What to do and see in Idaho, United States: The Best Lookouts

March 3, 2022 Veronika Gaddis

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. Lindsay Creek Vineyards

3107 Powers Ave, Lewiston, ID 83501-7050 +1 208-746-9463 http://www.LCVineyards.com
Excellent
88%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
6%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 16 reviews

Lindsay Creek Vineyards

Reviewed By N9932MNmarkw - Boise, United States

Did a wine tour and the venue for this place is just down right amazing. Friendly people as well! Will be back!

2. Lookout Pass

Wallace, ID 83846
Excellent
61%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 44 reviews

Lookout Pass

Scenic drive through the mountains between Idaho and Montana.

Reviewed By workhardplayhard27 - Mantorville, United States

I have no experience with the ski side of things, but can definitely recommend their bicycle rental program during the summer months. We rented bikes to ride the Hiawatha Trail from Lookout Pass. We were able to get trail passes, shuttle tickets, and bike rentals all in one place. They were extremely helpful with all aspects...helping us find the trailhead, loading our bikes, and shuttling us back to the trailhead. The folks at Lookout Pass made our bike ride one of the best parts of our recent vacation.

3. Galena Summit

Highway 75, ID +1 208-727-5000
Excellent
67%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 15 reviews

Galena Summit

4. Thompson Pass

Nf-9, Murray, ID 83873
Excellent
67%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

Thompson Pass

5. Lewis & Clark Back Country ByWay

Idaho Highway 28, Salmon, ID 83467 https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/scnf/recarea/?recid=78594
Excellent
71%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7 reviews

Lewis & Clark Back Country ByWay

Reviewed By Q523TXtimothyb - Washington, United States

Lemhi Pass itself is beautiful but the lessons of courage, leadership hard work and pursuit of worthy goals are baked into the experience of visiting this important part of American history. I wish I had brought my children here. Before you get to Lemhi Pass read (or re-read) the background and decisions Louis & Clark faced as they arrived at Lemhi Pass. Without that context the pass is just another beautiful series of canyons and foothills.

6. Bonneville Point Interprative area.

Along an Old Indian trail, Boise, ID

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