Let an experienced snowmobile guide take you on a family-friendly cruise through hushed forests and powdery meadows, or on steep-and-deep runs around the state. With spectacular views and thousands of miles of trails, Idaho is ready to deliver nonstop sledding adventures.
Marissa Lovell worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. The first sip of Idaho cider is like plucking a crisp, round apple straight off the tree and immediately taking a crunchy, juicy bite.
Imagine gliding across the snow through Ponderosa pines next to a sparkling lake, swishing beside a river filled with wintering swans or chatting with your family as you kick and glide on groomed trails breathing in the fresh winter air. These are the winter experiences you can have cross-country skiing with kids in Idaho.
Nestled at the toe of the Selkirk Range between northern Idaho’s Priest Lake and Lake Pend Oreille sits Schweitzer—a hidden gem of a ski mountain and home base to Selkirk Powder’s snowmobile and cat-skiing operations. We joined them for a long weekend in late February to discover all the mountain had to offer and were met with top-notch powder conditions, fantastic tree skiing and genuine hospitality.
A 3-Day Guide to Winter Fun Within a Few Hours of Boise By: Sara Sheehy Itching to get outside this winter? In Boise, you're never too far from memorable outdoor experiences. The city's central location makes it ideal for accessing winter recreation, with Idaho City, McCall, Sun Valley and Twin Falls all within a three-hour drive.
Tara Morgan worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. Sipping a cocktail next to a crackling fire can ignite festive feelings in the Grinch-iest among us. Thankfully, there are a handful of cocktail bars in Boise where you can imbibe al fresco into the winter months, thanks to heaters and flickering fire pits.
Playing in a Winter Wonderland Turn Your Family's Snow Days into Snow Adventures in Idaho. Say hello to snowy Idaho, the perfect place for you and the kids to experience iconic winter activities. From skiing and snowshoeing to guided snowmobile tours and hot springs, you'll discover a winter wonderland of activities.
The Traveling Newlyweds worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. Winter is right around the corner, and if you’re anything like us, you are READY for it. (We’ve been ready since June!) Cold weather, comfy clothes, a cozy fire, falling snow… Bring.
Carving First Tracks By Marissa Lovell Northern Idaho may be known for its lakes, but when winter arrives it's time to head for the hills. The majestic mountains and dense forests of northern Idaho become a playground for die-hard downhill skiers and snowboarders, thrill-seeking snowmobilers and Nordic explorers alike.
Idaho’s most popular route between Boise and McCall, ID-55, also recognized as the Payette River Scenic Byway, is getting a much-needed upgrade between Smiths Ferry and Round Valley. Avoid traffic delays and road closures by planning ahead and consider taking US-95 as an alternate route.
Autumn has arrived in Idaho and with that comes crisp air, fall leaves, and pumpkin-flavored everything. But, there’s much more to do in Idaho than leaf peep and drink pumpkin spice lattes. From apple picking and pumpkin patches to haunted mansions and fall cooking classes, discover 9 activities you need to do in Idaho this fall.
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.
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. Set on the beautiful 26-mile-long Lake Coeur d’Alene in the mountains of northern Idaho, this picturesque lake community offers the ultimate summer getaway for couples seeking a mixture of adventure, romance and relaxation.
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.