But for those looking for winter activities, Idaho, the Gem State, is vastly underestimated as a winter destination.

There are so many Idaho winter activities to do that it may one day overtake these other popular mountain ranges as one of the best places to visit in the USA in winter. But since it’s still a hidden gem, now is the time to go!

I mean, it does share a border with Canada and is covered from north to south by the Rocky Mountains and several other individual mountain ranges. That means unlimited Idaho winter fun for you.

If you’re not sure what winter activities in Idaho to add to your itinerary, worry not. We have created this guide to the best winter attractions in Idaho so you can make planning easy. Go take a look!

Why Visit Idaho in the Winter?

With over 60% of federally protected land, Idaho is the land of outdoor adventure and natural beauty – and a LOT of snow!

So why wouldn’t you choose Idaho for a winter vacation? Are you wondering whether it could be as good as those other skiing destinations in the USA?

We spoke to plenty of skiers on our trip who have skied all over the country. Each year they return to ski in Idaho as they have that blissful ski experience they desire on fantastic runs with great powder, but without the intense crowds of the snow destinations in the surrounding states.

Here are a few reasons we love Idaho in the winter.

1. Great Powder

Idaho is known to have great deep powder – it’s dry and light and hangs around for a long time. This is the perfect conditions for downhill skiing. 

The snowfall is greatest in the northern part of the state. Lookout Pass receives the most with four hundred inches of light, dry powder snow annually. (Compared to Aspen which is 153 inches each year.) Jackson Hole and Park City receive around 400 inches as well. 

2. Fewer Crowds

Idaho is lessor known and will give you stories to tell that most of your mates back home haven’t heard before.

Australians are used to wide, open spaces; minimal crowds; and endless adventures in stunning locations, which is why we really took to experiencing our first family ski trip in North Idaho.

At times, it felt like we had the entire slopes to ourselves, which as brand-new skiers we appreciated not worrying about expert skiers wiping us out. Dropping in on a skier is just as dangerous as dropping in on the local surfer’s perfect wave.

We had minimal wait times on lifts – if at all – and plenty of room at the bar after to enjoy our après!

3. Fun Après

While Australians love having all that space to themselves, they also like a bit of action after their days of adventuring.

Ski resorts in Idaho either have the après bar experience down pat, or they are near cool towns where you can soak up the winter atmosphere with a red wine by the fire and some live music.

One of my favorite memories of skiing at Schweitzer Mountain was watching sunset over the slopes from the outside deck with no one else really around.

4. Long ski season

Blink and you might miss the ski season in Australia. In Idaho, the ski season typically begins in mid/late November, nudging into spring with a finish in mid-April to early May.

That means even fewer crowds, more affordable prices, and warmer day temperatures (but still plenty of snow). We loved skiing at the beginning of March for these reasons.

5. Affordable Winter Vacation

What travelers love the most – especially if you are traveling on the Aussie dollar – is that Idaho is affordable when it comes to a winter vacation.

From lodging to lessons, ski rentals and lift tickets, Idaho offers more affordable prices to their Rocky Mountain rival resorts in other states. Some resorts, like Lookout Pass also have free ski school for kids.

We break down ski costs and other super helpful tips on planning a trip to Idaho in this free webinar available to our VIP email community.

Let’s take a look at some of the Idaho winter activities you can experience.

The Best Winter Activities Idaho

Now you know why Idaho is a top destination to visit in the winter, it’s time to look at the best winter activities in Idaho. From skiing to ice skating, to snowshoeing and snuggling up with hot chocolates in a sleigh ride – don’t miss out on these fun winter attractions!

1. Skiing or Snowboarding the Slopes

Idaho is a powder playground and within the state, you’ll find 28,000 vertical feet of terrain on over 18,000 acres all surrounded by spectacular scenery – that’s snow covered backcountry and evergreens laden with snow that you hope to ski or board beside.

Idaho has eighteen ski resorts, each with its own personality and unique offerings. SkiIdaho.com is a great website to help you compare prices, runs, lifts, skiable acres, and vertical drops of each of their 18 ski mountains.

When most people think of skiing in Idaho they think of Sun Valley Resort, full of prestige and celebrity sightings.

It was the USA’s first destination ski resort i.e., where the idea of the American ski vacation was born and the place that had the world’s first chairlifts and changed skiing for everyone. 

Dollar has repeatedly been ranked the best or one of the best places in the country to learn to ski, and it’s one of the few winter resorts in America with onsite heli-skiing, and the only one where the pickup and drop-off are actually on the mountain.

And Ski Magazine just named Sun Valley the top ski resort in North America for the second year in a row.

While Sun Valley has these “best of” and glitzy facts, in terms of powder, the ski resorts in Northern Idaho have the most powder.

Lookout Pass, Schweitzer (the largest ski resort in Idaho), and Silver Mountain are all easily accessible and close to Spokane airport in Washington. They are only two hours max driving time between them, which makes it easy to experience a few ski resorts in just one trip.

There are also four ski resorts close to downtown Boise including the popular Bogus Basin and Tamarack Resort and within half an hour from the center of McCall, you have access to three vastly different ski areas, including Brundage which is said to have the best snow in Idaho. 

2. Speed down the hills on a Snow Tube or Sled

The ski fields aren’t just about skiing or snowboarding. Many offer the chance to fly down groomed runs on tubes or sleds.

Snow tubing was a welcome relief from the intensity of skiing while still giving us a dose of thrill.

We enjoyed racing each other down the hill or speeding down together as a group at the Silver Mountain Resort. The views of the surrounding mountains as we flew down were spectacular. This was a winter activity that is fun for the whole family.

Another popular place to go tubbing or sledding is Camel’s Back Park.

If you’re not sure you want to try sledding down a slope, you can also ride down the Glade Runner Mountain Coaster in Bogus Basin. This area is well known for its alpine and Nordic skiing and terrain park for freestyle skiers.

3. Take in the Scenery on a Snowmobile

Time to experience the quiet and white powdery world from the back of a snowmobile.

There are experienced snowmobile guides around the state who will take you on rides through evergreen snow-covered forests and powdery meadows, past high mountain lakes, and frozen creeks all with sweeping vistas.

Stanley is a popular snowmobile destination and often sees some of the coldest temperatures in the Continental USA.

4. Join the Trend: Fat Tire Biking

One of the fastest-growing Idaho winter activities in recent years is fat-tire biking (it’s also popular for beach riding in the summer!)

Fat tire biking means riding a special bike that has tires typically at least four inches wide, almost twice as wide as regular tires. They allow you to travel over snow-packed trails with more stability and ease.

There are no special techniques to learn – it’s just like mountain biking, although will require a certain level of fitness. It’s an affordable winter activity and is the thing to do with the skiing conditions are not as great!

There are fat bike trails all throughout Stanley and Sun Valley. You’ll find twenty miles of forested terrain at northern Idaho’s Schweitzer Mountain and farther south, fat bikers can roam for hundreds of miles in Teton Valley.

5. Idaho Nordic or Cross-Country Skiing

Nordic skiing – also known as cross country is a much-favored winter activity in Idaho. Cross-country skiing is usually on groomed runs with parallel grooves in the snow acting as guides for your skis whereas Nordic skiing is typically off-trail.

