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

January 31, 2022 Darwin Bolte

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. Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Boise by Operation City Quest

150 N Capitol Blvd, Boise, ID 83702, USA Operation City Quest Scavenger Hunt of Boise
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Walk around Boise while completing the Operation City Quest scavenger hunt. Use an app to find a list of objects around the city and participate in fun challenges for points. Collect points and take a look at your score compared to others around the country! All our Scavenger hunts have a live remote host to help along the way. Come out and explore with us in Boise

Inclusions: All Activities, GST (Goods and Services Tax), 2 hours with a remote interactive guide

Exclusions: Use of Activity-owned smartphone, Private transportation

2. Private Yellowstone Old Faithful and Lower Loop Tour

Tied To Nature
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5.0 based on 15 reviews

Spending the day on Yellowstone’s lower loop will give you an opportunity to experience the best of what Yellowstone has to offer. A long the way stop and see the famous Old Faithful Geyser as it erupts 150 feet into the air. Walk along the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and view the Lower Falls as water plunges 300 feet into the canyon. Visit the colorful hot springs and other thermal features at one of the many geyser basins including Fountain Paint Pots, Black Sand Geyser Basin, and Wet Thumb Geyser Basin. Watch for bison, elk, bears, wolves and numerous other animals in Hayden Valley and other wildlife hotspots. This is the recommended tour if you just have one day and want to see the best of Yellowstone.

Inclusions: Picnic style lunch including a sandwich, drink, chips, and a snack., Use of binoculars and a spotting scope. , Snacks

Exclusions: Tips, Yellowstone National Park Pass.

Reviewed By 236joant

Adam Brunaker provided an unforgettable experience in Yellowstone National Park for our family on our April vacation. We saw newborn bison known as red dogs, wolves, a bear and other animals we never would have without Adam’s situation awareness, expertise and trained eye. Adam provided a comprehensive view of the Park in a safe and comfortable environment. I highly recommend Tied to Nature.

3. Salmon River Thrill Seeker

Orange Torpedo Trips | Riggins Idaho River Rafting Trips, 1512 N Main St, Riggins, ID 83549, USA Orange Torpedo Trips
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5.0 based on 4 reviews

The Salmon River Thrill Seeker is the best way to experience the incredible variety of options on our beautiful River.  In the morning paddle yourself in an inflatable kayak through the pristine pools and moderate whitewater of the morning section above Riggins Idaho. If you are lucky the group will paddle past Big Horn Sheep running on the cliffs above the river and see a bald eagle soaring overhead. Our guides will teach you the skills and show you the lines, but paddling through will be all you, and you can certainly do it!  Our custom designed kayaks and knowledgable guides will help make sure you have the tools you need to become an inflatable kayaker. Mid-day the group paddles into our shop in Riggins where everyone walks up to the lawn to enjoy a nice relaxing BBQ lunch with a view overlooking the river. During lunch the group swaps out gear and prepares to raft as a group through the bigger class III and even class IV rapids of the afternoon section of the Salmon River. This trip includes numerous large rapids like the huge waves of Time Zone, tight squeeze, Traps and black rock. The Salmon River thrill seeker is the trip for the group who can’t decide on the experience they want so they choose to do it all.  Sign up today and come out to experience the best parts of going on the river; taking on new challenges paddling yourself and having the chance to work with your friends and family together in one boat.

Inclusions: All equipment, Food and drinks, Lunch, Trip includes, guided service

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By kyler66

Great trip with Orange Torpedo! Our guide Gabe was super friendly and knowledgeable. What a fun and beautiful adventure! Highly recommended.

4. Guided Off-Road Vehicle Tours in North Idaho Forests

1902 E Sherman Ave, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814, USA Adventure Sport Rentals
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5.0 based on 5 reviews

Enjoy a beautiful, adrenaline spiked off road ride through the North Idaho forest. Most tours observe three different alpine lakes (Fernan Lake, Coeur d'Alene Lake, and Haydend Lake). We provide atvs or utvs for guided tours. Participants can drive solo or up to 4 people in a utv. Our expert guides help you have a great time by matching routes to driver skill and showing the best viewpoints.

Inclusions: Water and a light snack included

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Reviewed By 546hannahp

My husband and I rented an RZR 1000 with tracks. The whole process was very smooth. They got the RZR loaded up and we followed to the trailhead. Once at the trailhead, they unloaded it for us and gave us a trail map on a tablet. This was extremely helpful as it tracks your location and shows the path where you have been. The snow was beautiful and we had no problems with the machine.

5. Private Yellowstone Wildlife Sightseeing Tour

Island Park, ID, USA Tied To Nature
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5.0 based on 13 reviews

Spend the day looking for wildlife throughout Yellowstone, focusing on Yellowstone’s Northern loop. You will visit areas such as Lamar or Haden Valley for the chance to see bears, wolves, coyotes, bison, elk, and pronghorn. You will also explore river corridors, valleys, forests, and other habitats looking for other animals including, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, river otters, and other species. While traveling through these area you will also have a chance to enjoy the scenic vistas these animals call home. (This trip is your best chance to see a bear or wolf but no guarantees.)

