The state of Idaho is a fantastic travel destination. Many associate Idaho with potatoes, and for good reason – over 30% of the US production of potatoes happens on Idaho farms. I had plenty of East Coast friends look at me askance when I told them we were planning a trip to Idaho. Clearly, many know little about this diverse, beautiful state, which offers much more than potatoes and farmland!
Idaho has something for everyone! Outdoor adventurers can enjoy world class hiking, fishing, boating, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and snow skiing. But there is plenty for those less active, with scenic drives, river excursions, spas, unique towns, and fantastic restaurants. There are also hot springs, some of which can be visited for free, or you can indulge in a spa experience.
Southern Idaho features massive sand dunes, a surprisingly deep and scenic gorge, BASE jumping from one of the highest bridges in North America (or just watching!), a waterfall known as the “Niagara of the West,” a National Park with lunar-esque landscapes, scenic drives, and the Sawtooth mountain range.
If you’re looking for adventure, we’ve got your guide … and Southern Idaho is your destination!
Note: We traveled the state of Idaho from south to north on a 10-day trip. We have organized this guide, and our Northern Idaho guide and Idaho Itinerary in a roughly south-to-north direction. There’s a separate guide to Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, which is in Southern Idaho. Be sure to check out our other guides!
Idaho can easily be broken up into regions for travel. Or, in our case, we broke up the driving time with various stops, but then had a long drive back down to Boise for our flight home.
Boise
Boise is an exciting destination. It’s the capital of the state of Idaho, and a university town, making it a vibrant, growing city that still serves up small town charm. The residents of Boise love their outdoor spaces, and sunny days find everyone outdoors. The attractive downtown boasts amazing architecture and tree-lined streets.
With its proximity to mountains, hot summers and relatively mild winters, Boise is a great place to visit – and live. The city sits about 2,700 feet above sea level, so even though summers daytime temperatures are hot (average daytime high temperature in July is 92℉ , temps dip into 50s at night. There is very little humidity in summer.
Downtown Walking Tour – Historic Buildings
Boise is known for the amazing architecture of its historic buildings. We came up with our own walking tour of downtown that included stops at several of these, including the state Capitol building, St. Michael’s Episcopal Cathedral, and the Basque Block and Mural. Here’s a great article highlighting some of Boise’s more interesting architectural buildings.
The Basques in Boise – Basque Block, Museum and Basque History Mural
The Basque people are an ethnic group originating in the Basque region of Europe which straddles the border between Spain and France. Many immigrated to Idaho in the late 1800s, and Boise still has a large, close-knit Basque community. The culture and heritage are highlighted at the Basque Block and Basque Museum. The Basque Block is part of the Old Boise Historic District, and contains historic buildings such as the building housing the Museum, and several Basque-cuisine restaurants and bars. Check out the Basque History Mural, located east off S. Capitol Blvd by the Bank of America parking lot (across from the Boise Grove Hotel).
Boise River Greenbelt
The Boise River Greenbelt is comprised of delightful paved paths running along the river in Boise and adjacent Garden City. The Greenbelt traverses several parks and features incredible greenspaces and gardens (be sure to stop by the Boise Rose Garden in Julia Davis Park).
It also provides access to attractions such as Zoo Boise, the Idaho Black History Museum, Boise Art Museum, and Boise Whitewater Park. There are many access points; you can walk as much or as little as you wish. The Greenbelt is also popular for biking and rollerblading.
Several pedestrian bridges carry you across the river and make for great photo spots. Altogether, there are 25 miles of pathway, but it is possible to enjoy fantastic sections of the Greenbelt and get a feel for the city with 5 or fewer miles of walking.
Green Acres Food Truck Park
This seasonally-open food truck area is on the north side of the Boise River along the Greenbelt. It’s like an outdoor food court, with picnic tables and is a great spot to try local specialties and people-watch.
Boise Whitewater Park
The Boise Whitewater Park offers surfers an endless wave. Check the park’s website for schedules and more information. Apart from catching a wave yourself on a surfboard or kayak, it’s fun to watch the action!
JUMP Boise
JUMP Boise (“Jack’s Urban Meeting Place”) is a large complex of indoor and outdoor spaces. Its mission is “creating an environment for inspiring human potential by fostering creativity, education and community building.” The first thing we noticed was a huge outdoor, urban playground with a 5-story tubular slide. JUMP offers classes, events, and space rentals. It’s the coolest concept! Check out the website for information or for events happening during your visit.
Freak Alley
Freak Alley is located downtown and features an ever-changing mural scene, worthy of a quick stroll through.
Recommended Restaurants
Bardenay
The Bardenay in downtown Boise has an excellent and eclectic menu. This restaurant was the first in the US to be granted a permit for a distillery in a public space. The menu, featuring craft cocktails, appetizers (we had the excellent cheese board!), satays, burgers, sandwiches, steak, fish and pasta entrees, as well as a children’s menu, will keep everyone happy. The food is amazing, and the restaurant has a cool, long bar, vaulted ceilings, and indoor and outdoor dining areas. Click here to have a look at the menu.
