The beautiful town of McCall sits in the lush Long Valley, along the southern shore of Payette Lake. From the edges of the valley, a complex puzzle of craggy mountains, open meadows, remote lakes and V-shaped canyons stretches for miles into the Salmon River Mountains.
Did you know that over 60% of Idaho is designated public land? My family has lived in Boise since 1992, but it wasn’t until my first trip down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in 2005 that I realized how unique Idaho truly is.
The summer vacation season is fast approaching, and while this year may be a little different than previous years, it's hard to avoid dreaming about those special Idaho vacation destinations that have stolen your heart time and time again. We believe Idaho is one of those places.
With 35 million acres of public land, including 4.5 million acres of protected wilderness, Idaho makes for a prime camping location. Whether you prefer RV resorts with all the amenities, primitive campgrounds, rustic cabins, comfy yurts, teepees, or anything in between— there are countless ways to sleep beneath the stars.
Here are nine waterfalls you’ll want to have on your adventure list.
Tucked far away in the northern reaches of Idaho’s Panhandle region lies a paradise of lakes, forests, and mountains where the true boundary of the wilderness presses up against civilization. Spring is a fantastic time to visit this little island of adventure and recreation as the weather begins to warm and the lower-elevation forest roads into the mountains have sufficiently melted out.
Steve Graepel worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. I’m scratching my head over a bin of hooks–each knotted with tufts of feathers and fur–asking myself why does one need so many flies to catch a fish?
Scott Marchant worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. Idaho is a hiker's paradise. Unknown to many, the state contains the nation's largest designated wilderness outside of Alaska—the 2.3 million-acre Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness—and over 20 million acres of national forest.
Pack your binoculars, spotting scopes and zoom lenses and get ready to discover unique avian species along the Idaho Birding Trail in the southeastern region.
More than 80 percent of people in North America live in cities or urban areas where light pollution has eaten away at the night sky, leaving only a handful of places where jaw-dropping night skies can be found. With expansive areas relatively untouched by population growth and light pollution, Idaho is ready to show you the night skies you've been dreaming of.
Here in Idaho, the calendar might say it’s spring, but Mother Nature usually has other ideas—for a lot of anglers, the wait for trout fishing is still weeks, even months, away. But spring fishing for Idaho’s trout can often be really good, particularly if you can time your outing with some warming weather before runoff gets going in earnest.
Strange times call for strange beers. Idaho’s craft brewers are pumping out kegs of quirky ales — and other creative styles of cold, frothy brew — to keep you stocked up while you’re staying safe and healthy at home.
Spring is quickly approaching and it's a lovely time of year to simply enjoy what Mother Nature is dishing up - fresh air, blue skies and sunshine. Military Reserve, Boise. Photo Credit: Idaho Tourism.
Winter might not seem like a road trip season, but it happens to be our family’s favorite time to pack up the car and hit the open, sometimes snow-covered, road. We might have to drive a little slower, but that’s the whole point of a road trip - to take your time and see what’s out there.
Update: Treefort Music Fest will be postponed due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns. The ninth annual festival will now take place September 22-26, 2021 in Downtown Boise. For information on tickets and refunds, please head to Treefort's information page here.
Y Travel Blog worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. Planning to visit Idaho with kids? Our recent Idaho vacation turned out to be one of our most favorite family experiences from our one-year road trip in the U.S.
Jessica Hirsch worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. Delectable dishes served with a side of sustainability are one of the most prominent foodie trends of the year. Locally sourced menu items help reduce environmental impacts and allow diners to connect with local food purveyors.
Rolling Van worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. Early morning, dark skies, brisk air, and a hunger to catch those first turns. The only sound we could hear was the boiling of water for our morning coffee.
Tara Morgan worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. Sometimes starchy muffins and sugary pastries just won’t cut it. That’s when you need a coffee shop that does double duty as a breakfast joint, complete with perfectly poached eggs and warm, buttery toast.
Entertaining a variety of ages on a summer vacation can be a challenge, but fear not. Check out this list of all-ages, kid-friendly activities to help you make the most of your vacation time in Idaho.
Idaho’s rugged, diverse beauty is accessible from all sides, making a road trip one of the best ways to explore the state. To make your experience on four wheels as simple and pleasant as possible, this road trip welcomes you in the southeastern corner of the state from nearby Salt Lake City and snakes you all the way north into Idaho’s panhandle.
From lush, green forests and large alpine lakes to charming mountain towns brimming with activities and areas just waiting to be explored, northern Idaho is a spectacular summer destination for travelers seeking adventure and splendor. To help you plan your Idaho vacation, here are three destinations you won’t want to miss.
Until a few years ago, I’d spent most of my winters at ski resorts, riding lifts and looking for untracked snow. But that all changed when I discovered the joys of taking a backcountry ski trip in Idaho.
We are driving down the snow-packed road out of the town of Cascade in southwestern Idaho and into the mountains. Pines, with snow delicately balanced on their branches, pass the window. Forest Service roads and trails covered in snow depart from either side of the road.
A new year means making resolutions to help you live your best life—whether that’s committing to healthier choices, spending more time with family and friends, saving money, traveling more or all of the above. January is also the month for National Plan for Vacation Day, which is all about encouraging Americans to plan their time off for the rest of the year.