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 Rift How 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.