Top Things to do in Idaho
Top Hotels in Idaho
- 1. The Riverside Hotel, BW Premier Collection
- 2. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Boise Towne Square
- 3. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Coeur d Alene
- 4. Modern Hotel
- 5. My Place Hotel-Twin Falls, ID
- 6. Hampton Inn & Suites Boise-Downtown
- 7. Best Western Plus Coeur D'Alene Inn
- 8. The Grove Hotel
- 9. La Quinta by Wyndham Pocatello
- 10. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Twin Falls
Countries
Things to do in Idaho, United States: The Best State Parks
A mixture of forested mountains, alpine peaks, wildflower meadows, deep river canyons, and high plains deserts, Idaho is a paradise for golf, skiing, fly fishing, and river rafting. Boise, the capital, is the state's largest city and airline hub. North of Boise are golf, lake, and ski resorts from McCall in the south to Sandpoint and Coeur D'Alene in the north. East of Boise are the ski slopes of Ketchum and Sun Valley. East of Sun Valley are Craters of the Moon National Monument, Pocatello, Idaho Falls, and the small town of Island Park just across the border from Yellowstone National Park. Boise's Basque Museum and Cultural Center reflects having the largest Basque population in the U.S. Reflecting Idaho's diverse heritage, near the Idaho Historical Museum in Boise's Julia Davis Park is the Idaho Black History Museum's chronicle of the slave York who served the Lewis & Clark Expedition. After a family visit to the Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey and an outdoor performance at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, the next stop after Boise is likely to be Payette Lake in McCall or Sun Valley and Ketchum. About 100 miles north of Boise, past Cascade Lake, McCall takes you to the shores of Payette Lake. Go golfing, fishing, hiking, biking, waterskiing, sailing, boating, or whitewater river rafting. Ski or snowshoe Brundage Mountain or Tamarack Resorts, as well as Ponderosa State Park in winter. Ice skate year-round at Manchester Ice & Event Centre. About 450 miles north of Boise, there are resort lakes near skiing and golf at Coeur d'Alene, Hayden Lake, and Sandpoint. Golf, tennis, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, rafting, and hunting are popular in Sun Valley and Ketchum. Sockeye salmon may no longer do much spawning in Redfish Lake, but the boating and mountain scenery in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area make the short trip north to Stanley worthwhile. When the snows come the whole family will head for the slopes of Soldier Mountain, Bald Mountain, Dollar Mountain, or the Sun Valley Resort. A tiny forested town of about 250 people, Island Park has a large reservoir with fishing and boating, as well as Henry's Fork of the Snake River for fly fishing. It's only 15 miles from Yellowstone as well.
Restaurants in Idaho
1. Lake Walcott State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By taniad444 - Santa Clara, United States
We had a great visit here-our two families meeting up from Boise (3hour drive) and Idaho Falls (2hour Drive). It’s about 20 minutes off the freeway. Beautiful, well maintained state park and we saw a tiny snake, squirrels, a deer, a pelican, and many other birds. Large playground area, full basketball court, spacious frisbee golf course, numerous picnic tables spread out for privacy and in the shade. Flush toilets in the bathrooms. No “beach area” or sand but younger ones were able to wade right off the grass easily. We went on a Wednesday in June and only saw a handful of people all day, only one motor boat, and two fishing boats, until about 5:30 when there were a few more people around. Other posts have complained of bugs. We saw none down by the water and only saw some swarms in the parking lot as we loaded up at 6:30-so it may depend on time of day. In 2020 water fountains were off be because of COVID so bring extra water bottles. We had a great, fun day!
2. Old Mission State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 68 reviews
The Old Mission (Mission of the Sacred Heart) is the oldest standing building in Idaho.
Reviewed By Queenjjd - Washington, United States
This is a great stop along I-90 to learn about Idaho history and to stretch your legs. I have been there several times, but wanted to share it with my daughter. It is a very simple mission church full of rich Pacific NW history and the oldest standing building in Idaho. Several important people stayed there on their way through the PNW. The museum house is interesting to walk through. You can almost see the priests who lived there. It has a dirt walking trail with informational historical markers as well as an very small old cemetery. We thought we would stop for less than an hour and ended up spending an hour and a half. We didn't even make it to the visitor's center.
3. Henry's Lake State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
Camping site located a few miles from Yellowstone National Park.
Reviewed By mysugarpie - Tulsa, United States
Beautiful views of the mountains and crystal clear lake formed 50,000 years ago from two glaciers. The sites were well spaced. Some back in and pull thru. Some with fulll hookups. Lots of trails. Level, paved pad and roads. The restroom facilities were modern and clean. There were ample pet stations. The park was clean and quiet, but not many trees. It is two miles from main road. The staff was very nice. Would highly recommend.