Basically, it’s skiing over flat or rolling, hilly terrain in a forward and back motion similar to walking or running with your skis on.

Sun Valley has more than twenty-five miles of groomed trails crisscrossing through the valley. Lessons are available if you have not experienced the high-intensity workout of cross-country skiing.

6. Enjoy the Simple Serenity of Snowshoeing

Looking for something a little more mellow? Take a hike in snowshoes instead.

Snowshoeing sounds like my kind of Zen winter adventure. Just me and the kind of silence only a snow-laden evergreen forest can provide, punctuated only by the soft sounds of my shoes moving across the trail.

The good news is snowshoeing is a pretty easy winter sport and suitable for all ages. You can set off on a trail on your own or join guided tours.

There are over 180 miles of groomed and ungroomed trails in some of the most scenic areas in Idaho. Most of the ski resorts will have snowshoe trails, but you’ll find trails in other areas too, like Harriman State Park in the Island Park region of Idaho. It has a 25-mile winter trail system connected by trekker huts helping you warm up along the way.

7. Soak in a hot tub

Nothing wraps up a winter playground day than a soak in a hot tub with mountain views, sparkling stars, and your favorite drinks.

Idaho is spoilt for natural hot tubs. There are 130 soakable hot springs out of 130 – more than any other state in the lower forty-eight.

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.

This is the winter getaway you dream of!

8. Experience a Winter Festival in Idaho

Idaho abounds in winter festivals. Here are a few that grabbed my attention and love for quirk and cultural.

Fire & Ice Festival is a quirky winter festival, held in Lava hot Springs, which is renowned for its soothing spring-fed hot pools. The festival features wine tasting, parades, fire performers, and the Polar Bear Float Parade—a costumed river floating down the freezing Portneuf River in the dead of winter. 

McCall Winter Carnival is the most famous of Idaho’s winter festivals. The iconic 10-day festival features towering snow sculptures, dog sled pulls, a polar plunge, a Mardi Gras Parade, and fireworks over Payette Lake.

For those who like a bit more grunt, the Snowbike SnowBeast Grand Prix and Extreme Skijor in Wallace and Mullan is known as the “Wildest Event in the Rockies”

ATV’s tow skiers and snowboarders down a snow-packed, downtown Wallace Street course while pro and amateur motorized snowbike racers compete on the grand prix course in Mullan.

9. Dash through the Snow on a Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride

Christmas took on a new level of magical when we moved to the USA and traded the surfing Santa for the sleigh riding one.

Christmas feels more like Christmas to us as it’s the winter wonderland that was always depicted on our Christmas cards, movies, and TV shows when we were growing up.

What better way to experience a little of that winter wonderland magical experience than dashing through the snow on a one-horse open sleigh.

Snuggle under a cozy blanket to the sounds of the bells as the dark descends. Fingers crossed you see Santa’s Reindeer wild elk as you glide around ranches and enchanting snowy hills.

10. Try Your Hand at Ice Fishing

If you’re visiting in December or January, you have arrived at the perfect time to try ice fishing.

Ice fishing is a really popular winter activity in Idaho and there are many lakes where you can cut a hole in the ice and drop your line to try to catch some fresh Rainbow Trout.

Lake Cascade is a popular spot for ice fishing and is only two hours north of Boise. The best thing about this lake is that the road to the shoreline is plowed, so you’ll find it easy to access in snowy conditions.

Of course, if you’re new to ice fishing or you’re unsure of what to do, the best thing to do is book a tour. This way you can make sure you’re doing it safely and properly.

11. Get Christmassy in The Village at Meridian

The Village in Meridian is a shopping complex with upscale stores, boutique stores, high street chains, and many eateries and restaurants.

During Christmas time, this is the place to be to get in the mood for the Christmas spirit. The mall goes all out, bringing in an ice pond, a huge Santa’s grotto, ice rink, and more lights than you can count.

If you’re looking for Idaho winter activities for kids, then be sure to take them to see Santa. The house is set up at Fountain Square and reservations are required in advance, because it’s hugely popular.

12. See The Coeur d’Alene Resort Holiday Light Show From a Boat

You’ll never see Christmas Lights in the same way after seeing them on the firework cruises organized by The Coeur d’Alene Resort.

The Coeur d’Alene Resort Holiday Lights Show is all about the light displays. In fact, there are more than 1.5 million lights involved in the display, and each year it just gets bigger and bigger!

It’s a Coeur d’Alene tradition to begin the festivities at the end of November with an annual Lighting Ceremony.

This is when all the millions of Christmas lights turn on alongside a magnificent fireworks display.

The best way to see the illumination is by boat cruise. Book tickets for the Journey to the North Pole Holiday Lights Cruise and you’ll have the best seat in the house when the lights turn on!

13. Visit the Idaho Botanical Garden and Winter Garden aGlow

Another place in Idaho known for its Christmas traditions is the Idaho Botanical Garden in boise, which has an evening fundraising event that runs from the end of November until the end of December.

The event is called Winter Garden aGlow, and it’s a huge Christmas light display arranged throughout the gardens, which comes to life at night.

During the winter months, the garden turns into a twinkling wonderland with more than 600,000 lights hanging in the trees and plants.

Each year, the lights are lit up to help raise money for a good cause. It’s a popular Winter activity in Idaho, so each person must reserve a one-hour entrance beforehand to be able to visit.

14. Wander Along the Greenbelt, Boise River

The Greenbelt is one of the most popular parks in Idaho for outdoor recreation. It spans along the Boise River and Boise National Forest, and is where people can go running, biking, fly fishing, or cycling all year round.

During the winter, the greenbelt is cleared of snow so the path is still able to be used. The landscape is magical when it’s dusted in snow, and the winter sun twinkling against the water is the cherry on the cake.

If you’re looking for relaxing and serene things to do in Idaho in winter, then make sure you visit the Greenbelt for a quiet stroll.

15. Soak in Lava Hot Springs Pools

If the cold air is getting to you, then perhaps you would like to warm up at the Lava Hot Springs Hot Pools. Located southeast of Pocatello, these mineral-rich pools are the perfect place to relax and take a dip in thermal waters.

Each pool has been regulated to a different temperature, so you’ll always find the right temperature for you.

This is especially nice after a day of skiing where you might need to soothe your aching limbs.

Before You Go

So there you have it, those are 15 Idaho winter activities that everyone should add to their itinerary. While Idaho doesn’t get the same rep that California or Colorado do, you can see there is so much to see and do, that it’s only a matter of time before people start discovering this hidden winter gem.

Before you go, remember to prepare well for the winter. Pack snow chains for your tires, book accommodation in advance for cheaper deals, and wear warm clothing – Idaho gets cold!

And most of all, have fun!

More Idaho Travel Tips

Need more inspiration about Idaho? Then check out these other resources:

• 12 Top outdoor adventures in Idaho
• 20 best things to do in Idaho for first time visitors
• Surprising Idaho: 11 reasons we love the Gem State

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When we visited Idaho on our one-year USA road trip, I was surprised by how much Idaho wowed me.

I knew the adventures and landscapes of the American Southwest would blow me away. I knew the Rocky Mountains would be striking, and that Oregon would be filled with waterfalls and fantastic coffee, food, and craft beer.

