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12 Essential Idaho Road Trip Experiences

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With such wide diversity in landscapes and outdoor recreation opportunities, Idaho is one of the most underrated states in the West. From the high desert plains to jagged mountain peaks to pristine rivers and streams, no matter what part of the state you find yourself in, we guarantee there’s someplace beautiful to explore nearby.

mountains with field in foreground

One of the best ways to get the full Idaho experience is to road trip through the state. With so many gorgeous scenic byways and charming rural towns to stop in along the way, the journey can be as much of a draw as the destinations themselves.

We compiled a road trip itinerary that features some of the best outdoor recreation activities the state has to offer. Whether you’re into kayaking, rafting, horseback riding, biking, hiking, or fly fishing, we’ve got something for you.

Located along the dramatic cliffs of the Snake River Canyon, the city of Twin Falls has a high desert climate but tons of outdoor water recreation.

What to Do: Snake River Canyon Rim Trail

wide shot of snake river with bridge stretching over the water and kayakers below the bridge

Walk, run, or bike along the spectacularly scenic Snake River Canyon Rim Trail. The rim trail can be picked up from the northern terminus of Washington Street, next to the Visitor Center, or in Shoshone Park. Venture out to the famed Evil Knievel jump site, watch BASE jumpers leap from Perrine Bridge, or grab a drink at Elevation 486 and watch the sun set over the canyon.

Perrine-Coulee Falls  – This waterfall drops nearly 200 feet down into the Snake River Canyon, creating a continuous ribbon of water as it falls. Unlike most waterfalls, Perrine-Coulee Falls actually increases in strength during the summer because water used for irrigation spills over into the Coulee River. If you don’t mind getting a little wet, there’s even trail that leads behind the falls.

man standing near waterfall coming off of cliff edge

Where to Stay: Blue Lakes Inn – While the outside looks like an unassuming roadside motel, on the inside the rooms have all had a classy modern makeover. Don’t pass up this hidden gem. (Note: the complimentary breakfast here is legit!)

Where to Eat: The Buffalo Cafe – Light on amenities, heavy on character, this old fashioned hole-in-the-wall diner is where the town’s old guard gathers for breakfast.

KB’s – With five locations throughout Idaho, KB is quickly becoming the premiere burrito stop in the whole state (Recommendation: get the Jordan’s Burrito – It’s loaded with slow cooked pork, black beans, and yams!)

Slice Pizza – Delicious brick oven pizza right in downtown Twin Falls. Grab an order to go or hang out on their front patio.

From Twin Falls to Boise, take Interstate 84 heading west.

As one of the fastest growing urban centers in America, Boise is quickly becoming the new darling city of the West. With a charming downtown, new restaurants and breweries, and an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities nearby, it’s easy to see why people are flocking to Boise. What to Do:

woman riding bike on greenbelt path

Boise Greenbelt  – Running through the heart of the city, the Greenbelt is a 25-mile pathway that runs along the Boise River. This tree-lined river corridor is both a recreation destination and means of access for pedestrians and cyclists. Take a sunset stroll, rent a bike from one of the many Green Bike stations , or grab an inner tube and float down the Boise River during the warm summer months.

Payette Brewing Tour – Feeling thirsty while pedaling down the Greenbelt? Stop by the Payette Brewery and take a brewery tour. With a brand new building, plenty of outdoor space, and tons of amazing craft brews on tap, Payette Brewing is a great place to spend the afternoon.

small flight of beers from payette brewing

Old Idaho Penitentiary – While today Boise is a very modern city, you can still connect with its western roots at the Old Idaho Penitentiary. Operated as a prison from 1872 to 1973, this historical site is open to the public. While a sobering place to visit, it offers a glimpse into what life behind bars looked like in the old American West.

woman looking into old prison cells

Raft the Payette River with Cascade Raft & Kayak – While the city of Boise is a great place to visit on its own, its access to outdoor recreation opportunities is what truly makes it incredible. Case in point: only 45 minutes outside of town and you have access to world class whitewater. Sign up with Cascade Raft & Kayak and get an introduction to the class III & IV rapids on the South Fork of the Payette River or check out the all-ages option for the whole family. This is a must do experience!

rafters going through rapids on the river

Where to Stay: Hotel 43 – Sitting on the 43rd parallel in the 43rd state, Hotel 43 is a uniquely styled boutique hotel right in the heart of downtown Boise. (Note: Coffee drinkers rejoice. Each room comes with a Keurig coffee maker!)Where to Eat: Bacon – This breakfast and lunch bistro joint takes its bacon seriously. In addition to the standard menu, there is also a separate bacon menu with five different kinds of bacon. Bacon also makes an incredible bacon Bloody Mary.

High Note – Exceptional breakfast and lunch menu with a slight dive bar feel, the High Note is a favorite locals hangout in the middle of downtown Boise.

Bittercreek Alehouse – Casual, mindful, and often pretty busy, the Bittercreek Alehouse serves a wide range of draft microbrews alongside locally sourced pub fare. (If you like fries, cheese, and gravy, then definitely check out their poutine!)

From Boise to Stanley, take Highway 21 going north.

At the foot of the Sawtooth Mountains, the tiny town of Stanley (population 63) is one of the last remaining holdouts of the Idaho frontier. Scenically located, pristinely untouched, this town feels a little like stepping into the past. With access to nearly any type of outdoor recreation you can possibly imagine, Stanley serves as a gateway to an entire world of Idaho adventures.

What to Do: Hike in the Sawtooths Mountains – While this stunning mountain range rivals the Sierra Nevadas and the Canadian Rockies in beauty, they are very lacking in one department: crowds. Their relatively remote location makes them a haven for those looking for a more intimate connection with the natural environment. There over 700 miles of trails, 300 high mountain lakes, and 40 peaks that rise above 10,000 feet. Out here, there’s plenty of wilderness to explore.

woman hiking on path along aspen trees

Horseback riding with Redfish Lake Corrals –   If you want to experience the Sawtooths like the early settlers, then you’ve got to ride out on horseback. Redfish Lake Corrals can take you on an early morning tour where you can watch the sunrise illuminate the jagged mountain cliffs, or lead you on a day ride out to one of the many gorgeous alpine lakes. It’s an experience that won’t easily be forgotten. (If possible, ask for Kagan to be your guide! An Idaho native, he’s full of fun facts and interesting history about the area.)

people on horseback looking out over stanley area

Land of Yankee Fork State Park – Take a glimpse into Idaho’s rich mining history with a visit to Land of the Yankee Fork State Park. Explore the old mining boom towns of Custer, Bayhorse, and Bonanza or take a guided tour of one of best preserved floating gold dredges in the world. (Not all visitor center movies are worth it, but the one at Yankee Fork definitely is.)

old mining building

Where to Stay: Sunny Gulch Campground – While there is traditional lodging to be found in Stanley, there is also an abundant amount of camping. Sunny Gulch is located to the south of town, but offers spectacular views of the Sawtooths at dawn. (Try to get campsite #5 and you’ll be rewarded with a fantastic view of sunrise on the Sawtooths with your morning coffee.)

Where to Eat: Stanley Baking Company & Cafe – A charming breakfast and lunch spot with legendary baked goods and a friendly atmosphere. Order coffee and baked goods to go or sit down on the front porch and enjoy a full country breakfast. (Recommendation: their sourdough pancakes!)

From Stanley to Salmon, take State Highway 75 north to US 93 and continue north.

Nestled in the Bitterroot Mountains of central Idaho, Salmon is a small rural community with some serious small town vibes. Located along the Salmon River – otherwise known as “The River of No Return” – this town balloons in size during the annual steelhead run.

What to Do: Fly Fishing the Salmon River

man fly fishing

Idaho has some of the best fly fishing in the entire country and has serious anglers planning their vacations to Salmon during peak times of the year. Whether you’re a seasoned fisherman or just looking to get into the sport, stop by The Flybox – the only full service fly fishing shop in the area. (Note: Try to speak with the owner Steve. He’s a very humble, down to earth guy and an absolute wealth of knowledge.)

Goldbug Hot Springs   – Widely considered to be one of the most “epic” hot springs in the entire country, Goldbug has a combination of attributes that make it a truly incredible experience. Its remote location and steep two miles hike tends to deter some but its terraced pools offer both seclusion and stunning views while the water is crystal clear. The bottom is stony gravel and there’s a hot water waterfall. It pretty much doesn’t get any better than that.

woman sitting in mountain hot pool

Where to stay: Stagecoach Inn – A classic roadside motel right in downtown Salmon. Enjoy views of the Salmon River that runs directly behind the property or take a short walk into town.

Where to Eat: Rise and Shine Espresso – Small funky coffee shop with an eclectic breakfast & lunch menu. Eat in or stop by their drive-thru window for an order to go.

Oddfellows Bakery – A must stop destination for anyone visiting Salmon. Great coffee, nice atmosphere, and out of this world bread!

Junkyard Bistro – A funky small town bistro and bar with a surprising amount of vegetarian and gluten free options.

All photos, including feature image, are credited to Fresh Off the Grid.

Fresh Off the Grid is an outdoor travel blog and camp cooking resource written by Michael van Vliet & Megan McDuffie, where they share stories of their adventures and the food that fuels them.

Published on September 22, 2016

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A small house sits in a green field in Swan Valley, Idaho, with a blue sky above

Idaho road trip - The ultimate travel itinerary

Idaho may not be an obvious place for a road trip, but with its wild rivers, dramatic mountains, scenic byways and expansive national parks, there truly is no better place to get away from at all.

This epic Idaho road trip itinerary starts in Boise and dips briefly into Oregon, taking in all the most amazing sights in south-central Idaho - from the stunning Sawtooth National Forest and otherworldly Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve to the iconic Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, and numerous spectacular waterfalls along the way.

While this itinerary goes at a pretty quick pace, you can always opt to spend more or less time in each destination, extending the trip from 9 days to 12 or even to 2 weeks.

Here's how to make the most out of a road trip in Idaho.

Day 1: Start in Boise, then drive to Twin Falls

Welcome to the Gem State!

Arrive in Boise and see the city

You'll start your Idaho road trip in capital city Boise, which has an international airport with arrivals from many different airlines all over the world.

If you're not local, pick up your rental car at the airport ( Budget , Enterprise and Avis all have offices in the area). There will be plenty of time to explore Boise on days 8 and 9, so for now set your sights on stop number 1: the majestic Bruneau Sand Dunes, an hour south of the airport.

Go sand-boarding Bruneau Sand Dunes

Autumn leaves in Boise, Idaho, with mountains in the background

The first destination on your driving itinerary does not feel like typical Idaho; in fact, you'd be forgiven for thinking you're in Dubai or Africa when you arrive at Bruneau Dunes State Park.

This 4,800-acre geologic preservation area features an array of massive sand dunes sitting next to small lakes, making for quite the dramatic sight.

It's believed that the dunes were formed about 15,000 years ago during the last Ice Age, when the Bonneville Flood inundated parts of southern Idaho and eastern Washington.

Today, it's a popular attraction for Boise residents and visitors alike, who come to fly kites, do some stargazing, fish in the lakes or surf down the dunes.

Entry to the park costs $5.

Plan to arrive at Bruneau by around 10am so you can take full advantage of the park and still have plenty of time to travel to your next road trip destination.

Set your Sat Nav for the Bruneau Sand Dunes visitor centre, where you can park your car and head inside to rent a sandboard for $15 a day. Then make your way to the top of the dunes and surf your way down!

For more information about getting to Bruneau Sand Dunes and what to do once you're there, head to the NPS website .

Sunrise at the Bruneau Sand Dunes in central Idaho, USA

Drive to Twin Falls

After you've mastered sandboarding, dust off the sand, hop back in your car and drive towards Twin Falls. It's about 1.5 hours away, so you should arrive by lunch time.

The stunning city of Twin Falls is known as the gateway to Snake River Canyon, one of the most scenic parts of the state.

It's also a hotbed for water activities and adventure sports; to see what we mean, just head to Perrine Bridge and watch the base jumpers leap off the edge!

Perrine Bridge crosses over Snake River in Twin Falls, Idaho, USA

Have lunch at Idaho Joes

Seeing as you've had a big day already (and it's far from over!) you deserve a big, hearty, super American lunch.

For that, make your way to Idaho Joes, a casual local haunt that specialises in all things fried and delicious.

If you happen to be visiting at the weekend, the buffet breakfast is seriously popular. And be sure to save some room for pie!

See Shoshone Falls - the 'Niagara of the West'

Once you're suitably stuffed, pile back into the car and drive to Shoshone Falls. Don't worry, it's just 15 minutes away.

This awe-inspiring waterfall is known as 'The Niagara of the West,' and it's easy to see why. In fact, it's actually a whole 42ft taller than Niagara, spewing out water at an incredible 3,600 cubic feet per second.

It's especially amazing to look at after rainfall, when the falls are at their most impressive.

There's plenty of parking at Shoshone Falls, and it's an easy walk to the viewpoints.

Aerial view of the spectacular Shoshone Falls in Twin Falls, Idaho

Head onwards to the city of Blackfoot

After about 45 minutes or so of admiring the falls, it's time to continue on with your Idaho trip.

Your final stop of the day is Blackfoot, a small city with a big claim to fame: 'the Potato Capital of the World.'

You'll get your fair share of spuds tomorrow, but for now you should find your hotel, check in, drop your bags and head into town for dinner.

There are a couple of food options in town, depending on what you're in the mood for. You'll soon notice that 'light bites' are not really a concept in Idaho, so be prepared for some more hefty portions and lashings of fried food!

A small house sits in a green field in Swan Valley, Idaho, with a blue sky above

Day 2: Blackfoot to Swan Valley

Rise and shine! It's time to explore more of this wild and wacky state, starting with perhaps one of the wackiest Idaho tourist attractions you'll see on this road trip: the Idaho Potato Museum.

Visit the Idaho Potato Museum (because obviously)

Yes, it is as corny as it sounds, but the Idaho Potato Museum is also surprisingly interesting, offering a wealth of historical and cultural information about the humble spud.

Plus, museum visitors get a free box of tater tots when they leave - how could you turn that down!

Entry to the museum costs $4 for adults and $2 for children aged 5 to 12. Kids aged 4 and under go for free.

Note that the museum opens at 9:30am and is closed on Sundays.

Sculpture of a baked potato in front of the Idaho Potato Museum in Blackfoot, Idaho

Drive Blackfoot to Swan Valley

Around 10:30am or so, jump into the car once more to drive to your next Idaho road trip destination: Swan Valley, which is an hour northeast of Blackfoot.

The lovely Swan Valley is famously the location of the South Fork of the Snake River, the best wild trout fly-fishing river in the country.

This waterway boasts an incredible 4,000 fish per mile, making it one of the most productive rivers in the country.

Seeing as fishing is king here, it's only right for you to spend the rest of the day out on the river, seeing what you can catch.

The sun rises over Snake River in Idaho's Swan Valley

Hire a guide and do some fishing on Snake River

If you're new to fly-fishing, there are several guide companies in the area that will provide equipment and show you the way.

The Lodge at Palisades Creek is a highly rated tour agency, offering half-day guided fishing excursions for $450 for 1 to 4 people (including water and tackle, plus lunch for an additional $20).

The trip lasts four hours, so plan to arrive by around noon or 1pm so you can be out on the water all afternoon.

A man goes fly fishing on Snake River in Swan Valley, Idaho

Alternative: Dip into Wyoming and explore Grand Teton National Park

If fishing's not your thing, you can opt out of Swan Valley and instead drive a bit further east to the mind-blowingly beautiful Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone's less crowded neighbour.

You could easily spend several days wandering around this wild expanse, but it's also completely doable to squeeze a lot into one day.

Your Grand Tetons itinerary should definitely include taking the ferry across Jenny Lake to Hidden Falls, hiking around Cascade Canyon, and seeing how close you can get to the summit at Inspiration Point. The views from there are absolutely breathtaking.

The view over Jenny Lake from Inspiration Point in Grand Tetons, Wyoming

Tonight, you can either stay in luxury in a cabin at the Lodge or head to one of the other, less expensive, accommodation options in the area.

There are also plenty of campgrounds and RV parks if you've brought a tent or a campervan.

Day 3: Drive from Swan Valley to Sun Valley via Craters of the Moon

On day 3, before continuing on with your Idaho road trip, treat yourself to a big breakfast at Angus Restaurant.

The menu at this friendly and rustic truckstop-style eatery consists of breakfast classics like delicious omelettes, sizzling bacon, biscuits and gravy, and free coffee refills.

Throw in a milkshake if you're feeling crazy!

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve in Idaho, with snow capped mountains in the distance

Drive to Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve

Breakfast devoured, it's time to move on to your next stop: the mystically named Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve.

It's a 2.5-hour drive from Swan Valley, so stop halfway in Idaho Falls to buy some food and water for a picnic lunch later. Gandolfo's New York Deli on S Woodruff Avenue has a great selection of sandwiches and salads. And if you've got a sweet tooth, pick up one of their mousse cakes as well - you won't regret it!

You should plan to arrive at the Craters by around 1pm.

The otherworldly landscape at Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho, USA

Explore Craters of the Moon

Begin your visit to this jaw-dropping place at the Craters of the Moon visitor centre (or the Robert Limbert Visitor Center, as it's called on Google Maps), where they'll give you trail suggestions and information about the park.

You can also watch a short film there that provides more background on the natural history context.

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve consists of 1,600 square km of blackened lava flows, cinder cones, volcanic fissures and lava caves.

It was formed during eight major volcanic eruptive periods between 15,000 and 2,00 years ago.

You'll definitely want to bring your camera (and a torch!) to capture these amazing natural features and venture into the caves, which date back thousands of years.

To get the most out of your visit, embark on the 7-mile loop, which includes access to hiking trails that take you up close to the incredible volcanic features.

(You can find a Craters of the Moon map and details of the Loop Road on the National Park Service website .)

The seven-mile loop takes about 30 minutes to drive, but you should allow about 3 hours for stops, hikes, and lunch.

Note that there's a $10 entrance fee per vehicle.

A woman climbs through the Indian Tunnel at Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve in Idaho, USA

Drive on to Ketchum/ Sun Valley

Once you've completed the loop, it's time to drive on to the next stop on your Idaho road trip: the beautiful Sun Valley.

Not only is Sun Valley incredibly scenic, but it's also historically important. It was one of the original stops on the Union Pacific Railroad (founded in 1862), and it's the final resting place of author Ernest Hemingway, who wrote his most popular novel, For Whom The Bell Tolls , right here in Sun Valley Lodge.

You can head to the Visit Sun Valley website for more info about Hemingway's Sun Valley legacy.

To get to the Sun Valley-Ketchum area from the Craters, follow Highway 20 west for about an hour before hanging a right onto Gannett Road. From there, get on State Highway 75 North, which will take you into the city of Ketchum.

It's a 2-hour drive from Craters of the Moon, so you should arrive around 6pm.

Cattle grazing near Ketchum, Idaho, with mountains in the background

Check into your Ketchum hotel and go out for dinner

Ketchum is the gateway to Sun Valley, the country's first ski resort and one of its most popular, so as you can imagine it's an outdoor lover's dream!

We'll explore the ins and outs tomorrow, but for now it's time to get some dinner.

There are lots of places to grab a bite in the centre of Ketchum, from Mexican eateries to casual burger joints to romantic family-run Italian restaurants.

Make your way to the corner of North Main Street and Sun Valley Road to browse your options.

Day 4: Sun Valley - Skiing / fishing / hiking in the great outdoors

Good morning Idaho road trippers!

Today you get to immerse yourself in the great outdoors. What you get up to completely depends on the time of year you've decided to go on your Idaho road trip.

Lucky for you, Sun Valley is fantastic no matter the season, so here's how to make the most of your day:

Sun Valley in winter: Spend the day skiing or snowboarding

With two gorgeous mountains (Dollar Mountain and Bald Mountain) and more than 2,000 acres of snowy terrain, Sun Valley is the ultimate skiing paradise.

Chair lifts start running at 9am, so roll out of bed, layer up, and make your way to Door 2 Door Ski and Snowboard Rental Delivery on 9th Street East, which opens at 8am every day, to pick up all the equipment you need.

From there, it's a 5-minute drive to the Roundhouse Express gondola, which takes you to the base of Bald Mountain.

Spend the day shredding and skiing to your heart's desire, pausing for a warming lunch at Seattle Ridge Day Lodge at the top of the Seattle Ridge chairlift.

Cable car ascends a snow-covered mountain in Sun Valley, Idaho

Sun Valley in spring/summer: Go mountain biking in Silver Creek

When the ice thaws and the sun comes out, Sun Valley becomes a veritable haven for cyclists.

Whether you like to ride on hardcore, rugged terrain or prefer cruising along gentle trails, there are literally hundreds of miles of mountain biking tracks to choose from.

In the morning, head to Sturtevants of Sun Valley on Ketchum's Main Street, where you can rent a mountain bike starting from $40 for a half-day. (Don't forget a helmet!)

Then pick up some snacks and embark on your mountain biking adventure.

For more ideas on where to go, head to the official Sun Valley tourism website , which has a detailed list of the best trails for every ability.

Woman fishing in a creek near Sun Valley, Idaho

Sun Valley in Autumn: Go on a hike to see the fall foliage

There's nothing more magical than fall in Sun Valley, when the trees take on lemon yellow and golden hues, turning the landscape into an autumnal dreamland.

Not only is this one of the most beautiful times to visit Sun Valley, but it has the added benefit of being less crowded than in winter or summer, which means you'll have no trouble finding a peaceful hiking trail.

Plus, hotel and restaurant rates tend to drop outside of tourist season, so you'll get more bang for your buck!

The best way to see the beautiful autumnal foliage is by going on a nice long hike.

For a moderate five-mile hike, head to the scenic Proctor Mountain loop, which offers lovely views of Ketchum below.

If you want more of a challenge, try taking on Pioneer Cabin loop, an 8.7-mile trail with steep inclines and rugged terrain.

For driving directions, mapped routes and lots more information about the best hikes in Sun Valley and Ketchum, head to the Hiking Project website .

The mountains of Sun Valley, Idaho, in the autumn on a cloudy day

Go stargazing and spot the Milky Way

After you've warmed up at your hotel, had a hot shower, and eaten some dinner, it's time to do some stargazing.

Sun Valley and Ketchum are part of the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve - the only such reserve in the whole country, and one of just 12 in the entire world.

What that means is that, thanks to clear skies and efforts to limit light pollution, the stars here are unusually brilliant, illuminating up the night sky - and there's a good chance you'll be able to see the Milky Way as well.

Unbelievably, a 2016 survey found that 80% of Americans can't view the Milky Way anymore from where they live, so this is an opportunity you won't want to miss.

Milky Way over the mountains in Sun Valley, Idaho

Day 5: Drive Ketchum to McCall via Sawtooth National Forest

On day 5 of your Idaho road trip, it's time to experience one of America's famous scenic byways - the first of two on this trip.

What is a scenic byway, you ask?

In short, it's a road recognised by the U.S. Department of Transportation as being outstanding for having one or more of these 'intrinsic qualities': cultural, archaeological, historic, recreational, natural, and scenic.

A stretch of the Sawtooth Scenic Byway in Idaho

Drive along Sawtooth Scenic Byway

Sawtooth Scenic Byway, which runs through the wild Sawtooth National Recreation Area, starts about an hour northwest of Ketchum by car.

Once you've checked out of your hotel, make your way north along Highway 75 to the town of Stanley.

On your way along the scenic route you'll pass by the panoramic Galena Summit overlook, the glittering Alturas and Redfish Lakes, and the dramatic Sawtooth Mountains

The drive from Ketchum to Stanley takes just over an hour, but allow three so you have time to get out at all the amazing stops along the way.

Views of the snow-capped mountains from Sawtooth Scenic Byway overlook in Idaho

Have lunch in Stanley, Idaho

Sitting at the base of the Sawtooth Mountains, Stanley is a tiny hamlet (population below 100) and one the last vestiges of the old Idaho frontier.

If you want to extend your Idaho road trip, Stanley is a great place to use as a base for exploring the surrounding area, where you'll find horseback riding opportunities, hiking, and therapeutic hot springs (we highly recommend Goldbug Hot Springs in particular, which is just under 2 hours northeast of Stanley).

Once you reach Stanley, make your way to the super popular Papa Brunee's on Ace of Diamonds Boulevard for lunch.

This laidback eatery specialises in all things pizza, with tonnes of flavours and toppings to choose from.

They also serve up some seriously delicious calzones in unique flavours like the 'Buffalo hot wing' and the 'Stanley Cheesesteak' (made with garlic sauce, sirloin steak and vegetables).

Grab an ice cream to go at Stanley Scoops next door, then get back in your vehicle and set your Sat Nav for McCall, which is about 3 hours away.

Driving through autumn colours to McCall, Idaho

Drive from Stanley to McCall

If all goes to plan, you should arrive in McCall by around 5pm, with plenty of time to do some exploring after you've checked into your hotel and freshened up for the evening.

This lively mountain town sitting on the south shore of Payette Lake is known as the gateway to Ponderosa State Park, yet another one of Idaho's spectacular natural areas.

With golf courses, hiking trails, and lots of opportunities for water sports on the lake, McCall is a popular summer vacation spot for Idahoans and day/weekend trip destination from Boise.

And in the wintertime, the town buzzes with skiers and snowboarders who use McCall as a base as they venture to the surrounding mountains.

Have a walk around town and admire the views of the lake before treating yourself to a hearty dinner.

If you need some food inspiration, My Father's Place has the best burgers around, and Pueblo Lindo is famous for its authentic fajitas and tacos.

Day 6: Spend the day at Ponderosa State Park

After waking up to a croissant breakfast sandwich and lavender latte at Fogglifter Cafe, pick up some picnic food for later at Albertsons grocery store.

Then put on your comfy walking shoes and hiking gear and head to Ponderosa State Park, which covers the majority of a 1,000-acre peninsula jutting into the lake.

With peaceful beaches, a huge network of hiking trails and wildlife galore, it's easy to while away the day exploring this beautiful park.

We do recommend hiking to Osprey Point via the Ridge Line trail to breathe in the fresh air and admire the fantastic views from the overlook.

It's the perfect place to spread a picnic blanket and sit down for some well-deserved lunch.

If you're visiting Idaho in the wintertime, take to the hills in the park for some cross country skiing or snowshoeing.

Flowers in Ponderosa State Park, Idaho

Stay the night in McCall

In the evening you have the choice of either staying in a hotel back in town, or pitching a tent on a campground in the park itself.

You can also stay in one of the deluxe cabins or yurts near the shores of the lake.

Day 7: Hells Canyon Scenic Byway road trip

To wrap up your epic Idaho road trip, we're taking you to the incredible Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, which is just under 3 hours away.

Plan to leave McCall by 9am so you can make it to Hells Canyon before lunchtime.

The Hells Canyon Scenic Byway is a 218-mile-long road in west Idaho and eastern Oregon featuring lush valleys, colourful fields of wildflowers, rugged basalt cliffs and the snow-capped Wallowa Mountains.

Getting to the route can be somewhat confusing for first-timers, as it's not clearly marked on Google Maps.

Car driving from Baker City, Oregon

The road technically starts in Baker City, Oregon, looping northeast through Richland and Halfway to the Hells Canyon dam, then veering west through Joseph and Enterprise before finishing in La Grande.

Coming from McCall, you'll probably want to hop on the route from Oxbow and follow the loop anti-clockwise.

You can download a PDF map of the region on the official Hells Canyon Byway website .

If you were to do it all in one go, the drive would take 6 hours, but we recommend allowing a day and a half to fully enjoy the route.

Some Hells Canyon highlights:

Snake River - You're already familiar with Snake River thanks to your fishing trip on day 2, but in this part of Idaho it's even more spectacular. Watch as the water tumbles through Hells Canyon, North America's deepest canyon.

Hells Canyon Dam - Generally considered one of the best parts of this mini road trip, this colossal concrete dam is built on the Snake River, marking the border between Idaho and Oregon. From here, the views of the canyon are truly spectacular.

Hells Canyon Overlook - With easy parking and lovely picnic areas (plus a bathroom), this is the perfect place to get out, stretch your legs and admire the views. From here, you can see McGraw Creek and look over the canyon at the Seven Devil Mountains.

Wallowa Lake - This deep blue ribbon lake is sometimes referred to as 'The Crown Jewel' or 'The Sapphire in a Sea of Astounding Landscapes'. The surrounding Wallowa Lake State Park is home to lots of activities for the whole family including fishing, horseback riding, mini golf and go-karting.

