These 12 Places in Idaho Will Make You Pack Your Bags Immediately

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I’ll be honest—Idaho blew my mind. Before visiting, I thought it was just potatoes and farmland (sorry, Idaho!). But the moment I stood at the edge of the Sawtooth Mountains last summer, watching the sunset light up those razor-sharp peaks, I realized how wrong I was. This place is wild in the best way possible.

Listen, you haven’t lived until you’ve seen Shoshone Falls thundering down at full force (fun fact: it’s actually taller than Niagara!). These are the most beautiful places in Idaho that made me completely rethink this incredible state. From pristine alpine lakes to dramatic canyons, here are 12 spots that proved there’s so much more to Idaho than I ever imagined.

Best Things to Do in Idaho

Looking for the coolest things to do in Idaho? Visit Shoshone Falls, explore the scenic beauty of Coeur d’Alene, hike through the breathtaking Sawtooth National Recreation Area, and enjoy outdoor adventures in Sun Valley. Whether you’re interested in nature, outdoor activities, or relaxation, here are the top attractions to visit in Idaho.

1. Shoshone Falls

• 📍 Location: Twin Falls, Idaho, on the Snake River about 2 hours southeast of Boise
• 🏆 Best For: Waterfall enthusiasts 💦, photographers 📸, picnickers 🧺
• ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Dramatic 212-foot waterfall (taller than Niagara Falls), rainbow mist effects, rugged canyon scenery
• 📸 Top Experiences: Viewing from observation decks, hiking rim trails, picnicking with panoramic views
• 📅 Best Time to Visit: April-June for maximum water flow 🌊, evenings for golden hour photography
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Hilton Garden Inn Twin Falls – Modern hotel with easy access to the falls

Need an Instagram upgrade that’ll make your followers actually jealous? Shoshone Falls offers a thundering 212-foot cascade that dwarfs Niagara in height. The massive waterfall spans 900 feet across volcanic rock formations, creating a natural spectacle you can feel as much as see.

Multiple viewing platforms bring you close enough to feel the cool mist on your skin. I’ve never seen rainbows form so consistently as they do here at sunset, when the spray catches golden light. Snake River Canyon trails connect to the falls, offering views that get more impressive with each turn.

Visit in spring when snowmelt creates a horseshoe effect across the entire canyon width. The well-maintained picnic areas make this an easy half-day stop that punches well above its weight in wow factor.

• Read next: How to Plan a Trip Like a Pro

2. Coeur d’Alene

• 📍 Location: Northern Idaho, about 30 minutes east of Spokane, Washington
• 🏆 Best For: Lake lovers 🛥️, golfers 🏌️‍♀️, outdoor adventurers 🚵‍♂️
• ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Crystal-clear turquoise waters, mountain-rimmed shorelines, charming downtown waterfront
• 📸 Top Experiences: Lake cruising, walking the floating boardwalk, playing the famous floating green golf hole
• 📅 Best Time to Visit: Summer for lake activities 🏊‍♀️, December for the holiday light show 🎄
• 🏨 Where to Stay: The Coeur d’Alene Resort – Luxury lakefront resort with world-class amenities

Forget that European vacation when Idaho offers Caribbean-blue waters nestled among pine-covered mountains at Coeur d’Alene Lake. This 25-mile-long natural playground boasts water so clear you can see 30 feet down in some spots.

The downtown waterfront forms the heart of your experience with parks, beaches, and marinas. Tubbs Hill offers an easy 2-mile loop with stunning lake vistas. The iconic floating boardwalk stretches 3,300 feet from the resort into the lake. Golf enthusiasts will never forget hitting to the world’s only floating green that requires a boat shuttle.

During summer weekends, I recommend booking lake activities in advance as locals flock here. Beyond water sports, explore 40+ hiking trails or the scenic 73-mile Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. Winter transforms the area with “Journey to the North Pole” cruises amid 1.5 million twinkling lights.

• After exploring the lake, treat yourself: 22 Unique Restaurants in Idaho

3. Sawtooth National Recreation Area

• 📍 Location: Central Idaho, approximately 2.5 hours northeast of Boise, centered around Stanley
• 🏆 Best For: Hikers 🥾, fishing enthusiasts 🎣, wildlife watchers 🦅
• ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Jagged mountain peaks, crystal-clear alpine lakes, pristine wilderness, star-filled skies
• 📸 Top Experiences: Hiking to Alpine Lake, rafting the Salmon River, soaking in natural hot springs
• 📅 Best Time to Visit: July-September for alpine hiking 🏔️, winter for uncrowded snow activities ❄️
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Redfish Lake Lodge – Historic cabins on a spectacular mountain lake

Ever wondered what the Alps would look like without the crowds? The Sawtooth Mountains offers that experience with over 50 peaks above 10,000 feet creating a jagged skyline that earned its name. This 756,000-acre playground surrounds you with alpine beauty and outdoor adventure opportunities.

