If Idaho wasn’t the Gem State, it would surely be dubbed the Hot Springs State. With more than 300 natural hot springs dotting Idaho’s terrain, there are truly hundreds of opportunities to experience the geothermal wonders of Idaho.
This is a sponsored post. When I first set foot on the Little Boulder Trail, en route to what I was convinced would be an alpine paradise, I must admit I was somewhat skeptical. The long, narrow, winding road we’d taken from the highway near Stanley to the trailhead had wended its way through an arid, dusty valley dotted with artificially irrigated farms—islands of verdant green amid an otherwise tawny hillscape--with nary a sight of a snowcapped peak or alpine lake. But I had faith that, as usual, Idaho would deliver the goods and we began the steep ascent into the foothills, flanked by head-high sagebrush and the occasional ponderosa pine.
This is a sponsored post. After backpacking in the Sawtooths for several nights in early August, I fell madly in love with the scenery and the charming towns all over central Idaho. From picturesque hot springs to the best pastries on the planet, here are the highlights of my incredible two weeks in Idaho.
This is a sponsosred post. Dust off your dirndl and brush off your lederhosen, it’s officially Oktoberfest season and Boise can hoist a Hoffbrau with the best of them. Oktoberfest—a beer-soaked festival that started in 1810 to memorialize the marriage of Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen to Crown Prince Ludwig I of Bavaria—runs this year in Munich, Germany from September 16th through October 3rd.
This is a sponsored post. The South Fork of the Snake River serpentines from Wyoming to the Palisades Reservoir in Idaho, its tailwaters continuing 64 miles below the reservoir to the confluence with the Henry’s Fork.
This is a sponsored post. Those strolling through Boise’s verdant Capitol Park last Sunday were in for an unusual sight. Instead of the customary line of cars snaking down Capitol Boulevard, there was a long table blanketed in crisp white linens that wound down the street, hugging the arc of the bike lane.
This is a sponsored post. Whether you’re looking for an adventure in the backcountry or a place to relax for the day, Idaho is a hidden gem for outdoor recreation. Head out for the day, camp overnight, pack a picnic, and enjoy the plethora of hot springs Idaho has to offer.
This is a sponsored post. A food tour is undoubtedly the best way to get to know a new city. It’s a way to get a feel for the different neighborhoods, get your bearings and fill your belly. It’s also a way to learn about how the history of an area and experience how the anthropology shaped the local cuisine.
This is a sponsored post. Fall is a magical season in Idaho. Though winter is on the way, the days stay warm while the nights are crisp and cool. Here in Idaho we love fall festivals and take every opportunity to celebrate during this season of change.
Unless you're walking, the best way to explore Boise is by bicycle. With over 150 different trails and routes, Boise is practically a mountain biker’s paradise. Below are five local favorites near Boise.
Christina McEvoy worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. The Teton Valley is known as the Idaho side of the Tetons and often referred to as the “quiet side of the Grand Tetons” because it is just that—a lot less busy than the Wyoming side!
Relaxing in the natural beauty of Idaho. Photo credit: Elisabeth Brentano. The first time I “visited” Idaho, I was in a mad rush to get from Salt Lake City to Glacier National Park. I zipped through on Interstate 15 with a few breaks for gas and snacks.
To say summer was extraordinary would be an understatement. Along with record-setting whitewater levels and a total solar eclipse, we teamed up with Idaho-based company Art of Visuals to highlight some of Idaho's amazing scenery.
This is a sponsored post. Know the difference between a centrifugal and a cold-pressed juicer? How about the health benefits of activated charcoal, yacón syrup or fresh turmeric? If you need to brush up on your extraction expertise, head to any of these awesome juice shops around Idaho for an education in liquid nutrition.
Enjoy a day sipping and sampling the unique flavors of Idaho at these eight wineries and cideries you can drive, walk or bike to in Boise and Garden City. Cinder Wines Winemaker Melanie Krause of Cinder Wines.
This is a sponsored post. When we moved to Idaho almost 10 years ago, we thought we would only be here for a few short years. After all, what did Idaho really have to offer? At the time, our only perception or view of Idaho was the long stretch of highway between southeastern and southwestern Idaho.
Discover world-class angling, geological wonders, pedal-powered playtime and waterfalls in Southeast and Eastern Idaho. 1. Island Park Henry's Fork of the Snake River in Island Park. Photo Credit: Kirk Anderson The spirit of fly fishing lives in the Teton Valley.
Dip your toes in glacier-carved lakes, experience a classic mountain town and explore a national monument in Central Idaho, Idaho’s most mountainous region in the state. 1. Redfish Lake Redfish Lake, Stanley.
Make your mark on celestial history and then make memories in Southwest Idaho. You’ll find a range of urban adventures, adrenaline advenutres, calming outdoor retreats and plenty of water – summer’s bonding agent for vacation memories.
This is a sponsored post. When you arrive at the entrance of Stanley for the first time, you shake your head at the sign that greets you. Stanley, Idaho - Population : 62. Your head turns westward and you see the jaw-dropping Sawtooth Mountains looking down on this tiny central Idaho town and wonder how only 62 people could be lucky enough to call this mountain paradise home.
The Gem State is full of amazing trails and fabulous views. Anyone who’s trekked to the towering Sawtooths or explored the maze of boulders at the City of Rocks knows that Idaho offers explorers eye-popping scenic views around every turn.
A few short years ago Sun Valley was the hidden gem of the mountain biking world, with miles of empty singletrack just waiting to be ridden. Now, with a flurry of trail construction and the advent of the Ride Sun Valley bicycle festival, the area is taking its place on the podium next to Moab and Fruita as a top mountain bike destination.
This is a sponsored post. I grew up in Boise, and every time I’ve gone home to visit over the last few years, I’ve been impressed with how Boise is blossoming as a city. Boise has become the kind of place where you can go mountain biking, fishing, or climbing within minutes of downtown and finish off your day with local craft beer, delicious food, and live music. Even better, Boise is only two hours from McCall, an unassuming mountain town on the shore of Payette Lake, with raging rivers, hot springs, and uncrowded trails.
This is a sponsored post. There’s something magically relaxing about nursing a cocktail next to the water. It’s the stuff Jimmy Buffett songs are made of: sunshine, icy cold drinks and the rhythmic lap of waves on the beach.
Idaho’s long history of railroads, many built to serve the mining industry, has an impressive legacy: a vast collection of rail to trails across the state. Rail to trails are retired railroad lines converted to multi-use trails.