete Guide To Visiting Craters Of The Moon National Monument
Find Hidden Ghost Towns
Idaho has quite a few scattered ghost towns across the state due to its short-lived mining history. One of the most fascinating ghost towns to visit is Bayhorse which is the ghost town pictured above.
Bayhorse Ghost Town is located inside the Land Of The Yankee Fork Sate Park and is just one of several hidden ghost towns you can find in Central Idaho.
This particular ghost town is in a very isolated area that requires driving through a canyon which makes it quite an epic and off-the-beaten-path style adventure!
Once you get there you can walk the narrow dusty roads of a once lively town that had a population of about five hundred people. Some cool things to see here include charcoal kilns and an original still-standing mill that overlooks the town.
Stay At The Mountain Village Resort
Mountain Village Resort Hot Spring
One of our favorite places to go camping and hiking in Idaho is in the very small charming town of Stanley. Stanley is a great jumping off point for hiking in the Sawtooth National Forest and is also very close to Redfish Lake.
We love staying at the Mountain Village Resort when we are visiting Stanley where you can choose to either camp or stay in their hotel rooms. From the resort it is only a few minutes walk to Stanley’s grocery store and restaurants.
The best part about staying at the Mountain Village Resort is having access to their indoor hot tub that sits beside the bank of Valley Creek.
The hot tub which is inside a large wooden barn has some of the best views of the Sawtooth Range as you can see from the picture above.
Enjoy Redfish Lake
Redfish Lake is a glacier carved lake that sits at an elevations of 6,550 feet in the heart of the Sawtooth Mountain Range.
The lake is incredibly beautiful and not only offers crystal clear water to swim in and sandy beaches to sunbathe on, but a stunning backdrop of jagged mountain peaks too!
The best way to enjoy the lake is on the water and you can rent boats, kayaks, canoes and other watercraft from the local marina.
There is a hotel, rustic cabins, and several campgrounds that sit on the shores of Redfish Lake and our advice is to plan on staying here for a few days at least. Trust us, you won’t want to leave.
Take A Scenic Drive Along Highway 12
Photo by Ben Miller
If you’re looking for winding backcountry roads to road trip, we recommend driving Idaho’s Highway 12 which is also known as the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway.
The drive which runs east/west begins at the Washington state line in Lewiston and crosses into Idaho following the Clearwater and Lochsa rivers with the journey ending in Montana.
The drive takes around four hours to complete but allow more time for sightseeing and hiking.
This is a good road trip for motorists looking for an alternative drive to Missoula from Washington state and vice versa or for those of you heading to Glacier National Park.
Go Horseback Riding In The Mountains
If you’re looking for a fun activity for your Idaho itinerary consider organizing a horseback ride through the mountains. We especially enjoyed our ride with Mystic Saddle Ranch at Redfish Lake.
You can join guided rides that take you through mountain meadows, lodgepole pine forests, and along ridge lines to stunning alpine lakes.
Rides are two hours but you can also organize full day rides. Reservations are not required but are recommended.
Soak In Dreamy Views At Boat Box Hot Springs
Idaho is littered with hot springs that come with dreamy forest views! Boat Box Hot Springs is one of Idaho’s best and offers adventurous souls a truly unique soaking experience.
This hot spring is situated right beside the beautiful Salmon River and is not only unique because of its idyllic location, but also because of its unusual hot tub which was actually created out of an ocean buoy.
It is located right beside Highway 75 a few miles north of Stanley, Idaho. The novelty hot spring is guaranteed to be a highlight on your Idaho bucket list!
Read: Visit Boat Box Hot Springs: The Quirkiest Hot Springs In Idaho
Book A Stay At Schweitzer Castle
For a totally unique stay book a weekend getaway to Northern Idaho’s Schweitzer Castle. At the Chateau de Melusine you have the opportunity to live like a king or queen in a home that was built out of thick quarried stone.
The accommodation features a fifty inch fireplace, hydronic heated floors, and boasts views of Schweitzer Mountain.
Listen To Live Music At The Sawtooth Hotel
For a relaxing afternoon head to the Sawtooth Hotel for some live outdoor music. Not only are you able to listen to some tunes outside, but you can also enjoy a meal at one of the best restaurants in town!
