Idaho

Best time to visit Idaho

The best time to visit Idaho largely depends on your interests and what you plan to do, as the state offers distinct experiences throughout its four seasons.

June to August is the most popular time for tourism. Temperatures are warm often 24-35°C in the valleys, cooler in the mountains. This is perfect for hiking and backpacking especially in areas like the Sawtooth Mountains, Sun Valley, and in national forests. It's also a great time for water activities Idaho's many lakes and rivers, camping and wildlife viewing with animals being active and easily spotted.

Spring (March to May) is transition period, March and April can still be chilly with rain or snow, especially at higher elevations. By May, temperatures are milder, wildflowers emerge, and waterfalls are impressive due to snowmelt. It's a good time for wildlife viewing and enjoying fewer crowds before the summer rush.

In winter (November to March) Idaho becomes a winter wonderland, primarily attracting snow sports enthusiasts. The state boasts excellent ski resorts like Sun Valley, Schweitzer Mountain, and Bogus Basin (near Boise). Other popular winter activities include snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice fishing or soaking in natural hot springs surrounded by snow.

Discover Idaho

Gem by name and gem by nature, Idaho has been truly blessed by the works of Mother Nature. After the state of Alaska, Idaho has the most natural forests and wilderness areas in the USA. The state is rich in natural beauty and is an outdoor lover’s paradise, with activities such as rock climbing, white-water rafting, fishing, and in the winter, skiing.

You can’t help but be star-struck on how unbelievably beautiful Idaho is. From north to south and east to west, the jaw-dropping scenery and unforgettable experiences are around every corner with the bonus of 31 breathtaking scenic byways to explore. Starting off in the south the plunging waters at Shoshone Falls, are taller than Niagara Falls and are lovingly called the ‘Niagara Falls of the West’. Next up is the huge lava fields of the unique Craters of the Moon National Monument which feel like you’re walking on the moon and the nearby town of Sun Valley where many Hollywood celebrities live that offer some of the best skiing in the country.

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Discover Idaho

Sawtooth National Recreational Area dominates Central Idaho with the dramatic peaks of the Sawtooth Mountains and over 400 alpine lakes and over 700 miles of hiking trails. It’s also home to the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, the first of its kind in America - due to its very light air pollution the dark skies of Idaho are home to shining stars, and even the colourful Northern Lights.

Heading east, the capital city Boise has a hip and vibrant vibe with rugged wilderness on its doorstep where you can travel north from the city along the state line past national forests, pretty lakes and towns that take you to Hells Canyon, the deepest gorge in the USA. The north of the state is known for its mining towns, Native American culture, tree covered mountains and crystal-clear lakes.

Highlights of Idaho

What is Montana famous for?

• Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
• Shoshone Falls
• Sawtooth National Recreational Area
• Boise
• Hells Canyon Recreational Area

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Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve

One of the most unique places to visit in Idaho is Craters of the Moon National Monument, which has a huge lava field of dark black rocks, cinder cones and underground caves. Located around an hour’s drive from the mountain towns of Sun Valley and Ketchum, the terrain showcases what the landscape will look like if the super volcano under Yellowstone National Park ever erupted. There is a choice of well laid out hiking trails and along the 7-mile Crater Loop Road where worthwhile stops include the view from the Inferno Cone Overlook and short hikes to peer inside the Spatter Cones.

Shoshone Falls

Travel to the town of Twin Falls, nestled in the breathtaking beauty of southern Idaho and an ideal stopover when driving to and from Utah to Idaho. Its jewel in its crown is the iconic Shoshone Falls, often called the ‘Niagara of the West’. These stunning falls plunge into the Snake River and stand at 212 feet tall and 90 feet wide and are taller than Niagara Falls.

Sawtooth National Recreational Area

Covering an incredible 756,000 acres, in Central Idaho, the scenery in the Sawtooth Recreational Area is simply just stunning. The area is blessed to have the dramatic Sawtooth Mountain Range, part of the famed Rocky Mountains with 57 of its peaks over 10,000 feet high, plus 400 alpine lakes and 700 miles of hiking trails.

Take you time exploring the region, travelling along the many pretty scenic byways, visit the small mountain town of Stanley located on the banks of the Salmon River, relax in one of the steaming hot springs and kayak on the crystal-clear waters of Redfish Lake. Adventure enthusiasts will love it here, with its hundreds of hiking trails that have unforgettable vistas and boating, canoeing and fishing.

Boise

Boise is a hip and buzzing town with a rich culture with rugged wilderness, lakes and mountains on its doorstep. The capital of Idaho, it has a lively downtown scene, great restaurants on 8th Street, known locally as ‘Restaurant Row’ and a growing craft brewery scene.

The Boise River runs through the heart of city and there are plenty of local parks to explore or you call follow the Greenbelt, a 25 mile treelined path. Boise also has the biggest population of Basque people outside Europe and visitors can learn about their culture at the Basque Centre and the Basque Museum located in the Basque Block, as well as eating in restaurants that serve Basque cuisine.

Hells Canyon Recreational Area

Wild, dramatic landscapes and adventure await at Hells Canyon Recreational Area which also has the deepest river gorge in the USA - Hells Canyon, which is over 8,000 feet deep, 2,000 feet deeper than the Grand Canyon. The area spans the Idaho-Oregon border and is crammed with towering mountains, three national forests, and wildlife such as deer, black bear, bighorn sheep and bald eagles. This incredible region is extremely remote with limited access for vehicles, so the best way to see the area is on a jetboating, rafting or fishing adventure which depart from Lewiston.