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Idaho’s Scenic Byways

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Drive Idaho’s Scenic Byways

Cruise These Historic and Picturesque Routes

With 31 scenic byways in Idaho—plus North America’s sole multinational scenic route—exploring the Gem State is about the journey and the destination. Scenic byways crisscross the state, meaning you’ll likely experience at least one scenic route while exploring Idaho. Enjoy winding through charming communities, visiting state parks and digging into local cuisine. Add a byway (or a few!) to your trip plans so you can discover all that Idaho has to offer.

What’s a scenic byway, anyway? Scenic byways are roads recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for one or more of six “intrinsic qualities”: archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic.

Aerial view of a river running through the town of Priest River, with tree covered mountains in the distance.
The town of Priest River. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.
A scenic shot of the mountains with the sun rising behind them in the Kootenai Wildlife Refuge.
Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, near Bonners Ferry. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.
Aerial view of creek and prairie land south of Kilgore, Idaho.
Scenic views along the Lost Gold Trails Loop near Kilgore. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.
Side view of a bridge crossing over a river lined with trees.
Rainbow Bridge. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.
View of giant rocks surrounded by shrubs at City of Rocks National Reserve.
City of Rocks National Reserve, near Almo. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.
Side view of a river lined with smooth rocks and surrounded by green, yellow and red trees.
Salmon River, near Stanley. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.
A view of the sweeping pine tree forest and mountain peaks surrounding Redfish Lake.
Redfish Lake, near Stanley. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.
An overview of a road alongside a river running through a canyon.
Above Oxbow Bridge, on the Snake River. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.
An overhead view of the Snake River running through a tree covered canyon.
Snake River Canyon, Twin Falls. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.
The Snake River lined with green and yellow trees.
Snake River near Map Rock and Walters Ferry/Marsing. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.
An overhead view of a river running through a sprawling green landscape with mountains in the background.
Horseshoe Bend. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.
Side view of a river lined with bushes running through a canyon.
Snake River at Celebration Park, Melba. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.
A view of a the Snake River running through a green landscape at Three Island Crossing State Park.
Three Island Crossing State Park, near Glenns Ferry. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.
An aerial view of the South Fork of the Payette River.
South Fork of the Payette River, Garden Valley. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.
A father and a child walking along the Caves Trail at Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve.
Caves Trail, Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, near Arco. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.
A rugged mountain landscape covered with trees.
North Fork Owyhee Campground, Murphy. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.
A road winding through a forest of trees.
Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway, near Lowman. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.
A view of Red Rock Pass at sunset.
Red Rock Pass near Swanlake. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.
A family swimming in the cool waters of Bear Lake.
Swimming in the cool waters of Bear Lake. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.
Scenic overlook with wildflowers and mountains in the background.
Scenic overlook, near Salmon. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.
The rushing Selway River surrounded by tree-covered mountains.
Selway River, near Syringa. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.
The sun sets over Fraser Park in Idaho.
Fraser Park, between Fraser and Weippe. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.
Sprawling view of a green landscape with the Beaverhead Mountains in the distance.
Beaverhead Mountains, near Baker. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.
Water rushes over a cliff at Upper Mesa Falls.
Upper Mesa Falls Overlook near Ashton. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.
Two people overlooking the Teton Mountains on their motorcycles.
Scenic overlook of the Teton Range, near Tetonia. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.
McCrea bridge crossing the tree-lined henry's fork of the snake river.
McCrea Bridge over Henry’s Fork of the Snake River, near Island Park. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.
Aerial view of the White Pine Scenic Byway.
Highway 6, St. Joe National Forest, between St. Maries & Potlatch. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.
An aerial view of Lake Coeur d’Alene Scenic Byway.
Lake Coeur d’Alene Scenic Byway. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.
An aerial view of the Pend Oreille Scenic Byway winding between a forest and Lake Pend Oreille.
Pend Oreille Scenic Byway near Sandpoint. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.
Myrtle Falls flowing surrounded by lush green forest.
Myrtle Falls, near Bonners Ferry. Photo credit: Visit Idaho.
Drive Idaho’s Scenic Byways

Find the Right Route

Each scenic byway in Idaho is worth a drive, but where should you let the road take you first? Choose the options that are right for your next adventure to learn which scenic byways fit into your vacation plans.

Still deciding on the specifics? See all scenic byways in Idaho.

Region

Season

Transportation

Length (One-way)

0+ miles

Drive Time (One-way)

< 1 hour
An overhead view of the Snake River running through a tree covered canyon.

Thousand Springs Scenic Byway

Length: 65.4 miles, 105.25 km

Drive Time: 1 hour, 32 minutes

Region(s): South Central

Season(s): Fall, Spring, Summer

Learn More →
A view of the sweeping pine tree forest and mountain peaks surrounding Redfish Lake.

Sawtooth Scenic Byway

Length: 116 miles, 186.68 km

Drive Time: 2 hours, 16 minutes

Region(s): Central

Season(s): Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter

Learn More →
A rugged mountain landscape covered with trees.

Owyhee Uplands Backcountry Byway

Length: 101 miles, 162.54 km

Drive Time: 3 hours, 26 minutes

Region(s): Southwest

Season(s): Fall, Spring

Learn More →
Drive Idaho’s Scenic Byways

Elk River Backcountry Byway

Length: 54 miles, 86.90 km

Drive Time: 2 hours

Region(s): North Central

Season(s): Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter

Learn More →
Water rushes over a cliff at Upper Mesa Falls.

Mesa Falls Scenic Byway

Length: 28.2 miles, 45.38 km

Drive Time: 49 minutes

Region(s): Eastern

Season(s): Fall, Spring, Summer

Learn More →
A view of a the Snake River running through a green landscape at Three Island Crossing State Park.