The sun rises over the river Hells Canyon Idaho

Stay in Joseph for a night

However you decide to spend your Hells Canyon time, aim to get to Joseph (a town just north of Wallowa Lake) by nightfall so you can check into one of the charming inns and B&Bs there for the night.

The Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast is handily situated in the centre of town and has some elegant guest rooms that are perfect for cosying up after a long day.

Before you nod off, walk north along Main Street to Embers Brewhouse, where you can round out the night with a local beer (or two).

Then stumble back to the B&B and roll into bed.

Aerial view of the town of Joseph, Oregon

Day 8: See the rest of Hells Canyon Scenic Byway & return to Boise

Breathe in that fresh mountain air and get ready to hit the road; today is the final driving day of your Idaho road trip!

But don't fret - there's plenty more to do before we send you off home again.

After you've packed up your things and left your hotel room, grab a cup of coffee and a bagel at Old Town Cafe for breakfast.

Go for a stroll in Joseph, which is characterised by an eclectic mix of old-school cowboy charm and modern art.

Now's also a good time to fill up your tank before continuing on with the driving itinerary.

Once you and your vehicle are fuelled up, drive north on Highway 82 to complete your Hells Canyon route.

Old covered wagon along the historic Oregon Trail near Baker City

Drive through Enterprise, Wallowa, Elgin and La Grande

On your way to La Grande at the end of the scenic byway, you'll drive through a number of lovely towns and villages, passing by gorgeous ranches, farmlands, forests, and the ever-present Wallowa River.

Stop at any viewpoints and rest stops that catch your eye, then follow Highway 82 all the way to La Grande, where you can get out for some lunch.

A farm near Joseph, Oregon with the Wallowa Mountains in the background

Stop for lunch in La Grande

Thanks to the presence of Eastern Oregon University, La Grande is a bit more vibrant and bustling than the cities you've visited so far on this Idaho road trip.

It was also one of the stops on the Oregon Trail, and you can even see remnants of the historic path travelled by pioneers in La Grande's Oregon Trail Interpretive Park.

Spend an hour so browsing through the city's quaint antiques shops, small museums and independent art galleries before settling in somewhere for lunch.

For an all-American treat, nab a table at Side A Brewing, housed in an old fire station on Washington Ave, which serves up delicious meals made with locally sourced ingredients.

Stars of the menu include the Ahi tuna sandwich and the peanut butter bacon burger (trust us!) and we highly recommend getting a helping of Dirty Fries to share.

Last leg of your Idaho road trip: Drive back to Boise

After lunch, it's time to come full circle by driving back down to Boise, where this road trip began. The journey from La Grande to Boise should take you about 3 hours.

You can return your rental car as you won't need to drive from now on; the next day and a half will be spent getting to know Idaho's underrated capital city.

Drop off your vehicle at the airport and then hail a taxi to downtown Boise. It's an easy 10-minute journey to the city centre.

Hot air balloons float over the city during the Boise Balloon Classic in Idaho

Have dinner at every Boise local's favourite restaurant

Once you've found your accommodation for the night and dropped your stuff there, take a walk or a taxi to the corner of North 8th street and West Idaho Street and nab a table for dinner at Fork.

Ask any local where to have dinner in Boise, and chances are they'll recommend this atmospheric gem, which is housed in an elegant old bank building.

Some of the most mouth-watering menu items are the asparagus fries, the glazed Brussels sprouts and the Cubano pulled pork sandwich. Yum!

On your way back to your hotel, take a five-minute walking detour just around the corner to see the famous Idaho State Capital Building all lit up at night.

Idaho State Capital Building in Boise lit up at night

Day 9: Boise - Make the most of your last day in Idaho

It's the last day of your Idaho itinerary, and there are lots of activities to squeeze in!

Boise truly is an under-the-radar gem of a travel destination, with a lively downtown area that's a joy to explore. Some even say it's the new Portland ... we'll let you judge for yourself!

Grab a coffee at Big City Coffee & Cafe

The delightfully kitschy Big City Coffee & Cafe always attracts morning crowds - and for good reason. They serve up some of the best breakfast offerings in the city, from homemade biscuits and gravy to Belgian waffles and toasted bagels.

Plus, for every can of coffee they sell, the cafe donates $1 to breast cancer detection services. Time to stock up on those Idaho souvenirs!

Get your culture fix at BAM

Once you're suitably caffeinated, walk southeast about 20 minutes from the cafe until you reach the entrance to Julia Davis Park, the location of your next stop: the Boise Art Museum (BAM).

This small but charming art deco-style museum has a wonderful array of fascinating exhibitions centred around contemporary realism, ceramics and fine art, as well as a hands-on activity area for children. There's also a cool sculpture garden out back.

Entry costs $6 for adults and $3 for children between first and 12th grade.

Snow outside the entrance to Boise Art Museum in Idaho

Take a taxi to the Old Idaho Penitentiary

From BAM, hail a taxi or get an Uber to the Old Idaho State Penitentiary, which is about 10 minutes away.

First opened in 1872, this former jail once housed some of the West's most notorious criminals, including a prominent member of Butch Cassidy's gang.

It stopped functioning as a prison in 1973, and these days, you can walk amongst the grounds, gallows and prison cells, imagining what life was like for the inmates way back when.

This may sound like a spooky tourist attraction (and it certainly is), but it's also a fascinating insight into America's penal system over the last century.

The Old Idaho Penitentiary is open 7 days a week from 12pm to 5pm.

Admission costs $6 for adults and $3 for children between the ages of 6 and 12.

Entrance to the Old Idaho State Penitentiary in Boise, Idaho

Walk along the Greenbelt back to the city centre

After you're finished exploring the jailhouse, make your way to the river and walk west along the Greenbelt, a pleasantly serene 30-mile-long pathway that connects many of Boise's best parks and sights.

Visitors and locals alike agree that the Greenbelt is a big part of what makes Boise so special, offering an unusual opportunity to immerse yourself in nature right in the middle of the city. There's a reason Boise is known as 'The City of Trees'!

After about 40 minutes you'll reach Julia Davis Park again, and from there it's a 20 minute walk to your next stop: the Basque Block.

The sun shines through the trees on the Boise Greenbelt in Idaho

Have lunch on the Basque Block

Bet you didn't know that Boise has one of the biggest Basque populations in the world!

This unique cultural heritage is celebrated and painstakingly preserved on Basque Block, an area of downtown Boise that's home to a historic Basque museum, a cultural centre, and a handful of restaurants and bars serving up traditional Basque cuisine.

For lunch, take your pick from the eateries in the area (the Basque Market and Bar Gernika are local favourites). On Saturdays, Bar Gernika serves up a ridiculously popular beef tongue sandwich... get there early to get your order in before they run out!

Flags fly on a historic building on Boise's Basque Block in Idaho

Go on a brewery crawl

Now that you've lined your stomach with all the Basque food you can eat, it's time for a drink.

The perfect way to round off your trip to Idaho is with a tour of all the best breweries in Boise, many of which are concentrated around the downtown area.

Start with a stroll along Freak Alley, where you'll see an outdoor art gallery of brightly coloured graffiti and wall murals adorning the buildings, highlighting the urban, edgy side of Boise.

From there, you're within easy walking distance of many of the city's best breweries including Boise Brewing, White Dog Brewing Co. and the Woodland Empire Brewery.

Graffiti on the walls of the Freak Alley Gallery in Boise, Idaho

When the hunger pangs set in again, make your way to one of the many cheap eats options in the city. If you like Mexican food, you can't go wrong at the no-frills Tin Roof Tacos, where tacos cost less than $3 each.

Then roll back to your hotel and get some well-deserved rest before setting off for home tomorrow morning.

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The Best Idaho Road Trip Itinerary

07/02/2021 by Kristin Addis 12 Comments

After visiting Idaho 4 times, I have come up with the BEST Idaho road trip itinerary, with 6 major stops that are full of surprises! Idaho turns out to be such a hidden gem, click to read the post and start planning an epic road trip now! #Idaho #USARoadTrips

Idaho is a state that I can’t get enough of lately. Back in February I hightailed it out there after finding out there were hundreds of hot springs, and a couple of weeks ago made my way back for some summer action in the Sawtooth Mountains, the jagged rock formation I’d been gazing at while soaking in the small town of Stanley.

Each time I post pictures from Idaho, people on social media are like, “ That’s Idaho ?!“ And I’m like, “ I know !” It feels like a big, shocking secret.

Idaho is a hidden gem that’s so pristine and gorgeous I almost want to keep it all to myself so that it stays that way. But you guys are cool and I know that you love nature and will treat it right. So without further ado, here is my perfect Idaho road trip itinerary:

➵ Rent a car in Idaho here

idaho road trips best

Table of Contents

This itinerary begins in Boise, which is your most likely starting point if you’re flying in or driving in from Nevada or California.

While I’m not normally a fan of cities, Boise is more like a really really big town, and as you explore it I think you’ll find it has that feel. It’s both the state capital and a university town, and it impressed me with how diverse, inclusive, and sometimes funky and alternative it is. Check it out:

I took one of my best friends from home with me on this trip and we stumbled upon a freak alley by accident, and fell head over heels in love with the skillful street art and the delicious food around there. Lemon Tree Co. and Guru Donuts were a couple of favorites I visited in February and revisited on this trip.

After spending most of the day exploring downtown we made our way to Camel’s Back Park for sunset, the perfect way to close out day one.

Stay: The Modern Hotel is located downtown and puts you in easy walking distance to everything mentioned above, except for the park, which you’ll need to drive to.

2. Kirkham and Bonneville Hot Springs

idaho road trip

Just because it warms up in the summer doesn’t mean it’s not still perfect hot spring weather! Plus, you don’t have that terrible moment between getting out of the spring and getting into warm clothes that proved problematic in -30°F in February.

The other benefit of doing this in the summer is that the campgrounds are open at Kirkham and Bonneville Hot Springs. Honestly both are great so if you’re trying to choose between the two just know that Kirkham has a gorgeous view on the Payette River and a hot waterfall, but it tends to be very popular. Bonneville feels a bit more hidden and secluded and it even has a little wooden shed and a bathtub that you can fill with hot spring water. Both are fairly primitive campsites in the Boise National Forest although they do have bathrooms. Camping cost $15 and a day use pass is $5. Bring cash!

idaho road trip

In particular, Leave No Trace principles are essential to follow at the hot springs, and everywhere in nature. However the springs are particularly vulnerable so please pack out all your trash, be clean when you jump into the spring, and if you do share photos of your experience, please don’t geotag the hot springs.

idaho road trip

Stanley might be my favorite little town in the American west. The population is only in the 60s, and it feels like a village in the Alps. Seriously, the Sawtooth Mountains could rival the Alps and even Patagonia when they are snow-covered. The mountain range is astoundingly beautiful and Stanley, framed by the mountains, is the perfect vantage point for sunset.

There’s also an incredible amount of activities to do around Stanley. In the winter people enjoy snowmobiling, and in the summer people fly fish, mountain bike, kayak, hike, and swim. Here’s what I did:

When I was there the snow from a heavy winter meant that most trails were not open yet, but I was able to do the 10-mile round trip hike to Hell Roaring Lake, and just look at it! (Turn off here to hike it yourself. You’ll see a tiny parking lot by the trailhead sign).

idaho road trip hell roaring lake

This hike is fairly easy, and it amazed me that there were only a couple of other people on it. I kept exclaiming that it would be totally packed anywhere else in the world.

When the snow melts, there are tons of trails, including backpacking adventures into the wilderness. Keep in mind that it is bear country, so plan accordingly. You can read more about the hikes in Stanley here .

To get updated information on the state of the trails, I recommend stopping by Riverwear where they were friendly and helpful, not to mention well-stocked in case you forgot any supplies.

idaho road trip - dark sky reserve

There are dozens of hot springs in the Stanley area. The one you see here is attached to the hotel I stayed at, Mountain Village Resort. However there are plenty of primitive springs as well which you can read more about in my Idaho Hot Springs itinerary .

idaho road trip redfish lake

Don’t miss Redfish Lake when you visit Stanley.

You can drive up to the lodge or visitor’s center as a jumping off point, or take a ferry from one end of Redfish Lake to the other and hike back, or ferry back of course. I opted to SUP (stand up paddle board) instead which was peaceful and meditative on that big, beautiful lake.

Horseback Riding

idaho road trip redfish lake

I also faced a fear and went horseback riding (They’ve got their own little brains in there! That always scared me a bit.) Despite my fear of horses, it was a nice experience with  Mystic Saddle Ranch  and with gorgeous views of the lake and Sawtooths.

Stay: The only place I have ever stayed in Stanley is the Mountain Village Resort , pictured in the star photo above, although there are plenty of options.

Eat: Sawtooth Luce’s and the Stanley Baking Company both have delicious and healthy food.

Each time I’ve gone to Stanley I have spent two days there, although I can understand why some people go for the whole summer. So while you can totally wing it, I do suggest looking into it a bit before you go because there might be multi-day hikes or other adventures that require a bit more time but you would be sad to miss out on.

4. Sun Valley and Ketchum

idaho road trip ketchum

About an hour and a half south of Stanley, you’ll reach Sun Valley and Ketchum. Enjoy the gorgeous drive, but look out for deer! That goes for Stanley too – I encounter them every single time I get in the car!

First, you’ll pass through Galena, which has great snowshoeing in the winter and great hiking trails in the summer. There’s also a lodge with a nice restaurant. It’s not open year-round so be sure to check their website to verify.

Having been in Sun Valley both in the winter and in the summer, it’s hard for me to pick which one I like better. In the winter, it’s perfect for skiing and in the summer, it absolutely explodes with wildflowers. I counted at least 20 different kinds!

idaho road trip ketchum

At the suggestion of a local (thanks Shannon!) we hiked from the trailhead of Fox Creek and branched off to Chocolate Gulch. It’s about a 5 mile loop and it’s relatively easy with gorgeous views as the payoff. Look for a left-hand turn right around  here  which you can follow to a parking lot and trailhead to Fox Creek. You can park here for the hike and veer to the left to get to Chocolate Gulch on the trail.

ho road trip ketchum

For more wildflower hikes, check out this post with some of the best ones in the area.

Stay: Hotel Ketchum is adorable and funky. It has a nice outdoor area and many of the rooms have a mountain view.

Eat: Rickshaw is an Asian fusion café with delicious dinner and Glow Live Food Café has organic and healthy food including vegan options. Get the kale salad!

Also don’t forget to look up, this entire region from Stanley to Craters of the Moon is the only designated dark sky reserve in the US at the moment. This means the light pollution is low enough that you can see some truly dazzling stars. Can you just imagine it during a meteor shower?

idaho hot springs

This is a deviation from my summer route and one that I took in February to get to Goldbug Hot Springs. Since Salmon and Sun Valley are in opposite directions from Stanley, it makes sense to pick one route based on where you’re headed next. If you’re making your way up to Montana, head up to Salmon and stop by Goldbug. From there you can keep heading north into Montana.

6. Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve

idaho road trip craters of the moon indian tunnel

Alternatively, if you’ll be heading back to Boise or into Wyoming from Sun Valley on your Idaho road trip itinerary, make it a point to stop by Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve for some dramatically different landscape to everything you’ve seen on the trip so far.

As you drive to Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, farmland will make way for a giant lava field with several short hikes and tunnels worth checking out. My favorite was the Indian Tunnel. The park is not too big, although you can camp there and make several days of it if you wish. This could be a particularly good place for stargazing.

Be sure to check out the website to make sure that all the roads in the park are open, as sometimes they get snowed out.

Although this detour would require you to go back on yourself if you’re headed back to Boise, it’s worth the extra time if you can squeeze it in.

It’s also possible to head up to Goldbug Hot Springs and then go back down through Arco, where you can stop for the night, and circle down through Craters and back to Boise.

Bonus: Twin Falls

idaho road trips best

If you make the detour to Craters of the Moon, visiting Twin Falls and the surrounding area is a great addition to your Idaho road trip itinerary. From the spectacular Perrine Coulee (see above) to the famous Shoshone Falls, Box Canyon , and other remarkable natural areas, Twin Falls has so much to offer. Find out what to do in Twin Falls here .

idaho road trips best

First Name:

The Perfect Idaho Hot Springs Itinerary

Idaho state guide, the 15 best places in the usa for solo travelers.

*This post was brought to you in partnership with Visit Idaho . But as I’m sure you can tell, my enthusiasm for Idaho and thoughts shared here are all my own.

About Kristin Addis

Kristin Addis is the founder and CEO of Be My Travel Muse, a resource for female travelers all around the world since 2012. She's traveled solo to over 65 countries and has brought over 150 women on her all-female adventure tours from Botswana to the Alaskan tundra.

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Tammara says

07/08/2019 at 2:59 pm

Wow, I would have never thought of Idaho as a destination. Just lovely, will be visiting this state soon.

07/17/2019 at 12:04 am

Lovely pics. The scenery is amazing. I would like to visit the place.

Yvette says

01/17/2020 at 1:46 pm

Your post motivated me to plan my Idaho road trip! What time of year did you do visit?

Kristin says

01/17/2020 at 8:20 pm

woohoo! This was in June but I have done it in February too: https://www.bemytravelmuse.com/idaho-hot-springs/

Candis says

02/19/2020 at 10:43 am

I want to surprise my husband for his 40th with a trip to Idaho. I’m thinking we can fly into Twin Falls, rent a car, and tour the state. We can fly out of another airport if the route takes us that way, I just need to plan accordingly. We’ll have 4 1/2 days. I want us to see as much as possible, but I don’t want to rush the experiences either. This will be a surprise, so the planning is all up to me! Yikes! How much do you think we can see and enjoy in this amount of time?

02/19/2020 at 2:01 pm

You could follow this itinerary and have a great time 🙂

Sean Keith says

07/22/2020 at 7:16 pm

This was great! Well done ladies and we are using this as a planning foundation! I had no idea Idaho was so beautiful but …duh… look where it is on the map and what surrounds it!

Rebecca says

01/15/2021 at 4:55 pm

Yo! I have spring break coming up and was wondering if you think this trip would be possible in late March (weather, accessibility, etc.)? It would be a solo female trip and I’ve never had to put a pair of chains on in my life (SoCal lol). I would also hope to camp in some places. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

01/18/2021 at 1:03 pm

It depends heavily on what kind of snow year it’s been and what the weather is like right before and during your trip. Road conditions can change daily, so I’d just pay close attention to those. Camping would probably be a very cold experience, and I don’t think most of the campsites are open since they’re still likely to be under snow, but again, it probably depends on the year and how much has melted by then. Hope that helps!

01/26/2021 at 10:04 pm

That does! Thank you so much ? I have a very skewed idea of weather outside of dessert so I appreciate the advice. Maybe I’ll save this trip for the summer then. Thanks again!

02/17/2024 at 2:34 pm

I know this is an old post, but I can’t believe you didn’t include Elk River! Hiking the falls, camping, getting huckleberry soft serve ice cream and other huckleberry treats at Huckleberry Heaven (Elk River Lodge & General Store).. the best!!

Kristin Addis says

02/20/2024 at 1:11 pm

Good to know!

Fresh off the grid" text in a rustic, nature-inspired font, conveying an outdoorsy and adventurous vibe.

The Best Stops for an Adventurous Idaho Road Trip

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Stunning mountain ranges, pristine rivers and lakes, and an abundance of hot springs, Idaho is a bucket list destination for outdoor adventurers! In this post, we’re sharing the best stops to add to your Idaho road trip itinerary.

The Sawtooth Mountains at sunset in Stanley Idaho

This post was written in partnership with Visit Idaho

What we love most about Idaho was the deeply rooted connection it had with its natural surroundings. From the tree-lined streets of Boise to idyllic cattle ranches of Stanley, this is a state that has fully embraced an active outdoor lifestyle.

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The state is absolutely filled with outdoor recreation opportunities, so we tried to incorporate as many of them as we could into this trip.

With SO much natural beauty throughout the state, it feels like every drive in Idaho is a scenic drive—which is why planning a road trip is one of the best ways to explore the state!

In this post we share our favorite outdoor adventure stops to add to your Idaho road trip plan.

What’s the best time for an Idaho road trip?

While there really is no bad time to visit Idaho, summer is the best season for road tripping. The roads will be clear and seasonal closures lifted. 

In the early summer, snowpack will remain at high elevations, preventing you from accessing some backcountry trails. Bugs will also be more prevalent. River levels will be a lot higher and colder, so if you’re interested in rafting or kayaking, early summer can be pretty intense. Feeding off the rivers, waterfalls will also be at their peak.

In late summer, the snowpack will have melted off, allowing you to explore nearly all backcountry trails–however, the potential for wildfire is also greater. Rivers will be lower, warmer, and mellower, good for beginners to try out whitewater rafting. In general, waterfalls will be lower throughout the state.

Getting to Idaho

Idaho isn’t exactly the easiest state to get to in the lower 48, but its remoteness is what keeps it so pristine. If you’re looking for spectacular natural landscapes, without the crowds, then making the trek out to Idaho is certainly worth the trip!

Driving: You can access parts of Idaho with only a 5 or 6 hour drive from Washington and Oregon. You can also reach a great deal of southern Idaho in under 4 hours from Salt Lake City.

Flying:   If you don’t already live in the west, then flying and arranging a car rental is probably going to be your best option. Boise Airport does have a handful of nonstop flights to major hubs across the country and a lot more options if you’re willing to connect. Alternately, you could fly nonstop into Salt Lake City and drive north.

Best things to do on an Idaho road trip

Megan laying in the goldbug Hot Springs in Idaho

Soak away your stress in a hot spring

Relaxing in a hot spring is a quintessential Idaho experience. With over 130 springs around the state, it’s no wonder!

It’s important to note that these are sensitive areas that require respect. Please pack out all your trash, never use soap (even if it’s biodegradable!) in the springs, and avoid trampling surrounding vegetation.

Here are a few of our favorite natural hot springs:

  • Goldbug Hot Spring
  • Kirkham Hot Springs
  • Bonneville Hot Springs

If you’d rather go to a more established facility, which often offer more private soaking areas and have amenities like restrooms, check these out:

  • Mountain Village Resort Hot Springs
  • Burgdorf Hot Springs
  • Miracle Hot Springs

Check out this post by The Mandagies for more locations.

An alpine lake with mountain peaks in the distance and pink wildflowers in the foreground

Take your pick of epic hikes in the Sawtooths

We’ve never seen mountains quite like the Sawtooths before. These jagged mountain peaks pierce upwards towards the sky from densely covered pine forests. 

This is an incredible area to grab your hiking gear and hit the trails! With over 700 miles of trail, 300 high mountain lakes, and 40 peaks over 10,000 feet, there’s plenty of wilderness to explore.

Here are a few highlights:

  • Sawtooth Lake (10 miles RT, moderate rating)
  • Pettit Lake to Twin Lakes (13 miles RT, moderate rating)
  • Bench Lakes (7.8 miles RT, moderate rating)
  • Alpine Lake Trail (7.4 miles RT, moderate rating)

You can find tons of other hikes on AllTrails .

Megan riding horseback in the sawtooth mountains

Go horseback riding with the Redfish Lake Corrals

If hiking isn’t your thing, or you just need a break from human-powered adventures, go on a trail ride with Redfish Lake Corrals near Stanley. They have a number of different guided rides ranging from 1 hour to all day. Shorter rides will give you a chance to enjoy the scenery, and longer rides will take you to one of the many stunning alpine lakes.

We really enjoyed our experience with the Redfish Lake Corrals. Our guide was a born & raised local with tons of knowledge of the area and lots of stories to share as we took in the incredible scenery.

See available rides here

Shoshone Falls at sunset

See the “Niagara of the West”—the massive Shoshone Falls

This massive waterfall—212 feet high and 925 feet wide—is actually taller than Niagara Falls, which is why Shoshone Falls in Twin Falls, ID has been dubbed the “Niagara of the West.”

The falls were formed during the Bonneville Flood over 14,000 years ago during the Pleistocene ice age. The surrounding plain is composed of basalt layers, but the falls themselves were formed due to trachyte and rhyolite layers that are more resistant to erosion. When Lake Bonneville flooded into the Snake River and carved the canyon, these harder layers formed a nickpoint that created the falls.

The best time to see Shoshone Falls in its full splendor is during the spring and early summer, when the snowpack is melting off and before part of the river is diverted towards the reservoir upstream. By late summer and fall, the falls are reduced to a trickle or “turned off” entirely.

There are two ways to visit the falls. You can drive there ( directions ) and view the falls from the observation decks. Parking is $5 per car. Or, you can paddle there and see the falls from the base! Which brings us to our next adventure… 

Michael Kayaking on the Snake River in Twin Falls, Idaho

Kayak the Snake River in Twin Falls

One of the best ways to experience Snake River Canyon in Twin Falls is from in the middle of it! Rent a kayak and paddle through the towering 500 foot volcanic walls to truly appreciate their scale.

It takes about two hours to paddle under Perrine Bridge and back. For a half day adventure, paddle up to Pillar Falls and back (about 4 hours)–this is what we did and it was just the right amount of paddling for us. 

For experienced paddlers looking for a challenge, you can paddle all the way up to the base of Shoshone Falls, which will take about 6 hours round trip and requires you to do a short portage around Pillar Falls.

AWOL Kayak Rentals operates out of Centennial Park and will provide you with everything you need including a life vest and paddle.

Michael walking on a path through the Craters of the Moon National Monument

Explore the out-of-this-world landscape at Craters of the Moon

This national monument is aptly named—Crater of the Moon really does feel like walking through an alien landscape.

The 600 square miles of lava fields were created by over 60 separate flows between 15,000 and 2,100 years ago. In addition to the lava flows, there are 25 volcanic cones (hike up the Inferno Cone for a great view of the landscape), a number of lava tube caves * that you can explore, and as an International Dark Sky Place, it’s one of the best places to watch a meteor shower in the US!

You can find more information including a park map here .

*If you’re interested in exploring the caves, you will need a (free) permit and a pair of clothes/shoes that have never been worn in any other cave. This is to protect bats from a devastating disease known as white nose syndrome. Read more here.

Get your adrenaline fix whitewater rafting with Cascade Raft & Kayak

Possibly the highlight of our entire Idaho road trip was a half day whitewater rafting trip—we had an absolute blast! We rafted down the south fork of the Payette River, which contained an exhilarating mix of class III & IV rapids and proved to be the perfect introduction for us.

For more experienced rafters, the nearby north fork is apparently a nonstop class V rodeo ride from start to finish.

Cascade Raft & Kayak has great staff, great facility, and offers a truly extraordinary Idaho experience.

Bruneau Sand Dune

Bruneau Sand Dunes

Home to North America’s largest single-structured sand dune (470 feet tall!), Bruneau Sand Dunes State Park is a great place to enjoy a wide variety of activities, including one very unique sport!

Of course, there are hiking trails and you’ll have the opportunity to climb and explore the dunes. There are also two small lakes on the back side of the dunes where you can swim, SUP, and fish.

Camping at the park is a great way to enjoy the night sky—it is a Dark Skies designated area! There is an observatory in the park with a number of telescopes you can use for stargazing.

But one of the most unique things to do at Bruneau Sand Dunes is sandboarding ! Rent a sandboard (it looks like a wooden snowboard), hike to the top of the dunes, and board down!

Megan Bike Riding in Greenbelt Park in Boise, Idaho

Enjoy nature in the city of Boise

Boise is one of those cities that has done a wonderful job incorporating the area’s natural beauty and outdoor spaces into the city’s design. 

If you’re flying to Idaho for your trip, Boise is likely where you’ll start and end your trip, and it’s worth it to spend some time exploring while you’re there. 

Here are some of the ways you can enjoy nature right in the city!

Bike along the Greenbelt

This 25-mile urban park flanks the Boise River as it runs through the city. Not only does this tree-lined park offer residents an outdoor space for recreation, but it serves as a vital corridor for pedestrian and bicycle commuters. You can rent bicycles from one of the many Green Bike stations and take a ride down the scenic paved bike paths.

Tube down the Boise River

We didn’t get a chance to do this personally, but we saw a ton of people floating the river as we biked along the Green Belt. Even one of our brewery tour guides encouraged us to stay an extra day just so we could do it. If you’re looking for more information about floating the Boise River, the city has a great resource about it.