Redfish Lake serves as the perfect base with turquoise waters nestled beneath towering peaks. Rent kayaks to explore this five-mile lake or hit the surrounding trails. For an unforgettable day hike, try Fishhook Creek Trail (4 miles) with massive mountain views for minimal effort. The more ambitious can tackle the Alice-Toxaway Loop connecting multiple alpine lakes.

After hiking, soak your muscles in natural hot springs scattered throughout the region. The area boasts some of America’s darkest skies, where I’ve counted more stars than anywhere else in the country. Stanley’s small-town charm offers the perfect mix of amenities without sacrificing wilderness feel.

4. Sun Valley

• 📍 Location: Central Idaho, about 2.5 hours east of Boise
• 🏆 Best For: Skiers ⛷️, mountain bikers 🚵‍♀️, arts enthusiasts 🎭
• ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Elegant mountain town vibe, perfectly groomed slopes, wildflower meadows in summer
• 📸 Top Experiences: Skiing Bald Mountain, attending outdoor concerts, exploring Hemingway’s legacy
• 📅 Best Time to Visit: December-March for skiing ❄️, July-August for outdoor events and hiking 🌞
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Sun Valley Lodge – Historic luxury hotel favored by celebrities since 1936

Want to vacation like Hemingway, Schwarzenegger, and Zuckerberg without paparazzi? Sun Valley offers A-list experiences with low-key mountain town authenticity. America’s first destination ski resort still offers some of the smoothest runs anywhere on Bald Mountain with its challenging terrain and 3,400-foot vertical drop.

Summer brings world-class culture when the Sun Valley Music Festival hosts free outdoor classical concerts against mountain backdrops. The sophisticated yet unpretentious vibe extends to Ketchum with its farm-to-table restaurants and art galleries. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore 400+ miles of mountain biking trails or fish legendary trout streams like Silver Creek. Literary fans should visit Hemingway’s Memorial, honoring the author who completed “For Whom the Bell Tolls” while staying at the lodge. For the most impressive views, take the gondola up Bald Mountain in summer when wildflower meadows create carpets of color beneath your feet.

5. Hell’s Canyon National Recreation Area

• 📍 Location: Western Idaho border with Oregon, about 2 hours west of McCall
• 🏆 Best For: Whitewater rafters 🛶, backcountry explorers 🧭, history buffs 🏛️
• ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: North America’s deepest river gorge, dramatic cliffs, pristine wilderness, ancient petroglyphs
• 📸 Top Experiences: Multi-day rafting trips, hiking to Native American sites, spotting bighorn sheep
• 📅 Best Time to Visit: May-June for peak whitewater 🌊, September-October for hiking and wildlife 🦌
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Hells Canyon Grand Hotel (Lewiston) – Comfortable basecamp before wilderness adventures

Think the Grand Canyon is impressive? Hell’s Canyon plunges nearly 8,000 feet from He Devil Peak to the Snake River below, making it North America’s deepest river gorge. This 125-mile wilderness along the Idaho-Oregon border offers genuine adventure with a fraction of the crowds found at more famous national parks.

The Snake River creates legendary whitewater runs through the canyon heart. Multi-day rafting trips combine thrilling rapids with serene stretches perfect for absorbing the immense landscape. Less adventurous visitors can take jet boat tours that still access remote areas. Hikers can spot North America’s largest bighorn sheep herd from canyon rim trails. History enthusiasts will discover ancient petroglyphs and pioneer homesteads throughout the area. The challenging 30-mile Heaven’s Gate Trail rewards with the ultimate Hell’s Canyon panorama. This raw wilderness demands respect but offer memories that match its extreme dimensions.

6. Boise River Greenbelt

• 📍 Location: Boise, Idaho’s capital city
• 🏆 Best For: Casual cyclists 🚲, joggers 🏃‍♀️, urban nature lovers 🌳
• ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Lush riverside vegetation, mountain views, wildlife corridors through urban setting
• 📸 Top Experiences: Biking the 25-mile path, floating the river on tubes, birdwatching in natural areas
• 📅 Best Time to Visit: June-September for river floating 🏊‍♂️, October for fall colors 🍂
• 🏨 Where to Stay: The Grove Hotel – Downtown luxury hotel with easy Greenbelt access

Need to convince your nature-phobic friends that outdoor adventures are worth it? The Boise River Greenbelt offers the perfect gateway drug with its 25-mile ribbon of accessible nature winding through Idaho’s capital city. This urban oasis connects 850 acres of parks and natural areas.