Inclusions: Binoculars , Spotting Scope, Choose between a roast beef, turkey, ham, veggie, and a pb&j sandwich as part of your picnic style lunch., Snacks, Bottled water, Soda/Pop, Private transportation, Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Gratuities, Yellowstone National Park Pass

Reviewed By Amy J

We were absolutely thrilled with Tied To Nature and Adam Brubaker's tour. He is so knowledgeable and connected to what is going on at Yellowstone. When you take his tour, he is in contact with which animals are where, when the next time Old Faithful is going to go off, so we saw everything with hardly any down time. His enthusiasm and love for nature is palpable. We saw hundreds of bison, elk, the Great Gray Owl, and Bears! We got fantastic photos because he allowed us to put our cell phones onto his telescope. He explained so much about this majestic and magical park. We recommend this tour company highly! And do your tour at the beginning of your trip so that you get the most out of your whole trip. We were lucky we got in because of someone else canceling. We went during Covid-19 and felt very safe on a private tour with just our group.

6. ATV Rental in Scenic North Idaho Coeur d'Alene

1902 E Sherman Ave, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814, USA Adventure Sport Rentals
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

Adventure Sport Rentals is the only licensed outfitter offering atv and utv tours in the Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls area.

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Reviewed By 546hannahp

My husband and I rented an RZR 1000 with tracks. The whole process was very smooth. They got the RZR loaded up and we followed to the trailhead. Once at the trailhead, they unloaded it for us and gave us a trail map on a tablet. This was extremely helpful as it tracks your location and shows the path where you have been. The snow was beautiful and we had no problems with the machine.

7. Boise Scavenger Hunt: Hidden Treasures

700 W Jefferson St, Boise, ID 83720, USA Let's Roam Boise
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Let’s Roam is the #1 app-led scavenger hunt company. Walk to all the best landmarks and hidden gems, answering trivia questions and solving challenges. Work with your team or compete against them, as you learn new facts and create memorable experiences. Let’s Roam Scavenger Hunts are great as an everyday activity, or for bachelorette parties, birthday parties, corporate team building events and more! Each player chooses an interactive role, with challenges varying by person.

Inclusions: All taxes, fees and handling charges, Digital Copies of your scavenger hunt photos, Local taxes

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Transportation to/from attractions

8. 1/2 Day Afternoon Rafting Trip

411 N Main St, Riggins, ID 83549, USA Mountain River Outfitters
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5.0 based on 6 reviews

Journey down one of the most popular whitewater rafting trips on the famous Salmon River. Our experienced guides will take you through exhilarating rapids such as Time Zone, Tight Squeeze, Black Rock, Ladder and more. You also have time to relax and swim, plus we have drinks, snacks and our famous cookies. Most trips stop on a beach to enjoy the warm sand and water or hear about the history of the canyon at an interpretive site.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Snacks and Pop

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Reviewed By Gina K

First of all to the person who wrote a negative review on the guide named Jess, I fished with him a couple of years ago and he is very experienced fishing guide! I got a beautiful 35 inch 20? lbs wild steelhead ! Jess was a no nonsense guy, passionate about getting some fish in the boat! A couple of days ago my daughter and I got to fish 2 days with his son Peyton. It was rainy, windy cold and got some hail, but we fished hard and had a blast! My daughter got a wild steelhead even bigger than mine! These guys are the best on the river! Thanks guys, we will be back!!

9. Full-Day Whitewater Rafting Trip in Salmon River with Lunch

Riggins City Park, Riggins, ID 83549, USA Rubicon Outfitters
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Treat yourself to a full-day with our entertaining river guides floating down 22 miles of heart-pumping Salmon River rapids of Ruby and Lake Creek surrounded by scenic beauty. The trip course travels Spring Bar to Lucile where you, your friends, and family can escape the rat race, work on your tan, or punctuate the family vacation. The 22-mile, 8-hour float is a perfect fit for adventure-seekers or leisurely family fun. Stop riverside for a catered beach lunch, swimming, and frisbee.

Inclusions: Lunch, Soda/Pop, All necessary rafting equipment included such as paddle, life jacket, etc.

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Reviewed By michelleoZ2624IL

Bobbi was our guide and was wonderful! She gave us (my boyfriend, Ken, and I, it was just us!) great information about the river, we felt safe, had a great time and WILL go again!

10. 2-Hours Guided Segway Tour in Coeur d'Alene

1618 E Lakeside Ave, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814, USA Tour Coeur d'Alene
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5.0 based on 73 reviews

We keep our tours small and limit them to a max of just 8 guests. Our professional guides know the area well and enjoy sharing their historical knowledge of Couer d'Alene and various landmarks. We utilize FM radio headsets so you can listen in comfort without having the guide yelling info back ata you. Our guides will take photos and videos during your tour and they will be made available to you free of charge for downloading. Each guest is provided with a complimentary bottle of water and rain poncho if needed. Your safety is of paramount importance to us and we provide a hands on safety course. Segways are self balancing and easy to ride. We will not depart until you are completely comfortable and confident with the operation of the Segway.

Inclusions: Bottled water is provided for each rider, Fm Audio Receiver for the guided narration with disposable earbuds , Disposable rain ponchos for inclement weather, Free photo and video downloads from your tour

Exclusions: Segway Damage Protection Coverage Optional with additional cost $5 per person, Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Reviewed By baloo5181

What an amazing time. Very easy to learn basic skills on a Segway with the training and practice prior to departure. Great route, great information, great adventure!

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