But Idaho, I knew nothing about. But it became the state that wowed me the most. It delivered unexpected beauty and joy and is now one of our favorite Pacific Northwest road trips. And here’s why…

Is Idaho worth visiting?

If you’re wondering if Idaho is worth visiting, the short answer is yes!

In fact, we found ourselves saying with several of the Idaho attractions we visited,

“Best in North America, one of my favorites, my mind is blown, how did we not know this? I definitely want to come back.”

It’s where I discovered my new favorite waterfall in the USA, our favorite horse riding trail in the world so far, and one of my favorite lakes in the US.

My inkling that our Idaho road trip would be something special intensified when so many from our online community jumped out with praise and their tips on the best things to do in Idaho.

Many, including locals, kind of hinted that they’d like the best places in Idaho to be kept a secret.

I get it, but how can I not share something so wonderful we highly recommend you visit Idaho too!

The Top Things to Do in Idaho

From our introduction to the free live music by the lake under a setting sun with The Talbott Brothers in Coeur d’Alene, I was hooked.

If this is what you are about Idaho, then we are going to get along just fine.

Below are our favorite things to see and do in Idaho that will seriously wow you.

Things to Do in Northern Idaho

1. Coeur d’Alene

Who likes lake life?

Coeur d’Alene in the northern panhandle is one of the most popular Idaho vacation spots and made me realize how much I love the ease and joy that comes with living and playing by lakes.

Lake Coeur d’Alene

It’s stunning and filled with many awesome water activities that do not carry the fear of sharks or crocodiles.

On its doorstep is a vibrant downtown with plenty of boutique stores, cafes, restaurants, and live music!

I loved the young, vibrant feel of Coeur D’Alene, which reminded me of Raleigh in North Carolina in many ways.

Tubbs Hill Walk

Right on the doorstep of downtown is Tubbs Hill peninsula, a favorite for locals as a natural escape and exercise area.

The 2-mile loop trail follows the shoreline of Lake Coeur d’Alene through evergreen forests, around the 120-acre Tubbs Hill park.

There are multiple offshoots that take you to scenic overlooks, and picnic areas.

Be sure to take your swimsuits and stop off at some of the inviting secluded cove beaches along the walk.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding

Stand up paddle boarding is a family activity we love to do.

It’s a peaceful way to explore and connect to the local nature vibe.

The world is completely different when you can jump on a sup board on a large body of water that feels like the ocean, yet makes you feel completely safe and at ease at not knowing what lies underneath in its depths.

On this Idaho trip, supping on Lake Coeur d’Alene was extra special, as it was the first time Savannah felt brave enough to not only take out her own paddle board, but to also stand up.

One thing I love so much about traveling with my kids full-time is I am always present for those milestone events and get to witness the overcoming of their fear to get to know how powerful they really are.

Savannah doesn’t realize how athletic and strong she is, so I always knew she could stand up first go and balance fine, but she didn’t.

So to watch her face go from nervous anticipation to sheer joy at nailing it was a favorite Idaho travel memory.

You can rent kayaks and sup boards from Coeur d’Alene Resort and start paddling straight off the marina to explore the shoreline of the lake or further out.

It was our favorite of things to do in Coeur d Alene Idaho.

Sunset Cruise

What a serene way to end our time in Coeur d’Alene then a sunset cruise with Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises. 

While I loved the sunset cruise and the dinner, I’d recommend taking a day tour, simply because the lake is so beautiful, I would have loved to have seen more of it in the daytime.

Ideally, I think this cruise would be better to leave an hour or so earlier so you can enjoy the sunset while on the boat after seeing all the sights. It left as the sun was setting. Check to see if they do have that option.

Good news, the surrounding areas offer plenty of fun things to do.

Go a little further out of Coeur D’Alene and you’ll discover so much more.

Places to Eat & Drink in Coeur d’Alene

We enjoyed the food and drink and atmosphere in these establishments:

• Crafted Tap House & Kitchen
• Sweet Lou’s Restaurant & Tap House
• Capone’s Pub & Grill
• Evans Brothers Coffee Roasters
• Fine Brewed Cafe

Where to Stay in Coeur d’Alene

With its prime location on the lake and downtown, and its top notch facilities, the 4 star Coeur D’Alene Resort would be an ideal place to stay in Coeur d’Alene.

2. Farragut State Park

If you’re looking for places to go in Idaho the locals love and without the crowds of other parks in other states, go here.

This state park got recommended to us as one of the best places to see in Idaho by our waiter at Capones’ Pub & Grill (we love tips from the locals).

On the banks of Lake Pend Oreille, this 4,000-acre state park offers plenty of hiking trails, mountain biking and water activities.

We enjoyed the short Shoreline Trail (1.5 miles), which winds along Buttonhook Bay with outstanding views of the Monarch Mountains surrounding the scenic bay.

There is interesting history here too. This state park was once the second largest naval training station in the world. Yes, that’s right, an inland naval training base.

In response to the attack on Pearl Harbor, The U.S. built Farragut Naval Training Station inland, so that it would be protected from coastal invasion.

The waters of Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho’s largest lake, were also deep enough to test submarines.

3. Schweitzer Mountain

Looking for fun things to do in Northern Idaho?

Offering some of the best skiing in Idaho, Schweitzer Mountain is also an adventure playground in the summer months.

For $35 you can purchase an all-day fun pass. The Ultimate Fun Pass gives you unlimited access to the rock climbing wall, trampoline jumper, 750 ft zipline, and ski chair lift.

You can also hit the mountain slopes following numerous hiking and mountain biking trails. Notch up the adventure by exploring it on horseback.

Be sure to catch the chair life up to the Sky House to The Nest restaurant. You’ll discover delicious locally sourced and seasonal food at a reasonable price with some of the best panoramic views in the Coeur D’Alene region.

You can see all the way out over Lake Pend Oreille, across three states and even over to Canada.

4. Sandpoint City Beach

Loads of excited travelers recommended Sandpoint City Beach.

We even met a couple from Vancouver at the baseball in Seattle who told us Sandpoint is where they go regularly for vacation and it’s one of the best places to visit in Idaho.

It was an easy drive from Schweitzer Mountain and a lovely way to spend an hour in the sun.

The beach was calm and kid-friendly and is one of the most popular things to do in Sandpoint Idaho.

Do you swim, lie on the sand, or go for a paddle? Why not do it all.

5. Wallace: Route of the Hiawatha Scenic Bike Trail

Wallace is a city in Idaho known for its mining history. It’s a small city that rests in the Silver Valley, the perfect spot to do some hiking.

If you’ve been following our adventures, you’ll know we’re up for outdoor adventure, especially with our kids.

While you may not like to join us on an intense 15-mile hike, here’s an incredible journey you’ll love to be a part of.

No matter how new your kids are to adventuring, they can easily manage a bike ride on the Route of the Hiawatha.

Now I know you may think a 15-mile bike ride is not for novices, but this one makes it easy for you – it’s 15 miles on a flat, well-maintained path that is mostly downhill!

There is a good chance you may see deer along the way, and with 9 tunnels and 7 high trestle bridges spanning the steepest parts of the valley, the kids will LOVE it. You will LOVE it.