The Reef Restaurant
Reef has a rooftop patio with a Tiki Bar and a relaxed vibe. Self-described as an “Island Themed Eclectic Restaurant,” this restaurant has a varied menu that includes tacos, Jamaican jerk chicken, sushi and more. Check out the full food menu here. There’s a bar with 24 beers on tap and specialty cocktails.
While there’s also indoor dining, if the weather is nice, get a table or sit at the bar on the patio. This is a fun lunch spot or great for a casual dinner. You’ll feel like you’re on an island in the Caribbean, not in land-locked Idaho!
Bruneau State Park
Located about 65 miles or a little over an hours’ drive southeast of Boise, this surprising state park encompasses an area of 4,800 acres and features huge sand dunes. Rising 470 feet above the desert floor, Bruneau Dunes is the tallest single-structured sand dune in North America.
You can climb on the dunes or rent sandboards at the Visitor Center. Climbing the dunes is super fun, free, and a great workout! It only takes a few minutes to reach the peaks. It’s also possible to walk along the dune ridges from the top of one to the next.
The dunes are a great place for photography.
At the base of the dunes are two small lakes, Dunes Lake and Bruneau Dunes Small Lake. There’s an easy, 1.4 mile trail that circles Dunes Lake. It’s a good leg-stretcher and provides different perspectives on the dunes.
The park offers picnic tables and toilets near the base of the dunes (some with shade), providing an excellent spot for a picnic.
There are also three campgrounds, with one open year-round. During the winter months, camping is first-come, first-served. The rest of the year, campsites can be reserved by visiting the state park website.
Vehicle entry fee is $7.
Thousand Springs State Park, Malad Gorge
This state park features the torrential 60-foot Malad River waterfall crashing down into a pool aptly named Devil’s Washbowl, and a beautiful 250-foot deep gorge. It is located 52 miles west of Bruneau Dunes, or right at 100 miles from Boise.
Walk out onto the pedestrian bridge that spans the gorge for amazing views down its length. There are also several overlooks near the parking area. From there, follow the path along the gorge rim for different perspectives on the gorge.
Vehicle entry fee is $7.
Idaho Adventures: Twin Falls
The city of Twin Falls has a population of about 55,000 people. It has a pleasant climate with hot, dry summers, wonderful spring and summer weather, and cold winters. The main attractions are the Snake River Canyon and its greenspaces, the Perrine Memorial Bridge, and nearby Shoshone Falls.
The entrance to the city from the north on Hwy 93 is via the impressive Perrine Memorial Bridge, which is one of the city’s major attractions. The bridge spans the Snake River and is a famous BASE jumping site.
Perrine Memorial Bridge
The 1,500 foot long Perrine Memorial Bridge was first opened in 1976. It is an impressive steel truss arch bridge and its location, spanning the steep canyon walls high above the Snake River, is awe-inspiring. Walk across the bridge to get an appreciation of the canyon and river 500 feet below.
BASE jumpers can often be seen leaping from the side of the bridge. They freefall for a few seconds before deploying a parachute and land on the riverbank far below. From there, they either climb back up (see steep trail under bridge) or are picked up by pre-arranged boat. It’s fascinating to watch the jumpers – I couldn’t get enough of it!
BASE Jumping
The Perrine Memorial Bridge is a free and legal BASE jumping site. BASE jumping is similar to skydiving, but jumpers must leave from one of four different fixed objects: Building, Antenna, Span (bridge), or Earth (cliff), which form the acronym of the sport’s name (BASE).
The Perrine Bridge is an ideal location for BASE jumping. It is the only legal destination in the United States for year-round BASE jumping. You do not need a permit to do a solo BASE jump from the bridge. If you’re looking for a thrill but not ready to do a solo jump, you can arrange a tandem BASE jump with TandemBase.com for $399.
Canyon Rim Trail
The Canyon Rim Trail provides more than 12 miles of walking and biking trails, offering amazing views of the bridge and canyon. The trail can be accessed at two locations in Twin Falls, the Twin Falls Visitor Center, located at 2015 Nielsen Point Pl, and at the north end of Washington St. N. The trail can also be accessed at nearby Shoshone Falls Park.
Centennial Waterfront Park
This park sits on the bank of the Snake River and provides stunning views of the canyon and the Perrine Bridge. The park rents kayaks and paddleboards seasonally. Rent your bike from Pertt’s Bike Rentals.
Shoshone Falls
Located only 5 miles from the city of Twin Falls, Shoshone Falls is referred to as the “Niagara of the West.” The falls are 212 feet tall and 900 feet wide, making it one of the largest natural waterfalls in the US. In fact, it’s taller than Niagara Falls!
The flow of the waterfall is highly seasonal and depends on factors such as the previous winter’s snowfall. Spring is the best time to view these falls. In the autumn, Shoshone Falls is almost dried up. One factor is that water is diverted to fill the upstream reservoir system for agricultural reasons. When we visited in mid-September, the falls were at a disappointing trickle.