4. Hiawatha Mountain Bike Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 360 reviews
Originally the route of the Hiawatha train, this trail was constructed on the old railbed and was completed in 2001.
Reviewed By gottavaca - Yorktown, United States
Based on recent reviews that I have read, folks have different expectations of trails. We TOTALLY loved this trail! We went the last day of the season (Sept 23) and loved everything about the trail and views. It was all down hill, very easy ride, super scenic and just down right run. A couple of mule deer even decided to pop out of the woods and join us. We traveled to Wallace from the east coast for two nights just to be able to experience this and we are so glad we did. I have a lot of allergies and my eyes were burning at various times because of the strong cedar/pine smells but I didn't care. It was great to be outside and witness such beauty. We rented our bikes/helmets and shuttle/trail passes online from the ski lodge. The only negative was the unfriendly attitude of several young female workers at the lodge. Everything else was an A+++. We thought the trail was perfect and really didn't see much repair needed.
5. Ponderosa State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 280 reviews
Located just 1.5 miles from downtown McCall, Ponderosa State Park is a year round destination park. Covering a thousand-acre peninsula that juts into Payette Lake, this picturesque state park offers guided walks with naturalists, campfire programs and camping facilities. During winter months the park has groomed Nordic Ski trails and snowshoe trals.
Reviewed By 517darcyn - Eagle, United States
We snow ❄️ shoe here in the winter, there are trails just for people with dogs ????! So great The summer and fall we bike here, lots of trails and views of the lake.
6. Lucky Peak State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 91 reviews
Reviewed By jonesjjj - Melbourne, Australia
So much to see and a variety of landscapes. Snow capped mountains, and deer. Many areas available to stop and take photos. Good roads. Picnic by the lake, with clean amenities.
7. Farragut State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 235 reviews
Reviewed By whereisrick - Hayden, United States
While we have visited Farragut often for hiking or snowshoeing this was our first time camping there. We stayed in Snowberry Campground and really enjoyed ourselves. The sites had power and water and were spaced a good distance apart. Warm during the day and cool at night. So much to do there. Lake Pend O’Reille has great boating and fishing. Hiking, disc golf, Tree to Tree obstacle course and do much more. The history of the park is unique being the 2nd largest naval training base during WW2 with the current Brig Museum doing a great job of showing life there 75 years ago.
8. Malad Gorge State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 73 reviews
Reviewed By back2idaho - Caldwell, United States
This gorge is partially visible from the freeway as you speed by. But, take a few minutes and exit the freeway to really see this "hidden" treasure of a gorge. There is a pedestrian bridge (almost right below the interstate bridge) that allows you to view the Devil's Washbowl stairstep falls, as well as the stunning springtime waterfall jumping out from the cliffs a bit down the canyon. A lot of WOW for a few minutes of invested time. The canyon walls, and the river below you, are a beautiful sight even without the seasonal waterfall. There are other short hikes available for further views, but since we didn't take them, can not comment other than to check them out if you have time. Also in this park, are a restroom, a picnic area, and lot lot of room to stretch your legs...or your dogs legs.
9. Castle Rocks State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By P9399ACmariew
We camped at Smoky Mountain campground for 3 nights, hiking one day in Castle Rocks SP, hiked one day in City of Rocks, and rode mountain bikes from the campground on a fun single track trail into the City of Rocks eastern area. What a lovely part of Idaho, our home state! The campground is well kept and tidy, although showers weren't available due to Covid-19 precautions. We liked that there were lots of pinyon & juniper trees that allowed a bit of privacy from other campsites. I can't say enough how much we enjoyed our hike on the Castle Rocks trail Inner Loop to the high point of 6720'. The rock formations are stunning, wildflowers were in full bloom and small creeks running. A truly unique environment. Just to let Idaho residents know: if you purchase a $10 State Park pass when you renew your annual license plate tags, admission to this park is free.
10. Hells Gate State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 136 reviews
Hells Gate lies on river bottom left over from the great ice age floods about 15,000 years ago. At the south end of the park are basaltic columns from the Pomona flows 14 million years ago. Hells Gate State Park was once the site of a Nez Perce Village. Little is left of the village, but depressions south of the campground are the remnants of pit houses used for years by the Nez Perce as they fished for lamprey near Asotin Creek.
Reviewed By 916lucreciaf - Salem, United States
spacious, clean sites with full hookups. restrooms clean. right on the river with large shade trees. Bike trail goes into Lewiston and on other side of river.
