Idaho Road Trip Ideas

If you aren't familiar with Idaho you may be thinking, "is there really anything interesting in Idaho?"

That's what I thought for most of my life.  I grew up in Utah which traditionally sees nothing of value in Idaho. I never even went to Idaho until I was 14. My grandma moved to Southeast Idaho and my family visited her there about twice a year.  I liked what I saw of Idaho, but it still wasn't a place that I thought of when planning vacations. Basically Idaho was just that state we drove through to get to Yellowstone.

Fast forward about 15 years to when my husband and I were trying to figure out where to live after he finished his time with the Army. Surprisingly Idaho kept making its way to the top of our short list of states we wanted to live in. (Low cost of living, close to family, and wide open spaces were reasons we kept putting Idaho on the list.) When my husband decided to go back to school to get his A&P License we decided to attend Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho.

As we settled in and got to know Idaho I discovered a very important secret.  Idaho is actually AMAZING!!!  I'm pretty certain that locals swear an oath to never tell outsiders how great Idaho actually is.

Luckily for you, I haven't taken the oath yet.

My family likes to go on long road trips around the states where we happen to live.  So in May of 2018 we went on a road trip around Idaho. We went from Pocatello, to Twin Falls, to Boise, to Lewiston, to Coure d'Alene, and then all the way up to Priest Lake near the Canadian Boarder before we turned around and headed home via Missoula, Montana.

That trip convinced us we wanted make Idaho our permanent home. At first we hoped for a job near Coure d'Alene.  Later we seriously considered places in Boise and Driggs.  But ultimately Twin Falls won out and is our current home.

This post is going to highlight places we discovered on that initial road trip. I will also add other places we discovered after the road trip. Click on the name of the place to go to a post with more info.

Idaho will be my home for the foreseeable future so I don't know if this post will ever truly be "finished."  So check back occasionally for more updates.

Twin Falls Area

City of Rocks

City of Rocks National Reserve is a strange collection of massive granite rocks in the southern part of Idaho near the border with Utah and Nevada. The scenery can be enjoyed by anyone of any skill level. There are a number of hikes ranging in distance throughout the reserve. The rocks themselves are popular with rock climbers.

Shoshone Falls

For Americans, Niagara Falls is the ultimate waterfall. Every waterfall in the country is compared to this icon. "The Niagara of the West" is found in Twin Falls, Idaho. This dramatic waterfall is actually higher than Niagara Falls by 45 feet.

Perrine Memorial Bridge

Massive and impressive architecture isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you picture rural Idaho. However, the Perrine Memorial Bridge outside of Twin Falls is a stunning example of large scale engineering. There are pedestrian walkways on the bridge as well as overlooks on the canyon edges on either side of the bridge. The sides of the bridge are popular locations for BASE jumping.


Thousand Springs State Park

Thousand Springs State Park is complicated and confusing. There are six units that are not connected, signs are small and infrequent, and areas are mis-labeled on Google Maps.  But the waterfalls, springs, and canyons within the park are worth visiting. This post attempts to clarify information about the park so your first visit can be easier than mine was.

Niagara Springs

Most of the canyon walls of the Snake River Canyon look the way you'd expect canyon walls to look; rocky edges tumbling down to the river bottoms with a large river flowing below. But some parts of the canyon walls don't look like that at all. These parts of the canyon have water gushing out of the canyon wall. Niagara Springs is one of these places. Above the spring is a hill of lifeless rock. Below the spring is a lush green oasis made possible by the water that has made a nearly 100 mile journey through basalt.

Balanced Rock

Balanced Rocks are one of those cool, "how did they do that" geology features. Idaho's Balanced Rock is over 48 feet tall and balances on a narrow neck of rock that is only 3 feet wide. The rock is made of Rhyolite Lava and was carved by wind. It stands near other rocks carved into twisted spires and pinnacles, though Balanced Rock is definitely the most unique feature in the area.

Ritter Island

Ritter Island is an interesting feature along the shores of the Snake River west of Twin Falls, Idaho. The waters of the Snake River surrounds one side of the island. The other side of the island is surrounded by runoff from Minnie Miller Spring - one of the many natural springs along this section of the Snake River. The island and some of the surrounding shoreline is part of Thousand Springs State Park.

1000 Springs Resort

1000 Springs Resort is one of the best places to enjoy the Snake River in Southern Idaho. It is across the river from Ritter Island and has great views of Minnie Miller Spring and other springs in the 1000 Spring area. The resort has a large swimming pool and rooms with hot baths. Along the river there are docks for tying up a boat if you have one. The resort also has it's own boats to take you on tours of the river. There is a camp ground with grassy areas for tents and an area for RVs. There are also two cabins available.

Hagerman Fossil Beds

Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument is located in Southwest Idaho about 35 miles northwest of Twin Falls. This area is home to over 200 species of plant and animal fossils.






Earl M Hardy Box Canyon Spring

Perfectly clear water rushes out of the nations eleventh largest spring at the head of this box canyon near Wendell, Idaho. The water then travels down the canyon to meet the Snake River. During certain times of the year a waterfall cascades down the side of a cliff into the canyon to meet the spring water down below. You find this place by taking a short level hike from the parking lot.



Malad Gorge 

Canyons in the area around Twin Falls are sneaky things. One minute you are driving past what looks like boring, flat farmland. And the next minute you are driving on a bridge spanning deep caverns carved from lava rocks. Malad Gorge is one of the most unexpected canyons in the area. It is worth a stop to take a walk over the 250 foot deep chasm.

Bruneau Dunes State Park

Bruneau Dunes State Park

Idaho is full of unexpected natural features. Southwest Idaho is home to one of the most unexpected and also one of the most fun places to visit. Bruneau Dunes State Park is like a giant sandbox located a few hours south of Boise. There are two prominent dunes in the state park. The tallest dune is actually the tallest free standing dune in all of north america. It is 470 feet tall. When you visit the park you can hike to the top of the dune or just play on the smaller dune.

Boise Area

Green Belt

Hells Canyon Area

Lewiston Area

Hell's Gate State Park

Coeur d'Alene Area

Hobbs Hill

Farragut State Park

Wallace
Wallace Railroad History Museum
Wallace Steps

Priest Lake

Salmon Area

Sacajawea Monument 

Idaho Falls/Rexburg

Mesa Falls

If you are visiting Yellowstone make sure you take time to visit the sights on the way into the park. Mesa Falls is located within an hour of the west entrance to the park. This spectacular waterfall rivals many of the falls within the park.

Bear World

Idaho Falls Zoo

Aquarium

Riverwalk

Pocatello Area

Summer Activities in Pocatello

You might think I'm crazy when I say this, but Pocatello has been one of my very favorite places to live. One reason I love Pocatello is because of all the amazing summer activities available to do in and around the city.

Lava Hot Springs

Soda Springs

Montpillier Area

Bear Lake

Minitonka Cave