Idaho Adventure: Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
This amazing destination deserves National Park status and should be included in any trip to Southern Idaho. Located 170 miles east of Boise, Craters of the Moon is an otherworldly experience. Since it’s a national monument / preserve, we’ve created a separate guide which can be linked to here.
Idaho Adventure: Sawtooth Mountains
The Sawtooth Mountains encompass an area of almost 680 square miles in central Idaho, and feature 50 or more peaks over 10,000 feet. The name “Sawtooth” derives from the jagged appearance of the mountains. The Sawtooths offer numerous recreational opportunities, including whitewater rafting, hiking, camping, fishing and more.
Recommended Hike: Iron Creek Trail to Sawtooth Lake
This is an amazing hike in the Sawtooths! At 9.6 miles roundtrip, it may seem long for many day hikers. However, the landscapes are constantly varied and always stunning. The miles go quickly. This trail is moderately difficult with about 1,800 feet of elevation gain. However, it’s so rewarding! I can’t say enough great things about this hike.
The trailhead is located at the Iron Creek Campground at the end of Forest Service Road 619. Parking is limited, so arrive early.
The hike starts out relatively flat for about 1.3 miles, as it travels through pine forest. Around the 3.2 mile point, the trail crosses a creek and begins to climb switchbacks. After 4 miles, you get your first glimpse of Alpine Lake. Walk down to the lake for a rest, snack and some photos, then resume the hike.
The last mile of the hike is up steeper and shorter switchbacks. Alpine Lake can often be seen glittering below. Around 4.8 miles, you come to your destination, beautiful Sawtooth Lake. You are first at the logjammed outflow area, where the downed logs are a great spot to sit and take in the lake.
Continue along the east shore of the lake on the North Fork Baron-Sawtooth Lake Trail for better views of the lake and the imposing Mount Regan. Finally, make your way back to the starting point at the Iron Creek trailhead by retracing your steps.
Redfish Lake Lodge and Marina
The Redfish Lake Lodge and Marina is about 12 miles from the Iron Creek Trailhead via the tiny town of Stanley.
The marina offers boat rentals and a hiker shuttle that traverses the beautiful Redfish Lake to the inlet. From the inlet, you catch trailheads for the Bench Lakes (6 miles roundtrip) and Alpine Lake (11 miles roundtrip) trails. The shuttle costs $24 r/t ($18 one way) and saves you up to 6 miles of hiking each way to reach the trailheads. Outbound shuttles run anytime there are 4 or more people ready to go. Return shuttles operate on a schedule. For more shuttle information including seasonal hours and return shuttle schedules, click here.
There are also other options for cruising the lake, including an appetizer cruise. See the dining section of the Redfish Lake Lodge website.
Since we had already hiked the ~10 mile Iron Creek to Sawtooth Lake trail that day, we enjoyed a scenic boat shuttle ride across the lake and walked to Lilly Pond once disembarking. The pond, known for being incredibly beautiful, was largely dried up in September when we visited. This was disappointing, but the trip across the lake was great although the day was extremely windy. We enjoyed exploring the shore before taking the shuttle back to the lodge.
The Redfish Lake Lodge offers rooms, cabins and suites and several restaurants. Follow the link to make reservations.
Whitewater Rafting
The Sawtooth Mountain area features world-class whitewater rafting. We visited after the season had closed. Check out Tripadvisor’s top whitewater rafting outfitters in the Sawtooths; it seems you can’t go wrong with any of them.
Kirkham Hot Springs
The Kirkham Hot Springs in the Boise National Forest are found along the South Fork Payette River 4.3 miles east of Lowman, Idaho. The thermal springs, which are open May-September, are easily accessible from the road and free to visit except for a $5/vehicle recreation pass. There are pools of different temperatures ranging from warm to scalding hot. Sit under the cascade of very hot water until you can’t stand it anymore! We visited early in the morning for a pre-breakfast dip.
Sawtooth Mountains Accommodation
For a funky, budget-friendly stay in the Sawtooths, look no further than Eagle Horizons Mountain Oasis. We found this gem on Airbnb.com (click for listing). It’s hosted by Carol, who runs it as a bed and breakfast. She knows a ton about the area and loves to share.
Rooms are adequate and feature Rocky Top Log Beds in a rustic setting. Breakfast is included and features Huckleberry Pancakes and Idaho Potato Crusted Veggie Quiche (also bacon when we stayed!).
Carol encourages help with cooking, setting the table, and cleaning up. Guests share their travel plans and experiences over communal meals.
Stanley
Stanley Idaho is a tiny town (population less than 200), but it is the jumping off point for a host of recreational activities. There are a handful of restaurants. We had dinner at Papa Brunee’s Pizza and Subs, which opened in 1988.
Ponderosa State Park – Payette Lake
We passed this scenic state park on our way from Stanley to White Bird, Idaho and stopped in to see the lovely Payette Lake and have a picnic. The park has campsites, some with hookups, and cabins in a variety of sizes.
Other Related Guides
Be sure to check out our Northern Idaho guide, guide to Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, our handy Idaho Itinerary spreadsheet you can customize to plan and budget your trip, and Scenic Drives of Central Idaho post (coming soon).