Fall is my favorite time to road trip in Idaho. Between stunning foliage, warm days that lead to cool nights, and uncrowded trails and roads, it’s the perfect season to explore the Gem State. This fall, hit the road on one of these three weekend trips that showcase the diversity of Idaho’s landscapes, the charming vibe of towns big and small and some of the state’s most spectacular scenery.
Kristen Pope worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. Standing four feet tall with a six-foot-wide wingspan, just one sandhill crane is an impressive sight. However, every fall and spring, Idaho offers opportunities to see hundreds or even thousands of these magnificent birds as they rest along their migratory route.
As the cool fall weather settles in, rustling tree leaves and prompting us to grab a jacket, we start receiving calls asking for the best places to see fall colors in Idaho. This colorful seasonal display is legendary as Idaho’s trees, native vegetation, rushing rivers and mountains masterfully weave together one legendary backdrop.
Boise in Fall. Photo credit: Traveling Spud. 1: Catch the Colors of the Season in Boise Boise is Idaho’s state capital and is one of the most beautiful cities in the West. Its name means “wooded” in French, so it's no wonder Boise is a fantastic place to enjoy the changing fall colors.
Sara Sheehy worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. Located just minutes from the western entrance to world-famous Yellowstone National Park, the town of Island Park is my favorite place to explore when I’m craving the grandeur of the Greater Yellowstone region’s sweeping landscapes and volcanic beauty.
Payette Lake. Photo Credit: Marissa Lovell. Payette Lake McCall Payette Lake is undoubtedly one of my favorite places in Idaho. The crisp air, sparkling water, towering Ponderosa pines and mountain views make Payette Lake one of the best spots to spend your time — whether that’s a few hours or a few days.
Alexandra Baackes worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. For many, Sun Valley is synonymous with skiing. And while the slopes are indeed stellar, in recent years Sun Valley has quietly begun leaning into another reputation: that of Idaho’s unofficial holistic wellness capitol.
During the peak of the westward migration, from about 1840 to 1869, more than 300,000 determined emigrants traveled the Oregon Trail to claim their own piece of the West. The 2,000-mile trail stretched from Missouri to the Oregon Territory, passing 500 miles through Idaho, where travelers faced harsh desert landscapes and hazardous river crossings.
Best Biking Trails: Galena Lodge | Ketchum By: Sara Sheehy Mountain biking is the closest I’ve ever come to flying under my own power. I bask in this feeling of flight as I thread through the trees on the Senate Meadows Loop, a winding, 2.85-mile singletrack trail 30 minutes north of the resort town of Sun Valley.
It’s no secret that the volcanic hotspot under Yellowstone National Park has created, and continues to create, a stunning landscape that draws visitors from around the world. What is less known, perhaps, is the natural beauty that lies just over Yellowstone’s western border in Island Park, Idaho.
Huckleberry Tent & Breakfast. Photo Credit: Huckleberry Tent & Breakfast. Huckleberry Tent & Breakfast. Photo Credit: Huckleberry Tent & Breakfast. Huckleberry Tent & Breakfast Location: Clark Fork This wilderness experience just 30 miles from Sandpoint is a play on a bed and breakfast.
Jessica Hirsch worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. While I could spend a year in Boise and never get bored, sometimes life only gives you a limited time in an amazing destination and you have to pack in everything you can into a short trip.
Roamaroo worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. If summer were a city, it would be Coeur d’Alene, conjuring images of sweet sunny days on the lake, divine downtown dining, enticing craft brews, and the rousing romance of adventure.
Whether you like to hike, bike, learn, or simply unwind, these seven affordable experiences let you explore Idaho's remarkable scenery and history no matter your budget or activity level. All activities listed range in price from $0-$30 per person.
Local Freshies worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. The initial creation of mountain biking seemingly came from humble beginnings. Mark out a route with some ribbon, point it down the slope and the person to tackle that route with the fastest time, wins.
Kristen Pope worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. Hop on your trusty ATV and get ready to explore the wonders of Idaho. With miles and miles of ATV-accessible trails and never-ending views, it’s a perfect place to head out and explore.
Craig Goodwin worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. Can You See the Northern Lights in Idaho? Seeing the northern lights is a bucket-list experience that leads many to take long journeys to Iceland and Alaska, but a trip to northern Idaho, along with persistence and a little luck, is all it takes to check that box off the list.
Kristin Addis worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. Have you heard? Stanley, Idaho is one of the most beautiful small towns in America. I realize such things are subjective, but as a connoisseur of adorable small towns around the world, Stanley sticks out for me as one of the best-kept secrets, rivaling those in the Alps, but without the crowds.
The Traveling Newlyweds worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. Discovering new places that are off the beaten path is our jam. It’s 90% of the reason why we do what we do!
COVID-19 has stolen many moments from travel lovers this year. But for Basque-Americans and their relatives on the other side of the Atlantic, the postponement of Jaialdi 2020 really stung. The massive cultural festival, which attracts about 30,000 revelers to Boise once every five years, is a major touchstone for people from the Basque diaspora.
Kristen Pope worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. Take in picturesque views of the Tetons while biking the trails of Teton Valley. This scenic valley in Eastern Idaho includes mountain biking terrain for everyone, with beginner/intermediate trails to advanced technical terrain, epic backcountry rides, and even a lift-accessed bike park experience.
Several years ago, I was drawn to the Boundary Creek put-in on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River — it’s the launching point for the greatest backcountry float trip in the Lower 48. From there, over the course of several days, boaters, anglers and adventurers of all ilk can literally escape today’s manic realities and enjoy some of the finest floating and fishing left on the planet.
Kristen Bor worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. Exploring dirt roads near the Route of the Hiawatha in Northern Idaho. Photo credit: Kristen Bor. Got road tripping on the mind?
Sofia Jaramillo worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. My friend, Becca Bredehoft and I are sitting at the top of Dollarhide Pass in the Smoky Mountains, eating lunch after our first steep climb of the trip.
Scott Marchant worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. With the second largest lake in Northern Idaho—the 25-mile-long Lake Coeur d’Alene— at its doorstep, the city of Coeur d’Alene offers plenty to do, including boating, kayaking, swimming, fishing and many other water activities.