What to do and see in Idaho, United States: The Best Nature & Wildlife Tours

November 15, 2021 Mikaela Didonna

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. Killgore Adventures Hells Canyon Jet Boat Trips & Fishing Trips

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5.0 based on 346 reviews

Killgore Adventures Hells Canyon Jet Boat Trips & Fishing Trips

We are Idaho's #1 outdoor adventure company. We provide scenic whitewater jet boat tours in Hells Canyon, guided fishing & hunting trips, & much more! When you go on a trip with Killgore Adventures, you are traveling with the locals. We are a family owned and operated business and our trips start right in the heart of Hells Canyon right where all the big whitewater begins. Captain Kurt Killgore has been driving jet boats for almost 18 years now, 15 of them commercially with 100% safety rate. Our main trip, the Wild River Tour, is six hours long where you go through the complete wild river section of the Snake River. The trip is 32 miles each way making four key stops and running all the whitewater rapids Hells Canyon has to offer. We go through Granite Creek and Wild Sheep Creek Rapids which are class 4/5 and numerous class 3 rapids along the tour which are exciting for everybody. Check out our video to learn more about the historical stops we make along the way, the lunches we provide our guests, the engines on our boats, and many other common questions our customers ask. We hope you will consider booking one of these exciting trips with us! #killgoreadventures

2. Dry Ridge Outfitters

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5.0 based on 66 reviews

Dry Ridge Outfitters

Let Dry Ridge Outfitters be your guide for a scenic Wyoming Horseback Ride. From Trail Rides to Pack Trips to Drop Camps, enjoy the beauty of a horseback ride in Yellowstone National Park, the Tetons or Harriman State Park.

3. Aggipah River Trips

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5.0 based on 31 reviews

Aggipah River Trips

Since 1977, we've been bringing families and friends together on Idaho's Salmon and Middle Fork Rivers. We're a local, multi-generation, family owned-and-operated company and our guides are chosen for their exceptional professionalism and river skills. Our trips are first class, meals are outstanding with locally-sourced ingredients. Safety and fun are our top priorities. You'll come away with a deeper understanding of Salmon River culture and a true western experience. Join us for a 1-6 day river adventure you'll never forget.

4. Salmon River Tours

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5.0 based on 27 reviews

Salmon River Tours

Jet Boat Tours and Lodge on the Salmon River, 1 day tours or all inclusive overnight wilderness escapes at the lodge. Adventure awaits at the end of the road just 28 miles from Riggins, Idaho. Salmon River Tours operates year around with scenic tours, fishing and lodge packages. Have lunch or stay the night at the historic China Bar Lodge or Ram House at Mackay Bar while enjoying the amazing Frank Church Wilderness and the Salmon River. Experience the historical sites, amazing wildlife, scenic views and adventure on our jet boat trips into the Idaho Wilderness.

5. Jess Lee Photography

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5.0 based on 6 reviews

Jess Lee Photography

Day tours for photography to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Why waste your precious time guessing about what you might find? We know what the current wildlife activity is and where. We will show you the best time, place, and how to capture the drama of the Yellowstone /Grand Teton landscape. Tap our knowledge, experience and daily scouting to know what to expect and where in this vast diversified area. All trips are limited to 1 to 5 people per Guide

6. Middle Fork Adventures

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5.0 based on 30 reviews

Middle Fork Adventures

Idaho's Family Outfitter, offering world class multi-day river trips on the Wild & Scenic Middle Fork Salmon River through the incomparable Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. Specializing in full-service trips, farm to table menu, & family fun!

7. Tied To Nature

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5.0 based on 38 reviews

Tied To Nature

Tied To Nature is a guided tour company in Yellowstone National Park. Offering wildlife, geology, photography, and custom tours in and around Yellowstone National Park.

8. ARTA River Trips

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5.0 based on 4 reviews

ARTA River Trips

Our Idaho operation runs trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon, Main Salmon, and the Selway Rivers. We are a non-profit river rafting organization with over 50 years of experience taking people on amazing journeys down the majestic rivers of the western United States. Our style is casual, our spirit is spontaneous and our guides are friendly, interesting, and engaging.

9. Long Drift Outfitters

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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Long Drift Outfitters

Long Drift Outfitters provides classic fly fishing experience on the Kootenai River in North Idaho. We float in classic wood drift boats. Experience Idaho best kept secret while floating through the beautiful and remote Kootenai River.

10. Feelin' Groovy Tours

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5.0 based on 5 reviews

Feelin' Groovy Tours

After a lengthy and fun career in public relations and marketing, Michelle traded her business suits for hiking boots so she could share the splendor of North Idaho with its happy plethora of summer visitors each year. What better way to bring miles of smiles to guests than in a vintage 1970's VW bus! As a Certified International Tour Manager and a Certified Interpretive Guide, Michelle's passion is delighting guests beyond their expectations and enlightening their journey every step of the way.

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