The paved pathway provides car-free routes passing through diverse landscapes from manicured parks to wild cottonwood forests. Wildlife surprises many visitors, with river otters, mule deer, and 150+ bird species making appearances. Summer brings the beloved tradition of “floating the river,” when thousands drift downstream on tubes between designated spots. Julia Davis Park features botanical gardens, while MK Nature Center offers underwater windows where you can spy on trout and salmon. The mix of convenience and natural beauty makes this the perfect intro to Idaho’s outdoor culture or a quick nature fix between urban adventures.

• Ready to explore Boise’s food scene? Check out: 22 Amazing Places to Eat in Idaho

7. City of Rocks National Reserve

• 📍 Location: Southern Idaho, about 2 hours southeast of Twin Falls near the Utah border
• 🏆 Best For: Rock climbers 🧗‍♀️, hikers 🥾, photographers 📸
• ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Massive granite formations rising from sagebrush plains, dramatic rock spires, sweeping desert vistas
• 📸 Top Experiences: Climbing world-class granite routes, hiking among ancient rock formations, camping under dark skies
• 📅 Best Time to Visit: Late spring through fall, with September-October offering mild temperatures and fewer crowds 🍂
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Rock City Campground – Cozy camping spots nestled between massive rock formations, offering stunning views and easy access to trails

Need an epic backdrop for your Instagram that will make coworkers jealous? City of Rocks offers surreal granite spires rising from the high desert floor. Early pioneers called this landscape a “silent city of Rocks” for good reason. These ancient formations now attract serious climbers from around the world.

The reserve boasts over 700 climbing routes on perfect granite. Not a climber? The 6-mile City of Rocks Loop Trail winds through iconic formations like Window Arch and Elephant Rock. For a quicker adventure, the 1-mile Creekside Towers Trail offers stunning views with minimal effort.

When night falls, I’ve never seen stars shine brighter. Bring a blanket, lie back against a sun-warmed boulder, and watch as the Milky Way emerges above this ancient landscape.

8. Bruneau Dunes State Park

• 📍 Location: Southwestern Idaho, about 1 hour southeast of Boise near Mountain Home
• 🏆 Best For: Stargazers 🔭, sandboarders 🏄, desert explorers 🏜️
• ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: North America’s tallest single-structured sand dune (470 feet), stunning desert landscape, pristine dark skies
• 📸 Top Experiences: Sandboarding down massive dunes, stargazing at the observatory, hiking around desert lakes
• 📅 Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall for mild temperatures, summer evenings for observatory programs 🌠
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground – Cozy campsites surrounded by dunes and scenic desert views, perfect for a night under the stars

Trading your desk job for an adventure that feels otherworldly? Bruneau Dunes offers massive sand mountains rising 470 feet above the desert floor. These are the tallest single-structured sand dunes in North America, and unlike most dunes, they remain relatively stable.

The park’s world-class observatory reveals galaxies and planets during weekend viewing sessions. The park’s Dark Sky Reserve status means celestial objects appear with remarkable clarity.

Rent a sandboard from the visitor center and carve down the steep dune faces. The small lakes at the dunes’ base offer excellent bass fishing and bird watching. The view from the tallest dune is worth every step of the climb. My calves were sore for days, but the panoramic views made it absolutely worth it.

• Work up an appetite stargazing? Discover: Idaho’s 22 Coolest Restaurants & Bars

9. Redfish Lake

• 📍 Location: Central Idaho, about 1 hour south of Stanley in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area
• 🏆 Best For: Boaters ⛵, swimmers 🏊‍♀️, mountain lovers 🏔️
• ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Crystal-clear alpine lake waters, dramatic backdrop of jagged Sawtooth Mountains, pristine wilderness setting
• 📸 Top Experiences: Boating across turquoise waters, hiking to Alpine Lake, watching sunset reflect off Sawtooth peaks
• 📅 Best Time to Visit: July-September when mountain snow has melted and beaches are perfect for swimming 🏖️
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Redfish Lake Lodge – Historic lakeside lodge with cabins and marina services

Want the perfect mountain escape that combines adventure with relaxation? Redfish Lake stretches 4.5 miles against a backdrop of Idaho’s most dramatic peaks. Named for the brilliant sockeye salmon that once turned its waters red during spawning season, this glacial lake now draws weekend warriors seeking mountain perfection.

Rent kayaks or paddleboards from the marina to explore hidden coves. The sandy beach offers relaxation with a postcard-perfect mountain backdrop. Redfish Lake Lodge serves as the social hub with dining, cabin rentals, and essential supplies.

