Idaho is loaded with enough thrilling outdoor adventures and beautiful scenery to keep you busy year round. Active people are always on the move no matter what season it is, and sometimes it feels like there just isn’t enough time in the day to check everything off of the list.
Some of my best memories as a child were made combing through Idaho mountains for hidden treasure. When I was younger, my grandfather would take me through old historic western towns. We would drive for hours up winding dirt roads in search of old mining cities, ghost towns, cabins, and factories.
It’s one of the best sounds in the world. The “clink” as your club connects with your golf ball and sends it sailing accurately toward its final destination. Good company is a major part of this stellar and relaxing equation.
You take family vacations to have fun, see the sights, and enjoy quality time together, but it never hurts to learn a few things along the way. For instance, did you know that Idaho has a waterfall higher than Niagara Falls, river canyons deeper than the Grand Canyon, and an entire town on the National Register of Historic Places that also holds claim as the Center of the Universe?
Idaho is overflowing with weird museums to satisfy the curious and ignite the imagination. There are historical museums, flood museums, bird museums, Native American museums, arts and science museums and everything in between.
Welcome to Idaho’s Highway 12, better known as The Northwest Scenic Passage, where road trip dreams come true. Around every bend, you will find a plethora of outdoor adventures waiting for you. From fly fishing, hiking, river rafting, secluded hot springs, breathtaking views and wildlife viewing, a trip down Hwy 12 will leave you in awe of Mother Nature’s glorious work.
Sparkle, sophistication, and Mother Nature. It’s an odd trio, but one that now exists thanks to the world of glamping. By definition, it’s “glamorous camping” or the pairing of camping with luxury travel.
The Gem State has an infinite selection of shimmering lakes pooling in its high country, but perhaps the crowned jewel is Redfish Lake. Benched six miles above Stanley, Idaho, and framed by 10,000’ peaks, the five-mile-long lake is a popular playground for adventurers seeking respite from the summer heat.
When I think of harvest I think of a magical time when grapes are made into delicious wine, a very romantic process in my mind. Winemakers, however see the process a bit differently than wine drinking consumers. They would describe wine-making as a scientific, nerve racking process that involves many variables and decisions.
Cascade residents Willy Wright and David Saxton love to ride. On any free weekend, they hop into their side-by-side Utility Terrain Vehicles and ride to remote backcountry locations in the Boise National Forest.
Sun Valley is best known for its ski resort, celebrity sightings, and a lifestyle centered on the art of being outside. Residents boast a perennial tan, an effortless sense of eternal youth, and own enough seasonal sports gear to fill a commercial airplane hangar.
Come for the sheep, stay for the trails in Sun Valley. I was in Sun Valley in early October to experience the Trailing of the Sheep Festival. This family-friendly festival focused on food, fiber, culture, and sheep ranching history with the entertaining bonus of watching hundreds of woolies parade through Hailey’s downtown on their way to winter pastures.
Sometimes the best way to learn about history is to get out and experience it. Touch it, see it and talk about it in the places where it happened. Idaho has a rich history in national preserves, reserves, monuments, and historic trails, which, like national parks, are managed by the National Park Service (NPS).
When thinking of Idaho, most people think of outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, and whitewater rafting. But Idaho is becoming well known for something else--wine. Idaho’s fantastic wines have become widely known and appreciated by national and international wine experts as well.
Small but mighty. That’s likely how I would describe my 48 hours in Lava Hot Springs. The town is located in southeastern Idaho and is well-known for its amazing hot pools. But you might be surprised to find out that once you arrive at this mountain oasis, the relaxation and adventure options are endless.
Harriman State Park lies within a 16,000-acre wildlife refuge in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Known for its beautiful scenery and wildlife, the park offers 22 miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails that meander along riverbanks and snake through meadows and lush evergreen forests.
I’ve always been a fan of horses and, like many little girls, hoped I would have my own some day. I was fortunate that my aunt and uncle had a farm and several horses we could ride. Eventually we moved away from the farmland and my horse ownership dreams faded, but I still get giddy when I’m around these beautiful creatures.
Floating a wilderness river like Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon poses certain hazards. Rafts can flip in the river’s Class III and Class IV rapids, sending paddlers swimming. Drinking untreated water from the river can result in intestinal discomfort.
Early Spring is a Great Time to Ride Low and Mid-level trails in the Boise FoothillsBy mid-March in the Boise area, the weather has warmed and people are out hiking, trail-running and biking in droves. With every ride, I feel my legs getting stronger, my lungs have greater capacity, and my pointer, Huck, can pretty much run forever.
When you picture your perfect summer vacation, is there sun and sand? Lazy pedaling to lakeside ice cream shops? Quiet trails under fir canopies? Maybe riding rapids through a rugged canyon? If you’re thinking any—or all—of these, you’re thinking North Idaho.
With 18 summers to work with, I’m happy to say our 13th and 11th summer was a pretty good one, filled with hiking, backpacking, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, and all-around family fun. In July, the boys and I had a chance to go ziplining, a first for all of us.
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is composed of three young lava fields that spread across 500,000 acres of wild country on the Snake River Plain. Over the last 15,000 years, the lava erupted through a series of deep cracks, known collectively as the Great RiftHow does one hike across a 52-mile-long volcano?
A horseback ride is a great way to experience Idaho’s dramatic scenery and get close to wildlife—and, with more than 30 riding outfitters and guest ranches throughout the state, it’s easy to add a ride to your vacation itinerary. Consider these helpful hints to make sure your cowboy experience is memorable for all the right reasons.