This post may contain affiliate links. We may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase. Read Disclosure.
When we travel, we love to find hidden secrets and discover destinations on the road less traveled, which is exactly what we found on our visit to Idaho.
This state isn’t the most popular state to visit, with many people assuming it’s nothing but potato farms and ranches, but it’s actually full of surprises. In amongst the small towns where people assume you’re lost, you’ll find untouched wilderness, craggy mountain peaks of the Rocky Mountains, and bountiful opportunities for outdoor adventures such as rafting and fishing.
To experience a richer USA story filled with adventures, pristine beauty, and lively cultural experiences, you’ll want to visit Idaho.
We loved horse riding in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho
Idaho is still considered a hidden gems for us. We didn’t visit Idaho until 2019, and we didn’t really have a desire to travel there to begin with simply because we did not know any better.
Then we saw some pictures on Macs Explore, and my interest was piqued. So we visited, and I fell in love, and we know you will too.
If you don’t believe me, here are all the reasons to fall in love with Idaho!
1. Idaho borders two spectacular National Parks
Yellowstone National Park
Did you know that Yellowstone National Park is also in Idaho? It’s only 1% of the park, but it’s still there. The Idaho section is comprised of the Island Park Caldera, which stretches into the Western section of the park.
It’s one of the world’s largest calderas and is filled with beautiful forests and stunning rivers and home to wildlife such as moose, elk, deer, pronghorn, and wolves.
Just a short drive from the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming is the Teton Valley, which is the Idaho side of this magnificent Grand Teton Mountain Range.
Grand Tetons
It’s known as the quiet side of the Tetons and offers views that are just as good as the Wyoming side, with plenty of other nearby places to enjoy like Swan Valley, Mesa Falls, and of course, rafting on the Teton River.
2. Outdoor adventures on 60% Federally Protected Land
Biking the famous Route of the Hiawatha Trail
Having just over 60% of an entire state federally protected is a BIG deal and one of the reasons Idaho is so pristine and full of outdoor adventure.
Idaho’s landscape is vastly different to what you’d experience anywhere else. You can move through areas of high mountain ranges to wildflower filled meadows, crystal clear alpine lakes, rivers filled with hot springs, and miles of caves and fields made from long ago erupting lava.
There are endless recreation opportunities year-round throughout Idaho’s 12 million acres of BLM-managed public land.
Redfish Lake, Stanley
Take your pick from skiing down powdery slopes, paddle boarding on glacial lakes, soaking in steaming natural springs, mountain bike riding spectacular trails, or hiking forested trails.
Its ruggedness lends itself to unobstructed and raw adventures that you can experience without long lines and crowds typical of other popular outdoor adventure regions in the USA.
3. A fascinating volcanic story
Craters of the Moon National Monument
Did you know that Idaho has a fascinating volcanic tale to tell?
The Idaho mountains are split by a wide valley known as the Snake River Plain. Much of this landscape was once volcanic, as massive eruptions associated with the Yellowstone Hot Spot blasted their way across the state over the past 20 million years, flattening the mountains.
The impressive and lunar-like Craters of the Moon National Monument is a fantastic place to learn this tale and see it firsthand.
Craters of the Moon National Monument
This region was created by a handful of lava flows, which oozed out of fissures along the Great Rift. The Great Rift is a series of deep cracks that start near the visitor center and stretch 52 miles (84 km.) to the southeast.
It created hotspots and calderas all the way to its youngest hotspot, Yellowstone National Park. I loved being able to gain this insight into the creation of this landscape that is connected to Yellowstone – one of the coolest national parks I’ve ever visited.
The weird and wonderful Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve includes 618 square miles of cinder cones, lava tubes, tree molds, lava rivers, spatter cones, and lava beds.
Walking the Lava Trail 
Craters of the Moon National Monument
Disneyland could never create anything as magical and unique as this!
Video: Craters of the Moon National Monument
4. The most hot springs in the USA
Snake Pit Hot Springs, Stnaley
Something we don’t get to experience often is hot springs. Idaho has hundreds of natural hot springs – more than any other state – thanks to the natural fault line running underneath it.
Many will be absent of people. Almost all will have a view to rave about. And many of the best Idaho hot springs are located between Challis and Stanley sitting right beside the Salmon River Scenic Byway, and experiencing them is one of the top things to do in Idaho.
Sunbeam hot springs
Look for a small pool bordered by river rocks and the steam rising from the side of the rushing cold river.
5. Stunning scenic byways and drives
Salmon River Scenic Byway
Are you ready to take front row seat for some of Idaho’s most breathtaking views and mountain scenery?
