Nature in Idaho
Idaho is a spectacular and imposing state in terms of nature. There’s Hells Canyon, deeper than the Grand Canyon, Shoshone Falls, higher than Niagara Falls, and the Bruneau Sand Dunes, bigger than the dunes of Death Valley.
According to agooddir, Idaho has the largest wilderness outside of Alaska and with more than 5,000 miles of fast-flowing rivers, it is also a leader in this area. Traverse Idaho on one of the famous routes such as the Salmon or the Sawtooth Scenic Byway and discover a diverse landscape of mountains, forests and rivers.
Rafting on the Snake River, camping in the Sawtooth National Forest, skiing in the Sun Valley, or hiking through a lunar landscape in the Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve, Idaho’s wildlife is diverse. Northern Idaho is also known as Lakeland. This is because the glaciers of the Ice Age have left behind hundreds of beautiful lakes such as Priest Lake, Lake Coeur d’Alene and Lake Pend Oreille.
Central Idaho is dominated by sharp mountain peaks. The Snake River Plain, with its open vistas and bustling cities, is the character of Southern Idaho. Although the nature is overwhelming, Idaho surprisingly has no official National Parks. However, eastern Idaho is the gateway to famous parks such as Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park. Close to these beautiful but often busy parks, find peace and quiet in places like Driggs, Victor and Tetonia. Again, the scenery is phenomenal, but without the large numbers of visitors who mainly stay on the other side of the state line.
If you want to make sure you don’t miss the most beautiful roads during your trip through Idaho, take a good look at the Scenic Byways. Recommended are the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway and the Sawtooth Scenic Byway, but actually they are all beautiful.
Staying in Idaho
The options for lodging in Idaho are endless. From super luxurious hotels to primitive campsites and everything in between. If you want to experience the real cowboy life, stay overnight at one of the many Guest Ranches that Idaho has.
For a unique experience, book a night at the world famous Dog Bark Park Inn near Cottonwood where you will find a bed and breakfast in the shape of a life-size Beagle.
If you want to enjoy great nature in all luxury, then the historic Sun Valley Lodge, which was completely renovated in 2015, is recommended. In all seasons you have a beautiful view of Mount Baldy. With more than 650 campgrounds, Idaho is a camper’s paradise. Many of these campsites are in beautiful locations next to rivers, lakes or golf courses. Check out the Idaho RV Campgrounds Association website for more information. For those who thought that camping is only for people who can live with less luxury, Idaho is also familiar with the phenomenon of glamping, a combination of glamor 7 camping. spend the night in a yurt all over Idaho!
Sports & Leisure in Idaho
Sports, leisure & wellness. There’s no getting around it, Idaho’s capital Boise is a real sports city. The presence of a university naturally contributes to this. You can go to Boise to watch a game of basketball, baseball, baseball, American football or athletics or you can be active yourself, for example on a mountain bike. Bike magazine has named Boise the #1 mountain biking town for a reason.
The many forests, mountains and rivers make Idaho a great outdoor paradise for young and old. The rivers are ideal for an active rafting adventure, beautiful kayaking, a relaxing float trip or even an afternoon of surfing.
Water Sports in Idaho
Idaho is very attractive to anglers because of fly fishing, which is almost an art in these parts. And of course we are here in the (Wild) West for a reason, so opportunities for horseback riding are plentiful. Another form of sport that is fanatically practiced here, but is little known among us, is the rodeo. In the land of cowboys and Indians, a visit to a rodeo is a unique experience that should not be missed in any tour of Idaho.
As mentioned earlier, Idaho has several beautiful golf courses, including the famous Coeur D’Alene course which has a floating green! There are no fewer than 126 golf courses throughout Idaho to choose from, but the most are found around Boise, Coeur d’Alene, and Idaho Falls.
ATV
For lovers of an adrenaline rush, the St. Anthony Sand Dunes are an ideal playground. Rent an ATV and speed over the immense sand dunes. But it is also allowed to drive an ATV in various other places, there are even special trails built for this. Check with the local tourist office about the options or check the Idaho Tourism website.
Spa in Idaho
If you want to relax after all your efforts, one of the many hot springs, the so-called hot springs, are recommended. In the place Lava Hot Springs you have come to the right place. By the way, did you know that Idaho has the most hot springs you can bathe in in America? Don’t forget to bring your swimsuit!
Winter Sports in Idaho
A literal and figurative highlight in Idaho is Sun Valley, a great ski resort in winter with the appearance of a luxury ski resort and a paradise for outdoor fans in summer. A ride on the Roundhouse Express Gondola to the top of Baldy Mountain is a great year-round experience. Schweitzer Mountain and the Silver Mountain Ski Resort are recommended in winter. Incidentally, these are just a few of the no fewer than 17 ski areas that Idaho has, and where you can experience the typical “powder” in the winter.
Transportation in Idaho
Rent a car or RV and traverse beautiful Idaho at your own pace. We are happy to give you tips for routes full of views through nature and do not miss anything of all the beauty that nature has to offer you here.
For an overview of the best roads in Idaho, visit visitidaho.org/scenic-byways and make sure you don’t miss out on all the beauty that nature has to offer. To see Idaho from a different perspective, take a boat trip on one of the many lakes, book a hot air balloon ride for a once in a lifetime experience or take a scenic train ride.
Shopping in Idaho
Idaho has it all: from small boutiques with handmade products to large shopping malls with stores from well-known chains. But a visit to a local farmers market should not be forgotten either. Delicious fresh fruit and vegetables are offered here in abundance.
Idaho ‘s largest shopping center is located in the capital. The Boise Towne Square Mall is home to more than 180 stores and restaurants, including big names like Macy’s, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Sears, and Kohl’s. And with a favorable exchange rate, shopping in America can be very attractive. Don’t forget to check the customs rules beforehand about what you can import duty-free from Idaho, to avoid setbacks when you get home!