Enjoy an outdoor patio beer at Payette Brewing

While you’re out enjoying the Green Belt, you might want to take a pit stop at Payette Brewing. Their 60-barrel facility and tap room gives you a chance to taste some of their seasonal specials, and the large grassy outdoor space is a perfect place for a game of corn hole. A steady rotation of food trucks also means you’ve got access to some of Boise’s best street food.

Hike and bike in the Boise Foothills

There are 190 miles of trails in the Boise Foothills to explore! Whether you’re a hiker or want to get in some downhill mountain biking, there are miles of trails with your name on them. The close proximity to the city means this is a great place to head for sunset and enjoy the golden light over the city.

Megan watching sunset over the Snake River in Twin Falls, Idaho

Idaho Road Trip Location Map

We hope you have a blast exploring the Gem State! While you’re planning your trip, you might also find these resources helpful: ➤ Road trip essentials and packing list ➤ The best road trip snack ideas

Megan & Michael are the creators of Fresh Off The Grid, a blog dedicated to helping you fuel your adventures by sharing camp cooking recipes, backpacking meals, and outdoor travel guides. Their recipes and outdoor cooking expertise have been featured in Backpacker Magazine, Outside, REI Co-Op Journal, Food & Wine, and New York Times Cooking.

24 Comments

These photos are absolutely stunning. I’m definitely seeing Idaho in a new light! 😉 (PS let me know when you get to CT!!)

Thank you, Sarah! Idaho is definitely one of the most photogenic places we have traveled through!

I always thought Idaho was like Iowa, but with potatoes. Then my little sister went to college there, and damn. Gorgeous. I wish I had figured that out sooner!

We didn’t have many expectations going into Idaho, either – with states like Montana, Washington and Oregon next to it, we’ve always been a little distracted I guess. But, man, what a beauty it is!!

I’ve been reading your blog for the last few months, and I see this post! Went to watch your vlog, and looks like you were at the Starbucks only a couple blocks away from my house. Walking distance. I live close to downtown Boise. I could’ve shared our house for your wifi working session, and could’ve told you where to eat on your way out, instead of Noodles & Co… Hit me up next time you are in town! Glad you got to go see the Sawtooth, such a special place. Love your blog and vlog. So fun.

Good Lord, these photos are stunning. Can I tag along next time? I’ll bartend while you guys cook and vlog! 😉

Idaho always feels like the last real “gem”, if I can use that term. 🙂 Maybe if you don’t include Montana, it’s just the last Western state that doesn’t have a ton of hype and tends to elude folks when they bust out the highlighter and map to make plans…

I have been researching Idaho forever and am so glad I stumbled across your blog! I was feeling overly ambitious and totally confused about all the places I wanted to see, and here you have them! Listed in a total comprehensive order! 2 questions remain though: were you camping so you didn’t have to time it strictly to get to a hotel? and, on average, how long did it take you to get from one stop to another?

Goldbug hot springs certainly does look epic, what a great photo. Love the post!

Incredible photos! Looks like an awesome trip.

Thank you! It was a wonderful trip indeed 🙂

Yay! I love that you loved it. I grew up in Idaho and most people who grew up there can’t wait to leave. Until you actually leave and want to come back again! 🙂 This trip looks amazing. Thanks for sharing this amazing state! 🙂

LOVE this. I am dying to go to Idaho (we’re moving to Seattle this week so excited to be in close proximity). I’ve also heard great things about Boise so this itinerary looks absolutely epic. Thank you so much for sharing!!

It looks beautiful! Excellent photos, thanks!

Idaho seems like an amazing idea and a great destination for a road trip. I’m currently undertaking a road trip in EU, but this seems like a great idea for later! Would you recommend it for autumn?

Winter comes hard and fast in Idaho, but early fall (September) would probably be an excellent time to visit.

Really nice post . Thanks for sharing . I am planning to visit Idaho in this year, Hope your blog will help me out…

Thanks for the tips! Adding Idaho to my USA Bucket List right now.

I am really glad you have enjoyed your time in this beautiful state (or at least the southern portions.) My husband and I are backpackers and hot spring travelers in idaho, we really enjoy the beauty this state offers. The pictures are gorgeous, but even better in person. Great post!

Idaho seems like a handful of hidden jewels waiting to be discovered. I love blogs like these that uncover places to visit and things to do. The beautiful outdoors are calling everyone to life a happy life and explore while they can.

Great post! We are new to the Boise area (from Oregon and Washington), and we have plans to explore our new home state. This helps us a ton. Yes, Idaho is beautiful and we are discovering all the outdoor activities Idaho has to offer. Thanks again!

Amazing pictures – it made me feel like I was there with you during the trip. It’s awesome how nature ‘hides’ these unbelievable spots for relaxation while you’re on an adventure. I can’t even pick which place you visited I like best! They’re all superb!

You will definitely enjoy north central and the panhandle areas of Idaho the next time you visit. Idaho vistas change dramatically with each twist and turn of the road. I’m a 5th generation Idahoan, and I’ve been north, south, east and west in this state, visited some amazing places, but even I have not made it to all the must-see sites! And the ones I have visited, still need to be revisited in the different seasons. Never get tired of those views. Love, love, love my great state. Warning tho – we’ve managed to stay hidden for quite some time, but are now on the map. The used-to-be non-existent lines are starting to grow. Just say’n.

So glad I found your site via pinterest! We are heading to Idaho from San Francisco in 2 wks. First road trip via a sprinter van and first time to Idaho. We only have 6 days- could you recommend which sites to see w/ that amount of time and maybe the route? Thanks!

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Thrive In Idaho

Exciting Idaho Road Trip Ideas And Itineraries

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Taking an Idaho road trip is one of the best experiences you can have. With its stunning landscapes, from the majestic Bitterroot Rocky Mountains in the north to the incredible Snake River in the south, Idaho is a great place to get away from it all and enjoy stunning nature.

Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or a longer exploration of the state, an Idaho road trip is the perfect way to experience all that the state has to offer. 

You could drive to Idaho, fly in, or start where you live. The you can follow this Idaho itinerary, or use it as an idea to find some of the best places to visit in Idaho .

idaho road trips best

If you plan to do a California to Idaho road trip or a Utah to Idaho road trip, you will want to change the route to fit your needs. If you are going from Colorado to Idaho, just do the route backward! 

Even if you do not use this exact Idaho road trip itinerary, you will still see all the Idaho scenic places to enjoy, including some amazing Idaho hot springs during your Idaho trip. 

Idaho Road Trip Itinerary

Idaho Road Trip Beauty_

If you plan to arrive in Idaho from Washington, you’ll find yourself in North Idaho with a few great destinations to explore. Both Sandpoint and Coeur d’Alene Idaho are great places to spend a few days.

Then you’ll drive south until you arrive in McCall Idaho. Located on Payette Lake, McCall is a favorite place to visit both in the winter for some great McCall Idaho skiing , as well as summer months for some time on the lake.

Spend a day in Donnelley or Cascade, Idaho and then drive a bit more south to explore Idaho City. Enjoy The Springs in Idaho City before driving just 45 minutes south to arrive in Boise.

Spend a few days in Boise, and the surrounding Treasure Valley. You’ll find some of the best restaurants in Boise and several warm and welcoming Boise Breweries to keep you going. Not to mention that there are many things to do in Meridian, Idaho , the city just west of Boise.

Idaho Road Trip along the Salmon River

When you leave Boise on your road trip, you’ll want to travel Southeast to explore Twin Falls , followed by seeing what Sun Valley Idaho has to offer . You might be surprised that the city of Ketchum has an abundance of things to do and great restaurants as well.

Travel southeast from Ketchum to enjoy floating down the river in the small town of Lava Hot Springs, Idaho . Then travel north to Pocatello and Idaho Falls before finally going a bit further to see what fun things you can do in Island Park Idaho . From here you will be arriving at Yellowstone National Park and heading into Montana or Wyoming.

Let’s dive into some of the great tips for things to see and do and where to stay along your Idaho road trip. Be sure to read to the end to learn about more specific Idaho road trip ideas and itineraries.

Sandpoint 

City Park Beach in Sandpoint

Sandpoint, Idaho, is a stunning destination to start your Idaho trip. With its small-town charm and natural beauty, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Spend the day exploring Sandpoint’s historic downtown or take a stroll along the sandy beaches of Lake Pend Oreille. 

Sandpoint is the perfect place to get away from it all and reconnect with nature. 

Coeur d’Alene

Things To Do In Coeur d'Alene Idaho

Coeur d’Alene is one of the places to visit for a romantic getaway in Idaho . There is plenty of things to do in CDA , from enjoying the many outdoor activities and attractions to just relaxing and taking in the scenery. Coeur d’Alene is known for its lakes, rivers, and forests, making it a great spot for camping, hiking, and fishing. 

Whether you’re looking for an adventure or just want to take a scenic drive, Coeur d’Alene is a great place to visit and explore. As you make your way down the Coeur d’Alene to Boise drive , you will want to take a couple of stops at a few other cities. 

Moscow Idaho

Things To Do In Moscow Idaho

Spend a day, or a weekend exploring fun things to do in Moscow Idaho . As a college town on the Idaho and Washington boarder, there are plenty of coffee shops, museums, a great farmers market, and many art galleries in Moscow to check out.

McCall Idaho Things To Do

The third stop on our Idaho road trip is McCall, Idaho. Located in the beautiful Payette National Forest, McCall is a charming lakeside getaway full of outdoor activities and amazing views. Some of the best things to do in McCall Idaho is to enjoy hiking and camping in the Payette National Forest and plenty of water activities at Payette Lake. McCall is a great place to relax and become one with nature again.

Donnelly 

Many road trips in Idaho take you to some bigger towns, but this small, peaceful town, Donnelly, is worth a visit. Donnelley is the ideal destination for anyone looking for a quiet getaway. The town is filled with beautiful meadows, forests, and streams. The nearby lake, Lake Cascade, is perfect for hiking, canoeing, or just relaxing near the water. 

There are also a few restaurants and cafes in Donnelly to enjoy before heading on your way. Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or a longer vacation, Donnelly is the perfect spot for a quiet and peaceful break.

Idaho City downtown stop on a road trip

Idaho City, Idaho, is the perfect destination for a road trip with its natural beauty, thriving culture, and rich history. Take a walking tour of the historic downtown buildings and shops, then enjoy the outdoors and go horseback riding, canoeing, and fishing at the nearby rivers and lakes. There are plenty of places to stay in Idaho City , making it a good stopping point for a longer Idaho road trip. 

Best Boise Hikes from Camels Back Trail

Boise, Idaho, is a great place to explore on your Idaho road trip. Because it is a popular and big city, it is also a good starting location for a road trip in Idaho as well. You can go on a Boise to Yellowstone road trip or a Boise to Coeur d’Alene road trip as well. The options are pretty endless in this city! 

With this Idaho road trip itinerary, this is another great location with plenty of great places to stay in Boise for a rest day. You can easily spend the entire day in Boise if you want, with all the incredible things to do here! With winter activities, plenty of hiking, and even some incredible Boise breweries , you will love spending time in Boise. 

Twin Falls 

Shoeshone Falls in Twin Falls Idaho - great road trip stop

No road trip to Idaho would be complete without a stop in the city of Twin Falls. Located in south-central Idaho, this charming city is home to some of the state’s most impressive natural wonders. There are so many fun things to do and see in Twin Falls . From the breathtaking Shoshone Falls to the majestic Snake River Canyon, there are plenty of fun activities in Twin Falls. 

From outdoor adventure or a nice scenic drive, Twin Falls is the perfect stop during your Southern Idaho road trip. 

Sun Valley 

Mountain Biking at Sun Valley Idaho

Sun Valley is home to one of the oldest ski resorts in the U.S. and is a paradise for winter sports enthusiasts. In the winter, you can enjoy plenty of nice skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing trails.

In the summer, fly fishing and hiking are popular activities. There are plenty of things to do in Sun Valley , making it a popular stop on a road trip through Idaho, especially during the winter months. 

Lava Hot Springs

Things To Do in Lava Hot Springs Idaho

Some of the best road trips in Idaho always come to Lava Hot Springs. The peaceful little town offers an oasis of warm and soothing hot springs, a perfect spot to relax and rejuvenate after a long day of adventures. However, there are other fun things to do in Lava Hot Springs as well! 

Whether you stay in town or just take a quick dip in the hot springs before continuing your trip, you will not regret visiting Lava Hot Springs.

Pocatello 

Outdoors in Idaho - Idaho itinerary

Pocatello, Idaho, is another ideal starting point for a road trip through the state or a great town to visit along the way. With all the things to do in Pocatello , you will have a blast, especially with your kids. From the Museum of Clean to Zoo Idaho, your family will love stopping in Pocatello. 

If you have time, another fun stop in your road trip would be to go from Idaho Falls to Jackson Hole ! It is close to Pocatello and is another fun destination to visit in Idaho. 

Idaho Falls

Idaho falls is a popular starting point for many people arriving to Idaho from Yellowstone National Park or Grand Teton National Park. Explore some of the fun things to do in downtown Idaho Falls such as visiting the Art-otorum with your kids.

Island Park

Things to do in Island Park Idaho road trip

You can finish off your Idaho road trip in Island Park! It is close to Yellowstone if you want to continue on for more adventures. Otherwise, Idaho Park has plenty of activities to occupy your time. Hiking and camping are popular activities, and if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even take a guided horseback riding tour of the area. 

Idaho Road Trip Alternative Itineraries

If you want to go on a road trip, Idaho is the place to do it. Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventure, a relaxing break from the stresses of life, or just a chance to explore someplace new, you will love Idaho.

Additional Idaho Road Trip Ideas:

Southern Idaho Road Trip Boise to Yellowstone Road Trip Some of Best Road Trips from Boise Idaho Boise Idaho to Salt Lake City Utah Road Trip Boise to Coeur d’alene Road Trip Boise to Idaho Falls Road Trip

Idaho Falls to West Yellowstone Road Trip Idaho Falls to Jackson Hole Road Trip Idaho Falls to Salt Lake City Road Trip California to Idaho Road Trip Utah to Idaho Road Trip

Other Road Trip Ideas

If you are coming from the West Coast to visit Idaho, then you might want to consider making the most of your road trip over. Discover some fun things to do in Lake Tahoe in Summer on your way from California. Or, consider exploring some of the best things to do in Jackson Hole if you’re coming from the Rocky Mountains before, you make it to Idaho.

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NORTH AMERICA , ROAD TRIP , UNITED STATES · January 20, 2021 Last Updated on March 11, 2024

THE PERFECT 5-DAY IDAHO ROAD-TRIP ITINERARY

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Are you looking for an off-the-beaten-path road-trip? This 5-day Idaho itinerary will help you make the most of your time in this beautiful American state.

This trip starts in Boise, Idaho’s capital, and finishes in Coeur D’Alene.

Although you can visit Idaho any time of the year, the best time to do this trip, in my opinion, is in the Spring or Summer, because some of the roads we took are not open during winter, as it can snow a lot during the wintertime.

Now, without further due, let’s dive into the Idaho itinerary!

What To Do In Boise

Boise state – albertsons stadium.

Have you ever seen a football stadium with blue turf? Boise State, home of the Broncos, is the only football stadium in the United States with blue turf, and it is amazing.

According to their website, in 2011 they obtained a federal trademark registration for “the color blue as applied to artificial turf”.

If you want to see the blue turf, the best way is to visit The Allen Noble Hall of Fame , in the Southwest corner of Albertsons Stadium, which is open Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, it is closed on weekends, holidays, and special events.

Freak Alley Gallery

Freak Alley Gallery is an open-air display of art and murals in the façade of buildings and houses in downtown Boise. It has been there since 2002 and is definitely a great place to go.

No tickets are needed since you can just walk right by the streets and see the beautiful murals displayed.

Where To Stay In Boise

I spent my first and only night in Boise next to the airport because we arrived late at night.

If there is no need to be close to the airport, it is better to stay Downtown so that you can walk to the main attractions.

Where To Eat In Boise

Although I only had half a day in Boise, I wanted to make sure I had the best possible breakfast. After doing a lot of research, I found the most unique spot: Bacon!

Bacon  is heaven for bacon-lovers like me. Since I went super early, they were not serving drinks yet, but I would totally have ordered their famous Bacon Bloody Mary, made with bacon salt, bacon syrup, and a strip of fresh bacon.

On the menu, you can also find five kinds of Bacon, at $2 per strip. My two favorites were Maple Rosemary Bacon and Candied Bacon. I also had coffee and an egg biscuit.

I had some other restaurants on my list that were highly recommended, so if you have the opportunity check out Certified Kitchen and Bakery , Goody’s Soda Fountain for ice-creams, and Juniper .

Morning Activity: Crater of the Moon

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is 170 miles from Boise, through US-20 E.

We left early in the morning because our goal was to enjoy Craters of the Moon and then drive another 126 miles to Stanley, passing through Sun Valley.

Craters of the Moon is one of “North America’s most unique and scenic volcanic landscapes”.

The volcanic area is dormant, but not extinct, which means that the volcanoes are in deep sleep. According to the FAQ on the website , “geologists believe that the area will become active within the next 1,000 years”.

There is a $20 fee per vehicle. What I learned there is that if you plan to visit more National Parks you can buy The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series for annual passes options.

If you are on a budget, there are also free entrance days to the National Parks.

What To See In Craters of the Moon

Once you have paid the entry fee, you have access to a seven-mile loop road, which includes access to most of the trails. If any parts of the road are closed for any reason, the information is updated online .

Seven miles driving doesn’t seem a lot, but you will most definitely want to stop in the trails, so plan to spend at least two hours in the area. There are also five caves, but check beforehand if they are open.

Here are our favorite stops in Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve:

  • Inferno Cone: It was my favorite stop. You climb a few meters up to be completely mesmerized by stunning views.
  • Spatter Cone: There are a couple of hikes starting at this stop. I took stunning pictures there.
  • Tree Mold Trail: Probably the most unique area – the lava from the volcanoes preserved some trees so when you look at it (photo below) all you see are trees underneath rock-solid lava. Pretty unique!

Lunch in Sun Valley

From Craters of the Moon, we drove 66 miles to Sun Valley for a lunch stop at the famous Sun Valley Lodge , “America’s First Destination Ski Resort”, which first opened in 1936! As a hotelier, I was dying to visit this resort – it was definitely on my list of unique hotels to visit.

There is plenty of parking available and a few restaurant options. We had a late lunch and a beer at the Village Station Restaurant , which opens at 3 pm.

I also got great recommendations from friends who visit the area frequently, here are some of their favorite spots: Dinner at The Pioneer Saloon (very well-known!), cocktails in Duchin Lounge , candy at Chocolate Foundry, early dinner or drinks at The Roundhouse – with great views!

Unfortunately, I didn’t have much time in Sun Valley, but if you have an extra day I would recommend spending one night there (in the resort itself) or in Ketchum, the town nearby.

We arrived in Stanley at around 5:30 pm and we went straight to our hotel. On our agenda, for that night, we only had one plan: eat a good meal!

Although Stanley is super small, we were happy to find two very good restaurants (one for dinner, and one for breakfast/lunch).

We were surprised to hear that very few people actually live there – in the winter the highway that takes you from Sun Valley to Stanley usually closes, due to heavy snow, so it is very hard to reach the little town.

That is why their high-season is during the summer!

What To Do In Stanley

Sawtooth national forest.

Stanley is the gateway to Sawtooth National Forest , where you will find many different hikes, from beginner to advanced-level hikers. It was really hard to pick one – I have read multiple blogs and reviews.

We ended up deciding on “Goat Lake Hike”, which I will talk more about under “Day Three”.

Whatever you decide to do, make sure you have the resources you need, including maps, GPS, cell phone, tools, etc. Not all hikes are easy, and you should pick one that you feel most comfortable with.

Another thing to take into consideration is time – if you have only one morning to do a hike, which was my case, you need to find a hike that takes between 3 and 5 hours, for example.

If I was planning my trip again, I would probably have stayed two nights in Stanley, so that I could enjoy more outdoor activities.

Boat Box Hot Springs

Idaho has so many hot springs – by doing a quick google search I found many beautiful ones! Boat Box was definitely the most unique and hard to find!

You have to take 75 North from Stanley, drive past Lower Stanley and continue for another 3-3.5 miles. Keep an eye on your right, where the river flows.

You can see the famous “hot tub” from the road but you need to pay a lot of attention otherwise you will drive by it! Boat Box will be by a spot where you can park 1-2 cars on the side road.

Thankfully, there was just one family there, so we didn’t have to wait much to enjoy Boat Box.

What did you think about it? Isn’t it super cool?

When you go to Instagram and search for #boatboxhotsprings there are so many amazing photos!

Where To Stay In Stanley

When deciding where to stay, I was in between two places: Mountain Village Resort, because they have their own hot springs, and Stanley High Country Inn , which is owned by the famous Redfish Lake Lodge.

We ended up choosing Stanley High Country Inn due to the great reviews. What I enjoyed about Mountain Village Resort, though, was the restaurant, which I will talk about next.

If you don’t necessarily want to stay in Stanley, check Redfish Lake Lodge – it is a bit pricier but definitely a very unique hotel. I could not find any rooms; they were fully booked!

Where To Eat In Stanley

Mountain village resort.

When we arrived, we were ready for dinner!

Mountain Village Resort has a great restaurant & saloon (menu here) – I would recommend having dinner there because we truly enjoyed our barbeque ribs made by their chef, who is from Memphis (a true barbeque connoisseur!).

After enjoying dinner you can walk next door to their bar/Saloon, where they have karaoke on some nights.

Stanley Baking Co & Café

The next morning we needed a good breakfast to get ready for our hike to Goat Lake.

Our hotel recommended that we walked to Stanley Baking Co & Café , which was just a couple of meters away.

I wasn’t expecting a big menu, so I was surprised to see how many amazing pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and granola bars they had, and all homemade!

I enjoyed it so much that after our hike we went back there for lunch, and I had their “bear bowl”, with quinoa, vegetables, and eggs.

Morning Activity: Goat Lake Hike

Sawtooth National Forest has incredible hikes, suitable for beginner or advanced hikers.

Since I had approximately six hours to enjoy the area, before heading to Salmon, my boyfriend and I decided to hike to Goat Lake.

The hike is approximately 8.4 miles and it is very difficult, in my opinion – I found it to be super steep!

The landscape is beautiful – in July we could still see mountain peaks covered in snow.

Unfortunately, I was not able to reach the lake – the last 0.4 miles are basically rock climbing and I did not feel prepared to hike it. Maybe next time!

Here are a few recommendations in case you decide to hike to the top:

  • We went too early and did not see anyone on our way there – so a few times we wondered if we were “lost”. I wish I had other people around when we reached the rock-climbing part.
  • There are not a lot of signs and the internet doesn’t work so make sure you print maps or take print screens with your phone.
  • Read a lot before going, especially articles/blog posts from people who reached the lake.

On my way back, I spoke to a few people going towards the lake and some mentioned they had tried hiking it before and could not do it either – so I didn’t feel so bad!

I think we should all listen to our bodies and understand when to stop hiking if we need to. Maybe next time I will manage to see the beautiful alpine lake.

After my fail attempt to hike Goat Lake, we hit the road again towards Salmon.

I did not stay in Salmon per se, we decided to spend the night 22 miles south of Salmon, in a very unique Airbnb !

What To Do In Salmon

My main reason to visit Salmon was to hike the Goldbug Hot Springs trail .

Since it was an activity, I did on the morning of day four, I will talk more about it in the next section.

We arrived at the Airbnb around 5 pm, so we decided to have dinner and rest so that we could enjoy the next morning.

Where To Stay In Salmon

The gypsy wagon, airbnb.

The Gypsy Wagon was the perfect spot to spend one night, because it was only 2.1 miles away from Goldbug Hot Springs, and had incredible reviews online .

The owners – Airbnb Superhosts Pat and Lorett – have been renting the three beautifully designed wagons for approximately two years now.

The wagons are located on the same property where the hosts live – so I felt pretty safe because I could reach out to them in case, I needed anything.

All the three wagons are pretty similar, and include a one queen size bed, small bathroom with toilet and shower with hot water, very good wi-fi (perfect if you want to spend some days working from there – “work from home”!), air-conditioning and heating, equipped kitchenette, free parking, and free breakfast!

The hosts were welcoming and made us feel at home. I would definitely stay there again!

Where To Eat In Salmon

Twin peaks guest ranch.

Currently only open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, Twin Peaks Guest Ranch Restaurant is in a pristine location, with beautiful mountain views.

It was also recommended by our Airbnb hosts, but when we arrived there we realized the restaurant was closed!

We were still able to take some pictures and enjoy the atmosphere – they actually have cabins you can rent , and I could see myself staying there if I am ever back in Salmon!

Dusty Mule Bar & Grill, in Elk Bend

This family-friendly restaurant is only 5 minutes away from the Gypsy Wagon , and it was recommended by our Airbnb hosts, who mentioned that they had incredible burgers!

I had the Albino Mule Burger, with 1/3 pound of local USDA Certified ground beef, swiss cheese, and grilled onions and mushrooms. I enjoy finding local gems, such as this restaurant.

Morning Activity: Goldbug Hot Springs

If you are a hot-spring aficionado like me, Goldbug Hot Springs is a must-go in Idaho!

My advice is to go there early in the morning – considering you are doing it in the summer months.

Since it is a two-mile in, two-mile out hike, ideally you would want to start hiking around 7:30 or 8 AM, to avoid running into a lot of people in the pools.

The hike is pretty straightforward: the first 0.4 kilometers of the hike (0.25 mile) are on private property, and then you start walking through a well-marked path towards the pools.

The hike is steep, so be ready to sweat! It will be so worth it: the jaw-dropping views and the pools are one of a kind!

We spent approximately two hours there and I would recommend that you don’t go in a rush, since you might want to just relax and appreciate the views!

Missoula, Montana

On day four we did not sleep in Idaho – we made a quick detour to Missoula, in Montana, to avoid driving a lot.

Also, by doing some research, I saw how many cool restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries Missoula had, so it seemed like the perfect stop for one night.

For more information, you can read my one-day Missoula itinerary on my blog Hospitality Vitae

Morning Activity: Route Of The Hiawatha Bike Trail

Whenever I am planning a trip, I always look at things to do in between cities I am driving from/to.

So, since I was driving 165 miles from Missoula, in Montana, to Coeur D’Alene, in Idaho, I searched for “best things to do” between these cities, and I came across this hidden gem (it truly is!) – the Route of Hiawatha Bike Trail – right in the Montana-Idaho border!

The Route of the Hiawatha was recognized as “one of the most scenic stretches of railroad in the country”, one of 15 other trails in the United States to be recognized as such. Pretty amazing!

Although it is not a railroad anymore (the last train traveled through the tracks back in 1980!) we are fortunate enough it was converted into a bike/hike trail.

If you enjoy biking for fun or if you are a pro, this trail won’t disappoint!

You will be able to enjoy 15 miles mostly downhill, in which you will pass through 10 train tunnels and seven trestles.

If you are planning to add this remarkable attraction to your road-trip, you can buy tickets and rent bikes online at the Route of Hiawatha Website .

Unfortunately, the trail is only open during a certain time in the year, so make sure to check if it is open before you go!

Coeur D’Alene

Coeur D’Alene (also known as “CDA”) was the perfect place to end our Idaho road-trip. The city is approximately two hours from the Route of Hiawatha.

If you are planning to fly home after CDA, Spokane International Airport would be your best choice, only 45 minutes away.

What To Do In Coeur D’Alene

Coeur d’Alene is a paradise for golf players because it is home to the only floating green in the world, located at the Coeur D’Alene Resort & Spa golf course.

If you are thinking about scheduling a tee time, I would recommend checking the resort’s “Stay and Play” packages, which include one night of accommodation and 18-holes of award-winning golf.

Tee times may be booked up to 90 days in advance if you are not planning to stay in the resort, and tee time prices vary depending on day and time of the day.

Lake Cruises

Although I have not done a lake cruise, I would imagine it is a wonderful experience.

Lake Coeur D’Alene Cruises offers a 90-minute scenic cruise of the lake’s northern bays for $27.25 per adult and $19.25 per child plus taxes/fees or sunset dinner cruises for $57.50 per adult plus taxes/fees.

Where To Stay In Coeur D’Alene

Depending on your preference (lake views versus no lake views) and budget, there are a few options:

Springhill Suites by Marriott

This hotel is perfect if you are on a budget and if you are looking for a great place to sleep and recharge, with free breakfast. The hotel is not lakefront, but it is only 5-10 minutes away.

