By Kitt Doucette Idaho’s landscape weaves a tapestry of vivid blue skies, rugged wilderness and diverse wildlife. Sewn through it all is the soul of cowboy lore and tradition. Here, rodeo isn’t just a sport—it’s a living, breathing celebration of the American West. Each rodeo on this list offers a portal into the enduring legacy and still-vital presence of the Wild West.
As the temperature drops and snowflakes blanket the Treasure Valley, Boise transforms into a winter wonderland filled with exciting activities. Whether you’re an adventurer seeking the thrill of the slopes, a foodie warming up with cozy drinks, or someone looking to soak in the holiday magic, the Boise area offers something for everyone.
A powwow is a ceremony that calls forth its participants with the beat of a drum. It’s the first thing you hear long before you enter the setting—whether it’s a park, a campground, in the woods by a river or inside a school gym or cavernous coliseum.
Known as the Caribbean of the Rockies, Bear Lake State Park shines in southeastern Idaho. With dazzling turquoise waters, plentiful swimming areas, and a fish species found nowhere else on earth, this park has a lot to offer.
Embarking on an RV road trip to eastern Idaho presents an exceptional opportunity to immerse yourself in the grandeur of the Teton Mountains, embrace the serene beauty of nature, and delve into the relaxed ambiance of quaint small-town living. This idyllic getaway is tailor-made for families seeking respite from the bustling crowds of many other summer destinations.
Geologic wonders and history collide at Massacre Rocks State Park. Spot signatures from Oregon Trail emigrants at Register Rock and explore the remains of an extinct volcano all in one spot at this park along the Snake River.
They call Connie Kennedy the Queen of the Snake River. In 2024, during a single trip down the Snake, which twists through Hells Canyon in Idaho, she steered a raft past a swimming black bear, threaded the needle into a notorious wall of water dubbed The Green Room, told stories about the people who once lived in the area, and held down the fort as a brief but mighty squall blasted through camp, sending tents sailing.
There’s no question that Salmon, in eastern Idaho, is a river town: the community of 3,000 is best known as the departure point for float trips on the famed Main Salmon River. But amongst the trucks towing rafts or drift boats can be found a few with bike racks.
Crossing between Chilly to Sun Valley, Trail Creek Road is a (mostly) dirt road beckoning to be explored. Trail Creek Road meanders for nearly 70 miles through the picturesque landscapes of central Idaho, following creeks, passing through meadows, and summiting at 7,910ft.
After my husband and I spent two full weeks on a road trip around the state of Idaho in search of waterfalls, I couldn’t wait to sit and write about this experience. Beginning in southern Idaho, we were surrounded by desert landscapes and sunny, warm July afternoons, then we began heading north through the Sawtooth’s and along the Salmon River, but as we reached Northern Idaho, the scenery changed drastically as we were surrounded by the tallest of trees, rivers and creeks along every road, cooler afternoons with one or two light summer rains passing through.
The Jaialdi Festival in Boise, Idaho is the biggest Basque party in the United States. This celebration of food, dancing, music and sports is an extravaganza of Basque culture. It’s a six-day celebration July 29 to August 3.
Tucked deep in the mountains of central Idaho, the picturesque town of Stanley lies preserved in time, nestled against the formidable Sawtooth Mountain Range. This small mountain town has endless outdoor recreation opportunities, but one experience stands as a must-do adventure, fly-fishing the Salmon River.
Tómese un descanso y haga un recorrido visual y auditivo del Estado Gema. Explore los sonidos de los lugares pintorescos y silvestres de Idaho, y muchas de las vistas que convierten a Idaho en un lugar especial.
Melynda Harrison trabajó en conjunto con Visite Idaho para crear este consejo para viajeros. Los viajes por carreteras son el epítome de las vacaciones veraniegas familiares. Empaque su automóvil, apúntalo hacia el camino abierto y vea cómo los vínculos familiares se fortalecen.
¿Sabía usted que la mayoría de los terrenos de Idaho son públicos? Con más de un 60 por ciento de tierras públicas, Idaho es un respiro para los amantes de la naturaleza y para las aventuras al aire libre.
Una nota: Elegimos recorrer el Sendero de la Cordillera Coeur d’Alene en ambas direcciones, empezando en el oeste, pasando la noche cerca de la frontera con Montana y volviendo al próximo día, para una distancia total de 144 millas (231 kilómetros). Muchas de las personas que hacen este viaje prefieren hacerlo en solo una dirección y hay servicios especializados de transporte de pasajeros que les permiten hacerlo, llevando a los viajeros y sus bicicletas de vuelta al punto de partida en furgones conocidos como “van.” Además, la multitud de paradas y cruces permiten crear un itinerario muy personalizado y hay muchos baños y zonas de picnic a lo largo del sendero.
Camping is a wonderful way to unplug from the bustle of daily life and experience nature in its purest form. With 30 state parks and over 30 million acres of public land, Idaho is home to some of the best camping areas in the western United States, offering the perfect mix of scenery and solitude.
Idaho’s diverse and breathtaking landscapes offer thousands of miles of hiking trails, making the Gem State a haven for outdoor recreation. However, as more people discover the beauty of Idaho’s wilderness, it becomes increasingly important to share educational messaging about responsible hiking practices, like planning ahead and packing out trash.
Whether you’re backpacking, camping in one of Idaho’s stunning State Park campgrounds or renting a cabin, enjoying the warmth of a crackling campfire is one of the best ways to end the day’s adventures. Summer is peak time for outdoor recreation in Idaho, and it also marks the height of wildfire season.
Idaho boasts millions of acres of diverse and pristine wilderness, where breathtaking landscapes are inhabited by a wide variety of wildlife. From moose to deer, wildlife is a major highlight for visitors.
You’ll never be bored in eastern Idaho during the summer as there are so many activities to enjoy! Popular outdoor activities include visiting lakes, going fishing, and relaxing in a hot spring. You’ll also be able to enjoy unique activities like visiting an authentic Idaho ranch or going glamping in an airstream!
Designated by the U.S. Department of Transportation, scenic byways are recognized for their outstanding archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational or scenic qualities. With 31 of these remarkable routes crisscrossing the state, Idaho’s scenic byways each promise an out-of-this-world experience.
From rugged mountains to river corridors, Idaho’s picturesque wilderness is home to both black bears and grizzly bears. Approximately 20,000 black bears and 100 grizzly bears can be found in Idaho, with black bears across the state, and grizzlies in Northern Idaho and Eastern Idaho, near Yellowstone National Park.
Experience the scenic beauty of northern Idaho on the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes. Ride, walk or skate this unique paved trail any time of year to spot wildlife and explore the charm of quaint towns along the way.
Touted as the Pacific Northwest's oldest park, Heyburn State Park showcases all the ways to explore and enjoy northern Idaho. Join Park Ranger Dalton Crane to learn how to take advantage of all this fantastic park has to offer.