Idaho has a whopping 31 scenic bywayscrisscrossing the country. It’s rare for a state to have so many, which speaks to Idaho’s untouched wilderness experience.
A scenic byway is a road that exhibits one of more six qualities – scenic, natural historic, recreational, archeological, or cultural – that contributes to a unique travel experience.
Stanley is the only place in the USA that has three National Scenic Byways leading to it. No wonder Stanley is one of our favorite regions in the country.
Fun Fact: Stanley often sees some of the coldest temperatures in Continental USA!
Gorgeous scenery on the road in Idaho
Steaming natural hot springs beside the rushing river, craggy mountain peaks, ghost towns, sparkling glacial lakes, and endless starry skies are just part of the reason to make this road trip.
The Salmon River Scenic Byway made our best road trips in the USA list.
Video: Salmon River Scenic Byway Video
See for yourself how stunning this Idaho road trip is. Don’t miss any of our videos. Subscribe to our Youtube channel.
6. Idaho is perfect for star gazing
Schweitzer Mountain night sky | Photo Credit: Idaho Tourism
Idaho’s rural landscape and lack of light pollution makes it a nighttime wonderland for star gazing. Idaho is also home to USA’s first International Dark Sky Reserve, one of only 13 in existence.
The Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve includes the cities of Ketchum, Sun Valley and Stanley along with the Sawtooth National Recreation area.
What does this mean for you?
Well, this recognition is only given to the darkest of night skies, which means, you can easily see the Milky Way, the Andromeda Galaxy, meteor shows planets and other astral wonders – even just with your own two eyes!
Craters of the Moon National Monument is also a Dark Sky Park. With its lunar like landscape, it’s the perfect place to camp, and star gaze.
7. Surprisingly great coffee
Vault Coffee Shop in Coeur d’Alene
Let’s talk about the importance of good coffee. A common complaint from an Australian visiting the USA is the difficulty of finding a good cup of coffee – and we’re guilty of complaining about this too!
We consistently experience the pain of this so will celebrate any destination that serves up a latte (or flat white) that gives us a taste of home. Tip: You’ll rarely find a flat white in the USA. Latte is the closest to it.
Surprisingly, during our Idaho trip we consistently found good coffee in Idaho, and they receive numerous mentions of being a state growing its third wave coffee culture cred.
Just what is this exactly?
It’s tossing out that second wave, gross Starbucks no-love-in a cup, and replacing it with quality coffees nurtured with love, sustainable beans, and innovative brew methods.
Just two of the several Idaho coffee shops I’ll mention where we’ve enjoyed an excellent coffee include Vault Coffee in Coeur d’Alene.
Vault coffee in Coeur d’Alene
And Evans Brothers Coffee in Sandpoint and Coeur d’Alene.
Evans Brothers, Sandpoint
When you visit Idaho, be sure to ask a local’s advice on where to find the best cup wherever you are traveling, especially in the cities in Idaho. It should be easy to find in Boise, Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint.
8. Amazing craft beer and cider scene
Crafted Tap House + Kitchen, Coeur d’Alene
In 2023, Idaho ranked 11th on the list of most breweries per capita in the USA, an industry bringing in $418 million a year.
It’s safe to say it’s a booming industry and attracting craft beer lovers from around the globe. Idaho’s fresh beer scene can in part be attributed to its own production of barley, hops, and water – the three key brew ingredients.
We love keeping it local when we travel.
And with the brewery scene, the “pub grub” is on point too. Craig thoroughly enjoyed his beer and burger at Craft Tap House + Kitchen.
Craft Tap House + Kitchen.
He had one of his favorite beers in the US at Wallace, Idaho, at City Limits Pub & Grill – their Loft Honey Pale Ale, and says their Porter House Pork Chop was also fantastic!
City Limits Pub & Grill, Wallace
Not only is the craft beer scene impressive, but so is the craft cider scene.
In my travel opinion, The Pacific Northwest so far has had the best ciders in the country. How can you ignore unique flavors that speak to the produce of the region: huckleberry, cherries, blackcurrant, juniper berries, and berries you never knew existed.
Head to Crafted Tap House + Kitchen in Coeur d’Alene and grab yourself a pint of lemon basil cider from nearby Spokane Cidery. That’s a moment you won’t forget. And my all-time favorite cider – possibly drink – in the USA.
Lemon basil cider
Be careful, as it’s strong, and tastes like a refreshing lemonade on a hot summer’s day. The temptation to guzzle is high.
But wait, what if you don’t like beer or cider?