We drove to downtown Coeur D’Alene a couple of times and we didn’t have trouble parking the car – there is a large public parking area by the Coeur D’Alene Resort and Spa, which is paid, but very convenient. You can leave your car there for a few hours and go for a walk or a swim!

Couer D’Alene Resort & Spa

The resort is perfect if you are looking for rooms with lake views and want to be in a great location, right in Downtown Coeur D’Alene. You really won’t need your car to do anything, since most restaurants are within walking distance.

Since I experienced the Spa, I had the opportunity of visiting the hotel public areas, including the indoor pool and gym. They were all well-appointed and very clean, and I saw many families enjoying their time.

I felt that the resort is a great place to bring kids because there are indoor and outdoor pools, a lake, a couple of restaurants and bars, and a small shopping area. If you are traveling solo, or with friends, you can still enjoy all of these perks.

As mentioned above, make sure you check the overnight packages that include golf, spa, or both!

Where To Eat In Coeur D’Alene

The wellness bar.

Since I had been on the road for a couple of days, I wanted to have a healthy breakfast.

I am a big fan of smoothies and Acai Bowls, so I decided to try The Wellness Bar – I was surprised to see it had a line out of the door, and for me, it usually means that the place is good!

I ended up having an Acai Bowl topped with granola to go, and I sat at one of their outdoor tables.

Hudson’s Hamburgers

For lunch, we had a not-so-healthy but totally worth it hamburger, which was one of the best hamburgers I have ever had!

The famous spot is called Hudson’s Hamburgers – and it has been there since 1907! The menu is very simple: Hamburger, Cheeseburger, Ham, and/or Egg Sandwich and Pies.

When you first sit down, in one of the few counter seats, they explain to you the menu and emphasize “No fries!”.

I first asked for one, but ended up having two cheeseburgers! Hudson’s is a must go!

Daft Badger Brewing and Crafted Tap House + Kitchen

Dinner time called for beers and bar food! We have been to many breweries, as you probably noticed, that it wouldn’t be different in Coeur D’Alene.

We went to Daft Badger for beers before dinner, and the menu looked amazing, but we didn’t eat anything there. They have plenty of outdoor seating, which is a must during the pandemic!

For dinner, we headed to Crafted Tap House + Kitchen, which had many good reviews online. I opted for a big pretzel with cheese sauce and for tuna nachos.

CDA has many restaurants, so I wish I could have had more time to experience more!

To wrap up, here is a quick overview of the itinerary, with a map to help you plan your road-trip:

My suggestion is that you fly to Boise, then start a “counterclockwise” drive, stopping at Craters of The Moon National Park, Sun Valley, Stanley, Salmon, Missoula (MT), Route of Hiawatha, and Coeur D’Alene.

You could also do the opposite, and fly to Spokane, in Washington, and start the trip in Coeur D’Alene instead.

We hope that this article has helped inspire you to take an Idaho road trip. If you have any questions about the destination or have your own travel tips to share please leave these in the comments below.

Want to share your own travel tips by guest writing for We Are Travel Girls? Go to our Contribute page for guidelines and to submit your article.

Subscribe to get access to our FREE eBook with tips for saving money when you travel!

Read More About Road Trips

  • 6 Grand Teton Roadside Viewpoints Not To Miss
  • Best Road Trip Destinations For Solo Travellers
  • The Ultimate Summer Road Trip Guide
  • 12 Day Itinerary For Hiking Montana & Wyoming’s National Parks

We Are Travel Girls Contributor Leticia Tavares is a hotelier, Harvard MBA alumnae, and content creator at her travel and hospitality Blog and Instagram, Hospitality Vitae.

Connect with Leticia  Instagram  

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MAUREEN says

January 20, 2021 at 8:02 am

I spent this past summer in Coeur d’Alene and was happy to see you chose The Daft Badger as your brewery of choice. Out of all of the breweries I went to in North Idaho, it was the clear winner in terms of beer, food and awesome patio. It’s really too bad you didn’t have the food there. Crafted is also very good, but I think I prefer Daft Badger’s food, to be honest.

Leticia says

January 20, 2021 at 9:48 am

Hello Maureen, this is Leticia, from Hospitality Vitae. I appreciate your comment and I appreciate you reading the article. I loved The Daft Badger too. I wish I had eaten there! Great to hear the food is good too!

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waterfall that you would see on your idaho road trip

The Perfect Idaho Road Trip Itinerary You Should Steal

September 17, 2020 //  by  Follow Me Away //   2 Comments

An Idaho road trip is perfect for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in nature. This northwestern state has plenty of nature getaways that can act as a fun family vacation or a romantic couples’ retreat. Use our Idaho itinerary to jump start some ideas for your road trip!

Idaho is known for its diverse landscape and this road trip will lead you to many beautiful sights! Rivers, lakes, mountains, and more await you on this very nature-focused adventure. Don’t forget to pack some hiking boots!

Idaho is beautiful and fun no matter the season and can definitely be enjoyed year-round. In the spring, flowers are abundant and the melting snow creates amazing waterfalls. Summer will give you the perfect weather for your time at the lakes. In the fall, the red and orange trees alone are worth the journey. Wintertime gives you the chance to try out some exciting winter sports.

Once you have your itinerary planned, download some road trip apps and pack your bags . Then, it’s time to get your unforgettable Idaho road trip started!

Save money on your trip to Idaho! Get a  FREE $55 Airbnb coupon  by using  our code  when you book! 

Idaho Road Trip Cartoon Map

Start Your Idaho Road Trip by Flying into Boise

If you are flying into Idaho, you will want to choose Boise, the state’s capital, as your destination city. This is the only big city you will be seeing on your vacation, and it is the best place to start your Idaho road trip. If, instead of flying, you are driving into Idaho, feel free to start your itinerary at whichever stop is closest to your home.

Getting Around Idaho

Of course, you will need to rent a car if you are flying to Idaho. It is easy to book a car in advance and pick it up at one of the car rental places at the airport. Make sure you do some research to find the best price as well as the best vehicle for your needs.

Idaho Road Trip Boise Road

Stop 1: Boise

Along with being Idaho’s capital, Boise is also the state’s largest city. As a modern metropolitan area, there are plenty of things to do that will keep tourists busy and happy. You should plan on staying here at least two to three days in order to take it all in.

Boise is very much a city that takes advantage of the beautiful nature that surrounds and weaves through it. There are parks to explore, many of which are found along the banks of the Boise River. You will not have to go far to find a good hiking or biking trail.

If you want to spend some time in the city, make sure you check out the cute downtown, where you will find an array of options for eating and shopping. There is also a ton of street art throughout the city to discover.

Idaho Road Trip  Boise Farmer's Market

Things to Do

Find Animals at the Aquarium of Boise or Zoo Boise

If there are any animal lovers in your travel group, then Boise has a few attractions for you. First, check out the 10,000 square foot Aquarium of Boise, where you can discover many hands-on animal exhibits. Then, head over to Zoo Boise to find a ton of cool animals and interactive exhibits. There is also a pretty butterfly area.

Immerse Yourself in Culture at the Boise Art Museum

The Boise Art Museum houses rooms and rooms of modern art as well as an education center, rotating exhibits, and a sculpture garden. This museum opened in 1937 and has been drawing art lovers ever since. Come here to soak in some art!

Shop at the Capital City Public Market

The expansive Capital City Public Market has been happening since the ’90s and is the perfect place to pick up some ingredients for a meal cooked at your Airbnb or to get a snack. There are over 150 vendors as well as live music to enjoy as you shop. The Market is open in the summer on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

If you are traveling in winter, you might want to check out the Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Center. Here, you can hit the slopes and have a thrilling time on the downhill slopes or cross country skiing trails. Whether you are a beginner or expert, these slopes are full of fun!

Idaho Road Trip Boise Skiing

Where to Stay

Boise has plenty of modern places to stay.

Affordable: Hyde Park King Studio Suite . Check Rates: Airbnb

Mid-Range: 26th Street Studio – West Downtown Boise . Check Rates: Airbnb

Luxury: HGTV’s Boise Boys Firehouse . Check Rates: Airbnb

Stop 2: Bruneau Dunes State Park

From Boise, drive for about an hour down Highway 84 until you get to Bruneau Dunes State Park. The sand dunes here are an example of Idaho’s natural diversity, and you will feel as if you have been transported to a desert as you hike along the dunes’ winding ridges.

Interestingly, this state park is home to the largest free-standing sand dune in the country. At about 470 feet, the peak of this landscape will offer amazing views for anyone daring enough to hike to the top. Hiking in sand is different than dirt, so be prepared for a bit of a harder trek.

Bruneau Dunes State Park is more than incredible scenes and hiking, though. If you want to add some exhilaration to your Idaho road trip, why not try sand sledding? This is the perfect activity for families with younger kids.

When night falls, be sure to check out the Bruneau Dunes Observatory for a chance to peek at the stars through a telescope. The observatory is open April through October on Fridays and Saturdays only.

Idaho Road Trip Bruneau Sand Dunes

You can camp at the park or stay in a nearby town.

Affordable: Thunder Bird Motel . Check Rates: Booking.com

Luxury: Hampton Inn & Suites . Check Rates: Booking.com

Stop 3: Shoshone Falls Park

From Bruneau Dunes State Park, keep south on Highway 84 for another hour and a half until you reach Shoshone Falls Park on the Snake River. This waterfall is referred to as the “Niagara of the West”, and it is in fact taller than the famous Niagara Falls at 212-feet. It is not nearly as wide though!

The best time to see Shoshone Falls is during the spring when the winter snow runoff heightens the flow. In summer, some water is diverted for irrigation so there is a little less. But the falls are still amazing to see at any time! There are a few different viewpoints where you can watch the tumbling water, so make sure to check out each.

The park here is one of the best places to visit in Idaho for families. Along with the falls, you will find areas perfect for a picnic lunch and fun playgrounds for kids to burn off some energy.

Check out Dierkes Lake Park next door to cool off in the water or maybe go hiking. If you are up for a longer hike, the 7.6-mile Canyon Rim Trail takes you along the scenic Snake River Canyon. As a bonus, the path is paved and well maintained!

Idaho Road Trip Shoshone Falls

Book a place in Twin Falls.

Affordable: Gorgeous 2 Bed/2Bath Home with Garage . Check Rates: Airbnb

Mid-Range: Cozy Brick Cottage . Check Rates: Airbnb

Mid-Range: Twin Falls Top Town House . Check Rates: Airbnb

Stop 4: Craters of the Moon National Monument

In just under two hours from Shoshone Falls Park, you will find yourself in another unique landscape. Craters of the Moon National Monument is so named because of the rugged, barren land leftover from ancient lava flows. It is a desolate place perfect for the setting of an apocalyptic movie–or a stop on your Idaho road trip! When you post some snaps on Instagram, people are bound to ask where on earth you are!

The park is about the size of the state of Rhode Island so there is plenty to explore, including cool rock formations, cinder cones, fissures, and lava tubes. Nature enthusiasts might want to seek out the occasional plant life, which is specially adapted to this area.

Idaho Road Trip Craters of the Moon

Drive the Scenic Loop

The quickest and easiest way to see the Craters of the Moon is by driving the 7-mile scenic loop road. This will take you through the park at a leisurely, air-conditioned pace. When you come to a site you want to see better, you can pull over and explore.

Discover Lava Tubes

One of the main things to do at Craters of the Moon National Monument is exploring lava caves. The otherworldly caves provide a once in a lifetime experience. Make sure to plan your trip later than mid-May to assure the snow blocking the caves has melted. There are five caves to choose from, each with a different level of difficulty. Head underground to walk where lava once flowed!

Hike Amazing Trails

There are also a few hiking trails here with such cool scenes they can’t be passed up. Like the cave trails, they vary in difficulty and length. The shortest trail is under half a mile while the longest is eight miles. Whichever trail you choose, make sure to stay on the designated path to avoid harming the fragile lava formations.

Idaho Road Trip Lava Tube

There are some campsites along the edge of the park or you can stay in an Airbnb nearby.

Affordable: Long Horse Ranch Cabin . Check Rates: Airbnb

Mid-Range: River Street Roost . Check Rates: Airbnb

Stop 5: Mesa Falls

The next stop on your Idaho road trip is two and a half hours away at Mesa Falls, near the border with Wyoming. In fact, Mesa Falls is so close to Yellowstone National Park that you could easily make a day trip there if you have the time. And you should make time for it! Yellowstone is one of the most popular U.S. travel destinations for a reason! But, it is not in Idaho, so we are glossing over it for now.

Mesa Falls is located in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest and is made up of an upper and lower falls. Surrounded by trees and a beautiful river canyon, this waterfall is worth a visit. Many photo opportunities await you!

Start off at the Mesa Falls Visitor Center, which is found in a historic 1915 inn and features natural and cultural exhibits. Around the corner from the building is a boardwalk and stairway, which will lead you to views of the gorgeous Upper Mesa Falls. If you are lucky, you may see a rainbow stretching across the canyon on sunny mornings.

Then, set out on the mile-long Mesa Falls Nature Trail, which ends with an overlook of the Lower Mesa Falls. Though not as big as its brother, this waterfall is still incredible.

Idaho Road Trip Mesa Falls

There is camping available in the park or you can stay in one of the small towns in the area.

Mid-Range: Osprey Landing . Check Rates: Airbnb

Mid-Range: Beautiful Home Near Yellowstone . Check Rates: Airbnb

Luxury: Targhee Ski Resort . Check Rates: Airbnb

Stop 6: Sawtooth National Forest

A four and a half-hour drive through the mountains will bring you to Sawtooth National Forest. This one of the major tourist destinations in Idaho, and it will quickly become clear why. This forest is over two million acres and there is so much to do and see, you may want to stay for at least two to three days.

Idaho Road Trip  Sawtooth Mountains

Relax at Redfish Lake

Redfish Lake is the largest lake in the area and is worth a visit if you want to swim, kayak, or just chill and work on your tan. Check out the sandy Orval Hansen Point Beach to find picture perfect boat docks that will make a great place to pose for an Instagram shot.

Go Horseback Riding

There are a few places within the Sawtooth National Forest where you can book a trail ride. Is there a better way to experience nature than from the back of a horse? This is the perfect activity for families with kids, and it is sure to create lasting memories.

Soak in a Hot Spring

You will find Sunbeam Hot Springs right off Highway 75 so you will not have far to walk before you can settle into the relaxing water. This natural thermal hot spring is part of the Salmon River and is surrounded by evergreen trees. The spring is open year-round with water at about 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hit the Slopes

If you are doing your Idaho road trip in the winter, then you have to plan for some skiing or snowboarding while in the mountains. There are a few ski resorts to chose from, so you will not have to look far. It might be cold, by the adrenaline will warm you up!

Idaho Road Trip Redfish Lake

There are a ton a beautiful campsites in the Sawtooth National Forest. If you don’t want to rough it, there are some Airbnbs nearby.

Affordable: Modern Elkhorn Studio in the Heart of Sun Valley . Check Rates: Airbnb

Mid-Range: Downtown Ketchum Condo . Check Rates: Airbnb

Luxury: Creekfront Luxury . Check Rates: Airbnb

Stop 7: Payette National Forest

You will come to another beautiful national forest after a two and a half-hour drive north. Payette National Forest is also over 2 million acres and features a variety of ecology and landscapes. From grasslands to canyons to mountains, this area has it all!

If you are looking for a place to become one with nature on your road trip of Idaho, look no farther! This national forest allows you to hike scenic trails, fish in pure rivers, and swim in natural, mountain lakes. The forest turns fiery in fall but is still gorgeous year-round.

Idaho Road Trip Payette National Forest

Hike to Goose Creek Falls

The hike to Goose Creek Falls is about three miles in and out, but the change in elevation makes the climb a bit harder than the short distance would suggest. The hike is worth it for the sight of the calming waterfall nestled among the trees.

Discover Hells Canyon

Hells Canyon was formed by the Snake River and is found on the border between Idaho and Oregon. This gorge is the deepest of its kind in North America and is 100% worth a visit! There are plenty of hiking opportunities here. Or take a boat tour of the river!

Book Here: Hells Canyon: Yellow Boat Adventure

Take a Dip in the Burgdorf Hot Springs

The Burgdorf Hot Springs are open to the public all year and are found at a rustic resort in the small town of Burgdorf. The water is an average of 113 degrees Fahrenheit, so you are guaranteed to enjoy some relaxing, muscle-melting water.

Idaho Road Trip Hells Canyon

Camp in the forest or stay in the city of McCall.

Affordable: Studio Retreat . Check Rates: Airbnb

Mid-Range: Lovely Cabin w/Fireplace . Check Rates: Airbnb

Luxury: Large, Modern, Luxurious Cabin . Check Rates: Airbnb

Stop 8: Coeur d’Alene

A five-hour drive from Payette National Forest will land you at Coeur d’Alene, the last stop on your Idaho itinerary and one of the most popular vacation spots in the state. Here you will find Lake Coeur d’Alene, a pretty, bright blue lake which boasts 135 miles of shoreline. At almost 50 square miles, the lake provides a place to water ski, sail, or stand-up paddleboard.

While the lake is the main draw, this small town has plenty of other activities to enjoy! Plan on spending a couple days here exploring and unwinding from your trip before you head home.

Idaho Road Trip Lake Coeur d' Alene

Enjoy a Beach Day

Claim a little piece of the beach for yourself and your family for the perfect beach day. You could easily spend hours just relaxing at the beach. Take a dip in the water or lay out a towel for sunbathing. When you get hungry, check out the boardwalk or bring a picnic to enjoy.

Bring the Kids to McEuen Park

If you are traveling with kids, you must go to McEuen Park. This is a great park with a large playground and splash pad that will entertain kids for hours. There is also an off-leash dog park here if you have a four-legged travel buddy.

Go Shopping Downtown

Coeur d’Alene has a cute downtown shopping district perfect for walking around and taking in the charm of the city. Head to Sherman Avenue to find a variety of unique shops and eateries. Maybe pick up a souvenir to remember ou Idaho road trip.

Take a Boat Tour

There are a bunch of cruise companies at Lake Coeur d’Alene to chose from with a variety of cruise types and lengths. This is a relaxing and hassle free way to see the area. If you want to enjoy a meal at the same time, look into booking a brunch or dinner cruise.

Get Your Heart Pumping by Parasailing

If you have had enough relaxation, it is time to try parasailing over Lake Coeur d’Alene. This is a surefire way to get your heart pumping with excitement! With views from 600-feet up, this is an experience you will not soon forget!

Idaho Road Trip Parasailing

Coeur d’Alene has a ton of cute and modern accommodations.

Affordable: Downtown Studio . Check Rates: Airbnb

Mid-Range: The Fairway Loft . Check Rates: Airbnb

Luxury: Designer Bungalow . Check Rates: Airbnb

End Your Idaho Road Trip by Flying out of Spokane, Washington

When it is time for your Idaho road trip to come to a close, you will have to return your rental car and fly home. From Coeur d’Alene drive over the state border to Spokane, Washington. It is only about a forty-minute drive to Spokane International Airport so it is a convenient way to end your Idaho trip.

Idaho Road Trip Road With Mountains

If Idaho wasn’t on your travel bucket list before, it should be now! Idaho is basically just miles upon miles of beautiful, natural landscapes begging for a road trip. From expansive mountain ranges to gushing waterfalls to otherworldly lava craters, Idaho has it all and will not disappoint!

It is time to hit the road!

idaho road trips best

Reader Interactions

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May 15, 2022 at 10:13 am

Hi, Wonderful itinerary! Could you give the route in a map form? What roads are traveled between Mesa Falls and Sawtooth Nat’l Forest? When I enter these destinations it has me backtracking on Rte. 20 to 26 etc. past Craters of the Moon area. Please advise because there seems to be some backtracking in the trip which is fine if that’s the best way to see this beautiful state. Karen

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May 30, 2022 at 3:48 pm

Hello! yes! There is some backtracking 🙁 I am sorry!! But you can always modify it to suit your needs whatever works best for you! Thanks!

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Bearfoot Theory

8 Best Idaho Road Trip Stops for Outdoor Adventure

Discover the best Idaho road trip stops for epic outdoor adventures including hiking, hot springs, lava tubes, and more.

A woman hikes the Bench Lake Trail with her dog near Stanley, Idaho

Find this post helpful? Learn how you can support Bearfoot Theory’s work here . You can also shop for gear through the affiliate links in this blog post where we get a small commission at no cost to you. It helps keep our team running and the lights on. THANK YOU! -Kristen

Idaho is home to endless outdoor recreation from jagged mountain peaks, pristine blue lakes, hundreds of hot springs, and epic paddling and whitewater opportunities. I grew up in Idaho and have spent a lot of time exploring the state, even after I moved away. I’m sharing my favorite Idaho road trip stops below to help you plan your trip. Trust me, I think you’ll be blown away by all the state has the offer!

Here are 8 epic stops for your next Idaho road trip.

Important Reminder: As it goes in all of the destinations we share, please practice  good trail etiquette  and remember to  Leave No Trace . This means packing out all of your garbage (including toilet paper) and following the established rules.

Idaho Road Trip Map

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Sun Valley & Stanley

Growing up in Idaho, the towns of Sun Valley and Stanley have a special place in my heart. Known for the jagged Sawtooth Mountains and the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, these towns are a hub for outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and jaw-dropping views.

Sun Valley is home to the first chairlift in the United States, so ski culture is big here. However, there’s also tons of epic outdoor recreation in the summertime too. If you’re visiting Stanley, the hike up to Sawooth Lake is a must. If you’re looking to spend a couple of nights in the backcountry, we recommend planning a backpacking trip to Baron Lakes .

A woman hikes the Norton Lakes Trail in Sun Valley, Idaho overlooking the half-frozen lake and a partially snow-covered trail

McCall is one of my favorite mountain towns in the West – I’ve thought about moving here more than once! With hundreds of lakes and some of the best whitewater in the country, there are countless ways to get your adrenaline pumping. McCall is only 2 hours from Boise and the drive is incredibly gorgeous through the mountains and along the Payette River. McCall also has awesome hot springs, mountain biking trails, hiking trails, lakes, and more. I’ve spent a lot of time in McCall over the years and it’s one of my favorite off-the-beaten-path Idaho road trip stops!

woman sitting on a rock overlooking a lake at Ponderosa State Park in McCall, Idaho

Cascade is a quiet Idaho town that most people pass through driving from Boise to McCall. It’s easy to just continue driving along Highway 55 without batting an eye, but we recommend you stop and check out Cascade because it’s full of hidden gems. There are at least 7 different hot springs in Cascade, tons of lakes for swimming and paddling, and awesome hiking opportunities.

A woman sits in a natural hot spring near Cascade, Idaho

Twin Falls is located in southern Idaho and has tons of outdoor recreation available. Twin Falls is home to the famous Shoshone Falls, also known as “the Niagara of the West” because it’s one of the largest natural waterfalls in the US (and actually taller than Niagara Falls). There are several places to view Shoshone Falls from above, but we recommend heading to Centennial Park and renting a stand up paddleboard or kayak to see the falls up close. Along the way, you’ll also pass Pillar Falls.

*Note: Paddling to Shoshone Falls is 8 miles round trip and the journey can take up to 6 hours.

Shoshone Falls large waterfalls in Twin Falls, Idaho at sunrise

I grew up in Boise and it’s changed a lot over the years – in a good way! Boise has become the kind of place where you can go mountain biking, fishing, or climbing within minutes of downtown and finish off your day with delicious food, live music, and local shops. There is epic mountain biking less than an hour away at Bogus Basin, the Boise River runs right through town (perfect for paddle boarding or floating in a tube), and the Boise Greenbelt stretches 25 miles through town providing paved walking and biking paths along the river. Be sure to check out Freak Alley, an incredible street art project in the heart of downtown.

A man sits on a mountain bike at Bogus Basin near Boise Idaho on the Around the Mountain Trail

Route of the Hiawatha

With beautiful and rugged mountains, 9 train tunnels, and 7 trestles suspended over the forest, the Route of the Hiawatha is one of the most scenic and unique biking trails in the country — and certainly one of the best in the Bitterroot Mountains. The Hiawatha Bike Trail runs 15.1 miles from Pearson, Idaho to East Portal, Montana along an abandoned railroad trestle, and you can buy your tickets and rent bikes, helmets, and everything you’ll need to complete the ride at Lookout Pass Ski Area. If you’re a biker, this is an Idaho road trip stop you won’t want to miss!

idaho road trips best

Craters of the Moon National Monument

C raters of the Moon National Monument is one of the most unique Idaho road trip stops and perfect as a day trip from Sun Valley. Formed by molten lava, this national monument is blanketed with black rocks, sagebrush, and cinder cones. There are above-ground trails such as the Spatter Cone Trail, or you can get a free cave permit from the Visitor’s Center to explore the 4 lava tube caves in the park. All of the caves can be accessed from one trailhead, and the Indian Tunnel is the most popular. We recommend packing a headlamp to explore the caves.

idaho road trips best

What other Idaho road trip stops have you been to or would recommend for an itinerary? Leave a comment below!

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Discover the best Idaho road trip stops for epic outdoor adventures including hiking, hot springs, lava tubes, and more.

With two decades of hiking and seven years of van life under her belt, Kristen has dedicated her life to helping people experience the positive effects of nature. As a pioneer in the outdoor blogging space, she founded Bearfoot Theory in 2014 and has since authored more than 350 blog posts about outdoor travel, hiking, camping, and van life. Her work has been featured in National Geographic, Outside Magazine, and Backpacker, and when she’s not on the road, she lives in Park City, Utah with her partner Ryan, their son, and two adventure pups.

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Hi Kristen, I enjoyed your article on the Boise area. I would like to invite you to the Idaho Panhandle. We have Spokane airport only 70 miles away, on the I-90 and more trees, lakes, rivers, hiking, biking, history, berry picking, festivals, sporting events and easy laid back relaxation than you can pack into 1 week. Here in the Silver Valley we have the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, the Old Mission State Park (oldest standing building in Idaho), Silver Mountain and the longest straight line gondola, museums, breweries, and more. Thank you and I would love to hear from you. Have a great day. Colleen Rosson Historic Silver Valley Chamber of Commerce 208-784-0821

Hi Colleen – Thanks for reading my article. I would love to come see you in the Panhandle. I visited Coeur d’Alene once as a kid. I remember it being beautiful, and I would be thrilled at the opportunity to come back! I will contact you directly via email. Thanks again! -Kristen

Yep idaho/boise is the best! I rode when there on a work trip the foothills you show! Keep up the site. Looks awesome.

Having thousands of river miles under my Teva’s I’m making a case for the Middle Fork of the Salmon River being one of the top five river trips, anywhere. The whitewater is challenging, but not (except in high runoff flows) heart stopping (though the scenery often is 😉 ) You might think of making a dedicated trip to the Sun Valley area. There is no Off-Season there 🙂

Scott – I actually grew up in Boise and visited Sun Valley often as a kid. I’ve also done the Middle Fork twice as well as the Main twice, and you are right! The river running is absolutely unparalleled, along with the beach camping on those trips. I’m definitely headed home for a bit this summer and am working on some concrete plans for my trip. Stay tuned!

Love your site and your style. Big cheers for your new custom Sprinter. I am just putting paces on my 2016 4WD Sprinter XL (just about 24′) with plenty of room for my better half and 2 dogs. Good luck and happy trekking in these amazing machines! We are headed Saturday from Bend OR via 26 and 30 (I think) to Stanley and a week on the MF of the Salmon. We have three nights for boondocking (off grid) or for the right campground this Saturday-Monday nights, a busy weekend for sure. Any chance you could recommend a memorable place or two, hopefully with brook, stream, river, pond or lake nearby, where we can find some solitude and wildness? Thanks very much for any suggestions.

I went to research Skinnydipper hot springs and found out it will be closed for 5 years since June 2016. I also saw BLM records of trash throughout the site and it made me so sad to see a few extreme cases. I understand and support the closure so that the land can be healthy again. I’m driving through Idaho next week and have been surfing your site for amazing outdoor places to see. I need to go to at least one hot spring!