The forested Bitterroot Mountains provide a spectacular setting as you cycle one of the USA’s most famous rail-to-trail paths taking in stunning Idaho scenery.

It was an epic family adventure, and one of our suggested top things to do in Idaho!

Be prepared for the first tunnel which is almost 1.7 miles long – that is over 10 minutes at least riding in the pitch black. Flashlights are essential, as is a jacket as temperatures sit in the 40s.

After 10 minutes that means frozen hands. Kalyra and I took 17 minutes as the tunnel was muddy, and she did not want her new Vans to be splashed with mud, so we rode slowly.

How fast do you think Craig and Savannah rode?

You can take your own bikes or hire them from the Lookout Pass ski area.

We hired bikes including a tag-along for Savannah. She’s 8 and probably would have made the entire bike ride on her own bike, but we didn’t want to risk it. She had a blast singing the entire time.

You can catch the shuttle back to the first tunnel, or if you really like adventure, cycle the 15 miles back uphill. We opted for the shuttle.

Be warned, there can be quite the line for the shuttle. We waited an hour once we finished our ride. All worth it as it was one of our favorite things to do in Idaho.

Be sure to check out the historic town of Wallace whilst in the area. And we stayed at the cozy Wallace Inn.

Video of the Route of the Hiawatha bike ride:

6. Go Skiing

We went skiing in North Idaho in March 2021 for our first ever skiing experience as a family and loved it. It was perfect for beginner skiers like us with great powder and not too many people.

We visited three ski resorts, Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Lookout Pass Ski & Recreational Area, and Silver Mountain Resort. We had lessons at each resort, went tubing, and enjoyed the stunning natural beauty of Idaho covered in snow.

Burgdorf is another popular place to go skiing in Idaho and is one of the best places to ride a snowmobile. You can also soak in Burgdorf Hot Springs after a long day out on the slopes. Bliss!

7. Drive the Salmon River Scenic Byway

All three roads leading into remote Stanley are designated National Scenic Byways.

Fun fact: it’s the only place in the US where this happens.

On the second part of our road trip in Idaho, we drove the Salmon River Scenic Byway through central Idaho.

If you love white water rafting, then you’ll be pleased to know the Salmon River has some of the best rapids and white-water experiences in the country – we left that to do when we return to Idaho.

The Salmon River Scenic Byway follows the Salmon River through the Salmon-Challis Highway and is the same path that Lewis and Clark traveled.

It’s a region filled with hikes, river activities, natural hot springs, and ghost towns. It made our best road trips in the USA list.

Where to Stay on the Salmon River Scenic Byway

We loved our RV campsite on the May Family Ranch and B & B located in Clayton, halfway between Challis and Stanley on the Salmon River.

We used it as a base to explore the Salmon River Wilderness area, Stanley and the Sawtooth Wilderness area.

The mountain views and country serenity were a highlight of our Idaho road trip.

Grandpa May was so warm and friendly. The ranch has cabins and is known for family reunions, but they also have RV camping on site.

What our kids most loved was the gigantic waterslide set up down the hill. We had a blast zipping down there on a hot summer’s afternoon. Boy did it go fast!

Salmon River Scenic Byway Video

8. Land of Yankee Fork Historic Area

The Land of Yankee Fork State Park tells the fascinating story of Idaho’s rich mining history.

Begin exploring at the visitor center, where you can watch an informative video about the mining history of the area and the development of the mining towns, which are now ghost towns.

There is an interpretive center with artifacts on the history of the area. Have your kids do the scavenger hunt. Our girls loved it and it was an engaging way for them to learn more about this region. #ThisIsHowWeHomeSchool

Then it’s time to explore the spectacular surrounding scenery and the ghost towns.

You can visit the ghost towns of Bayhorse and Custer, which was one of the largest towns established to support the surrounding mines.

Self-guided walking tours are available and be sure to stop into the Empire Saloon in Custer for a cheap scoop of handmade ice cream.

You can also take a tour of the Yankee Fork Gold Dredge, the largest dredge in Idaho to help get that gold out of the Yankee River.

9. Sacajawea Center

Looking for cultural things to do in Salmon Idaho?

You can learn about the cultural and natural history of the Salmon and Lemhi River Country and its iconic figures at the Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural, and Educational Center.

Before visiting here, I knew only of this Indian female warrior by name only. I had little understanding of Sacajawea’s importance and strength.

While small, the center gives you an educational insight into Sacajawea’s life and integral contribution to the success of the Lewis And Clark Corps of Discovery expedition, which passed through here, the land of her birth.

There is also a pretty loop walk you can take along the river. I’m pretty sure we saw a bobcat while on this walk as well.

10. Stanley, Sawtooth Wilderness

Stanley would have to be on the list of best towns in Idaho, and most scenic small towns in the USA.

It’s surrounded by national forest on the crook of the Salmon River with a backdrop of the rugged Sawtooth Mountains.

The town is small yet quite spread out on the Salmon River.

While the town itself didn’t impress me too much, the surrounding area completely wowed me and there are plenty of adventurous things to do in Stanley Idaho, and by the end of our three days in Stanley, I was planning when to come back.

11. Horse Riding Sawtooth Mountain Range

We’ve ridden horses in various places in the USA and Australia, and we all agreed horseback riding through the Sawtooth wilderness (possibly the most beautiful place in Idaho) has been our favorite horse ride yet.

Nothing gets Savannah more excited than to spend an hour or so on a horse. She beams from beginning till end and for hours after – her unicorn dreams are almost brought into reality.

We were all beaming right beside her on this one as we rode through ponderosa forests beside sparkling lakes and then gained 200 feet in elevation to the open with striking views.

What can I say?

Check out the Sawtooth mountain peaks! Such a wow moment when we reached the crest of the hill and the views opened up.

Not just the jagged peaks of the Sawtooth ranges offering a panoramic view as we rode, but also views of both Big and Little Redfish Lake.

This is Idaho sightseeing at its best.

I also loved the passion and friendly enthusiasm of our guide Shelby. You could tell leading trail rides she does purely for the love. She was informative, kind, and gentle, and great at bringing conversation out of our shy girls.

Redfish Lake Corrals, operated by Mystic Saddle Ranch, has been offering family-friendly guided horseback rides through the breathtaking Sawtooth Wilderness since 1969.

Horseback trail rides range from one hour to all-day rides and start at $49 per person.

We did the 90-minute horseback ride and found it of excellent value, and definitely one of the most fun things to do in Idaho with kids.

12. Redfish Lake

I’ve discovered my second favorite lake in the USA, after Lake Lure in North Carolina.

Redfish Lake in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area is truly spectacular, and the family Idaho vacation of your dreams.

The vibe here was relaxed and fun and centered on connecting to mother nature and each other. I could have stayed at Redfish Lake for weeks.

Sadly, we only had a few hours, and we STUPIDLY forgot our swimsuits!!

Not too worry, the views of the Sawtooth range framing the spectacular clear glacial waters of this five-mile-long lake were enough to satisfy me.

The water was a little chilly anyway, or so that excuse helped me get over my disappointment while staring at those having fun on the SUP boards – my ultimate favorite thing to do on a lake. Next time. Next time.

Instead, we enjoyed a guided commentary cruise on the lake, arranged by Redfish Lodge.