Main Oregon Trail Backcountry Byway

Length: 102 miles, 164.15 km

Drive Time: 6 hours

Region(s): Southwest

Season(s): Fall, Spring

Learn More →

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Drive Idaho’s Scenic Byways

Inspire Your Itinerary

Read through travel tips to gather ideas for places to explore during your Idaho getaway.

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Drive Idaho’s Scenic Byways

Up for Anything?

Select the button below to learn about one of Idaho’s scenic byways that is bound to inspire you to put it in drive.

Go Wherever the Road Takes You
Drive Idaho’s Scenic Byways
Drive Idaho’s Scenic Byways
Drive Idaho’s Scenic Byways

Get a Sneak Peek of Idaho’s Scenic Byways

Enjoy a glimpse of the beauty of Idaho’s scenic byways before you hit the road. These video tours showcase the highlights of these routes, from rich history and diverse geology to outdoor recreation and impressive views.

Thumbnail of Payette River Scenic Byway.
Animated gif of Payette River Scenic Byway.
Thumbnail of International Selkirk Loop.
Animated gif of International Selkirk Loop.
Thumbnail of Lost Gold Trails Loop.
Animated gif of Lost Gold Trails Loop.
Thumbnail of Panhandle Historic Rivers Passage.
Animated gif of Panhandle Historic Rivers Passage.

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Thumbnail of the animated gif of City of Rocks Backcountry Byway
Animated gif of City of Rocks Backcountry Byway.
Thumbnail of the animated gif of Salmon River Scenic Byway.
Animated gif of Salmon River Scenic Byway.
Thumbnail of the animated gif of Sawtooth Scenic Byway.
Animated gif of Sawtooth Scenic Byway.
Thumbnail of the animated gif of Hells Canyon Scenic Byway.
Animated gif of Hells Canyon Scenic Byway.

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Thumbnail of the animated gif of Thousand Springs Scenic Byway.
Animated gif of Thousand Springs Scenic Byway.
Thumbnail of the animated gif of Snake River Canyon Scenic Byway.
Animated gif of Snake River Canyon Scenic Byway.
Thumbnail of the animated gif of Lower Payette River Heritage Byway.
Animated gif of Lower Payette River Heritage Byway.
Thumbnail of the animated gif of Western Heritage Historic Byway.
Animated gif of Western Heritage Historic Byway.

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Thumbnail of the animated gif of Main Oregon Trail Backcountry Byway.
Animated gif of Main Oregon Trail Backcountry Byway.
Thumbnail of the animated gif of Wildlife Canyon Scenic Byway.
Animated gif of Wildlife Canyon Scenic Byway.
Thumbnail of the animated gif of Peaks to Creaters Scenic Byway.
Animated gif of Peaks to Creaters Scenic Byway.
Thumbnail of the animated gif of Owyhee Uplands Backcountry Scenic Byway.
Animated gif of Owyhee Uplands Backcountry Scenic Byway.

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Thumbnail of the animated gif of Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway.
Animated gif of Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway.
Thumbnail of Animated gif of Pioneer Scenic Byway.
Animated gif of Pioneer Scenic Byway.
Thumbnail of the animated gif of Oregon Trail Bear Lake Scenic Byway.
Animated gif of Oregon Trail Bear Lake Scenic Byway.
Thumbnail of the animated gif of Lewis and Clark Backcountry Byway.
Animated gif of Lewis and Clark Backcountry Byway.

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Thumbnail of the animated gif of Northwest Passage Scenic Byway.
Animated gif of Northwest Passage Scenic Byway.
Thumbnail of the animated gif of Gold Rush Historic Byway.
Animated gif of Gold Rush Historic Byway.
Thumbnail of the animated gif of Elk River Backcountry Byway.
Animated gif of Elk River Backcountry Byway.
Thumbnail of the animated gif of Sacajawea Historic Byway.
Animated gif of Sacajawea Historic Byway.

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Thumbnail of the animated gif of Mesa Falls Scenic Byway.
Animated gif of Mesa Falls Scenic Byway.
Thumbnail of the animated gif of Fort Henry Historic Byway.
Animated gif of Fort Henry Historic Byway.
Thumbnail of the animated gif of Teton Scenic Byway.
Animated gif of Teton Scenic Byway.
Thumbnail of the animated gif of Mesa Falls Scenic Byway.
Animated gif of Mesa Falls Scenic Byway.

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Thumbnail of the animated gif of Lake Coeur d'Alene Scenic Byway.
Animated gif of Lake Coeur d'Alene Scenic Byway.
Thumbnail of the animated gif of St. Joe River Scenic Byway.
Animated gif of St. Joe River Scenic Byway.
Thumbnail of the animated gif of Pend Oreille Scenic Byway.
Animated gif of Pend Oreille Scenic Byway.
Thumbnail of the animated gif of Wild Horse Trail Scenic Byway.
Animated gif of Wild Horse Trail Scenic Byway.

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Drive Idaho’s Scenic Byways

A Guide to Idaho’s Scenic Byways

Download this resource to take with you on your trek along the state’s most stunning routes.

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Drive Idaho’s Scenic Byways
Drive Idaho’s Scenic Byways
Drive Idaho’s Scenic Byways

Map It Out

It’s easier than ever to customize your Idaho itinerary with the help of the Visit Idaho Travel Assistant. See a map of all of Idaho’s scenic byways, and add nearby attractions to your route.

Build an Itinerary
Drive Idaho’s Scenic Byways
Drive Idaho’s Scenic Byways