Winter is here! Check out the winter wonderlands at these 5 amazing winter destinations in Montana

  • Travel Guide

The Best Idaho Road Trip Itinerary

Published: September 24, 2023

Modified: January 3, 2024

by Berri Delp

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Introduction

Embarking on a road trip is an exhilarating way to explore the beauty of a destination. If you’re looking for an unforgettable adventure, Idaho is a hidden gem that offers a diverse array of stunning landscapes, charming small towns, and outdoor recreational activities. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a history buff, or a nature lover, Idaho has something to offer everyone.

This road trip itinerary will take you on a week-long journey through Idaho’s most captivating destinations. From the vibrant capital city of Boise to the breathtaking mountains of Sun Valley and the natural wonders of Yellowstone National Park, you’ll be amazed at the variety of experiences that await you. Along the way, you’ll discover hidden gems, encounter friendly locals, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Idaho is renowned for its outdoor adventures, and this road trip will showcase the best of the state’s natural beauty. From hiking and mountain biking to fishing and kayaking, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in Idaho’s pristine wilderness. You’ll also have the chance to explore charming towns, indulge in delicious local cuisine, and soak in the rich history and culture of the region.

Whether you’re a solo traveler seeking solitude in nature, a couple searching for a romantic getaway, or a family looking for a fun-filled vacation, this Idaho road trip itinerary has something for everyone. So buckle up, hit the open road, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime in the picturesque state of Idaho.

Day 1: Exploring Boise

Start your Idaho road trip adventure by exploring the vibrant capital city of Boise. Known for its lively downtown area, cultural attractions, and outdoor activities, Boise offers a little something for everyone.

Begin your day with a visit to the Idaho State Capitol Building, an architectural masterpiece that showcases the state’s history and government. Take a guided tour to learn about the building’s unique design and the important role it plays in Idaho’s political landscape.

Next, head to the Boise River Greenbelt, a scenic pathway that winds along the banks of the Boise River. Rent a bike or take a leisurely stroll as you soak in the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. Make a stop at Kathryn Albertson Park, a serene oasis with ponds, water features, and a variety of plant and wildlife.

For lunch, explore the vibrant food scene in downtown Boise. From farm-to-table eateries to ethnic cuisine and food trucks, you’ll find a plethora of options to satisfy your taste buds. Don’t forget to try some Idaho potatoes, a local specialty!

In the afternoon, visit the Old Idaho Penitentiary, a former prison that offers a fascinating glimpse into Idaho’s criminal past. Take a guided tour and learn about the lives of the inmates who once called this place home.

End your day at the Basque Block, a unique neighborhood that pays homage to Boise’s Basque heritage. Explore the Basque Museum and Cultural Center, where you can discover the history and traditions of the Basque people. Enjoy a delicious Basque dinner at one of the local restaurants, and if you’re lucky, catch a traditional Basque dance performance.

After a day of exploration, relax and unwind at one of Boise’s many breweries or rooftop bars. Sip on local craft beers or enjoy a handcrafted cocktail as you take in the panoramic views of the city. Alternatively, catch a live music performance at one of the downtown venues for a memorable evening.

At the end of the day, rest up at one of the charming hotels or B&Bs in Boise, ready to continue your Idaho road trip adventure the next day.

Day 2: Sun Valley and Ketchum

On day two of your Idaho road trip, venture to the iconic resort town of Sun Valley and its charming neighbor, Ketchum. Known for its stunning natural beauty, world-class skiing, and vibrant arts scene, this area is a must-visit destination in Idaho.

Start your day with a scenic drive from Boise to Sun Valley. Along the way, you’ll be treated to picturesque views of the Idaho countryside and the majestic Sawtooth Mountains. Be sure to make a stop at the Shoshone Falls, known as the “Niagara of the West,” and marvel at the power and beauty of these cascading waterfalls.

Upon arrival in Sun Valley, take some time to explore the famous Sun Valley Resort. This upscale mountain retreat has been attracting celebrities and outdoor enthusiasts for decades. Stroll through the village, browse the boutique shops, and grab a cup of coffee or a light snack at one of the charming cafes.

If you’re visiting during the winter months, take advantage of the incredible skiing and snowboarding opportunities on Bald Mountain. With its wide range of groomed slopes and challenging trails, it’s the perfect destination for winter sports enthusiasts of all levels. Alternatively, if you’re visiting in the summer, enjoy hiking and mountain biking on the numerous trails that crisscross the area.

After your outdoor adventures, head to Ketchum, a quaint town located just a few miles south of Sun Valley. Explore the art galleries, boutiques, and antique shops that line the streets of downtown Ketchum. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Sun Valley Center for the Arts, a cultural hub that showcases a variety of exhibits and performances throughout the year.

For lunch, indulge in a delicious meal at one of the local restaurants in Ketchum. From fine dining establishments to casual eateries, you’ll find a wide range of culinary options to suit your taste.

In the afternoon, take a leisurely stroll along the paved Wood River Trail, which follows the Big Wood River and offers picturesque views of the surrounding mountains. The trail is perfect for walking, jogging, or biking and provides a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

As the day comes to a close, treat yourself to a relaxing soak at the nearby Frenchman’s Hot Springs. Surrounded by nature, these natural hot springs offer the perfect opportunity to unwind and rejuvenate. Take in the breathtaking sunset views as you soak in the warm mineral-rich waters.

After a day of exploration, head back to your accommodation in Sun Valley or Ketchum and prepare for another exciting day of your Idaho road trip.

Day 3: Sawtooth National Recreation Area

On day three of your Idaho road trip, immerse yourself in the stunning natural beauty of Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Located just north of Ketchum, this rugged and pristine wilderness area is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.

Start your day with a scenic drive along the breathtaking Sawtooth Scenic Byway, also known as Highway 75. This winding road offers spectacular views of towering mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and dense forests. Keep your camera handy as there will be plenty of opportunities for memorable photos.

Once you arrive at the recreation area, lace up your hiking boots and explore one of the numerous trails that traverse the rugged landscape. The popular Sawtooth Lake Trail is a must-do, offering jaw-dropping views of the jagged Sawtooth Mountains and the serene alpine lake nestled at their base.

If you prefer a more leisurely activity, rent a canoe or kayak and paddle along the pristine waters of Redfish Lake. Surrounded by towering peaks, this picturesque lake provides a peaceful setting for relaxation and exploration. You can also try your hand at fishing, as Redfish Lake is home to a variety of trout species.

For a unique and memorable experience, take a scenic boat tour on the Redfish Lake Shuttle. This guided tour provides fascinating insights into the natural and cultural history of the area as you cruise along the calm waters. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as bald eagles, osprey, deer, and moose.

In the afternoon, visit the Stanley Museum, located in the charming town of Stanley. This small but informative museum showcases the rich history and heritage of the area, including its mining past and the construction of nearby dams.

As the day draws to a close, find a cozy spot along the shores of Stanley Lake or Alturas Lake to witness a mesmerizing sunset over the mountains. The golden hues reflecting off the water and illuminating the peaks create a truly magical atmosphere.

After a day of exploring the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, return to your accommodation in Ketchum or Stanley, filled with awe and gratitude for the spectacular natural wonders you have encountered.

Day 4: Craters of the Moon National Monument

On day four of your Idaho road trip, venture into the otherworldly landscape of Craters of the Moon National Monument. Located in the Snake River Plain, this unique geological area is a testament to the volcanic activity that shaped the region millions of years ago.

Begin your day by driving from Stanley to Craters of the Moon National Monument. As you approach the park, you’ll be greeted by a surreal landscape of ancient lava flows, cinder cones, and volcanic formations.

Start your exploration at the visitor center, where you can learn about the park’s geology, history, and wildlife. Park rangers are available to provide information and guidance for your visit.

Embark on a self-guided tour along the park’s well-maintained trails, such as the Devil’s Orchard Trail or the North Crater Flow Trail. These paths will lead you through the most fascinating areas, showcasing lava tubes, spatter cones, and other volcanic formations.

For a more immersive experience, consider taking a guided ranger-led tour or joining a cave hike. These specialized tours provide a chance to explore the lava tubes and underground caves that are unique to this area.

After your exploration, enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the designated picnic areas within the park. The serene setting amidst the ancient lava fields is a perfect backdrop for a relaxing meal.

In the afternoon, visit the Inferno Cone, a volcanic cinder cone that offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Hike to the top and marvel at the vast expanse of lava fields and the distant peaks of the Pioneer Mountains.

As you leave Craters of the Moon, make a stop at the nearby town of Arco. Known as “The Atomic City,” Arco is home to the first city in the world to be powered by nuclear energy. Visit the EBR-I Atomic Museum to learn about the town’s fascinating nuclear history.

As the day comes to an end, find a spot to witness the mesmerizing sunset over the lava fields. The vibrant hues of orange and purple against the dark volcanic rock create a truly enchanting spectacle.

After a day of exploring Craters of the Moon National Monument, head to your accommodation in Arco or the nearby town of Carey, ready to continue your Idaho road trip adventure.

Day 5: Idaho Falls and Yellowstone National Park

On day five of your Idaho road trip, embark on a journey to Idaho Falls and the iconic Yellowstone National Park. Get ready to witness awe-inspiring natural wonders and experience the unique wildlife that call this region home.

Start your day by driving from Arco to Idaho Falls, a charming city nestled along the Snake River. Explore the historic downtown area and stroll along the scenic River Walk Trail, which offers stunning views of the river and its cascading waterfalls.

Take some time to visit the Museum of Idaho, where you can learn about the area’s history, archaeology, and natural sciences. Discover fascinating exhibits that showcase the region’s Native American heritage and the legacy of the Oregon Trail.

For lunch, indulge in some mouthwatering cuisine at one of the local restaurants in Idaho Falls. From classic American fare to international dishes, there’s something to suit every palate.

In the afternoon, make your way to the world-renowned Yellowstone National Park. As you enter the park, be prepared to be greeted by breathtaking landscapes, including towering mountains, vast forests, and extraordinary geothermal features.

Begin your Yellowstone adventure with a visit to the iconic Old Faithful geyser. Watch in awe as this famous geyser shoots hot water and steam high into the air at regular intervals. Be sure to check the predicted eruption times to ensure you don’t miss this natural marvel.

Continue exploring the park by visiting other geothermal wonders, such as the colorful Grand Prismatic Spring and the bubbling mud pots of the Fountain Paint Pot. These unique geological features are a testament to Yellowstone’s volcanic past.

Keep a lookout for the park’s abundant wildlife, including bison, elk, bears, and wolves. Yellowstone is known for its diverse ecosystem and offers amazing opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography.

End your day by witnessing a magical sunset over the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Marvel at the stunning waterfalls, such as the Upper and Lower Falls, which cascade down the canyon walls, creating a truly mesmerizing sight.

As the day comes to a close, find accommodation within or near Yellowstone National Park, ready to continue your exploration of this iconic destination the next day.

Day 6: Teton Valley and Grand Targhee Resort

On day six of your Idaho road trip, venture into the breathtaking Teton Valley and experience the outdoor wonders of Grand Targhee Resort. Surrounded by the majestic Teton Range, this area is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Begin your day by driving from Yellowstone National Park to Teton Valley, a picturesque valley located just west of the Tetons. As you make your way through the valley, you’ll be treated to incredible views of rolling hills, open farmland, and the snow-capped peaks in the distance.

Start your exploration with a visit to Driggs, a charming town in Teton Valley. Explore the local shops, art galleries, and eateries that line the streets of downtown. Don’t miss the opportunity to taste some delicious locally grown produce or visit the weekly farmers market.

After exploring Driggs, make your way to Grand Targhee Resort, located just a short drive from the town. This world-class ski resort transforms into a summer playground, offering a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy.

If you’re visiting during the summer months, take advantage of the resort’s extensive hiking and mountain biking trails that wind through lush forests and alpine meadows. Enjoy the pristine mountain air while immersing yourself in the beauty of the surrounding nature.

For a unique experience, consider taking a scenic chairlift ride to the summit of Fred’s Mountain. From the top, you’ll be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the Teton Range and the valley below. Don’t forget your camera!

In the afternoon, try your hand at horseback riding through the picturesque landscapes surrounding the resort. Follow experienced guides as they lead you through mountain trails, providing insights into the area’s history and wildlife.

After a day of outdoor adventures, relax and unwind at the resort’s spa or take a dip in the pool and hot tubs. Treat yourself to a soothing massage or simply enjoy the tranquility of the surrounding mountain scenery.

In the evening, dine at one of Grand Targhee’s restaurants and savor a delicious meal made with locally sourced ingredients. Enjoy the cozy atmosphere and recount the day’s adventures with fellow travelers or locals.

As the day comes to a close, find accommodation at the resort or in Teton Valley, ready to continue your exploration of Idaho’s natural wonders.

Day 7: Coeur d’Alene and Lake Coeur d’Alene

On the final day of your Idaho road trip, immerse yourself in the beauty of Coeur d’Alene and the stunning Lake Coeur d’Alene. This charming resort town is known for its pristine lake, outdoor activities, and vibrant downtown area.

Start your day by driving from Teton Valley to Coeur d’Alene, located in the northern part of the state. As you approach the town, you’ll be captivated by the sparkling waters of Lake Coeur d’Alene and the surrounding forested hills.

Begin your exploration with a visit to Tubbs Hill, a scenic nature reserve located just minutes from downtown. Take a leisurely hike along the trails that wind through the forested slopes, offering breathtaking views of the lake and the city skyline.

Next, head to City Park, situated along the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene. Enjoy a picnic by the water or rent a kayak, paddleboard, or boat to explore the pristine waters of the lake. Take in the panoramic views and soak up the tranquility of this natural playground.

For lunch, wander through the bustling downtown area, lined with boutique shops, art galleries, and a variety of dining options. Indulge in some local cuisine or try some freshly caught fish from the lake at one of the waterfront restaurants.

In the afternoon, visit the iconic Coeur d’Alene Resort. Take a scenic lake cruise aboard the resort’s luxurious cruise boat, which offers a narrated tour of the lake’s history and landmarks. Marvel at the breathtaking beauty of the lake and its surrounding mountains.

For golf enthusiasts, a visit to the resort’s world-class golf course is a must. Play a round amidst stunning views of the lake and immaculate fairways. If golf isn’t your thing, explore the resort’s shops, indulge in a spa treatment, or relax by the infinity pool.

To end your day in Coeur d’Alene, take a stroll along the Coeur d’Alene Boardwalk. Enjoy the charming atmosphere as you pass by art installations, fountains, and sculptures. Treat yourself to a scoop of homemade ice cream from one of the local shops as you soak up the vibrant energy of the town.

As the day comes to a close, find a cozy spot along the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene to witness the spectacular sunset over the water. The vibrant colors reflecting off the lake’s surface create a magical and serene setting.

After a day of exploration and relaxation, find accommodation in Coeur d’Alene, ready to reflect on the incredible adventure you’ve had on your Idaho road trip.

Your Idaho road trip has taken you on a remarkable journey through the diverse landscapes, charming towns, and natural wonders of the Gem State. From the vibrant city of Boise to the awe-inspiring scenery of Sawtooth National Recreation Area, and from the otherworldly formations of Craters of the Moon to the iconic Yellowstone National Park, you’ve experienced the best that Idaho has to offer.

Throughout your adventure, you’ve immersed yourself in the outdoors, hiking through rugged trails, exploring lava fields, and marveling at stunning waterfalls. You’ve discovered the rich history and cultural heritage of the state, from the Basque Block in Boise to the Atomic City of Arco. You’ve savored delicious local cuisine, interacted with friendly locals, and created memories that will last a lifetime.

Idaho’s natural beauty, from the towering peaks of the Teton Range to the crystal-clear waters of Lake Coeur d’Alene, has left an indelible imprint on your heart. The state’s commitment to preserving its wilderness areas through national parks and recreation areas has allowed you to fully appreciate and immerse yourself in the stunning landscapes.

As your Idaho road trip comes to a close, take a moment to reflect on the experiences and adventures you’ve had. Cherish the memories of hiking through pristine forests, witnessing captivating sunsets, and encountering wildlife in their natural habitats. Remember the delicious meals, the friendly locals, and the feeling of open road and endless possibilities.

Whether you are a nature enthusiast seeking outdoor adventure or a traveler eager to explore new destinations, Idaho has proven to be a hidden gem that should not be overlooked. The state’s rich history, diverse landscapes, and warm hospitality make it a perfect destination for an unforgettable road trip.

As you bid farewell to Idaho, carry with you the spirit of adventure, the love of nature, and the memories of a journey that has left you with a profound appreciation for the beauty and wonders of this remarkable state. Until your next road trip, may you continue to seek new horizons and create lasting memories.

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One Wild Week Road Tripping in Idaho

Home » Blog » U.S.A. » One Wild Week Road Tripping in Idaho

Goldbug Hot Spring Idaho One Wild Week Road Tripping in Idaho

If you think Idaho is all potatoes, you are missing out! With pristine hidden hot springs, dramatic mountain peaks and cute towns, we can pretty confidently say that Idaho is one of the most underrated states in the U.S.

If you’re like us and you love the outdoors, but can’t stand the crowds at popular destinations, Idaho may just be the perfect spot for your next road trip.

We’re going to share a sample itinerary that brings you through some of the best the state has to offer. With just a week, you certainly can’t see it all, but this is a good start!

Best Places to See in Idaho with just One Week

We know that not all road trips are created equal. Maybe you have less time or you just don’t want to feel rushed. We get that. We’ve labeled each stop on the itinerary as “Idaho Must” or “If you have time”.

Those marked “Idaho Must” were our favorites and we think they are great stops on any Idaho road trip. The places marked “If you have time” are still worthwhile, but only if time allows. Click any of the links to jump down to that section.

Idaho Must Visits

Craters of the moon.

Hike in the Sawtooth Mountains

Redfish Lake

Goldbug hot springs, if you have more time in idaho.

Secret Hot Springs between McCall and Boise

Bruneau Sand Dunes

Thousand springs state park, balanced rock, custer ghost town, want to try out van life while visiting idaho.

It’s no secret we are big fans of #vanlife.

If you don’t have the time (or interest!) in building your own conversion but you still want to give van life a test drive, we’ve tons of ideas for you! Check out our list of top companies for USA Campervan Rentals , from budget to bougie, we’ve even included some exclusive discounts for our readers.

One company we’d recommend looking into is Escape Campervans . They have 12 different locations across North America and come fully loaded with all the gear you need for an epic road trip. Plus, their rates are fair and affordable.

BONUS: We’ve partnered with them to give you a 10% off discount when you use our link !

McCall: Cute Town with a Lake View

One Wild Week Road Tripping in Idaho McCall Beach

This upscale cabin town sits on the south shore of Payette Lake. We were there in the middle of the week and got the vibe that most of the houses in McCall are ritzy second homes because damn were they nice.

We hunkered down for a bit and tried some cute coffee shops like Mountain Java and Fogglifter , while sampling the brews at Salmon River Brewing . If you’re looking for a spot to relax in the evening, Lakeside Park is a great spot for a sunset view.

Whether you are staying in a hotel, living in a campervan or RV, or you’re trekking in the backcountry, here is everything you’ll want to pack for the road. Plus tips and advice on making your next road trip go as smoothly as possible!

Road+Trip+Packing+List+downloadable+PDF+_+Two+Wandering+Soles

Secret* Hot Springs between McCall and Boise

One Wild Week Road Tripping in Idaho Hot Spring

We got a great tip from a friend who’s from Idaho about a special hot springs that is lesser known than many of the big names. This kind of “local” place is right up our alley, so we made sure to stop here. Set within a creek, there are two pools for relaxing in the steaming water.

When we were there, the water was a bit high and the downstream pool was flooded but it would be really nice later in the summer. With the sun shining through the trees, the minerals in the rocks making the sand sparkle (seriously!) and just a couple other people soaking, it was seriously magical. If you’re visiting McCall, we’d highly recommend this hot spring.

So how do you get there? Read below…

*Important Note: In an effort to not geo-tag every secret spot we know, we are not going to share the name or location of these hot springs. However, if you are traveling through this area of Idaho, please send us your email and we will kindly (and automatically) send you directions to this local hot springs. We just don’t want this place to be overrun with people, thus ruining the whole vibe.

Looking for more hot springs in Idaho? Hint: There are tons! We put together a list of all the must-see Idaho hot springs , including how to get there and what to expect.

Boise: Hip City with a Friendly Vibe

One Wild Week Road Tripping in Idaho Boise Saturday Market

We recently read an article titled something like, “up-and-coming cities in the US to visit before they get too cool” and Boise was on there. (Along with our hometown, Minneapolis !) With accessible bike trails, a lively brewery scene and fantastic farmer’s markets, we can understand how it made the list.

Things to do in Boise:

Rent a city bike and pedal the Greenbelt, a series of paved bike trails alongside the Boise River.

Take that bike all the way to the Old Idaho Penitentiary . For $6 you can tour the grounds and see where some of the worst criminals of the west were held. There are also short hiking trails behind the penitentiary that will give you a good view of the city.

For a change of scenery after the Old Penitentiary, right next door are the beautiful Idaho Botanical Gardens . Strolling the paths past flowers and native bushes is one of the best things to do in Boise for couples .

Go brewery hopping! We enjoyed 10 Barrel and Payette Brewing and wish we had time to try more!

Explore the Boise Saturday Market ! This farmers market takes place every Saturday from April through mid-December , and it is huge – covering 4 or 5 blocks of N 8th Street in the heart of downtown. There are different sections for food vendors, artists and people selling local produce, and we were seriously impressed. From art stalls to curbside musicians to craft wines and street food, you’ll find something to love here!

  • The market runs from mid-April to mid-December from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
  • Get an ice cream cone at The STIL .  There’s often a line outside, and for good reason – the ice cream here is fantastic!

Where to eat in Boise

One Wild Week Road Tripping in Idaho Boise Paddles Up Poke

Paddles Up Poké –This restaurant serves up poke bowls (a Hawaiian raw fish salad). It was so good we stopped back two days in a row, something we never do. That should tell you enough how good it is. If you like fish at all, make sure you stop here.

10 Barrel Brewery – Always busy, and for a good reason, 10 Barrel serves up some awesome pints and a great food menu. Ben says try the P2P Porter if you like dark full flavor beers. Fun Fact: 10 Barrel is from Bend, Oregon (where we live!), so we’ve visited their Bend locations too many times to count!

Fork – This popular spot downtown serves upscale American fare and is one of the best restaurants in Boise . We loved their asparagus fries (huge portion!) and their butter cake is seriously worth saving room for. 

Read Next: Read all about the best things to do in Washington State (our favorite US state!)

One Wild Week Road Tripping in Idaho Bruneau Sand Dunes

When we say that Idaho has diverse landscape, we aren’t kidding. Not too far south of Boise (62.3 miles to be exact), you can find sand dunes! If you’re headed to Twin Falls, a stop here is a nice way to break up the drive.

What can you do at the Bruneau Sand Dunes?

Picnic near a small lake surrounded by dunes

Take a dip in the lake to cool down!

Learn about the history of this landscape and the wildlife at the visitors’ center

Climb up one of the dunes to get a great view (wear closed toe shoes because the sand is super hot!)

Rent a sand board from the visitors’ center and try boarding down the dunes! (One board costs $15 per day, or you can rent two for $25.)

Spend the night if you’d like – there is camping here.

Cost: $5 entrance fee per vehicle

One Wild Week Road Tripping in Idaho Thousand Springs

If you’re driving from Boise to Twin Falls, this makes a great stop. The area is full of springs and waterfalls and there’s a nice little walk to you take to get close to them. You can also rent paddle boards and kayaks from Hagerman Valley Sports if you have some time to kill. There’s a grassy area perfect for picnicking and soaking in the view.

How to get to Thousand Springs:  Getting to Thousand Springs is a little tricky. Along Highway 30, there is a big sign that says Thousand Springs Resort. Don’t stop here. You have to pay to park or use the picnic tables and it is on the opposite side of the river from the actual springs.

We stopped because we were confused about how to get to the springs, but we ended up figuring it out. If you make it to this “resort”, you’ve actually gone too far. Turn around and right after you cross over the bridge, turn east on the State Fish Hatchery Road through the Hagerman Wildlife Management Area.

You will work your way through some farm roads in the direction of a road called “Thousand Springs Grade”. Google it head of time because you will likely have little to no cell service around there. This steep road leads you into a park right next to the Thousand Springs.

One Wild Week Road Tripping in Idaho Balanced Rock

If you’re in the area, a stop at Balanced Rock is a cool addition to your trip. Just as the name implies, this rock formation is the epitome of a balancing act. The base is just 3 feet by 17 inches, and the top reaches 40 feet high. That gives a whole new meaning to the term “top heavy”!

I wouldn’t necessarily go out of your way to make a stop here, as it’s just a rock. All you can really do is “ohhhh” and “ahhh”, take a few pictures and maybe have lunch at the picnic table in front of the rock if you really want to. And that’s about it. But, if you’re in the area, it’s pretty cool sight. We spent the night at the Balanced Rock campground about 1 mile away, so it was a fun stop for us.

Photographer tip: I’d recommend going in the late afternoon or at sunset for the best lighting. We arrived in the morning and had some harsh light.

Camping nearby : Just 1 mile from Balanced Rock is an amazing campground that is completely free! There are 6 campsites along the river in a small gorge. There is lots of greenery, birds (and bugs), and it is a really gorgeous setting. There are clean pit toilets, carports, picnic tables, fire rings and grills.

Twin Falls: Impressive Waterfall & Famous Bridge

There is not much to the town, there are some sites around Twin Falls that you can’t miss while in Idaho. If you’re in time crunch (or just want to get out of the city), you don’t have to stay the night. These attractions can be seen within a couple of hours.

One Wild Week Road Tripping in Idaho Shoshone Falls

Things to do in Twin Falls, Idaho

Shoshone Falls: Known as the “Niagara Falls of the West”, this gigantic waterfall is tucked deep in the Snake River canyon. It’s a $3 fee per vehicle, but totally worth it. You can walk out on to a platform and feel the power of the falls as it sprays you in the face. The park itself has a couple shaded areas that would be perfect for a picnic.

Note: When we arrived in early June, the water wasn’t nearly as high as it is earlier in the year. When the water is high, the falls is on both sides of this rock formation. Imagine that!

One Wild Week Road Tripping in Idaho Perrine Memorial Bridge

Perrine Memorial Bridge: Spanning across the canyon, this engineering feat is a sight to see. For the best views of the bridge. park at the Twin Falls Visitor Center and walk to either side. If you’re lucky, you’ll might catch some BASE jumpers leaping of the bridge! 

Fun Fact: Near the bridge, there is a monument for Evel Knievel, who attempted (and failed!) to jump across the mile-wide Snake River Canyon on a motorcycle a bit further down the river. And no, he did not die in this crazy stunt!

Perrine Coulee Falls: Less than a mile from the Perrine Memorial Bridge, the small Perrine Coulee drops from the canyon rim straight down. You can take a short hike up to it and even walk behind the falling water. 

Note: If you are on a big road trip of the Western US (like we were), the best way to head to Utah is south from Twin Falls.

One Wild Week Road Tripping in Idaho Craters of the Moon

As you drive north from Twin Falls toward the mountains, you’ll notice a change in the landscape that becomes a bit eerie. The rich farmland slowly turns into black volcanic rock that stretch for miles.

Today, this is the Craters of the Moon National Monument, but 2,000 years ago this area was a hot swirling molten mess with lava flowing underground and spewing out of the earth.

Stop in the visitors center to get a map of the driving route and see the exhibit explaining how the area was created. The driving route takes about 30 minutes total, but we spent about 2 hours exploring the twisted trees, lava fields and old hallowed-out lava tubes.

Some of our favorite sites were Devils Orchard, the Inferno Cone, “snow cone” spatter cone, and the Indian Cave (be sure to get your cave permit before entering the cave. It’s free, but it gives you details on how to preserve the landscape for the future). There are some campgrounds in the national park that looked nice, but pretty crowded with other travelers. 

Ketchum: Cute Ski Town

Do you ever arrive in a new town and just know right away that you’re going to love it? Well, that’s how we felt about Ketchum. Small but not too small, cute buildings surrounded by mountains and a river nearby… It all adds up to our kinda place!

Things to do in Ketchum:

One Wild Week Road Tripping in Idaho Earnest Hemingway's grave

Visit Earnest Hemingway’s grave. We were just as surprised as you! We visited one of Hemingway’s homes in Key West a few years back and just assumed that’s where he was buried, since much of his literature is based on South Florida and Cuba.

