Explore Idaho

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.

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Washington Lake, in the White Cloud Wilderness Recreation Area, Idaho.
Explore the Best Hiking in Castle Rocks State Park Idaho. A young girl stands atop massive boulders inside the Castle Rocks State Park Idaho complex.
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Explore the Best Hiking in Castle Rocks State Park Idaho

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.

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August 15, 2020 No Comments
A view of alpine trees along the shore of upper Baron Lake in Idaho's Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
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P Idaho – Words That Start with P

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.

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August 1, 2020 2 Comments
Purple mountain lupien contrast with the dark and light green background at Tamarack Resort in Central Idaho.
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Idaho Resorts: Tamarack Resort

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.

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June 30, 2019 31 Comments
Fluffy white clouds form over layered mountains at the edge of Idaho's Cascade Lake, at Idaho's Cascade Lake State Park near Tamarack Resort and Donnelly, Idaho. The clouds reflect on the lake's surface, and marshy grasses are visible in the foreground.
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Lakes in Idaho – Lake Cascade State Park

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.

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August 2, 2020 3 Comments
A young girl hikes up a 45-degree sand dune at Bruneau Sand Dunes in Southwestern Idaho. Bruneau Sand Dunes is the tallest free-standing dune in North America.
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Camping in Idaho – Bruneau Sand Dunes

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.

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May 1, 2020 10 Comments
A wide-angle view of Henrys Lake at the inlet to the lake, from hiking trails that lead out from Idaho's Henrys Lake State Park. Reeds and other marshland vegetation grows in the foreground, and the Targhee National Forest and mountain range are visible in the distance.
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Fishing Henrys Lake

Try fishing Henrys Lake, Idaho, for some of the best Cutthroat Trout, Rocky Mountain Skulpin, Mountain whitefish, and more.

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June 26, 2020 2 Comments
Purple, pink, and yellow colors at sunrise at Henrys Lake State Park, Idaho, near the highway leading North to West Yellowstone, Montana, and Yellowstone National Park.
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Yellowstone Road Trip

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.

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July 20, 2019 6 Comments
Idaho's Snake River as seen from Massacre Rocks State Park. Sagebrush and a rocky ridge are visible on either bank of the river. The high desert region is home to many desert species and a thriving ecosystem.
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Idaho Campgrounds – Massacre Rocks State Park and the Oregon Trail

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.

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July 22, 2020 18 Comments
A young girl paddles her kayak across Henrys Lake in Northeastern Idaho, near Yellowstone National Park. She is silhouetted against the deep, blue water, and the sun shimmers and sparkles across the water. Blue sky and mountains can be seen in the distance, the edge of the Targhee National Forest.
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Henrys Lake State Park

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!

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June 25, 2020 63 Comments
The Milky Way
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Explore the Best Baron Lakes Idaho Hikes

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.

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September 1, 2020 No Comments
City of Rocks - Climbing Hiking Camping. Sunset over Idaho's Castle Rocks State Park and City of Rocks National Reserve.
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Enjoy the Best City of Rocks Idaho Camping

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.

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August 8, 2020 1 Comment
Red and yellow flames lick the charred black end of a burned log. The bright colors of the flame contrast against a dark black background and the blackened coals of a campfire at Cascade Lake State Park in Central Idaho.
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Best Camping in Idaho – Lake Cascade State Park

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.

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August 1, 2020 No Comments
The Great PNW - Camping, Hiking, Hot Springs, and Other Things to do in the PNW. A backpacker stands at the edge of Baron Lake in Idaho's Sawtooth Wilderness Recreation Area.

We Know How to Explore 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!

This is Idaho

A young girl hikes up a 45-degree sand dune at Bruneau Sand Dunes in Southwestern Idaho. Bruneau Sand Dunes is the tallest free-standing dune in North America.

Idaho Life • Explore Idaho