9. Idaho has wineries
Wine bar in Sandpoint
Again, surprisingly, Idaho also has three wine regions with over 65 wineries across 1,300 acres of vineyards, and is starting to get noticed for their flavorful, balanced, and award-winning wines.
It’s one of the fastest growing wine regions in the country and will give you that Napa Valley experience without the pomp and the crowds. Its high-quality wines can be attributed to a combination of climate, rich volcanic soil, and higher elevations.
The Snake Valley wine region is only 40-minutes from Boise making it an easy stop on your Idaho trip. It’s on my list for a return trip.
Pend d’Oreille Winery Tasting Room
I enjoyed tasting a local wine at the Pend d’Oreille Winery Tasting Room in Sandpoint at the base of Schweitzer Mountain, a top Idaho skiing destination.
10. The skiing in Idaho is great
We loved our family ski trip to Idaho
When you think of skiing in the USA, places like Aspen in Colorado, Mammoth in California, and Park City in Utah come to mind.
Idaho was not a place I’d previously considered for skiing. Well perhaps, Sun Valley, but that always seemed like the unattainable reality of the rich and famous. (Fun fact: Sun Valley was actually the USA’s first completely purpose-built ski resort and is worth a looksee!)
There are many other fantastic Idaho ski resorts around the state that have excellent powder, great slopes, and affordable price, and best of all, low crowds!
Tubing fun at Silver Mountain Lookout Pass Ski Resort / Tubing at Silver Mountain
We thoroughly enjoyed our first family ski experience in Idaho visiting three North Idaho ski resorts with less than two hours’ drive between them.
It bought us a diverse skiing experience that we will remember forever.
Check out these fun Idaho winter activities
11. Full of cool small towns and cities
Coeur d’Alene sits on a beautiful lake
Coeur d’Alene was the first town in Idaho we experienced as we arrived after a long drive from Washington State.
We instantly connected with this vibrant college town with live music spilling out over the sidewalk from an endless row of restaurants and bars near the edge of the lake.
Our days were spent playing on the lake: hiking, supping, swimming, and sunset cruises and then enjoying the evening with good food, music, and craft brews.
Tubs Hill Trail, Coeur d’Alene
We then discovered Boise and were disappointed we were not there for longer. It quickly rose on our list of cool cities in the USA.
State Capitol building in Boise
It’s also currently exploding in growth as people have discovered its incredible vibrant quality of life and are moving there in droves.
Town of Wallace
Plus, you’ll find cute small towns like Sandpoint and Wallace – both giving easy access to mountain resorts filled with activities all year round. Wallace was featured in our list of our favorite small towns to love in the USA.
Sandpoint City Beach
12. Epic outdoor adventures
Idaho is famous for White Water Rafting
Idaho is an outdoor adventurer’s paradise! It’s location in the Rockies means its packed with iconic landscapes that beckon you to explore them.
Whether you want to hike through the dramatic Sawtooth Mountains near Stanley or trek the trails in the rugged Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness, one of the largest protected wilderness areas in the U.S, you will not be short of stunning places to get outdoors and enjoy nature.
For adrenaline action, Idaho is the place to go for white water rafting. The Main Salmon River, nicknamed the “River of No Return,” offers world-class rapids that range from Class 3 and Class 4.
12. Friendly locals
It might seem weird to mention this, but when we visited Idaho, our Australian accent obviously stuck out. In many other popular USA destinations, the Aussie lingo might just blend in and people barely bat an eyelid at it.
Out in Idaho, it activates curiosity and conversations with people that pass by and instantly recognize that “you’re not from round here,” and want to strike a chat – in a friendly way. They are curious about why you want to visit their state, and then usually offer up suggestions for places to go.
This is the one thing I love the most about having a foreign accent – it opens up many opportunities to connect with locals and have meaningful moments with them. It’s a friendliness that will warm your heart.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, Idaho is so much more than potatoes and way more thrilling than theme park rides. It offers an incredible amount of natural beauty, diverse activities, and fresh local produce to savor.
To be honest, we only had ONE potato experience the entire time, and that was the most delicious potato nachos in a sports pub, Capone’s Bar & Grill, in Coeur d’Alene.
These are just a things we discovered about Idaho that we fell in love with. It was a travel experiences that surprised us and catapulted Idaho into our top 5 states in the USA list.
We still have so much more to experience, but we’ll be back. What do you think? Are you planning to visit Idaho? Let us know in the comments.
More Idaho Travel Tips
Pin To Save To Pinterest
Please visit:
Our Sponsor