We loved learning more about the unique geography of the lake to the story of the Sockeye Salmon, from which the lake gets its name.

They have seen vast improvements over the past several years in the numbers of sockeye returning to the lake, not too long ago there was only one.

Thank goodness for some positive environmental news.

We loved our hour relaxing on the boat, having fun together, and enjoying the stunning scenery of this mountain paradise.

You can hike five miles down to the other end of Redfish Lake (where no cars can go) and then catch the boat shuttle back.

That is on our list of things to do in Stanley when we visit Idaho again.

On the main beach area of the lake you’ll find Redfish Lodge which offers full service dining or their Lakeside Grill, which offers burgers and beverages with outside seating next to the lake.

The marina offers motorized and non-motorized rentals, lake tours, fuel, and a shuttle service to the popular trail heads at the far end of the lake.

13. Hot Springs in Idaho

I had no idea that Idaho is a land that in part has been created by volcanoes and has a fault line running under it.

This means Idaho is rich with hot springs, and they are one of the top Idaho tourist attractions.

And you don’t have to go on wilderness hikes to find them (although they have those ones too).

Many of the hot springs are actually beside the Salmon River and its tributaries and are accessed right beside the scenic highways!

Look for a small pool bordered by river rocks and the steam rising from the side of the rushing cold river. Don’t rely on people sitting in them though to help you find them, often there is no one even in them!

14. Snake Pit Hot Spring, Stanley, Idaho

The most ridiculously beautiful hot spring that we had all to ourselves was Snake Pit Hot Spring right on the edge of Stanley town.

It’s a local’s hidden secret and we had it all to ourselves, including these dramatic views of the craggy peaks of the Sawtooth mountain range. A herd of deer even sauntered on past us!

Idaho, you are something special.

Here are a few more Idaho Hot Springs we discovered and loved.

15. Sunbeam Hot Springs

These popular thermal hot springs sit on the bank of the Salmon River below the highway where a thermal spring cascades from the hillside to the river.

Look for the steam.

There was a wide range of temperatures here from too hot to get in, to just right, to a little too much river water wafted in!

If you go to the north of the changing rooms, you’ll find a small pool there that is not as busy as the others.

16. Frenchman’s Bend Hot Springs, Ketchum

Frenchman’s Bend Hot Springs is about a 30-minute drive from Ketchum/Sun Valley. It’s worth it.

This is where we found the perfect hot spring temperatures as we snuggled into the boulders beside the creek.

This hot spring can get busy as it’s one of the most popular things to do in Sun Valley area.

Fortunately for us we had it all to ourselves and stayed for quite a while. It was the perfect Idaho hot springs experience for us taking in serenity and thermal temperatures.

Other Things to Do in Sun Valley / Ketchum area:

• Hike the 2.5 mile Adams Gulch Trail
• Grab a beer at the Pioneer Saloon Bar
• Ride the Roundhouse Express Gondola from River Run Lodge
• Coffee at Hank & Sylvie’s
• Take a peak inside the Sun Valley Lodge
• Explore Sun Valley Village
• Go skiing at Sun Valley Resort
• Hike up Dollar Mountain
• Ski down Bald Mountain
• Get a bite to eat and a beer at Lefty’s Bar & Grill
• Starbucks (awesome interior and visitors center inside)

Things to Do in Southern Idaho

17. Boise

With only one day in the state capital, we can’t go too in-depth in this post on the best things to do in Boise Idaho.

But, we can say we absolutely loved all the Boise activities we did and want to return to explore it more in-depth. It’s now at the top of our list of best cities in Idaho.

Don’t just take our word for it, Mike and Anne from Honeytrek (who are currently on a 6-year world honeymoon) have it at the top of their list of places they’d love to live.

And Lee Abbamonte, the youngest American to travel to every country, calls Boise the most underrated city in the US.

I LOVED how easy Boise was to explore on a bike, with its 25 miles of Boise River Greenbelt along the river and bike-friendly city streets lined with historic buildings, it’s a beautiful city.

The other thing that wowed me about visiting Boise were the stunning views from Camel’s Back Park of the city and surrounding desert like landscape. The Oregon Trail is a famous hiking trail outside the city center that has incredible scenic views.

It’s quite a strenuous hike up a very steep flight of stairs but it’s worth it. I’d recommend taking the switchbacks back down as the steep hill before the stairs is pretty slippery coming back down.

Surprisingly, we also loved the State Capitol building.

You can walk right in there and enjoy the stunning marble interior and even visit the Governor’s office and sign his book. We were even able to walk into his office.

Our best find was the most delicious cocktails we’ve ever had. Thanks to Kristin from Camels and Chocolate for recommending Bardenay in the Basque District.

We stopped there for lunch, which was great, but the outstanding experience was the Huckleberry lemon drop.

And we will be talking about this cocktail for years to come and even took home a bottle of huckleberry vodka, which is not something we ever really drink.

Bardenay, a term sailors used to describe cocktails, is the country’s first restaurant distillery.

On our last night, we discovered the vibrant restaurant nightlife district of 8th street and enjoyed a delicious meal and service at Bittercreek Alehouse.

Highly recommend spending time on 8th street, especially if you don’t travel with kids.

For things to do in Boise with kids, our daughters enjoyed these stops:

• Ice cream at STIL
• Donuts at Guru

Where to Stay in Boise (The Riverside Hotel)

Our accommodation at The Riverside Hotel on the Boise River was also outstanding.

Its location was fabulous – just a short bike ride (or mile walk) into downtown Boise along the Greenbelt. You can even jump in, float along or paddle the Boise River from the hotel.

The food at its Riverside Grill was delicious and reasonably priced and backed with groovy local live music. It’s on the river and anyone can eat here.

The pool was also an area that was easy to relax beside. One reason we didn’t explore Boise as much as the girls just wanted to play in the pool with their cousin who had just flown in from Australia to spend three weeks with us.

The hotel also has a free airport shuttle making it one of the most practical places to stay in Boise for business or leisure!

18. Craters of the Moon National Monument

I was wowed just driving into Craters of the Moon National Monument in Southern Idaho.

The striking rainbow colors of the desert landscape slowly changed into the black hardened rock of the lava fields.

We’ve learned quite a bit about volcanoes on our travels across the US from Hawaii to Bend, Oregon. Craters of the Moon takes that education a step higher.

Thanks to a few highly informative displays in the visitor center, I learned more about how this region was created by a handful of lava flows which oozed out of fissures along the Great Rift, 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, which was a great lead into our upcoming adventures exploring the USA’s first national park.

By the way, the western edge of Yellowstone and the western slope of the Tetons are places in Idaho!

Junior Rangers will love the lunar-like badge they can collect from this park. With its 7-mile scenic loop drive and short, flat trails this is an easy national park to explore in just a couple of hours.

Don’t miss the 0.2 mile hike up Inferno Cone. This was my favorite of things to do in Craters of the Moon.

The views of the Great Rift, Snake River Plain and Pioneer mountains and the various cinder cones that lay scattered around are spectacular and showcase creation frozen in time.

Caves Trail is also a popular trail that will take you to 4 caves, tubes and tunnels created by the flow of lava.

Truly no better way for a child to learn than have them walking amongst Craters of the Moon and experience the essence of volcanic activity through their five senses AND their imagination.

