Idaho is all about the great outdoors, exploring nature, and enjoying outdoor recreation. Soak in the best natural hot springs in the West. Ski and snowboard the state’s many winter recreation areas. Backpack some of the most remote wilderness areas in the lower 48 states. Camp in your tent, RV, trailer, or bivy sack in some of the best state and federal campgrounds out there. Fish alpine lakes. Cycle your way around the state. Hike North America’s highest sand dunes. Climb in the City of Rocks National Reserve. Live your best Idaho Life. Explore Idaho with the Mod Fam.
Pine Flats Hot Springs is a great mix of accessible and remote, undeveloped but comfortable. The short hike keeps the crowds down, but the trail is maintained and easy to moderate, depending on weather conditions.
One of the state parks along the Snake River basin is Bruneau Sand Dunes, the surprising location of North America’s tallest free-standing sand dunes, kept in place by near-constant opposing winds. The Dunes state park also has an interpretive center observatory and day-use area if you’re not planning to stay overnight.
While camping at Massacre Rocks State Park, hike along the Snake River canyon and sections of the Oregon and California Trails. Experience the rich history of the Po’hogwe Trail and learn about the Shoshone people who first inhabited this area of Idaho. Visit nearby attractions in American Falls and fish near the historic American Falls hydroelectric dam, now managed by Idaho Power.
The best hiking in Castle Rocks State Park Idaho starts at the Castle Rocks Ranch Unit and the Stines Creek Picnic Area. Within the Ranch Unit, you can explore the 2-mile Backyard Boulders Loop. Or venture further into the geological complex toward Eagle Rock Grove, Shark’s Fin, and Brackenbury Gulch. Keep reading for trail maps and our pick for the best easy day hike, the Backyard Boulders Trail.
For the best hikes near Stanley Idaho, check out the White Cloud Wilderness and the Chamberlain Lakes. Starting with an easy hike to Fourth of July and Washington Lakes, the increasingly difficult loop takes you high into alpine country below Castle Peak.
Lake Cascade provides ample boating, fishing, and water sport opportunities, with access on all sides of the lake. Boat ramps at multiple campgrounds and access points make it easy to get out on the lake. And fishing spots all around Lake Cascade offer access to Rainbow Trout, Coho Salmon, Smallmouth Bass, Perch, and more. This Idaho lake provides year-round recreation. Keep reading below for more information about our top picks for outdoor activities at Lake Cascade.
Lake Cascade offers some of the very best camping in Idaho. Centrally located, Lake Cascade State Park is one of Idaho’s largest state park complexes. It offers year-round activities and 10 different campgrounds around the lake. Whether you come to boat, fish, and water ski or relax along the shore, Lake Cascade has amenities for all types of outdoor recreation and activities.
Enjoy the best City of Rocks Idaho Camping at Castle Rocks State Park. Located just outside of the National Reserve, the state campground offers a full range of amenities and quick access to the Reserve and nearby Almo, the visitor’s center, and Durfee Hot Springs.
Explore the best Baron Lakes Idaho hikes with our backpacking guide. Our favorite 25 mile route begins at the Grandjean Campground Trailhead before winding up along Baron Creek to the three Baron Lakes. Camp along a dramatic ridge or push through to the lakes for your first night. And enjoy unobstructed views of the stars from these 8,000 foot alpine lakes.
Explore Idaho National Parks and the City of Rocks National Reserve. Hike, backpack, climb, bike, and ride your way through this scenic geological area. Get all the best recommendations and trip ideas here.
Day 1 on our trip to Yellowstone: Today we are driving across Idaho from Boise to Henrys Lake State Park. After a short detour in the desert, we set up camp near West Yellowstone at midnight.
Hike trails around the lake and the surrounding mountains. Kayak and fish along the marshy inlet or out into the lake. Camp in any of the park’s reservable spots for RVs, trailers, and tents. Click any link in our table of contents above to find information, resources, and recommendations for the best place to camp near Yellowstone, Henrys Lake State Park!
Try fishing Henrys Lake, Idaho, for some of the best Cutthroat Trout, Rocky Mountain Skulpin, Mountain whitefish, and more.
Tamarack has always been a beautiful spot in Central Idaho; the latest investment and change in ownership will kick-start the next phase, bringing more vacationers and tourists to the area. All that to say now is the time to make an offer on property if you’re thinking of buying a summer cottage or winter ski destination home in the mountains of Idaho.
P Idaho – Idaho is known for Potatoes. But that’s just scratching the proverbial surface of Idaho’s possibilities and potential when it comes to the letter P. Idaho offers peaks and powder. And pints. And pubs. And don’t forget pioneers, Pinot Noir, and Ponderosa Pine. Join us on our photographic portal to P Idaho.
If you want to know about Idaho, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve been exploring Idaho most of our lives. And we’ve put together some of our favorite recommendations so you can get right to the good stuff. Backpack the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and the Cecil D. Andrus-White Cloud Wilderness. Soak in hot springs near Boise, Stanley, Challis, and the rest of the state. Bike Tamarack and cycle the Boise Greenbelt. Ski, snowboard, hike, run, and climb your Idaho Life. Click on any of our Exploring Idaho posts above, or use the menu above to plan your next Idaho Adventure.
Explore Idaho Life with our helpful resource guides. We’ve packed our Idaho Guides full of recommendations for the BEST outdoor recreation. Explore Idaho’s vast wilderness areas. Experience the state’s growing urban areas. Expand your perspective of the Gem State. From hiking and backpacking to camping state and federal parks, we’ve filled our guides full of useful, relevant information. Get all the information you need to plan your next hike, route, or trip. Explore Idaho with the Mod Fam and come explore Idaho with us!
