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 Foothills By 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 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.