We had no idea that his final resting place is in Idaho, but when you see how stunning this area is, you’ll understand why. (Apparently, Hemingway was quite the fly fisherman, too!)

His grave is near the back of Ketchum’s small cemetery, and is between two large trees. It is not flashy or ornate, which is just what you’d expect of Hemingway.

One Wild Week Road Tripping in Idaho Java on Fourth

Have a cuppa’ joe.  We spent a day working at the Java in Boise and were super impressed with the strong coffee, the fast Wi-Fi and the vibe. So when we learned that there is a Java on Fourth in Ketchum also, we decided it would be a great place to grab breakfast and get some work done.

You’d never guess this cute house-converted-coffee-shop is a local chain, and they serve up some great food (try the Hippie Breakfast Burrito) and specialty drinks (Bowl of Soul: espresso, Mexican chocolate, steamed milk and whip). Soak up sun on the porch or cozy up inside on the comfy couch.

Cheers with the local brew . If you’ve been following our blog for a while, you know that we’re huge fans of breweries, and like to try them out whenever possible. We stopped into Sawtooth Public House and picked up a growler of the Freeheeler Rye IPA, which was pretty good.

The beers are a little pricy (growlers range from $15 to $30) and pints are $5-7, but we would have like to join in on their Tuesday night trivia. Next time!

One Wild Week Road Tripping in Idaho Sun Valley

Take a hike . Take a little drive up into Sun Valley and stop at any of the little turnouts along the way. We went for a little stroll by the river and soaked up some sun (ohhh, that’s why it’s called “Sun Valley!”).

Go biking . Whether you prefer road biking or getting high in the mountains, Ketchum will satisfy your pedaling soul. Known for world-class mountain biking, this town of 2,720 has a staggering 10 bike shops! Rentals seemed to average around $30 for the day, or $20 for a half-day. If it’s road biking you prefer, the hundreds of miles of flat trail in and around town make a great path to explore. There are bike share rentals near the visitor’s center, so you can pay based on how much time you use it.

Ski or board.  If you visit Ketchum in the winter months, spend a day at Sun Valley Ski Resort, where the first chair lift was invented! 

Stanley, Idaho

One Wild Week Road Tripping in Idaho Stanley Bakery

Stanley, population: 63. This dirt road town features Old West-style buildings that’ll make you wonder if you’ve stepped back in time. Surrounded by the snow peaked Sawtooth Mountains and flanked by the rushing Salmon River, this is the Idaho we pictured.

Stanley Baking Company and Cafe : A visit in Stanley isn’t complete without a stop at this local jaunt. With a breakfast menu that’ll make you wish it was morning all day long, and a wide selection of baked goods and handcrafted beverages, you might just need to return here a second time (like we did!).

One Wild Week Road Tripping in Idaho Stanley Bakery Quinoa Bowl

Tip: If you like healthy twists on breakfast fare, you’ll love the Bear Bowl, which combines quinoa, grilled seasonal vegetables, greens, poached eggs, with an almond crème and coconut amino sauce that’s to die for!

Where to camp near Stanley:

There is plenty of free camping near Stanley. Just about every quarter mile, you’ll see rustic campgrounds with fire rings and picnic tables. The free ones tend not to have bathrooms, but there are a handful of public restrooms along the road. If you want a little more comfort, the campgrounds near Redfish Lake cost $18 per night.

Hike the Sawtooth Mountains

One Wild Week Road Tripping in Idaho Sawtooth Mountains Alpine Lake Spring

Stanley isn’t just a cute town – it’s the gateway to one of the most pristine wilderness areas in the nation and some of the best hiking in Idaho . The Sawtooth Mountains deserve at least a full day of exploration, and more if you have the time!

For a moderate hike that culminates with alpine lake views, the 10-mile round trip trek to Sawtooth Lake is a good choice. We went in early June and came across snow about halfway up. We kept going over the snow pack and reached Alpine Lake, which blew us away with its majestic beauty.

We trekked on a bit further to Sawtooth Lake, which was still completely frozen over, but we imagine it would be stunning later on in the summer.

Other full day hikes in the Sawtooth Mountains:

Alice Lake Hike: 12-mile round trip with a 1600-foot elevation gain that leads you to a picturesque view of the El Capitan. We really wanted to go on this hike but decided against it since the lake would still be frozen over in early June. If you do decide to go on this moderate to difficult hike, please take a picture for us!

Big Casino Creek Hike: With the destination of the Casino Lakes, this difficult 12-mile round trip with a 2760-foot elevation gain is supposed to be a worthwhile hike with great views of the White Cloud Mountains.

One Wild Week Road Tripping in Idaho Redfish Lake Lodge

The largest alpine lake in the Sawtooth Wilderness, Redfish Lake is easily accessible by road. Whether you stop for a picnic lunch with a view or for dinner and drinks at the Redfish Lodge, a visit to this lake is a nice addition to your time in the Sawtooths.

Tip: There are showers and laundry facilities open to the public near the resort. Showers are $2.00 for 5 minutes of hot water.

One Wild Week Road Tripping in Idaho Custer Ghost Town

If you’re a history buff, a stop at Custer will be super interesting to you. If history’s not your thing though, you could skip this stop. Just 23.5 miles from Stanley, lie the remains of Custer – a town that boomed with the gold rush, but soon crumbled when the hunt for gold moved elsewhere.

A couple preserved buildings remain, and you can walk through them. There are signs explaining important parts of the town, so you can walk around on a self-guided tour and learn about the city’s history.

Note: On the way to Custer, you’ll see Bonanza – another, smaller ghost town. It hasn’t been preserved in the same way, and people actually own the dilapidated houses and live on the property. You can drive past, but it’s not nearly as interesting as Custer (in our opinions). The most noteworthy part of Bonanza is the graveyard, which is a half mile up a dirt road.

Salmon, Idaho

Unless you’re a huge fan of wild west, there is not much to do or see in this town other than one strip of shops and restaurants that have wooden facades. We wanted to have a quick work break at Odd Fellows Café before heading back south to Gold Bug Hot Springs. We wouldn’t necessarily recommend going out of your way to get here unless you have the time.

Goldbug Hot Springs One Wild Week Road Tripping in Idaho

This hot spring is far from secret – just search it on Instagram and you’ll find plenty of photos to inspire wanderlust. We were a little worried that it would be crowded and we’d be left disappointed, but ohmygosh were we wrong. Goldbug is perhaps the most spectacular of all the hot springs in Idaho , and one of our favorites we’ve visited anywhere in the world.

After the 2-mile hike, we arrived at these hot springs around 5 p.m. and were the only ones for a couple hours. We had the pools to ourselves until two other couples planning to spend the night as well arrived later on in the evening.

Tip: Try out all the different pools, as they all have different temperatures – some are very hot while others are lukewarm.

Camping at Goldbug Hot Springs One Wild Week Road Tripping in Idaho

How to get to Goldbug Hot Springs: We put together a detailed guide to visiting Goldbug Hot Springs on our sister site, including how to get there and what to expect. 

Tip: For the best experience, camp overnight at the springs. I promise you won’t regret it. Remember you are not allowed to camp within 500 feet of the fall. Also, try to go on a weekday instead of a weekend for your best chance of avoiding crowds.

Idaho seriously surprised us and we can’t wait to go back someday. We’d love to return to some of these spots (especially Ketchum and the Sawtooth Wilderness!), or make it on to other places like Coeur d’Alene and Sands Point.

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Road Tripping in Idaho

We want to hear from you!

Have you been to Idaho? What are your top road trip destinations? What would you add or change? Leave your comments below!

Comments (25) on “ One Wild Week Road Tripping in Idaho ”

Hi guys! I shot you an email about the hot springs! Shoot me a reply we are headed north today!

I am on a roadtrip in idaho. It is absolutely gorgeous! I just sent an email about the mccall hot springs.

Thanks for the email. Just sent you the directions! Have a great road trip in Idaho!

Hello! First off you two look your having a blast exploring Idaho, your right it does have sooo much offer other than potatoes, I was born and raised in south west part of the state but I have lined in and love northern Idaho! Sandpoint is a epic road trip!

Loved your blog on things to do in Idaho. Can you please share the directions to the secret hot spring between McCall and Boise. Thanks!

Hey Harsha, we got your email and replied back with the directions. Hope you have a great time!

I am in love with this post. All these places yall traveled and the beautiful locations and stops that were captured. Idaho definitely has some hidden jewels and people like you are making that known for others to read like me. I would like to add maybe stopping in Coeur D’ Alene and getting a hot stone massage from Hayden Yoga & Massage. Or even unwinding with yoga, they offer some great classes if that is more your style.

Okay, so it may not fit in with the outdoor vibe you’re looking for, but I think you dismissed Twin Falls’ attractions a bit prematurely by overlooking the Herrett Center for Arts & Science. The museum packs a lot in a small space, including world-class archeological collections, an art gallery, the state’s biggest and most advanced planetarium, and a public observatory with a 24" research-grade telescope for public viewing. The museum is free, but there’s a nominal admission to planetarium shows.

Also, the downtown area has had a recent facelift and is offers a burgeoning nightlife scene now, including unique eateries and pubs.

You had me hooked at planetarium! Thanks for the additional tips in Twin Falls.

Hi there- we have a summer trip planned to Idaho this year-and would be interested in your hot spring local as well. Safe travel to you both- many thanks, Kevan.

Hey Kevan, we would be happy to share it with you. Would you be able to send us your email in our contact us form? We’ll be sure to send the directions to you right away!

Hi there! We are visiting McCall this weekend and we were wondering if you could share with us the location of the Hot Springs that you mentioned in the article? Not sure if you can get there in the winter time? Anyhow, we are from Twin Falls and so will be coming to McCall again this summer and would love to know the location. Thank you for posting such a wonderful blog about Idaho. We are from here and so know how truly amazing it is and it was so nice to hear an outsiders perspective. Wishing you the best!

Hi Beth, thank you for your kind words about our website. We would love to send you the directions to the hot springs. Since we want to keep it a secret and not blast it on the Internet, would you be able to send us a quick message on our contact us page and we can send you the directions via email?

I want to do everything in this post. I’ve been realizing I’ve long made the mistake of thinking Idaho is nothing but flat boring fields and stuffy little towns. Thanks for the ideas! I sent you an email–would you mind telling me about the hot spring between McCall and Boise?

Hey Cara, I had the same feelings before we started doing research on Idaho and found so many things to do! I sent you the directions to the hot spring a few days ago, so hopefully you got it. Have a great time and let us know how you like Idaho!

I loved your blog and it was so helpful as we are currently traveling through Idaho. Great tips on Twin Falls and Ketchum. We only stent a few hours in Tein Falls and hit all the amazing sights you suggested. Ketchum had the rails to trails bike ride, which was amazing to ride. I ate a dirty hippie at Java :-). Stanley and Redfish were a dissapointment. The drive was gorgeous but the campgrounds by Red fish were laden with mosquitos and people on a wed late June. In Stanley much was closed on weds including the bakery you mentioned. We loved the sawtooth mountains but we opted out of calling and made the long trek back to Boise that same day because of the mosquitoes. In Boise, the gently we were going to I would to bike was ruined because of spring floodong and all the motels were booked so at 9pm we opted to keep driving to McCall. Our finial destination is CDA so I guess we sort of did a backwards drive from your blog. We got to McCall at 1am…We were so glad the next day we had a full day in this city because we found the most amazing place to kayak. The north fork of the payette river. We spent the whole day there and even witnessed a bull moose swimming. We treated ourselves to staying at Bear Creek Lodge a bit outside McCall but beautiful rooms and afun lodge with games and a pool table and so much more. Riggins and white water rafting was our next day and salmon fishing. Moscow Idaho we rode our bikes and not we are in CDA for the 4th July. We will do much bike riding and kayaking here

Wow sounds like you had a great time in Idaho! Glad you found the article helpful!

Im pretty sure all these really cool places above are in Colorado and not Idaho. Idaho is all rednecks and potatoes. Nothing to see here folks.

Haha, very true 😉 You don’t want it overrun with tourists coming to see all the beauty!

Nice article. Little disappointed to read thousand springs resort being called trashy. Were you aware it is a geothermal hot springs indoor pool that is open year round? And 2 minutes down that same road is Miracle Hot Springs and Banbury hot springs as well? They have been around since my mother was a child and are also open year round. Don’t knock it til you try it! 😉

Hi Adrianne, thanks for the comment! You’re right – we shouldn’t knock it till we try it! (We took out that phrase) Though we were a little put off by the ropes everywhere and the fact that you need to pay for the picnic tables or to walk down to the river to view the springs. I bet in the colder months, it is a great way to warm up in hot springs. Idaho is such a special place that there are so many hot springs to choose from. You are lucky to call it home 🙂

Glad you made it to Goldbug! It is such a gem!!! Next time you roll through this area is reccommend checking out city of rocks, just a few hours from Boise (where I live!)…amazing place. Though the Sawtooths are still my favorite place in all of Idaho! We’re doing (hopefully) the Alice-Toxoway loop next month!–last year we got snowed out. Haha. You just never know with those mountains!

Hey amy, thanks for connecting! I just googled City of Rocks and I can’t believe we missed it! It looks amazing! We will definitely need to stop by next time – looks like it would be a great place for rock climbing (so we’ve gotta brush up our skills!).

We wanted to go to Alice Lake, but when we were there it was so snowy – I guess we were underestimating the snow melt in June haha! Next time, we’ll try to make it to Alice and the City of Rocks!

Have an amazing time on your trek – and hopefully you won’t have snow!

And yes, Goldbug was just ahhhmazing! We had a few hours when we were the only ones there around sunset, which was magic!

So that picture in the Goldbug Hot Springs is just amazing. Staying in the pool with hot water, glazing over the mountains and valleys. That is just amazing!

Hey Becky Jo, thanks so much! It was seriously magical. No exaggeration. We had about 2 hours where we were the only people there as the sun was setting, and we couldn’t believe where we were!

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  • Homeroom Travel

8+ of The Best Washington Road Trips (and Idaho too)

  • October 1, 2020

idaho road trips best

When people think of road trips in the United States, the mind might not turn right away to Washington and Idaho. However, there are many awesome road trips to take throughout this area. Although Seattle and Boise and two of the major cities in these states, there is so much more to see outside of the cities.

Washington, the only state named after a president, offers a gorgeous coastline and some spectacular National Parks. Idaho might be known for potatoes, but it also is known for the 72 gems that have been found within the state. Both states have some up-and-coming wine regions and plenty to keep you busy for several weeks. The following are some of the best Washington road trips and some other awesome ones in Idaho.

Table of Contents

The Best Washington Road Trips

Portland to seattle .

A view of Mount Rainer in Washington. #washingtonroadtrip #idahoroadtrip #pnw #seattle #USAroadtrip #roadtripideas #travelUSA

By Lotte from Gezond Weekmenu

A 175-mile road trip from Portland to Seattle is one of the best Washington road trips to take. For this road trip, take at least three days. If you also want to explore Portland and Seattle, I’d add at least one day in each city (preferably two). This is an excellent road trip for those who love spectacular landscapes, mountains, and volcanoes. It includes some of the best spots in the PNW as well as two great cities.  

Start this road trip in Portland with its wacky slogan “Keep Portland Weird”. Take the I-5S and head to the Mount Saint Helens Visitor Center. At this Information Center, you can learn more about Mount St. Helens and see impressive footage from the eruption on March 27, 1980.  

From the Mount Saint Helens Visitor Center, it’s about 75 minutes to Randle and another 75 minutes to Windy Ridge. From Randle to Windy Ridge, you’ll be driving one of the most scenic routes in Washington State, the NF-99. So, while you could cover this stretch of road in 75 minutes, I recommend taking plenty of time to stop along the way. Have a picnic, enjoy the views and go for a hike at Windy Ridge or Spirit Lake.  

From Mount Saint Helens head to the next stop on this itinerary, Mount Rainier National Park. There are many things to do here, from backcountry camping to hiking, climbing, or snowshoeing in winter. You can spend several days in this amazing NP but if you only have a day, choose one of the hikes starting from the Paradise parking lot.  

The final stop is Seattle with its unparalleled coffee scene, the iconic Space Needle, and one of the oldest farmers’ markets in the country. 

Mount Rainier National Park

A view of Mount Rainer, one of the best Washington road trips. #washingtonroadtrip #idahoroadtrip #pnw #seattle #USAroadtrip #roadtripideas #travelUSA

By Nichole of Nichole the Nomad

If you are looking for an epic trip exploring one of Washington’s beautiful national parks, a road trip through Mount Rainier National Park is a perfect adventure! Mount Rainier National Park is home to the tallest mountain in Washington and has waterfalls and wildflowers around every corner. This road trip itinerary will explore everything Mount Rainier National Park has to offer, totaling over 200 miles of driving, so I recommend allocating 4-5 days for the road trip.

Whether you are flying into Seattle or driving into Washington, the road trip will begin by exploring the Longmire, Paradise, and Ohanapecosh sections of Mount Rainier National Park for 2-3 days. You can find accommodations in nearby campgrounds or the town of Ashford. A few must-see sights are:

  • Comet Falls, 300-foot waterfall
  • Skyline Trail, one of the best hikes in Paradise
  • Myrtle Falls, waterfall perfectly positioned underneath a view of Mount Rainier
  • Plummer Peak and Pinnacle Saddle, short and rewarding hike
  • Reflection Lake, perfect place for sunrise or sunset
  • Grove of the Patriarchs, hike through an old-growth forest with trees over 300 feet tall and 40 feet wide
  • Naches Peak Loop, hike through wildflower meadows

The final 2-3 days of the road trip will include exploring the Sunrise and Carbon/Mowich Lake sections of Mount Rainier National Park. You can find accommodations in nearby campgrounds or the town of Enumclaw. A few must-see sights are:

  • Burroughs Mountain, strenuous but rewarding hike
  • Fremont Lookout, stunning sunset hike
  • Sourdough Ridge Trail, beautiful and easy hike
  • Suntop Lookout, drive to an incredible lookout
  • Tolmie Peak Lookout, hike to one of four remaining historic fire towers

Whether you want to hike every day or simply take in beautiful views of Mount Rainier, waterfalls, and wildflowers, a road trip through Mount Rainier National Park is a perfect adventure and one of the best Washington road trips to take.

The Palouse

A waterfall set among green cliffs. #washingtonroadtrip #idahoroadtrip #pnw #seattle #USAroadtrip #roadtripideas #travelUSA

By Erika of Erika’s Travels

The Palouse is a scenic area of undulating farmlands in eastern Washington. Though its tranquil beauty is often understandably overshadowed by the state’s soaring mountains and evergreen forests, it is an off-the-beaten-path area that is as idyllic as it is undiscovered. 

For an unforgettable eastern Washington road trip, begin your drive in Spokane and follow the Palouse Scenic Byway to the Tri-Cities. The Palouse’s unique appearance is attributed to loess sediments that have accumulated into wave-like formations over millennia. As a result, its landscape extends outward like a colorful quilt that lies draped over a sea of dunes. 

For aerial views of the undulating agricultural area, drive to the top of Steptoe Butte. From the parking lot at the top of the conical hill, you have access to 360-degree panoramas of the area’s patchwork farmlands. 

After admiring the birds-eye views of the Palouse, continue through the Channeled Scablands to Palouse Falls State Park. The state park’s iconic waterfall is one of the most dramatic in the Pacific Northwest and a highlight of visiting eastern Washington. The 200-mile road trip through the Palouse can be easily enjoyed in one or two days and is one of the best Washington road trips to take.

If you are keen on extending your journey, you can continue to Walla Walla’s wine country, or visit the spectacular Hells Canyon and Wallowa Mountains of northeast Oregon. 

North Cascades Highway or Highway 20

A lake surrounded by mountains in Washington #washingtonroadtrip #idahoroadtrip #pnw #seattle #USAroadtrip #roadtripideas #travelUSA

By Geena of Beyond the Bucketlist 

Growing up in Washington state, I have taken countless road trips but none as beautiful as driving through the North Cascades National Park . As far, as National Parks go this is one of the most under-rated and under-visited in the country thus making it one of the best Washington road trips. But I will let you in on a little Washingtonian secret, this is where all the best views in Washington are. You will start your winding journey through the jaw-dropping mountains of Northern Washington, at the head of Highway 20 just north of Seattle.

Over the course of the next two to three days, you’ll drive past seas of evergreen forests (Washington is the Evergreen State after all), electric blue glacial lakes, and stare up at epic snow-capped peaks at every turn. Highway 20 is perfectly navigable in one very long day if you want to blow past all the world-class hikes and just take in the views from your driver’s seat,  but I really recommend getting out and stretching your legs.

My favorite quick road trip stops are the Diablo Lake Overlook and the Washington Pass Overlook. But if you decide that you want to try your hand at hiking, the Sahale Arm at Cascade Pass is my hands down favorite trail. The hike begins at the foot of an actual glacier and ascends into the highest peaks surrounding the canyon. & it’s a relatively easy hike, fit for all skill levels. This 436-mile scenic highway is definitely a road trip to put at the top of your bucket list. 

The Olympic Peninsula Road

A beach in Washington. #washingtonroadtrip #idahoroadtrip #pnw #seattle #USAroadtrip #roadtripideas #travelUSA

By Stephanie of Travanie Travels

A drive around the Olympic Peninsula is one of the best Washington road trips that you can take. On this drive you will see it all –lush rainforest, rocky coastline, rushing waterfalls, snowy mountain peaks, crystal clear lakes, the world’s tallest trees and so much more. Containing national parks and forests, wild coastline, and charming seaside towns the Olympic Peninsula is incredibly diverse and one of the most beautiful destinations to travel to in the United States.

Starting and ending a road trip around the Olympic Peninsula in Seattle is the perfect way to set your trip up for success. From downtown, the drive is about 500 total miles depending on the route you decide to take. If you’d like to reduce your total mileage, taking the Bainbridge ferry across the Puget Sound is the perfect option.

With so many amazing things to see and do, three to seven days is recommended to properly explore and experience the peninsula either as a long weekend trip or a traditional week-long vacation. Some of the best stops along this road trip include the La Push beaches, the Hurricane Ridge overlook of the Olympic Mountains, Sol Duc Falls, and the Hoh Rainforest.

The Olympic National Park Beaches

A reflection on the water at a beach in Washington. #washingtonroadtrip #idahoroadtrip #pnw #seattle #USAroadtrip #roadtripideas #travelUSA

By Michelle Stelly of The Wandering Queen

One of the best Washington trips to do is, of course, the Olympic Peninsula Beaches. The Olympic Peninsula is a perfect way to experience the Pacific Northwest vibes you see in the movies and shows. These beaches have forests, sea stacks, and plenty of wildlife! You will love your road trip through this coast. This road trip is around 50 miles long and I recommend exploring this on a weekend.

The first stop is Kalaloch Beach. This beach features a fantastic tree called “The Tree Of Life”. Pets are allowed on this beach, and so many people love to walk along the shores and relax. There is also a campground you can stay nearby. The next stop is, of course, Ruby Beach. This beach is stunning! With the giant sea stack right in the middle of the beach, you can explore this area for hours. Make sure to stop by Sunset!

Another great beach to stop at is a beach called “Second Beach”. This beach features a rainforest, driftwood, and some more sea stacks. It is a pretty easy hike that many people backpack to. Just make sure to make a reservation if you do! After exploring Second Beach make sure to grab some food at Rivers Edge restaurant. The food is pretty good and there is a chance of views of Bald Eagles while you eat your food.

The last stop is many locals’ favorites called Rialto Beach. I highly recommend hiking the 4-mile round trip trail to an area called “The Hole In The Wall”. If the tide is low, it is a great area to take some pictures and explore. Rialto Beach is another great sunset spot for the whole family.

The Best Idaho Road Trips

Boise to idaho falls.

A view of Idaho falls. #washingtonroadtrip #idahoroadtrip #pnw #seattle #USAroadtrip #roadtripideas #travelUSA

By Kay of The Awkward Traveller

One of the best Idaho road trips starts in Boise and ends in Idaho Falls, taking you from the west side of the state to the east. Although the total distance is not long and could be done in one day (280miles, 4 hours), it is best to split the trip into two days if you plan on spending an ample amount of time exploring the attractions and towns in between.

Grab breakfast to go on your way out of Boise , and your first stop will be just 35 minutes outside of town at Bruneau Sand Dunes State Park. As the name suggests, you will be able to see incredible natural sand dunes, and it also is a great picnic spot to finish your breakfast and coffee.

Next, the city of Twin Falls will be your next stop, where you’ll find the magnificent Shoshone Falls, as well as the opportunity to learn more about American history and its war crimes against Japanese-Americans at Minidoka National Historic Site, a Japanese internment camp during World War II. If you would like to break your trip into two days, rest in Twin Falls. While there are no National Parks in Idaho, your next stop will be at Craters of the Moon National Monument, full of lava caverns and molten fields.

On your last stop before Idaho Falls, you’ll pass through the tiny town of Atomic City, once home to the Experimental Breeder Reactor I, the world’s first electricity-generating nuclear power plant. Although the city now has less than 30 permanent residents, it’s still a pretty cool pit stop for the sign alone. Driving from Boise to Idaho Falls will take you through diverse landscapes and historic sites, showing you the best of both sides of the state.

Boise to Stanley

A view of a lake and mountains in Idaho. #washingtonroadtrip #idahoroadtrip #pnw #seattle #USAroadtrip #roadtripideas #travelUSA

By Val of Voyages with Val

Stanley, Idaho, and the Sawtooth Mountains are the perfect place for a day or weekend road trip from Boise! At  132 miles and 2 hours and 40 minutes of driving time, it is the perfect distance to get out of the hustle and bustle of city life without having to spend too long driving.

Stanley, Idaho sits at the foot of the Sawtooth Mountains, an impressive towering range, whose jagged peaks and pristine, alpine lakes are hard to rival. There is so much hiking, camping, and backpacking to be done here, making it great for a family getaway or adventurous couple’s weekend retreat. There is a place to stay for every type of traveler here with several rustic hotels nestled in Stanly, an abundance of RV parks and campgrounds, or grab a map and hit the trails, and stay in the great outdoors! If you do decide to go backpacking, be sure to do your research on common backpacking mistakes to ensure you are prepared.

While the destination is amazing itself, do not forget this is a road trip and you can make several stops along the way! One of the truly unique features of the Sawtooths and surrounding mountainous areas are the abundance of hot springs in the area. Kirkham Hot Springs is a popular one right off the road on the way to or from Stanley. There is a small dropbox and fee and then you can walk right down to the hot springs along the Payette River. Other hot springs in the area include Sacajawea Hot Springs, Boat Box Hot Springs, and Bonneville Hot Springs.

Washington and Idaho are great states to take road trips through. There are so many fun outdoor activities and sites to see. Make sure to check out Idaho’s wine country . If you have more time, add on an Oregon road trip to your itinerary or head east to visit National Parks in Montana or Wyoming . No matter what there are a ton of awesome states to visit in the United States .

Washington and Idaho contain gorgeous scenery and tons of outdoor sites. Some of the best Washington and Idaho road trips take you to many of these spectacular places. From wine country to cities like Boise and Seattle, Washington and Idaho have lots to over.

Share this lesson!

guest

All of these road trips look amazing! I have done Washington and Oregon, but need to do Idaho next! 🙂

Francesca

I need to go back to Idaho. There is so much pretty scenery there.

Lina

Aaaaah I love road trips SO much! All of these look amazing and I think I couldn’t decide which one to do 😀

There are just so many fun road trips to go on right now!

Nicola Lavin

I have only recently fallen in love with roadtrips. You have certainly inspired me to do more.

I feel this way too. I have been able to explore more of local areas lately.

Cristina

There are so many amazing road trips in the US! 🙂 I would love a road trip in the US, so I’m definitely saving this post for the future.

The USA really does have a ton of road trips. It is the silver lining right now getting to check some of these out.

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Cheapism

50 Charming Road Trips That You Can Knock Out in a Weekend

Posted: August 9, 2023 | Last updated: August 9, 2023

As the end of summer draws nearer, many Americans are looking to get in a final excursion for the season — but whether it's convenience, daunting airfares, or flight delays, a quick stop-free road trip into nature remains one of the best options. Gas up the car, pack a lunch, and be home by dinner with these picturesque day trips around America.

The Road Ahead

This classic 62-mile Montana drive outside Bozeman combines panoramic "A River Runs Through It"-style scenery with cool historic small towns to explore along the way, including Livingston. Flanked by mountains while following the path of the glorious Yellowstone River under a wide-open Montana sky, you'll never want this drive to end.

