This is a sponsored post. The sweltering summer heat was in full effect causing me to run for the hills to find a little reprieve in the mountains. I set my sights for McCall, but being the height of summer, the busy tourist atmosphere of the town did not appeal to my thirst for nature.
"960 miles through some of Idaho's most remote, wild, and scenic country," is a simple way to describe the Idaho Centennial Trail. Since its creation in 1990, only a handful of people have completed a through-hike of the entire trail and many of them took months to do so. That's where Andrija Barker and Taylor Neal come in, crazy (some might say) and ambitious.
Pokémon Go is taking the globe by storm, and even that seems like an understatement. Everywhere you look, people have phones in hand on the hunt for Pokémon. For some Pokémon trainers, this quest to "Catch 'em all" has inadvertently sent players on another kind of journey, one that allows them to explore their city as they've likely never explored it before.
This is a sponsored post. I hooked up with two locals from Pocatello in May, and we pedaled up a narrow singletrack trail from the Gibson Jack parking lot into a lush landscape -- beautiful tall grass waving in the stiff breeze, a variety of yellow, red and purple wildflowers, tall shrubs and an occasional pine tree.
Situated near the western gateway to Yellowstone National Park, eastern Idaho is an unexpected paradise for families looking to experience the diverse beauty of the Rocky Mountains and Snake River Plain. From the spectacular views of the Grand Tetons, to the picturesque downtown of Idaho Falls and the feeling of a bygone era, there are countless opportunities for an active family to explore and make new memories. While I’m proud to be the Director of Idaho Commerce – tasked with promoting our amazing state to everyone from businesses to tourists to international investors – I’m also a proud mom of two boys, ages 3 and 5. So I fully understand the realities of travel as a family (my mom says, “traveling with children can sometimes be better classified as a trip rather than a vacation!”) but still I try to take my children with me on the road whenever I can so they can experience the wonders of our own backyard and build their own childhood memories.
This is a sponsored post. When we were gearing up for our yearlong journey back in January, Idaho wasn’t at the top of our list of outdoor destinations. To be honest, we thought we’d spend a day in Idaho and continue west from there to a state that’s “better” for outdoor activities.
This is a sponsored post. Nestled in the shadow of Idaho’s tallest peaks, the Mackay Rodeo has enough action for locals and visitors alike. Mark your calendar for the 3rd weekend of June to experience “Idaho’s Wildest Rodeo,” then stay to enjoy Mackay’s rich historic and natural heritage.
This is a sponsored post. As a lifelong Idahoan, I thought I had seen most of what my home state had to offer, but it wasn't until I got into photography that I really began to appreciate its beauty. There are so many things to photograph here, from amazing waterfalls to majestic mountains to the awe-inspiring night skies.
This is a sponsored post. After moving from the Midwest to the Pacific Northwest three years ago, I quickly fell in love with the gorgeous and diverse outdoor scene here. For reasons unknown, however, it took me almost three years to visit and explore the great Idaho Panhandle.
This author is a paid content writer for Idaho Tourism. Summer is here, and it's time to get outside and enjoy the warm weather. Don’t get me wrong, I love winter activities, but sometimes the chilly weather forces us to develop patterns: wake up, coffee, work, gym, dinner, Netflix.
Nick Lake worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. A quick note: we chose to ride the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes both directions, beginning in the west, staying overnight near the Montana border, and returning the next day for a total distance of 144 miles. Many riders prefer to ride just one direction and there are shuttle services that will accommodate this, returning you and your bike by van to your starting point. Additionally, the plentiful stops and road crossings allow for a very customizable itinerary and plenty of restrooms and picnic areas line the trail. Ride as much or as little as you’d like; break it up into more manageable pieces; make it work for you—you can’t go wrong!
This author is a paid content writer for Idaho Tourism. I grew up with parents who took us into Idaho’s backcountry regularly. Thus, my love for being in the great outdoors has always been a top priority when warm weather hits.
The fourth of July is just around the corner and if you haven't come up with a plan to celebrate Independence Day, don't worry, you've still got time to figure it out. Here's a look at some of the celebrations happening around the state to help inspire your plans.
John Webster worked in Partnership with Visit Idaho to create this travel tip. An Idaho hidden gem lies between Mountain Home and Twin Falls, an oasis in the desert if you will. Thousand Springs State Park offers gorgeous views as thousands of gallons of water flow from below ground, cascading down the volcanic cliff faces. Once you experience this unique location you’ll know that Idaho is simply different in the best way possible.
Steve Graepel worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. The high-desert landscape takes on a hue of blue as the sun sets behind the Albion Mountains. A distant truck rambles down a lonesome desert road kicking up an orange plume of dust that hangs in the air.
Steve Stuebner worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. Hells Canyon, the deepest gorge in North America at over 7,000 feet, is a gnarly canyon that straddles the Oregon-Idaho border for more than 100 miles.
Crazy. Out of their minds. Insane. Those might be just a few of the words used to describe the world-class kayakers that stare down the raging waters of Idaho's North Fork of the Payette River and live to tell about it during the North Fork Championship (NFC).
Steve Stuebner worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. It's a gorgeous day in Swan Valley, Idaho—perfect for floating and fishing the South Fork of the Snake River. Temps are in the 80s, the skies cobalt blue and I see a bald eagle flying overhead as we turn the corner on the South Fork and tuck into a willow-lined side channel, an oxbow of the big river.
Idaho's restaurant business is booming, and with new and locally-owned restaurants opening by the day, it takes some serious showmanship to stand out from the crowd. So we're taking a trip up north to Idaho's panhandle in Coeur d'Alene to explore five incredible eateries that will satisfy your every craving.
This author is a paid content writer for Idaho Tourism. Often when we travel, we leave the comforts of home behind, but for dog-lovers, leaving your four-legged best friend behind simply isn’t an option.
This is a sponsored post. One of the most amazing things about Boise is just how close nature really is. The foothills of the Boise Front overlook the city and provide enough recreational opportunities to keep anyone busy, especially if your idea of healthy fun is interacting with nature on foot or astride a mountain bike.
Fishing is by far one of the most accessible outdoor sports and nearly anyone, regardless of age, fitness level, or income can do it. Whether you grew up taking out the tackle box with your grandpa every weekend or are just looking to get outside with the kids and try something new, casting a line is a great activity.
Idaho is home to one of the most extreme whitewater competitions in the world, but with more than 3,100 miles of navigable whitewater it's not hard to believe. In just its fifth year, the North Fork Championship has become the premiere extreme kayak race on the planet.
Idaho has nearly 30 species of game fish and an abundance of rivers, lakes, creeks, reservoirs and ponds. Even with all this opportunity, the thought of going fishing can still feel daunting. Where should you go?
This is a sponsored post. The rich diversity of Idaho’s landscape is so unique that when exploring the vast backcountry some spots feel as though you’ve landed on another planet. The City of Rocks National Reserve is one of those places.