Idaho: 23 places to see, from Boise to Shoshone Falls

Explore Idaho's natural wonders across, featuring the state's most stunning landscapes including pristine mountain ranges, waterfalls, and alpine lakes. The route highlights key destinations like Boise, the state capital, and major waterways including the Snake River and Boise River that define Idaho's geography.

Mode
Places
Start
Welcome to Idaho
End
St. Anthony Sand Dunes
Stops
23
Video author
travmap
Updated

Stops on this route

  1. Welcome to Idaho — Gateway entrance celebrating Idaho's natural heritage and outdoor recreation opportunities across the state's diverse landscapes.
  2. Idaho State Capitol — Neoclassical government building in Boise featuring a distinctive dome and housing Idaho's legislative chambers since 1920.
  3. Snake River — Largest tributary of Columbia River originating in Wyoming, flowing across southern Idaho and forming the Oregon-Idaho border.
  4. Boise River — 102-mile tributary of Snake River flowing through Boise with walking paths, parks, and popular summer rafting and tubing activities.
  5. Payette Lake — Glacial lake in West Central Idaho at 5,181 ft elevation, celebrated for stunning beauty and water sports including swimming and sailing.
  6. Henryk's Fork Lake — Pristine mountain lake renowned for exceptional fly-fishing and surrounded by wilderness ideal for backcountry exploration.
  7. Twin Falls — Dramatic 186-foot waterfall cascading into a canyon, creating one of Idaho's most iconic natural attractions.
  8. Shoshone Falls — Stunning 212-foot waterfall near Twin Falls surpassing Niagara Falls in height, dubbed the Niagara of the West with recreational facilities.
  9. Perrine Bridge — Eighth tallest bridge in US at 486 ft above Snake River Canyon, completed 1976, unique for permitting base jumping without permit.
  10. Salmon Falls Dam — Constructed in 1910 for irrigation and flood control, creating reservoir known as top fishing spot in southern Idaho.
  11. Sun Valley — Year-round recreation and premier ski resort at 5,750 ft along Big Wood River, developed by Union Pacific in 1936.
  12. Ann Morrison Park — Riverside park in Boise offering recreation facilities, swimming, and scenic views along the Boise River corridor.
  13. Bonners Ferry — Historic border town in northern Idaho serving as a gateway to pristine forests and recreational waterways.
  14. The Lochsa River — Wild and scenic river corridor traversed by highways offering whitewater rafting, fishing, and old-growth forest views.
  15. Sawtooth Range — Dramatic mountain chain featuring jagged peaks, alpine lakes, and extensive hiking trails throughout central Idaho.
  16. Magic Reservoir — Mountain lake in central Idaho providing excellent fishing, boating, and camping amid scenic reservoir landscapes.
  17. Idaho Falls — Hydroelectric waterfall on the Snake River creating a picturesque cityscape with visitor access and recreation areas.
  18. Idaho Falls Idaho Temple — Distinctive white limestone temple completed in 1945, notable for its architectural design and cultural significance.
  19. Lake Coeur d’Alene — Beautiful mountain lake in northern Idaho famous for clear waters, scenic shorelines, and year-round recreation opportunities.
  20. Lava Hot Springs — Natural geothermal hot springs in southeastern Idaho where mineral-rich waters provide year-round bathing and wellness experiences.
  21. Upper Mesa Falls — Spectacular 114-foot waterfall on the Henry's Fork River accessible via scenic boardwalk trail through forest.
  22. Redfish lake — Stunning alpine lake in the Sawtooth Range known for crystal-clear waters and dramatic mountain backdrop scenery.
  23. St. Anthony Sand Dunes — Vast volcanic sand dunes spanning thousands of acres, popular for off-road vehicle recreation and desert exploration.

Useful for your trip

Timing
Visit Shoshone Falls during spring and early summer when water flows are at their peak due to winter snow melt.
Tip
The Perrine Bridge is the only bridge in the US that permits base jumping without requiring a permit.
Where to stay
Boise State University offers riverside dormitories with more than 2,000 beds on a 285-acre campus in the heart of the capital.
Tip
The Boise State Capitol is the only state capital in the US that utilizes geothermal heating, drawing water from 3,000 ft underground.
Transport
To reach Magic Reservoir, head south on Highway 75 past the junction with Highway 20, then turn west onto East Magic Reservoir Road.
Timing
McCall has the highest average snowfall in Idaho, making it popular for winter snowmobiling and skiing activities.
Tip
Float on rafts and tubes down the Boise River during summer—a local right of passage. The river is sparkling clean with a lovely walking path.
Tip
Henryk's Fork Lake is renowned for exceptional trout fishing, particularly for cutbow hybrid trout, considered one of the best trout fisheries in the west.
Timing
Ice fishing at Magic Reservoir is particularly popular during winter months.
Tip
The Lochsa River offers miles of white water paddling alongside Scenic Highway 12 northeast of Lowell, accessible for day trips.
Tip
Spirit Lake is one of only two lakes in the world with a sealed bottom, offering boating and fishing in summer and ice fishing in winter.
Tip
Lava Hot Springs offers natural hot springs with mineral-rich, odorless water and inner tube runs warmed by nearby hot springs, open year-round.

Video on this route

Wonders of Idaho | The Most Amazing Places in Idaho | Travel Video 4K

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