Paradise Valley Scenic Loop | Montana

<p>This gorgeous 52-mile mountain drive outside Asheville takes travelers along the world-famous Blue Ridge Parkway (one of America's most iconic drives) as it winds its way up toward the highest point east of the Mississippi River at Mount Mitchell State Park. Cresting the Continental Divide with plenty of wide-open vistas, the drive takes roughly 1.5 hours.</p>

Mount Mitchell Scenic Byway | North Carolina

This gorgeous 52-mile mountain drive outside Asheville takes travelers along the world-famous Blue Ridge Parkway (one of America's most iconic drives) as it winds its way up toward the highest point east of the Mississippi River at Mount Mitchell State Park. Cresting the Continental Divide with plenty of wide-open vistas, the drive takes roughly 1.5 hours.

<p>There is perhaps no more <a href="https://blog.cheapism.com/american-west-photos/">iconic image of the American West</a> than Monument Valley. Perched along U.S. Route 163 on the Arizona/Utah border, the classic red sandstone buttes have made appearances in films from "The Lone Ranger" to "Forrest Gump." The 17-mile Valley Drive is the perfect way to take in this bucket-list-worthy landscape within the Navajo Nation. </p>

Monument Valley Drive | Arizona and Utah

There is perhaps no more iconic image of the American West than Monument Valley. Perched along U.S. Route 163 on the Arizona/Utah border, the classic red sandstone buttes have made appearances in films from "The Lone Ranger" to "Forrest Gump." The 17-mile Valley Drive is the perfect way to take in this bucket-list-worthy landscape within the Navajo Nation. 

<p>Oregon's southern Cascade Mountains are the stars of this spirited 172-mile route through Umpqua National Forest. Instead of taking Interstate 5 between the towns of Gold Hill and Rosenberg, this route follows the natural flow of Oregon's fabled Rogue and Umpqua rivers as travelers pass an array of waterfalls, gorges, and rushing water that seems little altered by the course of history. </p><p><b>For more great travel guides and vacation tips, <a href="https://cheapism.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=de966e79b38e1d833d5781074&id=c14db36dd0">please sign up for our free newsletters</a>.</b></p>

Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Drive | Oregon

Oregon's southern Cascade Mountains are the stars of this spirited 172-mile route through Umpqua National Forest. Instead of taking Interstate 5 between the towns of Gold Hill and Rosenberg, this route follows the natural flow of Oregon's fabled Rogue and Umpqua rivers as travelers pass an array of waterfalls, gorges, and rushing water that seems little altered by the course of history.

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<p>The striking Overseas Highway, also known here as Highway 1 or the "Highway That Goes to the Sea," includes 112 miles of roadway and a total of 42 overseas bridges <a href="https://www.cheapism.com/blog/fun-cheap-things-to-do-in-miami-4057/">from Miami to Key West</a>. The entire span can be traveled in about four hours, but it's better to take time to enjoy the trip. Keep an eye out for restaurants and attractions along the way. Stopping at the National Key Deer Refuge on Big Pine Key — the only home of this endangered species — is free, for instance.</p>

Overseas Highway | Florida

<p>Few states are better suited for scenic drives than Maine; pretty much any trip can be considered picturesque. But no image is more iconic than the Maine lighthouse perched along the coast overlooking the ocean. Experience <a href="https://blog.cheapism.com/us-lighthouses-14085/">several of these majestic wonders</a> along this 308-mile road trip extending almost the entire coast of Maine from Kittery to Bar Harbor, with plenty of fun surprises along the way. </p>

Maine Lighthouse Drive | Maine

Few states are better suited for scenic drives than Maine; pretty much any trip can be considered picturesque. But no image is more iconic than the Maine lighthouse perched along the coast overlooking the ocean. Experience several of these majestic wonders along this 308-mile road trip extending almost the entire coast of Maine from Kittery to Bar Harbor, with plenty of fun surprises along the way. 

<p>This 130-mile drive from Boise makes its way through Boise National Forest across mountains and rivers en route to the endlessly charming small town of Stanley, where you can have "your own private Idaho" moment amid the vast open spaces. Be sure to check out funky, historic Idaho City along the way.</p>

Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway | Idaho

This 130-mile drive from Boise makes its way through Boise National Forest across mountains and rivers en route to the endlessly charming small town of Stanley, where you can have "your own private Idaho" moment amid the vast open spaces. Be sure to check out funky, historic Idaho City along the way.

<p>At Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park, scenic-drive seekers will find plenty of stunning mountain vistas to enjoy along the Peak to Peak Highway from Boulder to the national park's gateway town of Estes Park. A more laid-back alternative to the more heavily trafficked Highway 36, the winding mountain road passes through a stunning photo-op church called Chapel on the Rock. </p>

Peak to Peak Highway | Colorado

At Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park, scenic-drive seekers will find plenty of stunning mountain vistas to enjoy along the Peak to Peak Highway from Boulder to the national park's gateway town of Estes Park. A more laid-back alternative to the more heavily trafficked Highway 36, the winding mountain road passes through a stunning photo-op church called Chapel on the Rock. 

<p>Between the harbor town of Seward and the port town of Anchorage, the <a href="http://www.alaska.org/guide/seward-highway">Seward Highway</a> spans 127 miles of mostly unspoiled wilderness. Pull over for salmon viewing at Moose Creek (a good summertime activity) or gaze at Kenai Lake, a zigzag-shaped body of water in Chugach National Forest famous for its scenery.</p>

Seward Highway | Alaska

Starting and ending in the already picturesque artist community of Taos, this 84-mile loop circles the 13,161-foot Wheeler Peak, the tallest peak in the state. You'll also pass a diverse terrain of historic small towns, alpine lakes, and ski resorts in <a href="https://blog.cheapism.com/movie-locations-you-must-see/">this cinematic oasis</a> that also served as locations for works such as "Easy Rider" and "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid."

Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway | New Mexico

<p>In its 200 miles, the Green Mountain Byway cuts straight through the center of Vermont, affording visitors a convenient route through the state's lush farmland and many of its best communities for tourists, including Stowe, Wilmington, and Granville. In terms of iconic New England scenery, this route is difficult to beat.</p>

Green Mountain Byway | Vermont

<p>This wholly unique 17-mile scenic byway about an hour south of Charleston offers a glimpse into history as you pass through classic South Carolina Lowcountry terrain en route to Edisto Beach State Park. You'll discover historic churches, wild salt marshes, laid-back beaches, and — if you're lucky — get an exterior shot of the Instagram-crushing Flowers Seafood Co. draped under Spanish moss.</p>

Edisto Island National Scenic Byway | South Carolina

This wholly unique 17-mile scenic byway about an hour south of Charleston offers a glimpse into history as you pass through classic South Carolina Lowcountry terrain en route to Edisto Beach State Park. You'll discover historic churches, wild salt marshes, laid-back beaches, and — if you're lucky — get an exterior shot of the Instagram-crushing Flowers Seafood Co. draped under Spanish moss.

<p>This show-stopping 15-mile stretch of highway south of Sedona offers a mind-blowing representation of the classic West blended with a palpable spiritual energy that has brought soul seekers to the area throughout history. Appeal to a higher authority as you gaze at the rugged rock formations that surround this epic road trip.</p>

Red Rock Scenic Byway | Arizona

This show-stopping 15-mile stretch of highway south of Sedona offers a mind-blowing representation of the classic West blended with a palpable spiritual energy that has brought soul seekers to the area throughout history. Appeal to a higher authority as you gaze at the rugged rock formations that surround this epic road trip.

<p>As America's first scenic highway and a National Historic Landmark known as the "King of Roads," this fabled 70-mile Oregon route follows the path of the Columbia River from Portland to the delightful town of Hood River. Waterfalls abound on this marvelous stretch of roadway cutting through Mount Hood National Forest, including the oft-photographed 620-foot Multnomah Falls. </p>

Historic Columbia River Scenic Byway | Oregon

As America's first scenic highway and a National Historic Landmark known as the "King of Roads," this fabled 70-mile Oregon route follows the path of the Columbia River from Portland to the delightful town of Hood River. Waterfalls abound on this marvelous stretch of roadway cutting through Mount Hood National Forest, including the oft-photographed 620-foot Multnomah Falls. 

<div class="rich-text"><p><strong><a href="https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30357">State SNAP Website</a></strong></p><p><a href="http://fscalc.dhs.illinois.gov/FSCalc/">Determine eligibility</a></p><p><a href="https://abe.illinois.gov/abe/access/">Apply online</a></p><p><a href="https://www.dhs.state.il.us/onenetlibrary/12/documents/Forms/IL444-2378B-IES.pdf">Download an application</a><a href="https://www.dhs.state.il.us/onenetlibrary/12/documents/Forms/IL444-2378BS-IES.pdf">(Spanish)</a></p><p><strong>Food banks and pantries:</strong></p><p> Seven major food banks assist Illinois families: Find links to all of them by visiting <a href="https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank">Feeding America's "Find Your Local Food Bank."</a></p></div>

Lake Shore Drive | Chicago

While traveling down Lake Shore Drive might not be the most relaxing recreational activity during a typical workweek in Chicago, an unhurried weekend jaunt is certainly worth a spin. The world-famous 16-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 41 in downtown Chicago extends along the shoreline of Lake Michigan, passing both laid-back beaches and towering city skyscrapers.

<p>The gorgeous Hana Highway along the eastern coast of Maui is 52 miles long and not for drivers who are in a hurry. The roadway boasts 600 curves and a whopping 59 bridges (many of which are single lane). It clings to cliffsides in what travelers contend is a worthwhile but sometimes hair-raising trip. <a href="https://blog.cheapism.com/best-of-hawaii-on-a-budget-18560/">Along the way</a>, stop at Pua'a Ka'a State Park to enjoy its waterfalls and swimming holes. You'll likely have to wait, though: In March, the highway was <a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/hawaii/articles/2020-03-18/hawaii-construction-industry-may-ease-virus-economic-impact">closed temporarily to nonresidents</a>.</p>

Hana Highway | Hawaii

<p>Colorful <a href="https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/palo-duro-canyon">Palo Duro Canyon</a> is second only in size to a far more famous canyon: the Grand Canyon. The park is a major draw for hikers, mountain bikers, bird watchers, and most of all, for horseback riders, who can explore 1,500 acres on their own horse or during a guided tour. Watch for hoodoos, which are thin spires of rock and minerals topped by harder, less-easily-eroded rock formations that appear to be precariously balanced, and the little Palo Duro mouse, native to just three Texas counties. </p><p><strong>Don't miss:</strong> Enjoy a tasty chuck-wagon dinner and a <a href="https://www.texas-show.com">family-friendly show, "Texas,"</a> surrounded by the natural beauty of the park at the Pioneer Amphitheater, though the show has closed for the 2022 season.  </p>

Texas State Highway 207 | Texas

One of the most underrated natural landscapes in all of America, Palo Duro Canyon in the Texas panhandle can be best experienced along a deserted 48-mile stretch of Texas State Highway 207 between Silverton and Claude. Marvel at views of this classic red-hued American West landscape along the border of Palo Duro Canyon State Park and picture yourself in a John Wayne flick.

Connecting the Tualatin Valley outside Portland with the Pacific Ocean, this scenic drive through Tillamook National Forest gives pretty much all of it away in its name. The 68-mile byway passes rushing rivers, serene forests, and <a href="https://blog.cheapism.com/good-cheap-wine-made-in-america/">wine country</a> before dropping you off to gaze into the ocean from Cape Meares State Park.

Trees to Seas Scenic Byway | Oregon

This road trip offers a peaceful cruise through charming pastoral landscapes around several historic communities in central Georgia, about 50 miles south of Macon. Travelers can get out of the city to explore scenic farmlands, historic architecture, and Civil War sites along a family-friendly 65-mile route.

Enduring Farmlands Scenic Byway | Georgia

<p>Perhaps the most famous of Colorado's seemingly endless assortment of A-plus road trip options, this iconic 19-mile toll road takes you to the top of Pikes Peak at 14,115 feet — making it one of the few "fourteeners" (mountains over 14,000 feet) that travelers can summit by car. Stop along the way to hike, fish, and observe wildlife such as bighorn sheep along the two- to three-hour drive near Colorado Springs.</p>

Pikes Peak Highway | Colorado

Perhaps the most famous of Colorado's seemingly endless assortment of A-plus road trip options, this iconic 19-mile toll road takes you to the top of Pikes Peak at 14,115 feet — making it one of the few "fourteeners" (mountains over 14,000 feet) that travelers can summit by car. Stop along the way to hike, fish, and observe wildlife such as bighorn sheep along the two- to three-hour drive near Colorado Springs.

idaho road trips best

Pacific Coast Highway | California

<p>This highly underrated road trip gem explores 116 miles of Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula (otherwise known as the pinky of the famously mitten-shaped state). Hugging the pristine coast of Lake Michigan, the road passes charming small towns such as Traverse City and the wonderful national treasure that is Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.</p>

M-22 | Michigan

This highly underrated road trip gem explores 116 miles of Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula (otherwise known as the pinky of the famously mitten-shaped state). Hugging the pristine coast of Lake Michigan, the road passes charming small towns such as Traverse City and the wonderful national treasure that is Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

<p>This 90-mile route encompasses some of the Massachusetts coast's finest vistas, linking 14 coastal communities along Boston's North Shore from Lynn to Salisbury. From historic communities such as Salem to the beaches of Manchester-by-the-Sea, you'll cruise through a diversity of parks, beaches, and <a href="https://blog.cheapism.com/best-road-trips-america/">historic sights</a> as you gaze out into the endless blue of the Atlantic Ocean. </p>

Essex Coastal Scenic Byway | Massachusetts

This 90-mile route encompasses some of the Massachusetts coast's finest vistas, linking 14 coastal communities along Boston's North Shore from Lynn to Salisbury. From historic communities such as Salem to the beaches of Manchester-by-the-Sea, you'll cruise through a diversity of parks, beaches, and historic sights as you gaze out into the endless blue of the Atlantic Ocean. 

<p>You'll want to crank up the radio full-blast for a music-fueled meander through the Country Music Highway in eastern Kentucky, an area that has reportedly produced more country stars than any U.S. region per capita — Chris Stapleton, Loretta Lynn, and Billy Ray Cyrus among them. The 144-mile drive along U.S. Route 23 passes through seven counties that make up Kentucky's scenic Appalachian region.</p>

Country Music Highway | Kentucky

You'll want to crank up the radio full-blast for a music-fueled meander through the Country Music Highway in eastern Kentucky, an area that has reportedly produced more country stars than any U.S. region per capita — Chris Stapleton, Loretta Lynn, and Billy Ray Cyrus among them. The 144-mile drive along U.S. Route 23 passes through seven counties that make up Kentucky's scenic Appalachian region.

<p>One of the country's finest scenic byways is this 70-mile excursion through the iconic Black Hills of western South Dakota. Keep your eyes peeled for the plentiful wildlife popping up amid the region's jagged rock formations as you make your way through Custer State Park, the Black Elk National Wilderness Area, and Norbeck Wildlife Preserve. </p>

Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway | South Dakota

One of the country's finest scenic byways is this 70-mile excursion through the iconic Black Hills of western South Dakota. Keep your eyes peeled for the plentiful wildlife popping up amid the region's jagged rock formations as you make your way through Custer State Park, the Black Elk National Wilderness Area, and Norbeck Wildlife Preserve. 

idaho road trips best

Million Dollar Highway | Colorado

idaho road trips best

Napa Valley Silverado Trail | California

<p>This may not seem like an obvious recommendation, but Coeur d'Alene has more than 55 lakes, and that makes for a lot of beach. Activities on scenic Lake Coeur d'Alene include boat rentals and paddle boarding, and elsewhere there's hiking, golfing, and camping, as well as weekly concerts in city parks.</p>

Lake Coeur d'Alene Scenic Byway | Idaho

One of America's most gorgeous lakes makes the ideal setting to begin this road trip, which extends 36 miles along the shores of Lake Coeur d'Alene in northern Idaho. You will see rolling hills, pristine national forest and, if you're lucky, even spot migrating bald eagles that have been known to frequent the area. Be sure to stop and collect your thoughts at Beauty Bay Viewpoint.

<p>Alabama's beaches are clearly not as popular as next-door Florida's. And that can be a good thing. This highly underrated 125-mile drive takes travelers from the town of Daphne outside Mobile down to the beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach before cutting west along the Gulf of Mexico to Dauphin Island, also known as the "Sunset Capital of Alabama." </p>

Alabama Gulf Coast Drive | Alabama

Alabama's beaches are clearly not as popular as next-door Florida's. And that can be a good thing. This highly underrated 125-mile drive takes travelers from the town of Daphne outside Mobile down to the beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach before cutting west along the Gulf of Mexico to Dauphin Island, also known as the "Sunset Capital of Alabama." 

<p>This 58-mile highway in northern Wyoming is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. (Its closest town of Billings is two hours away.) But then again, that's key to its charms. Passing over the rugged Big Horn Mountains through canyons, forests, and meadows, travelers won't have any problems social distancing around these parts.</p>

Bighorn Scenic Byway | Wyoming

This 58-mile highway in northern Wyoming is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. (Its closest town of Billings is two hours away.) But then again, that's key to its charms. Passing over the rugged Big Horn Mountains through canyons, forests, and meadows, travelers won't have any problems social distancing around these parts.

<p>The Great River Road, the longest and oldest National Scenic Byway, snakes through Iowa along the Mississippi River for 349 miles. There are limestone bluffs, riverside towns, and ample opportunities for water recreation along the way, and Bangert Gardens in Burlington offers free tours of its collection of native flora.</p>

Great River Road | Multiple States

<p>This historic highway traversing the northern edge of Cape Cod is a road fit for kings. Also known as Massachusetts Route 6A, the roughly 62-mile highway from the town of Sandwich to the tip of Cape Cod at Provincetown is a quieter alternative to the more popular Route 28 on the southern edge of the Cape. Check out historic structures, and breathe some fresh sea air.</p>

Old King's Highway | Massachusetts

This historic highway traversing the northern edge of Cape Cod is a road fit for kings. Also known as Massachusetts Route 6A, the roughly 62-mile highway from the town of Sandwich to the tip of Cape Cod at Provincetown is a quieter alternative to the more popular Route 28 on the southern edge of the Cape. Check out historic structures, and breathe some fresh sea air.

This 35-mile route cuts through the heart of Ozark National Forest, letting travelers enjoy sweeping views of the placid Ozark Mountains in northwest Arkansas while heading north from Clarksville. The road passes <a href="https://blog.cheapism.com/best-fishing-spots/">world-class trout streams </a>as well as the 156-mile Ozark Highland Trail, providing ample opportunities for drivers to get in some quick fishing or hiking.

Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway | Arkansas

<p>While Lake Tahoe is most known for its ski slopes, one of the best ways to get a bird's-eye view of its natural beauty is via the 68-mile Lake Tahoe Scenic Drive. Looping around the California and Nevada sides of the lake, you'll never get tired of sticking your head out the window to get a closer look at the deep blue shimmer against serene alpine trees and snow-capped mountains.</p>

Lake Tahoe Scenic Drive | California and Nevada

While Lake Tahoe is most known for its ski slopes, one of the best ways to get a bird's-eye view of its natural beauty is via the 68-mile Lake Tahoe Scenic Drive. Looping around the California and Nevada sides of the lake, you'll never get tired of sticking your head out the window to get a closer look at the deep blue shimmer against serene alpine trees and snow-capped mountains.

<p>Sometimes referred to as "Washington's Big Sur," this short but sweet 24-mile winding roadway in northwest Washington near the town of Bellingham passes through Larrabee State Park with exciting views extending over the Bellingham Bay toward the San Juan Islands. You'll also pass historic sights such as Woodstock Farm and the quaint small town of Samish.</p>

Chuckanut Drive | Washington

Sometimes referred to as "Washington's Big Sur," this short but sweet 24-mile winding roadway in northwest Washington near the town of Bellingham passes through Larrabee State Park with exciting views extending over the Bellingham Bay toward the San Juan Islands. You'll also pass historic sights such as Woodstock Farm and the quaint small town of Samish.

<p>This epic 45-mile drive through the craggy mountains east of Phoenix offers one of the country's finest urban escapes. The road extends along State Road 88 as it winds its way through the gigantic Tonto National Forest, past the awe-inspiring Superstition Mountains (a photo-op must), before ending in glorious fashion overlooking Theodore Roosevelt Lake.   </p>

Apache Trail Scenic Drive | Arizona

This epic 45-mile drive through the craggy mountains east of Phoenix offers one of the country's finest urban escapes. The road extends along State Road 88 as it winds its way through the gigantic Tonto National Forest, past the awe-inspiring Superstition Mountains (a photo-op must), before ending in glorious fashion overlooking Theodore Roosevelt Lake.

<p>This confidently named 110-mile scenic byway showcases Southern California's Inland Empire in style. Hugging the cliffs of the San Bernardino Mountains, this glorious roadway offers breathtaking vistas of the high-alpine Silverwood Lake as you make your way to the friendly ski town of Big Bear, where you can escape the car and stretch your legs hiking the panoramic Castle Rock Trail.</p>

Rim of the World Scenic Byway | California

This confidently named 110-mile scenic byway showcases Southern California's Inland Empire in style. Hugging the cliffs of the San Bernardino Mountains, this glorious roadway offers breathtaking vistas of the high-alpine Silverwood Lake as you make your way to the friendly ski town of Big Bear, where you can escape the car and stretch your legs hiking the panoramic Castle Rock Trail.

Explore northern Pennsylvania's spectacular Allegheny Mountains via this picturesque 100-mile ramble through the Sproul and Elk state forests along Pennsylvania Route 120. Reconnect with nature via awe-inspiring vistas of the West Branch Susquehanna River surrounded by forest while passing through quaint towns such as Lock Haven and Ridgeway.

Bucktail Scenic Byway | Pennsylvania

<p>There are dozens of RV-friendly campgrounds along the Parkway, including those at the national parks on each end. Few match the charm of <a href="http://www.mamagerties.com/">Mama Gertie's</a> in Swannanoa, North Carolina. Near Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, Mama Gertie's offers mountain-top RV sites with not only dramatic views, but full electric, water, and sewer hookups. Spots start at $46 a night, but those premium views will cost $82 a night, or $100 for a deck to view them from.</p>

Pisgah Loop Scenic Byway | North Carolina

Some of North Carolina's most remote landscapes can be discovered in this off-the-beaten-path ramble through the Blue Ridge Mountains around Pisgah National Forest, one of the oldest and most beautiful national forests in the eastern United States. Enjoy sweeping views of Lake James and Table Rock Mountain — spectacular scenery abounds around every turn of this 47-mile nature cruise.

<p>Declared "the most beautiful drive in America" by former CBS News correspondent and fabled road trip enthusiast Charles Kuralt, this 68-mile All-American Road is one of the highest in the continental United States, passing through 20 peaks higher than 12,000 feet.  This jaw-dropping road trip meanders through parts of Montana and Wyoming amid a million-plus acre wilderness that encompasses three national forests and borders Yellowstone National Park.</p>

Beartooth Highway | Montana and Wyoming

Declared "the most beautiful drive in America" by former CBS News correspondent and fabled road trip enthusiast Charles Kuralt, this 68-mile All-American Road is one of the highest in the continental United States, passing through 20 peaks higher than 12,000 feet.  This jaw-dropping road trip meanders through parts of Montana and Wyoming amid a million-plus acre wilderness that encompasses three national forests and borders Yellowstone National Park.

<p>Cruise the highest point in Alabama at 2,407 feet on this laid-back meander along the ridge of the Talladega Mountains just outside the town of Oxford. The route extends for 26 miles along Alabama State Road 281 through the Talladega National Forest en route to Mount Chena State Park, with glorious views of the forested terrain framed by gently sloping mountains.</p>

Talladega Scenic Drive | Alabama

Cruise the highest point in Alabama at 2,407 feet on this laid-back meander along the ridge of the Talladega Mountains just outside the town of Oxford. The route extends for 26 miles along Alabama State Road 281 through the Talladega National Forest en route to Mount Chena State Park, with glorious views of the forested terrain framed by gently sloping mountains.

<p>If you really want to get off the grid, you can't do much better than Alaska's remote Haines Highway. Starting in the breathtakingly scenic small town of Haines about 90 miles north of Juneau, the 148-mile highway is surrounded by eye-popping mountain vistas as well as an array of wildlife — including plentiful bald eagle sightings.</p>

Haines Highway | Alaska

If you really want to get off the grid, you can't do much better than Alaska's remote Haines Highway. Starting in the breathtakingly scenic small town of Haines about 90 miles north of Juneau, the 148-mile highway is surrounded by eye-popping mountain vistas as well as an array of wildlife — including plentiful bald eagle sightings.

Open in the summer months from roughly May through October, <a href="https://blog.cheapism.com/best-scenic-drives-16955/">this show-stopping scenic drive</a> carves an unforgettable mountain-lined path through the West Elk Mountains of Gunnison National Forest in southwest Colorado near Crested Butte. Cutting through one of the largest aspen groves in the United States, this route along Gunnison County Road 12 is legendary for its color-packed fall foliage but makes for a remarkably soul-cleansing experience any time of year you can take it.

Kebler Pass | Colorado

<p>Average starting teacher salary: $34,784</p>

Crowley's Ridge National Scenic Byway | Arkansas

Explore America's largest alluvial plain on this 212-mile route that navigates the border area between southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas. The popular motorcycle route passes through seven state parks as well as the St. Francis National Forest and the mighty Mississippi River, with plenty of historic sights and Civil War battlefields along the way. 

Deep into the woods about 75 miles northwest of Maine's capital city, Augusta, this 52-mile auto excursion feeds hungry nature seekers a full plate of picture-perfect lake and mountain vistas. Scale the Appalachian Mountains as you ascend north from the town of Rumford to take in awe-inspiring views of the <a href="https://blog.cheapism.com/wild-animal-parks/">moose-dotted alpine environment</a> surrounding Rangeley Lake State Park.

Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway | Maine

This easy 50-mile day trip along New Mexico State Road 14 between Albuquerque and Santa Fe takes visitors through historic mining towns such as Cerrillos (where the movie "Young Guns" was filmed) as it explores the rugged Old West terrain surrounding the 10,679-foot Sandia Peak paired with panoramic views along the Sandia Crest.

Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway | New Mexico

Explore the full suite of nature surrounding Idaho's capital city of Boise via this 111-mile windows-down cruise heading north on Idaho State Highway 55 toward the charming resort town of McCall. You'll pass three state parks and two national forests along the way, but be sure to save some time soaking in the scenery at the almost incomprehensibly gorgeous Payette Lake.

Payette River Scenic Byway | Idaho

Billed "Washington's most scenic byway," this 92-mile route from the town of Enumclaw an hour outside Seattle to the town of Nachez along State Route 410 is most well known for its mind-blowing vistas of Mount Rainier as it makes its way through the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie and Wenatchee National Forest lands bordering Mount Rainier National Park. In a word: Wow.

Chinook Scenic Byway | Washington

Travelers seeking to experience the all-encompassing natural beauty of Chattahoochee National Forest in northern Georgia are encouraged to point their GPS toward this 40-mile national byway. Scenic overlooks abound as you explore the mountains and valleys of the southern Appalachians, with optional pit stops for fishing in a local stream or <a href="https://blog.cheapism.com/best-hiking-trails-3536/">hiking part of the Appalachian Trail</a>.

Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway | Georgia

<p>Those looking to unplug from society completely can make their way to the Minnesota Northwoods near the town of Grand Rapids, where they can hop on this 47-mile scenic sanctuary along Minnesota State Highway 38. The road passes an astounding 36 lakes as well as the heavily forested Chippewa National Forest, home to America's largest bald eagle population outside Alaska.   </p><div class="rich-text"><p>This article was originally published on <a href="https://blog.cheapism.com/safe-road-trips/">Cheapism</a></p></div>

Edge of the Wilderness National Scenic Byway | Minnesota

Those looking to unplug from society completely can make their way to the Minnesota Northwoods near the town of Grand Rapids, where they can hop on this 47-mile scenic sanctuary along Minnesota State Highway 38. The road passes an astounding 36 lakes as well as the heavily forested Chippewa National Forest, home to America's largest bald eagle population outside Alaska.