This park is a must see in Idaho and one of the most interesting places to visit in Idaho. 

19. City of Rocks National Reserve

The City of Rocks is a huge national reserve making up 14,407 acres. It was found by emigrant James F. Wilkens who named the park after the dramatic geological rocks he encountered in the area, hense the name “City of Rocks.”

Visitors can see the same sites that Wilkens found when he first came here; there are granite spires and epic rock monoliths that tower over 60 stories tall. Geologists estimate the oldest granite rock in the park exceeds 2.5 billion years old.

It’s a stunning scenic and geologic area that’s great for hiking, camping or skiing in the winter. You can also go mountain biking or horseback riding in the park.

Things to Do in Western Idaho

20. Mesa Falls

On our road trip from Sun Valley to the West Yellowstone area, I discovered my favorite waterfall in the US so far.

And I am stunned I only heard about this Idaho waterfall a week before visiting.

Lower Mesa Falls and Upper Mesa Falls are spectacular waterfalls along the Henrys Fork of the Snake River, deep in the Grand Targhee Forest.

The water tumbles spectacularly over a million-year-old volcanic rock, down into a narrow valley surrounded by lush jungle, and steep forested cliffs.

It’s the first time my girls have been that close to such a powerful waterfall and they were more than WOWED.

There were barely any other people around, and the few that were there were oohing and aahing just as loudly.

Upper Mesa Falls has a short boardwalk that takes you close to the falls with multiple viewpoints.

Lower Mesa Falls offers a long-distance view of the falls from Grandview Overlook. There is a mile hike between both if you want more adventure.

Put this place on your list of things to see in Idaho. But be bear aware, grizzly bears are in this area so carry your bear spray and make loads of noise!

And if you love waterfalls, Shoshone Falls is a waterfall on the Snake River approximately 3 miles northeast of the city of Twin Falls. Sometimes called the “Niagara of the West,” Shoshone Falls is 212 feet high—45 feet higher than Niagara Falls!

21. Henrys Lake State Park

I’m disappointed we did not have more time at this spectacular mountain lake near West Yellowstone.

Henrys Lake State Park sits in a bowl at an elevation of 6,470 ft surrounded by 10,000-foot peaks.

We arrived late in the evening after our road trip from Sun Valley to Mesa Falls and s stayed only one night at the RV park.

The sunrise colors and views the next morning were breathtaking and worth the stop we made before crossing over into Montana.

No filter needed for these colors.

Henrys Lake State Park is very popular for fisherman angling for big trout.

It also offers beautiful nature trails for hiking and biking and wildlife and wildflower viewing and fantastic camping.

If you’re looking for things to do in Idaho near Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, it’s a stone’s throw from the western boundary of Yellowstone National Park, Harriman State Park, and Mesa Falls and a worthy addition to your places to visit in Idaho list.

Video: Craters of the Moon, Mesa Falls and Henrys Lake

22. Yellowstone Bear World

If you’re looking for things to do in Idaho in the Spring or Summer, then a visit to Yellowstone Bear World is a must! It’s a drive-thru zoo and petting zoo (don’t worry, you don’t pet any bears!) with kids rides.

It’s located in Grand Teton National Park, near Yellowstone, and is a great way to see bears in a free-roaming park.

Wildlife can be elusive, especially wildlife from the Rocky Mountain region such as elk, bison, white-tail deer, moose, mountain goats, and of course, the American Black Bear and Grizzly Bear.

If you missed these elusive bears, then this is your best chance to see them.

23. Hell’s Canyon National Recreation Area

Hells Canyon is a HUGE canyon, spanning a total of 16-km, making it the country’s deepest river gorge. Below, you’ll find the Snake River which is ideal for white water rafting or fishing.

Don’t let the name fool you, this place is stunning. It’s a popular place for hiking and enjoying time in nature.

24. Bruneau Dunes State Park

Also on the South western side of the state is the Bruneau Dunes State Park, which is famous for its sand dunes. In fact, it’s home to the tallest freestanding sand dune in North America, which reaches 470 feet.

You won’t believe you’re still in America, let alone Idaho when exploring this park. It’s a great place to go hiking, climb the dunes or even slide down them on a sandboard.

The park is also full of lakes, which are filled with bass and bluegill, perfect for those who enjoy fishing. You can also camp in the park’s campgrounds, or look up at the night sky at Idaho’s only public observatory in the park.

Things to Do in Eastern Idaho

25. Idaho Falls

Idaho Falls is a city that connects to the Snake River and the Greenbelt and is famous for its parks and waterfall.

The city has a laid-back feel, and is surrounded by picturesque landscapes. The Twin Falls and Shoshone Falls are two of the most famous waterfalls in Idaho Falls.

Some of the top attractions in Idaho Falls are the riverside Art Museum of Eastern Idaho and Downtown’s Museum of Idaho which showcases local-history exhibits.

Perhaps one of the more unique things to do in Idaho is visit the Idaho Potato Museum in the town of Blackfoot, just outside Idaho Falls.

The museum has exhibits on the history and cultivation of potatoes in Idaho, and resides in the former train depot that has a cafe and gift shop.

Final Word on Things to Do in Idaho

I hope this Idaho travel guide informs and inspires you to take your own Idaho vacation.

This is not an exhaustive list of what to see in Idaho or places to go in Idaho, and we know we’ll be back for even more adventures in different seasons and explore more of the regions of eastern Idaho and Idaho falls.

Check out the official Idaho tourism website for more information.

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Idaho is one of those hidden gems for us. We didn’t visit Idaho until 2019, and before that Idaho was simply the Potato State to us. We didn’t really have a desire to travel to Idaho simply because we did not know any better.

Then my friend, Christine McEvoy, from Macs Explore started sharing her photos and stories of adventures through Idaho, and my interest was piqued.

And then we visited, and I fell in love.

What?? How did we not know any of this? Traveling in Idaho surprised us in so many ways!

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.

Plus, it might seem weird to mention this, but when you visit Idaho your accent will stick out. In many other popular USA destinations, your Aussie lingo might just blend in.

Out here, 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.

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.

Below are a few of the things we discovered about our Idaho travel experiences that surprised us and catapulted it into our top 5 states in the USA list. We still have so much more to experience.

Idaho Borders Two Spectacular National Parks

Did you know that Yellowstone National Park is also in Idaho?

It’s only 1% of the park 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 Island Park’s beautiful forests and stunning rivers and home to wildlife such as moose, elk, deer, pronghorn, and wolves.

And just a short drive from the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming is the Teton Valley in Idaho. It’s the Idaho side of this magnificent Grand Teton Mountain Range.

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 the Teton River.

Outdoor Adventures on 60% Federally Protected Land

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 in Australia. 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.

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.

A Fascinating Volcanic Story

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.

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.

Disneyland could never create anything as magical and unique as this!

Video: Craters of the Moon National Monument

The Most Hot Springs in the USA

Something we never get to experience in Australia are 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.

Look for a small pool bordered by river rocks and the steam rising from the side of the rushing cold river.

Stunning Scenic Byways

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 byways crisscrossing 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)

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.

Click to read our Salmon River Scenic Byway Road Trip guide.

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.

Idaho is Perfect for Star Gazing

Idaho’s rural landscape and lack of light pollution makes it a nighttime wonderland for star gazing.

