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.
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.
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.
This author is a paid content writer for Idaho Tourism. If you spend your free time watching shows like Chopped, Hell’s Kitchen, or Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, you’ll love this behind the scenes peek into how top Idaho chefs prepare exclusive, authentic Gem State cuisine.
Just an hour outside of Boise, is a place likely to blow your mind. Bruneau Dunes State Park, home to the tallest single-structured sand dune in North America, offers a different way to play in Idaho.
Traveling through the Sawtooth Scenic Byway is like having a massive lesson in geology. Around every bend is a new sight to behold and to be quite frank, those sights are jaw dropping and awe inspiring. Countless times we pulled over to take photo after photo. On the road to Stanley.
You don’t have to venture far from the road to see out-of-this-world scenery in Idaho's state parks. Whether you’re looking for a short day trip, or plan to enjoy an extended camping stay, Idaho’s state parks have something for you.
This author is a paid content writer for Idaho Tourism. The Wood River Valley is one of the most sought after vacation destinations in the lower 48. Sweeping valleys, towering snow-capped peaks, and dense forests give families endless options for outdoor exploration.
Easy access to some of Idaho’s most spectacular scenery often puts exploring the Gem State near the top of the agenda for many travelers venturing through the Northwest. Yet, many families avoid extreme trips here because they have children.
At the northern trailhead for the Weiser River Trail, near New Meadows (elev. 3,868 feet), the meadows next to the trail are deep green and brimming with insect and bird life. I hear sandhill cranes sounding off in the tall grass.
There is nothing quite like taking a hike with your four-legged friends. The fresh air and exercise are good for you and good for them. Fortunately, the Sun Valley area is very dog-friendly, with hundreds of great options for hitting the trails close to town.
ATV exploration has exploded in the Northwest, simply because it’s a blast to do with the kids! Idaho boasts family-friendly opportunities to explore riding parks and ATV trails throughout the state.