This article was originally published on Cheapism

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12 Unforgettable Idaho Day Trips, One For Each Month Of The Year

idaho road trips best

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There’s no way around it: there are tons of things to see and do in our beautiful state – and day trips in Idaho may be the best way to see them all! That’s why we were motivated to put together a list of adventures to fuel your Idaho bucket list. From ghost towns to breathtaking parks, there’s something on this list for every adventurous Idahoan to enjoy. And the best part of all? There’s an adventure tailored to each month of the year. Take a look at 12 of the best day trips to take in Idaho and be sure to hit the road soon. Adventure awaits!

idaho road trips best

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idaho road trips best

Do you agree that these are some of the best day trips in Idaho ? What Idaho day trips would you add to the list? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments below — we’d love to hear from you! Looking for more places to explore around Idaho? Check out our guide to all things nature-related in Idaho . There’s an adventure for everyone!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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More to Explore

Best day trips in idaho.

Where can I go in Idaho that only the locals know about?

As we've expressed in the article above, one of the best ways to explore Idaho is by taking an unforgettable day trip. So, you may be wondering, "What are some day trips near me in Idaho?" One of of the best ways to experience the Gem State is to start local and take it in as the locals do. With that in mind, we've outlined some of the hidden gems around Idaho that are a bit off the beaten path but always worth the journey. For a tranquil, inspired secret garden in Idaho, head to a place known as Sportsman Park. It's a beloved local destination in Idaho Falls and within it, you'll discover a friendship garden, complete with meditation areas, creeks, and impressive landscaping. Next up is one of Idaho's most overlooked state parks, Winchester Lake State Park. Visitors will delight in all the breathtaking scenery this park has to offer in any season. Lastly, if you're looking for an Idaho hike with epic views, you can't go wrong with a trip to Owyhee Canyonlands. It's here you'll discover a desert oasis complete with secret caves and hidden waterfalls. What could be better than that? Some other hidden gems in Idaho include the town of Weiser, Lilly Lake in the Sawtooth Mountains, Salmon River Lodge Resort, Black Magic Canyon, Box Canyon Springs, Trail Creek Cabin, and Independence Point.

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50 Best Road Trip Songs: From Beastie Boys to Bruce Springsteen and Beyond

Join SiriusXM as we take a look at 50 of the most iconic road trip songs to include in your playlist this summer!

Profile picture of SiriusXM Editor

Looking for the best road trip anthems to soundtrack your drive? There’s something special about cruising down the highway in the summer with your loved ones, windows down and volume up!

Whether you’re off on vacation or just taking a day trip, it’s hard not to smile when the sun’s shining and there’s nothing ahead but the open road. The only thing that could make it better is the perfect song playing at full blast. We’ve gathered the perfect summery tunes to accompany you on your travels. So, fasten your seatbelts and come along for the ride with SiriusXM as we look at 50 of the most iconic road trip songs!

Listen to nonstop hits on Road Trip Radio (ch. 301) now →

Sing-Along Anthems

A road trip usually means you’ve got time to kill on your way to your destination. Time flies when you’re having fun, and there’s no better way to get the good vibes going than by rolling down the windows and blasting out some sing-along anthems!

From Bruce Springsteen ’s lyrics about hitting the road to find success to Vanessa Carlton’s pop hit about going the distance for love, these iconic tracks are essential road trip listening. Whether you’re a natural performer or more of the humming type, you’ll be singing along in no time!

  • “Paradise By the Dashboard Light” — Meat Loaf
  • “A Thousand Miles” — Vanessa Carlton
  • “Proud Mary” — Tina Turner
  • “Psycho Killer” — Talking Heads
  • “Born to Run” — Bruce Springsteen
  • “Go Your Own Way” — Fleetwood Mac
  • “American Pie” — Don McLean
  • “Livin’ On a Prayer” — Bon Jovi

’80s Throwbacks

If you really love a blast from the past, these songs are for you. So many ’80s tracks are ideal for road trips, with nostalgic melodies and catchy beats which instantly transport you back in time. Get your neon leg-warmers out — it’s time for permed hair and iconic dance moves as you cruise down the open road (and take a trip down memory lane)!

  • “Little Red Corvette” — Prince
  • “I Drove All Night” — Cyndi Lauper
  • “Walk This Way” — Aerosmith and Run DMC
  • “Danger Zone” — Kenny Loggins
  • “Runnin’ Down a Dream” — Tom Petty

’90s Bops

As you make your way through your journey, you might also want to make your way through music history. Jumping forward a decade, the ’90s is where you’ll find catchy rhythms and beautiful melodies that will make any journey enjoyable. From TLC to the Beastie Boys, here are some perfect songs to sing with your besties as you contemplate your lives on the open road.

  • “Waterfalls” — TLC
  • “All The Small Things” — Blink-182
  • “No Sleep ‘til Brooklyn” — Beastie Boys
  • “Man! I Feel Like a Woman” — Shania Twain
  • “Everyday Is a Winding Road” — Sheryl Crow

2000s Bangers

Another decade on, the bops just won’t stop! From Corinne Bailey Rae’s smooth vocals to Miley Cyrus’ 2009 party pop, these early 2000s tracks are essential for a summer adventure. These catchy tunes will get even the grumpiest backseat drivers nodding along, so be sure to add them to your road trip playlist.

  • “Long Road to Ruin” — Foo Fighters
  • “California” — Phantom Planet
  • “Chasing Pavements” — Adele
  • “Put Your Records On” — Corinne Bailey Rae
  • “Shut Up and Drive” — Rihanna
  • “Party in the USA” — Miley Cyrus

Modern Pop Hits

A road trip doesn’t technically have to be by car. Maybe you’ve taken a page out of Lil Nas X’s book and you’re making your way on horseback. Either way, these modern pop hits are must-haves on your travels. Channel your inner Ed Sheeran as you drive down those country lanes!

  • “Barbie World” — Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice (with Aqua)
  • “Castle on the Hill” — Ed Sheeran
  • “Levitating” — Dua Lipa
  • “Vroom Vroom” — Charli XCX
  • “Old Town Road” — Lil Nas X

Classic Rock

When the going gets tough, it’s time to headbang your way down the highway. Driving long distances can get tiring, so when you need an energy boost, these are the tracks to turn up to eleven. All you need is your headband and your air guitar — get ready to kick back and let the beat drive you onwards to Paradise City!

  • “Paradise City” — Guns N’ Roses
  • “Highway Star” — Deep Purple
  • “Here I Go Again” — Whitesnake
  • “Highway to Hell” — AC/DC
  • “Who Are You” — The Who

Baby Driver (2017) Soundtrack

This Edgar Wright film combines two great things: music and driving. It also happens to have a fantastic soundtrack! Many movies through the years have captured the spirit of driving in many different ways, such as Easy Rider  (1969), Little Miss Sunshine  (2006), and Mad Max: Fury Road (2015). These songs will have you enjoying your journey, but you’ll also be planning your next movie night!

  • “Radar Love” — Golden Earring
  • “Baby Driver” — Simon & Garfunkel
  • “Chase Me” — Danger Mouse feat. Run the Jewels & Big Boi
  • “Brighton Rock” — Queen

From Luke Combs ’ heartfelt cover of Tracy Chapman’s 1998 hit to Willie Nelson ‘s love letter to the journey ahead, country music is perfect for reflective moments on the road. These songs encapsulate the often bittersweet joy of travel, which resonates with the freedom and adventure of road trips. Have your tissues at the ready — some of these tracks are real tear-jerkers!

  • “Highway Vagabond” — Miranda Lambert
  • “Sweet Home Alabama” — Lynyrd Skynyrd
  • “Fast Car” — Luke Combs
  • “On the Road Again” — Willie Nelson
  • “Take It Easy” — Eagles
  • “Life is a Highway” — Rascal Flatts
  • “Take Me Home, Country Roads” — John Denver

While we certainly hope your road trip doesn’t feel like you’re going through the valley of the shadow of death, we do have a song for that. Whether it’s Coolio or Q-Tip providing the soundtrack to your road trip, there are plenty of hip-hop songs about driving to get you through even the longest of journeys. Check out these tracks to help you vibe while you drive.

  • “Ridin’” — Chamillionaire feat. Krayzie Bone
  • “A Boomin’ System” — LL Cool J
  • “Gangsta’s Paradise” — Coolio
  • “Let Me Ride” — Dr. Dre
  • “Let’s Ride” — Q-Tip

Find more music to soundtrack your summer road trip on SiriusXM.

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idaho road trips best

Article updated on March 28, 2024 at 12:05 PM PDT

Best Travel Headphones for 2024

Looking for the best headphones to take on a trip? We've rounded up the best noise-canceling headphones for road warriors.

Our Experts

idaho road trips best

  • Maggie Award for Best Regularly Featured Web Column/Consumer

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

What to consider

Value can reflect quality. Consider your needs and what your budget allows.

Fit (Comfort)

Ensuring the headphones you choose fit your head help minimize any discomfort from extended wear.

Sturdy quality helps ensure your headphones hold up well over time.

Image of Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

What are the best overall travel headphones?

When people talk about buying headphones to use for traveling, they tend to be looking for noise-canceling headphones that do a good job muffling noise on planes, trains and in other noisy environments. There are a lot of great noise-canceling headphones to pick from, and we have a more expansive list of the best noise-canceling headphones that you may also want to check out.

I've tested and used a lot of headphones during my travels over the last 10 years, and it's tough to pick just one model as the absolute best overall travel headphones. For full-size models, I like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones , the Sony WH-1000XM5 and even the lightweight and more affordable Sony CH-720N (lighter is better when it comes to travel headphones). All these models are wireless headphones but they include a cord so you can plug into an in-flight entertainment system. They feature active noise canceling and are also good for making voice calls.

There are also plenty of great noise-canceling earbud options, including the highly-rated Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds , Apple's AirPods Pro 2 and Sony's WF-1000XM5 . True-wireless earbuds are easier to carry around and can be stored in your pocket. The downside is they don't have a wired option and won't connect to an in-flight entertainment system unless you buy a Bluetooth transceiver like Twelve South's AirFly Pro (around $50) and other similar products you can find on Amazon . (Read our full review of the AirFly Pro .)

I've tested all the headphones on this list and will update the list as new travel-friendly headphones are released.

Best travel headphones of 2024

  • Design is an upgrade
  • Lightweight and very comfortable
  • Excellent sound and great noise canceling
  • Voice-calling performance is top-notch
  • Immersive Audio mode offers some sound-quality enhancements
  • Higher price than the previous model
  • No USB-C audio
  • Immersive Audio mode hurts battery life

Best new noise-canceling headphones

Bose quietcomfort ultra headphones.

While Bose's new flagship QuietComfort Ultra Headphones may not be a huge upgrade over the company's Noise Cancelling 700 headphones, they feature a more premium design along with Bose's new Immersive Audio feature, which delivers some sound-quality enhancements. Along with excellent sound and great noise canceling, the QC Ultra Headphones are also superb for making calls, with top-notch background noise reduction. All that adds up to the best new noise-canceling headphones of 2024 and a worthy adversary to Sony's highly rated WH-1000XM5 and Apple's AirPods Max.

Product image

  • More refined sound and even better noise canceling
  • Slightly more comfortable
  • Best-in-class voice call quality
  • Robust feature set
  • Higher price tag than the previous model
  • Larger carrying case (headphones fold flat but not up)

Best noise-canceling headphones from Sony

Sony wh-1000xm5.

When you have a product that a lot of people love, change can be risky. Such is the case for Sony's WH-1000XM5, the fifth generation of the 1000X series headphones, which were first released in 2016 as the MDR-1000X Wireless and have become increasingly popular as they've improved with each generation. Over the years, Sony has made some tweaks to the design, but nothing as dramatic as what it's done with the WH-1000XM5. Other than the higher price tag, most of those changes are good, and Sony's made some dramatic improvements with voice-calling performance as well as even better noise canceling and more refined sound.

Product image

  • New smaller design
  • Improved sound, noise canceling and voice calling
  • Upgraded processors and drivers
  • No Find My feature integrated into app

Best Sony earbuds

Sony wf-1000xm5.

When Sony's  WF-1000XM4  earbuds came out in 2021, we awarded them a CNET Editors' Choice. And while they're excellent, we had some quibbles -- they're on the large side and aren't a good match for certain ears. Clearly, Sony took those gripes to heart when it set out to design its next-generation WF-1000XM5 flagship noise-canceling earbuds. Not only are the XM5s smaller, but they also offer improved performance pretty much across the board, with better noise canceling, sound quality and voice calling. Are the XM5s perfect? Not quite. At $300 -- $20 more than their predecessor -- they're costly too. Overall they're really impressive; among the very top earbuds on the market.

Product image

  • Excellent sound and best-in-class noise canceling
  • Fit Kit ear tips and stabilizer system gets you a secure, comfortable fit
  • Immersive Audio creates a different listening experience
  • Slightly improved voice-calling
  • No wireless charging or multipoint Bluetooth

Best for noise-canceling

Bose quietcomfort ultra earbuds.

While the QC Ultra Earbuds aren't a major upgrade over Bose's excellent QC Earbuds 2 that were released in 2022, they're a little better. They should fit most ears very well, and they feature superb noise canceling, arguably the best out there. A natural-sounding transparency mode with a new ActiveSense feature kicks in some ANC should the sound get too loud around you (it's sort of similar to the AirPods Pro's Adaptive Audio feature). They also sound slightly better overall, with a touch more clarity, and their new Immersive Audio feature opens up the sound a bit.

Product image

  • Comfortable fit
  • Good sound for their low price
  • Decent noise-canceling and voice-calling performance
  • ANC disabled when in wired mode
  • Lacking a bit of clarity

Top new budget noise-canceling headphones

Earfun wave pro.

Earfun has made some very solid budget earbuds and now it's entered the full-size ANC headphone space with its new-for-2024 Wave Pro headphones. They list for $80, but click the $10 instant coupon on their product page and add the code EWPROCNET at checkout and the price drops to $56 . While they may not sound as good as premium noise-canceling headphones from Bose, Sony, they're comfortable to wear, feature decent sound with punchy bass (they're a bit lacking in clarity and bass definition compared to more expensive models) and offer respectable noise canceling and voice-calling performance. I found them to be a step up from the Soundpeats Space headphones, which sometimes cost a little less.

They're rated for up to 80 hours of battery life with noise-canceling off and 55 hours with it on and support multipoint Bluetooth pairing as well as Sony's LDAC audio codec for Android smartphones and other devices that support that protocol. I also like that they come with a hard case and a cable for wired listening (though noise-canceling is disabled when you go wired, which is a bit of a bummer).

Product image

  • Significantly improved sound and noise canceling
  • Better battery life and upgraded microphones
  • Powered by Apple's new H2 chip
  • Basically the same design as previous model
  • No high-resolution audio

Best Apple noise-canceling wireless earbuds

Apple airpods pro 2 (usb-c).

The AirPods Pro (2nd generation) are powered by Apple's new H2 chip, which delivers more processing power while being more energy efficient, according to Apple. The new chip, combined with new low-distortion drivers, allows for improved sound that offers better clarity and depth. The noise canceling is also improved -- Apple says the new AirPods have "double" the noise canceling of the original AirPods Pro. Additionally, the new AirPods add an extra hour of battery life, up from five to six hours with noise canceling on. Plus, a speaker in the case that emits a sound that helps locate your buds via Find My should they decide to hide from you.

The AirPods Pro 2 now feature a USB-C port

  • Lightweight and comfortable
  • Good sound with very good noise canceling
  • Good voice-calling performance
  • 35 hours of battery life
  • No carrying case
  • No ear-detection sensors
  • No LDAC audio codec support

Top midrange noise-canceling headphones

Sony ch-720n.

Sony's improved entry-level noise-canceling headphones, the CH-720Ns, have a bit of a plasticky budget vibe, but they're lightweight and very comfortable. Part of me was expecting them to sound pretty mediocre, but I was pleasantly surprised. No, they don't sound as good as the WH-1000XM5s. They sound more premium than they look (and feel), and their overall performance is a step up from their predecessor, the CH-710Ns. Are they worth $150? Maybe -- or maybe not. The good news is that, like the CH-710N and WH-XB910 before them, these should see significant discounts in the not-so-distant future, which is what you may want to wait for.

Product image

  • Well-designed and comfortable to wear
  • Good sound quality and noise-canceling performance
  • Strong feature set
  • Strong battery life
  • Voice-calling suffers in windy environments

New mid-range JBL noise-canceling headphones

Jbl live 770nc.

The well-designed and comfortable JBL Live 770NC offers some modest improvements over its predecessor, including better battery life (up to 65 hours with ANC off and 50 hours with ANC on) and Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio (via a future firmware upgrade). Equipped with 40mm drivers, you get bold, nicely defined sound with powerful bass that's relatively tight. JBL's Ambient Aware and TalkThru features are on board along with multipoint Bluetooth pairing (the one feature that's missing is ear-detection sensors that pause your music when you take the headphones off). I thought the headphones' noise muffling capabilities were good and callers said they could hear me well even in noisier environments except when the wind picked up around me. The headphones fold up and a simple carrying pouch (no hard case) is included along with a cable for wired listening.

Product image

  • Improved sound quality, noise canceling and ear pad design
  • Very good voice-calling performance
  • Spatial audio with head tracking for Apple users
  • USB-C audio
  • No Apple H2 chip
  • No major design changes except for case

Best Beats over-ear headphones

Beats studio pro.

Love 'em or hate 'em, Beats Studio headphones are among the most popular headphones of all time, launching as wired headphones back in 2008. This is the fourth generation version, and they carry the same list price as their predecessor and look very similar on the outside but have some big changes on the inside that make them significantly better headphones. I'm tempted to describe them as more affordable plastic versions of the AirPods Max. That's not quite accurate due to a choice in chipsets and one notable missing feature. Read our full review to find out what makes this a very good headphone with some caveats.

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Best Sennheiser noise-canceling headphones

Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless.

Sennheiser's previous-generation Momentum Wireless headphones have always had a pretty distinct look that was part retro, part modern, and stood out for the exposed metal on their headband. For better or worse, that's all gone now, and the new Momentum 4 Wireless, Sennheiser's flagship noise-canceling headphones, look a bit more subdued and also a bit more like some of their competitors.

The Momentum 4 Wireless offers superior performance over the Momentum 3 Wireless in every regard, although the biggest gains are with noise canceling and voice-calling performance as well as battery life, which is outstanding (up to 60 hours at moderate volume levels). Transparency mode allows ambient sound in, and they can create a custom sound profile in the Smart Control app for iOS and Android using the built-in EQ, sound modes and a new Sound Personalization feature that "assesses the user's listening preferences and adjusts the listening experience according to their taste." 

Equipped with 42mm drivers, Sennheiser says the Momentum 4 Wireless offers "best-in-class" sound, which is debatable. I'd say the Momentum 4's sound quality is right there with other models in this price range. They sound excellent, with the requisite well-defined, punchy bass, relatively wide soundstage (they sound pretty open) and smooth treble that brings out some of the finer details in well-recorded tracks. They're a pleasure to listen to.

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  • Very good sound and noise canceling
  • Headphone cable now has integrated microphone
  • Mostly the same as previous model but costs $50 more

Slightly upgraded Bose noise-canceling headphones

Bose quietcomfort headphones.

When Bose released its new flagship QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, it also replaced the QuietComfort 45s with a new, slightly updated model simply called the QuietComfort Headphones. Like the QC 45s, this model carries on the very comfortable tried-and-true legacy QuietComfort design that's been around for a few generations and that people continue to love. The QC Ultra Headphones add Bose's new Immersive Audio feature and have a more refined design with some metal parts (they also have Bluetooth 5.3 instead of Bluetooth 5.1). The QuietComfort Headphones still feature very good sound (the Ultras offer a small step up in sound quality), excellent noise canceling and strong voice-calling performance.

As for differences between these and the QC45s, Bose says it adjusted some of the electronics to improve battery life (now 24 hours vs. 22 hours) and adjusted the logos to make the products "visually distinguishable and more in line with its latest design language." It also added an inline microphone to the auxiliary cable to "help with some users who may prefer a plug-and-play solution rather than Bluetooth pairing." There's also a Wind Block feature and some additional small performance improvements due to software upgrades. Finally, the headphones come in new color options, including green and a light blue version that's only available at bose.com.

While the QuietComfort Headphones carry a $350 list price that's $50 higher than that of the QC 45s, we expect them to be regularly discounted to $250 and possibly less than that in 2024 -- so look to buy them when they're on sale. You can read our review of the QuietComfort 45 to get a good take on the QuietComfort Headphones.

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'Noise canceling' vs. 'noise cancelling': Different spelling, same technology

Either spelling is correct, as "canceling" is more common in American English while "cancelling" is more common in British English. CNET uses "noise canceling" since the company is based in the US, but the noise is canceled just the same, regardless of spelling. If you're looking to see what different noise-impacting technology is out there for headphones, check out our article on noise-canceling versus noise-isolating headphones , which highlights differences in function (and not just a difference in spelling).

Other travel headphones we tested

JBL Live 670NC : The JBL Live 670NC is one of a relatively small number of on-ear headphones to offer active noise canceling. It's something of a value model -- no carrying case is included -- but it does have memory foam ear pads that get you a comfortable fit for an on-ear headphone. Deliver clear sound with punch bass, it has 32mm drivers and improves on its predecessor's battery life, offering up to an impressive 70 hours (or 44 hours with ANC on), and an extra three hours of battery with just five minutes of charge. This model includes the latest Bluetooth 5.3 (with LE Audio) and multipoint Bluetooth pairing. It also has JBL's Ambient Aware (transparency mode) and TalkThru features. It's available in black, white and blue and comes with a cord for wired listening.

Master & Dynamic MW75 : The MW75 are Master & Dynamic's best full-size headphones yet. Needless to say, they're pricey at $599; most people will be quite satisfied with the $400 Sony WH-1000XM5, which is lighter and more comfortable and delivers best-in-class voice calling and noise canceling. The MW75's build quality is hard to beat and they offer top-notch sound for a wireless model (I thought they sounded better than Apple's AirPods Max headphones), plus strong voice-calling and noise-canceling performance. With their support for aptX Adaptive, they have additional appeal for Android users, who can get a touch better sound quality with the right setup. I was also quite happy streaming music with my iPhone 13 Pro using the AAC codec.

Master & Dynamic MW09 : Master & Dynamic headphones and earbuds have always featured unique, eye-catching designs that include premium materials like aluminum, sapphire glass and Kevlar. Its latest MW09 flagship earbuds look pretty similar to its earlier MW08 buds, but have some upgrades on the inside that deliver better performance, particularly when it comes to battery life and noise canceling (it's now very close to what Bose and Sony offer, although not quite at their level for ANC).

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro : The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro offers improved noise canceling along with very good sound and voice-calling performance, plus support for high-resolution wireless audio streaming if you're a Galaxy device owner with the right setup. Their biggest upgrade may be their new design and smaller size, which make them a better fit for more ears. Aside from their somewhat high price tag, their only drawback is that some of their key features only work with Samsung Galaxy devices.

Beats Studio Buds Plus : Alas, for those of you who bought the original Beats Studio Buds, which remain on the market for now, I'm sorry to report that these new Plus buds are significantly improved, with better sound, noise canceling and battery life. Additionally, they now deliver top-notch voice-calling performance.

Beats Fit Pro : While the Beats Fit Pro technically aren't AirPods, they're built on the same tech platform as the AirPods Pro (yes, Apple owns Beats). Unlike Beats' earlier and less expensive  Studio Buds  and new-for-2023 Studio Buds Plus , the Beats Fit Pro include Apple's H1 chip and have most of the  AirPods Pro's  features, including active noise canceling, spatial audio and Adaptive EQ. I'd venture to call them the sports AirPods you've always wanted.

Google Pixel Buds Pro : The Pixel Buds Pro are Google's first earbuds to feature active noise canceling. While it's nice that they finally have a feature that most true-wireless earbuds have had for a while, what ultimately sets the Pixel Buds Pro apart and makes them worth considering -- particularly for Android users -- is their distinct design and winning fit. That helps enhance their performance on both the sound quality and noise-canceling fronts. While not quite elite for voice-calling, they also performed well as a headset for making calls. Read our  Google Pixel Buds Pro review . 

Factors to consider when choosing travel headphones

Before anything else, you'll want to figure out how much you're willing to spend on new travel headphones. The quality of value-priced noise-canceling headphones continues to improve, so you can find good affordable headphones for less than $100. The premium models, which offer better build quality and performance, tend to cost $200 or more -- sometimes much more. 

Fit (comfort)

It's key that the travel headphones you buy fit your head well. They should offer a comfortable fit that's snug yet not too snug. Ideally, you want headphones you can wear over a day with minimal breaks.

You want travel headphones that hold up well over time, so look for models that we note have sturdy build quality.

Maximize performance and features for your budget

You want the best-sounding headphones with the best noise-canceling, call quality and features for whatever fits your budget.

Return policy

It's critical to buy your headphones at a retailer that has a good return policy, in case you have buyer's remorse. Some people who are having trouble deciding between two models sometimes buy both, try them out for a few days and then return one.

How we test travel headphones and earbuds

We test travel headphones and earbuds based on six key criteria. These criteria include  design ,  sound quality , noise-canceling performance ,  voice-calling performance, features  and  value . 

  • Design : Evaluating design, we assess not only how comfortable the headphones and earbuds fit (their ergonomics) but their build quality and how well the controls are implemented. When it comes to earbuds, we also look at water- and dust-resistance ratings. 
  • Sound quality : We evaluate sound quality by listening to a set playlist of music tracks and comparing the earbuds to top competing products in their price range. Sonic traits such as bass definition, clarity, dynamic range and how natural the headphones sound are key factors in our assessment.
  • Noise-canceling performance : We evaluate noise-canceling performance by wearing headphones in the same spot indoors near a noisy HVAC unit to see how well they do at muffling lower frequencies. Then we head out to the streets of New York to test the headphones in a real-world environment where we see how they do at muffling not only street noise but people's voices. 
  • Extra features : Some great-sounding noise-canceling headphones and earbuds aren't loaded with features, but we do take into account what extra features are on board. These include everything from quick-access awareness to transparency modes (your music pauses and the headphones open up to the outside world so you can have a conversation) to special sound modes to ear-detection sensors that automatically pause your music when you take the headphones off your ears. We also take a look at the companion app for the headphones if there is one and how user-friendly it is. 
  • Voice-calling : When we test voice-calling performance, we make calls in the noisy streets of New York and evaluate how well the headphones or earbuds reduce background noise and how clearly callers can hear our voices.
  • Value : We determine value after evaluating the strength of the headphones and earbuds against all these criteria and what they're able to deliver compared to other models in their price class. 

Travel headphone FAQs

Are noise-canceling headphones worth it.

A few years ago, you had to pay significantly more money for active noise-canceling headphones. The feature has become pretty common and while the best noise-canceling headphones (by that I mean the headphones that offer the best noise-canceling) tend to be fairly expensive, you can find cheaper models that offer decent noise cancellation. I do think that if noise canceling is important to you, it's better to spend more money on the best pair of noise-canceling headphones you can afford. It's worth noting that many of the premium models get discounted sporadically during the year so you can often save $50 or more on many top headphones if you time your purchase right. 

Does noise cancellation block all noise?

Noise-canceling headphones have traditionally been good at blocking out lower frequency sounds such as the rumbling you hear while traveling on a plane. They haven't been so good at muffling higher frequencies (a baby screaming, for example) and even people talking around you. Companies like Bose, Sony and Apple have improved the technology in the last year or two so their noise canceling works across a wider range of frequencies. It still can't muffle all noise but top noise canceling is now doing a better job tamping down more noises that live in midrange and higher frequencies.

Does noise canceling drain the headphones' battery?

When noise canceling is engaged, it does tend to have an impact on battery life. This is more of a factor with earbuds, which tend to offer anywhere from five to eight hours of battery life with noise canceling on and seven to 12 hours with it off. Full-size headphones can offer 25 to 30 hours of battery life with noise canceling on and up to 40 to 50 hours with it off.

Does noise canceling impact sound quality?

Active noise canceling does hurt sound quality, especially if the noise canceling isn't all that good (noise canceling can create a faint background hiss). It can mess with the purity of the sound quality so it's tricky to create a noise-canceling headphone that sounds really good. As a result, often high-end noise-canceling headphones that tout fantastic sound quality don't have as powerful noise canceling (the noise canceling feels lighter). 

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