For hikers, the 4-mile Bench Lakes Trail climbs to stunning alpine lakes with spectacular views. Nothing beats finding a quiet spot along the shore to watch alpenglow paint the mountain peaks in shades of pink and gold. I still dream about those sunsets.

10. Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve

• 📍 Location: Central Idaho, about 1.5 hours west of Idaho Falls along US Highway 20
• 🏆 Best For: Geology enthusiasts 🌋, cave explorers 🕳️, photographers 📸
• ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Surreal volcanic landscape, vast lava fields, bizarre rock formations, wildflower blooms in spring
• 📸 Top Experiences: Exploring lava tube caves, hiking through volcanic cinder cones, driving the Loop Road
• 📅 Best Time to Visit: Late May-June for wildflower displays, September-October for cooler temperatures 🍂
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Craters of the Moon Campground – Unique camping experience surrounded by volcanic features

Ever wanted to walk on the moon without the astronaut training? Craters of the Moon has a bizarre, otherworldly landscape so lunar-like that NASA sent Apollo astronauts here to train. This vast sea of solidified lava flows covers 618 square miles of the Snake River Plain, created by volcanic eruptions as recent as 2,000 years ago.

The 7-mile Loop Road provides access to major features. Obtain a free permit to explore lava tube caves like Boy Scout Cave and Indian Tunnel, where summer temperatures stay refreshingly cool. The contrast between black volcanic rock and persistent life creates dramatic scenes throughout the park.

Vibrant wildflowers somehow find footholds in the harsh terrain each spring. The North Crater Flow Trail and Inferno Cone both provide accessible ways to experience this lunar landscape. Walking these ancient flows makes me feel like an explorer on another planet.

11. Boise – The capital of Idaho

• 📍 Location: Southwestern Idaho along the Boise River, near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains
• 🏆 Best For: Urban explorers 🏙️, foodies 🍽️, outdoor enthusiasts 🚵‍♀️
• ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: Vibrant downtown bordered by the Boise River Greenbelt, dramatic foothills backdrop, blend of historic and modern architecture
• 📸 Top Experiences: Exploring the Basque Block, hiking in the foothills, floating the Boise River
• 📅 Best Time to Visit: May-October for outdoor activities, December for winter festivities ❄️
• 🏨 Where to Stay: The Grove Hotel – Upscale downtown hotel within walking distance of major attractions

Craving a weekend getaway with both urban energy and outdoor adventure? Boise defies expectations of mountain west capitals. The compact downtown blends outdoor access with cultural sophistication in ways few mid-sized cities can match.

The 25-mile Boise River Greenbelt serves as the city’s crown jewel. This tree-lined pathway follows the river through the heart of the city. In summer, locals “float the river” on inner tubes, creating a moving social scene on the gentle current.

Unique cultural offerings include the largest Basque community in the United States, centered around the vibrant Basque Block. The Ridge to Rivers trail system offers over 190 miles of hiking and mountain biking literally minutes from downtown. Try the popular Table Rock Trail for panoramic city views before sampling local craft breweries downtown.

• Read next: 13 Amazing Rocky Mountains Cabin Rentals You Can Rent Right Now

12. Lake Coeur d’Alene

• 📍 Location: Northern Idaho Panhandle, adjacent to the city of Coeur d’Alene
• 🏆 Best For: Boaters ⛵, beach-goers 🏖️, golfers 🏌️‍♀️
• ✨ What Makes It Beautiful: 25 miles of clear blue waters, pine-forested shorelines, spectacular sunsets over the water
• 📸 Top Experiences: Cruising the lake, golfing the floating green at Coeur d’Alene Resort, exploring Tubbs Hill
• 📅 Best Time to Visit: June-September for warmest water temperatures, December for holiday light displays 🎄
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Coeur d’Alene Resort – Luxury lakefront resort with world-famous golf course

Looking for that perfect mix of nature and luxury that won’t max out your PTO? Lake Coeur d’Alene stretches like a massive blue jewel across 25 miles of northern Idaho. With over 100 miles of shoreline, options for waterfront exploration seem endless.

The resort city sits at the lake’s northern end, blending urban amenities with natural beauty. Coeur d’Alene Resort features the world’s only floating golf green, requiring a boat shuttle after your shot. For a more natural experience, hike the 2-mile loop around Tubbs Hill, a forested peninsula with numerous swimming spots.

Summer visitors should rent boats to explore hidden coves or try parasailing for a bird’s-eye view. Winter brings hundreds of bald eagles to the southern end to feed on spawning salmon. The sunset views across the water make me reach for my camera every single time.

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