Idaho is 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. 

Surprisingly Great Coffee

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.

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.

And Evans Brothers Coffee in Sandpoint and Coeur d’Alene.

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.

Amazing Craft Beer and Cider Scene

Idaho ranks 11th for breweries per capita in the USA.

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.

And 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!

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.

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?

Idaho has Wineries

Again, surprisingly, Idaho also has three wine regions with over 60 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.

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.

The Skiing in Idaho is Great

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!

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.

Cool Small Towns and Cities

Coeur d’Alene was the first Idaho town 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.

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. And we’re not the only ones, Mike and Anne from Honeytrek (who are currently on a 10-year world honeymoon) have it at the top of their list of places they’d love to live.

And Lee Abbamonte, the youngest American to travel to every country, calls Boise the most underrated city in the US.

It’s also currently exploding in growth as people have discovered its incredible vibrant quality of life and are moving there in droves.

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 small towns to love in the USA.)

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.

It’s a USA travel experience you’ll never forget (and keep returning to for more).

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Idaho is the one US state you’ll return home from saying, “why didn’t anyone tell me to visit Idaho years ago, I can’t wait to go back.”

Unlike its western neighbors, Idaho does not top any lists for big number of national parks, however a whopping almost 60% of the state land is federally protected and available to quench your thirst for outdoor adventures.

The beauty of Idaho is unsurpassed and so different to what you’re used to in Australia. 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. 

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 country.

You’ll see we rate some of the top Outdoor Idaho adventures below as the best we’ve ever had.

That is no exaggeration and is an evaluation based on years of exploring over 20 US states, IN-DEPTH, and visiting over 50 countries around the world.

Idaho is in our top 5 states to visit in the USA. It captured our heart and will continue to capture our plane tickets to return and travel deeper.

Hiking

One of the best ways to experience the beauty of Idaho is to hike any one of the thousand trails across the state. There are hikes to suit all levels, styles, and interests and will include views, hot springs, wildlife, and wildflowers.

For longer backpacking adventures, consider the Frank Church River of No Return wilderness, the largest wilderness area in the Lower 48 states. You’ll find beautiful scenery, hot springs along trails that follow the wild Salmon River.

Of course, smaller trails abound that are perfect for family travelers.

We enjoyed the short Tubbs Hill Hike along Lake Coeur D’Alene with plenty of secluded swimming beaches along the way. Camel Back Mountain in Boise was a short hike that offered spectacular views of the city and the short hike to Mesa Falls was a wonder not to miss (see below).

Fishing, Including Fly Fishing

There are thousands of miles of rivers, streams, lakes in Idaho, which pretty much makes fishing in Idaho an angler’s dream.

The waterways have 42 game species which include giant white sturgeon, wild trout, catfish, smallmouth bass, salmon, and steelhead. No wonder it is known as a premier fishing spot in the USA, if not the world, especially for fly fishing!

Wrangling chinook salmon in the summer is a favorite outdoor activity in Idaho as they make a nearly 900-mile trek from the Pacific Ocean to the heart of Idaho.

Some of the best places to go fly fishing in Idaho:

• Silver Creek is one of the most famous fly-fishing streams in the world
• Henrys Fork—a spring-fed stream known to most anglers as the greatest river in the world It’s world-renowned for its challenging dry fly wade fishing for big rainbow trout.
• The South Fork is one of the top blue-ribbon trout streams in the state of Idaho, if not the nation.

Paddling: Kayaks and SUP Boards

Pick a lake. Any lake. Idaho has over 2,000 named lakes. All most likely with a view to remember. It may seem like a sedate and simple activity, but paddle boarding in Idaho will give you that solitary moment to soak up its beauty.

We all need ZEN outdoor adventures when we travel.

Our pick is Redfish Lake in the Stanley region. Not only does the sparkling glacial waters make you feel like you’re in the Caribbean, the jagged peaks of the Sawtooth’s in the background will leave you in awe.

We also loved paddle boarding on Lake Coeur d’Alene, and Lake Pend Oreille and Payette Lake are also Idaho favorites for paddling.  

But wait, Boise has outdoor paddling adventures as well on the Boise River.

Horseback Riding

Idaho has many great trails through its vast wilderness to explore on horseback riding. You can pick from short, one or two-hour trips or half to whole day and sunset adventures with expert and friendly guides that cater to all riding levels.

Idaho even has guest ranches which offer unplugged getaways with a focus on horseback riding.

One of our favorite horseback rides around the world was in the Sawtooth Wilderness area of Stanley, Idaho.

We rode through Ponderosa forests beside sparkling lakes, gaining 200-feet in elevation we emerged from the forest to striking views of the jagged Sawtooth range.

The expansive view opened to include the sparkling Redfish and Little Redfish lakes. It was all kinds of WOW!

VIDEO: Horseback Riding Stanley

Whitewater Rafting

You know if you’re going to come all the way from Australia to Idaho, you want to make sure you are experiencing the BEST of everything.

With more navigable whitewater miles than any other of the lower 48 states, Idaho is known to have the best whitewater rafting in the USA, AND highly noted around the world.

You’ll find iconic multi-day trips, like the Middle Fork of Salmon, which National Geographic ranks as one of the top three whitewater river trips in the world, and easier half-or-full day trips based out of Stanley that feature rowdy rapids and scenic views.

A trip on the Salmon is on our Idaho Bucket List for our next trip.

You can find other whitewater rafting trips in areas like the Main Payette, Hells Canyon, and the Snake River.

Biking the Route of the Hiawatha

Yet another outstanding Idaho outdoor activity we loved and continue to rave about, is the Route of the Hiawatha in North Idaho near the border of Montana. It made our top bucket list adventures in the USA.

The forested Bitterroot Mountains provide a spectacular setting as you cycle one of the USA’s most famous rail to trail paths taking in stunning Idaho scenery.

The bike trail is 15-miles on a flat, well-maintained path that is mostly downhill and passes through 9 tunnels and 7 high trestle bridges spanning the steepest parts of the valley.

Be prepared for the first tunnel which is almost 1.7 miles long – that is over 10 minutes riding in the pitch black. Flashlights are essential, as is a jacket as temperatures sit in the 40s.

You can take your own bikes or hire them from the Lookout Pass ski area.

You can catch the shuttle back to the first tunnel, or if you really like adventure, cycle the 15 miles back uphill. We opted for the shuttle.

READ: Route of the Hiawatha: An unforgettable USA Rail Trail

VIDEO: ROUTE OF THE HIAWATHA

Mountain Biking

If you want to ramp up your adventure on two wheels, Idaho has plenty of mountain biking trails through exciting terrain from the Boise foothills to epic wilderness adventures.

In the summer, some ski resorts open up their lift services to challenging downhill runs. Many state parks have trails of various skill levels.

Hard core adventurers will want to take on the Idaho Hot Springs Mountain Bike Route. It is a 500-mile figure-eight loop through central Idaho that passes 50 soak-able hot springs in remote areas – the perfect antidote to sore muscles.

Chasing Waterfalls

If you love waterfalls, you have several stunners in Idaho to chase.

Lower Mesa Falls and Upper Mesa Falls are spectacular waterfalls along the Henrys Fork of the Snake River, deep in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest.