The Sawtooth Hotel in Stanley also has a dance hall and a 120 inch movie screen that comes with free popcorn for attendees. Admission is free!
In case you don’t know where Stanley is, the small community sits at the base of the stunning Sawtooth Mountains where you can enjoy jaw dropping mountain views in every direction.
Bicycle Along Famous Route Of The Hiawatha
The Route Of The Hiawatha was once one of the most scenic stretches of railroad in the USA that traveled between Idaho and Montana through the Bitterroot Mountains.
Now cyclists can rent bicycles from the Lookout Pass Ski Area and ride 15 beautiful miles along a downhill trail that will take you through ten tunnels and over seven trestle bridges. At the end of your ride you can take the shuttle bus back to the start of the trail.
Relax In Coeur D’Alene
Coeur d’Alene is a popular vacation destination for Idaho and Washington state residents and it’s not hard to see why.
The quaint town sits on the shores of beautiful Coeur d’Alene lake where you can enjoy an abundance of water activities during summer from stand up paddle boarding to boating, fishing, and parasailing.
When you’ve had enough of the water you can enjoy a forest hike or head into town for some shopping.
There are lodging options for all budgets here from five star resorts, to hotels, and private lake-side homes.
Here are the top hotels in Coeur d’Alene:
All three of these hotels offer forest views, wonderful common areas with comfortable seating and fireplace, indoor pool, plus a hot breakfast. Additionally, Both the Springhill Suites and Staybridge Suites have an outdoor seating area with outdoor firepit.
Plan A Ski Trip To Schweitzer Mountain
Schweitzer Mountain is considered one of the best family-friendly ski resorts in the Pacific Northwest and one of the biggest in Idaho.
The resort which is located in the Idaho panhandle very close to the Canadian border offers stunning surrounding views of Sandpoint and Lake Pend Orielle.
The ski resort itself has 92 runs and open bowls with a skiiable area of 2,900 acres.
The summit elevation is 6,400 feet and has a wonderful restaurant with huge wraparound windows to enjoy the views when you want to take a break.
Go Snowmobiling At Burgdorf
If you’re looking for a truly adventurous winter activity why not consider renting a snowmobile to enjoy the snowy Idaho landscape?
One of the best places to go snowmobiling is at Burgdorf where you can ride all day in Idaho’s backcountry and then end your ride with a soak in Burgdorf Hot Springs.
You can rent snowmobiles from Cheap Thrills or CM Backcountry in McCall.
Take A Trip To Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
Hells Canyon is the deepest river gorge in North America that can be found in a remote north-east corner of Idaho.
Carved out by the great Snake River, this canyon plunges more than a mile below Oregon’s west rim and 8,000 feet below snowcapped He Devil Peak of Idaho’s Seven Devils Mountains.
The dramatic scenery carved out here is a result of both uplifting and erosion.
So where exactly is Hells Canyon? Well the canyon starts ninety miles south of Lewiston in Idaho and extends for forty miles south to Oxbow in Oregon.
Are You Planning A Road Trip Through Idaho?
If you’re planning a road trip through Idaho, we’d like to share a few helpful resources to help with your trip planning.
Car Rentals: For car rentals, we recommend using Enterprise which is our preferred company to rent a vehicle from. Enterprise have a depot in Boise, Twin Falls, and Idaho Falls in Idaho, and also in Spokane in Washington. You can also check RentalCars.com to compare car rental prices with other companies.
RVs and Campervans: If you are looking to rent a campervan or RV, see Outdoorsy or RV Share for availability in Idaho. You can pick up campervans and RVs from many destinations across the state from small towns to big cities.
Hotels: Once you know where you plan to visit, it’s time to book a room! We prefer Hotels.com to search for hotels in the United States because they have such a large collection to choose from and offer some of the best rates. In addition they have a program where if you book ten nights, you get one night free!
Vacation Homes: If you prefer to stay in a vacation home rather than a hotel, check out some of the cute condos, cozy log cabins, lakeside retreats, and stunning luxurious homes on VRBO.
Are You Planning On Car Camping?
Be sure to check out these articles on car camping and van travel in preparation for your road trip.
Idaho Guide Books
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Rent A Van For Your Next Road Trip
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