The water tumbles over million-year-old volcanic rock, down into a narrow valley surrounded by lush foliage, and steep forested cliffs. It’s the first time my girls have been that close to such a powerful waterfall and they were more than WOWED.

Upper Mesa Falls has a short boardwalk that offers multiple viewpoints. Lower Mesa Falls offers a long-distance view of the falls from Grandview Overlook. There is a mile hike between the two waterfalls if you want more adventure.

Hailed as the Niagara of the West, Shoshone Falls is a waterfall on the Snake River approximately 3-miles northeast of the city of Twin Falls. At 212 feet high, it’s actually 45 feet higher than Niagara Falls!

To up the adventure, take the eight-mile round trip kayak journey up the Snake River to the Falls.

Sandboarding Bruneau Dunes State Park

Idaho sometimes even looks like the middle of Dubai!

The Bruneau Dunes State Park, located only an hour from Boise, is home to the tallest single-structure sand dune in North America.

So, for a unique Idaho outdoor adventure, grab your sandboard and get ready to fly down its 470ft face!

Be sure to pause and enjoy the view from the top: the lakes below, the Snake River canyon, and the snow-capped mountains off in the distance.

There are small lakes at the base of the dunes for fishing, fun and camping and hiking trails to explore the area further. At night, you can observe the glittering skies from the Bruneau Observatory located right in the park.

Hot Springs

With all these incredible outdoor adventures in Idaho, you will want to have some time soaking up those sore muscles.

Lucky for you, Idaho is home to hundreds of natural hot springs – more than any other state!

Many of the hot springs are actually beside the Salmon River and its tributaries and are accessed right beside the scenic highways!

Look for a small pool bordered by river rocks and the steam rising from the side of the rushing cold river. Don’t rely on people sitting in them though to help you find them, often there is no one even in them!

Craft Beer Trails

While technically not an outdoor activity, you know us Aussies will find a beer garden somewhere during the summer and claim it as one.

Sampling local craft beer and cider in Idaho is a worthy outdoor activity and one of the best ways to explore local flavors and culture.

With over 80 breweries around the state, Idaho’s craft brew scene is booming, and they are gaining a reputation for unique, fresh flavors that speak the Idaho story.

Idaho is the top producer of barley in the United States, second top producer of hops, and has pristine clear water. All of which contribute to high quality beers you’ll be talking about to your friends when you return home.

Camping

In a state as beautiful as Idaho, you’ll want to lay down at night under a starry sky.

From luxurious glamping tents to amenity filled RV parks, and your own private space on public land, you have endless choices for camping in Idaho in your preferred style.

What’s guaranteed are beautiful views, endless horizons, and firepits to roast your marshmallows and engage in the wonderful American camping tradition of S’mores!

We camped in our RV on our Idaho road trip and found stunning secluded spots in the backcountry, RV parks on the edge of the lake, and even a homestay on a family ranch with stunning Salmon River valley views and our own giant hillside waterslide.

More Idaho Posts to read:

• 11 reasons to visit Idaho now!
• 20 Amazing things do in Idaho for first time travelers
• 3 Educational Experiences in Idaho
• Our first family ski trip in 3 Idaho Ski Resorts
• 9 Fun Idaho Winter adventures

Comment: What’s your favorite Outdoor Idaho Adventures? What do you love the sound of the most?

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Show Notes

We’re headed to the ski fields of Idaho in this podcast episode. At the beginning of Spring, we had our first family ski experience at three ski resorts in Northern Idaho: Schweitzer Mountain, Lookout Pass, and Silver Mountain .

It was one of our most memorable family vacations for the adventure, the beauty and the chance to bond together as a family. We share the joys, intensities, and lessons learned during these 5 days of skiing.

We discuss:

SHOW NOTES: RESOURCE LINKS

• Our first family ski trip in 3 North Idaho Ski Resorts
• 18 Lessons learned from our first family ski trip
• 13 Small Towns in the USA we love
• Route of the Hiawatha: An unforgettable USA Rail to trail
• 9 Idaho Winter Activities to love
• Surprising Idaho: 11 reasons we love the Gem State

Video Podcast

For those who may prefer watching a video of us podcasting, we filmed that for you too, which you’ll find on YouTube each week.

More travel podcast episodes

• South Florida Road Trip
• North Florida road trip
• Savannah Georgia as a stop over destination
• Charming getaway to Beaufort SC

See all podcast episodes here

From big cities to jungle treks, African safaris, off-roading adventures, and beach paradises around the world, there is not much I haven’t done.

After 23 years of making travel my life, I now embark on most trips with is a sense of knowing and assurance. I may be visiting a new place name, but I have a strong understanding of what is to come.

On this Idaho skiing trip to three North Idaho ski resorts there was none of that. I was thrown back into the world of a brand-new traveler, and I loved it.

Excitement and wonder were intermingled with a fear – how would we all fare down those slippery slopes? Most importantly, how would I cope in the cold temperatures in these ski destinations?

There was only one way to find out. Buy the warm snow clothes, boot up, and join a ski lesson!

Winter takes on a different shade of meaning when you’re walking down the main street of a village at the base of the mountain you’re about to ski down.

It no longer becomes that freezing air that chills my bones and makes me moan, it breathes a freshness and beauty that beckons me to play.

We donate a percentage of our campaign fee to those local businesses and organizations that support community, the environment, and humanitarian causes. On this South Florida road trip, we supported the Kootenai Environmental Alliance for their conservation efforts in North Idaho.

The Hidden Secret of North Idaho Skiing

We couldn’t have picked a more perfect place for our first family ski vacation experience.

Idaho. A state a state full of outdoor adventure and unique beauty that we fell in love with on our short road trip in the summer of 2019.

It’s awesomeness for family friendly skiing was further validated on our first night soaking up the winter vibes with a red wine in Pend d’Oreille Winery tasting room in Sandpoint.

A lady, attracted by Craig’s UNC winter hat, came up to talk about their win over Duke in basketball just two hours before.

A North Carolina native, she lived in Sandpoint with her family for several years and they return each year to ski.

She and her daughter both said,

“You couldn’t have picked a better place to learn. The absolute worst conditions for skiing on this mountain would be better than most another place’s best day. Just don’t tell anyone.”

Oops.

Of course, we are here to tell you of our five-day skiing vacation in Northern Idaho in partnership with Visit Idaho.

We visited three North Idaho ski resorts; Schweitzer Mountain, Lookout Pass, and Silver Mountain and each mountain offers a unique and valuable experience and we recommend you visit all three when you ski in Northern Idaho.

This is small town skiing on long runs without the crowds in the most spectacular scenery. But don’t tell anyone okay. It’s just between you and me!

Where life’s true beauty exists

On this North Idaho skiing vacation, I went from moments of pure elation to terror. The kind that says,

“I can’t do this anymore. I’m never going skiing again,”

That was after I’d fallen over yet again on another attempt to shuffle my feet onto the correct edge to turn, or when I was going so fast, I’d freak out and somehow ski into the forest, shoving a tree trunk with my feet.

Moments later I’d effortlessly glide down the hill, feeling so free and ensconced in a moment of pure “in the zone bliss” that I’d be singing,

“This is AWESOME! I’m coming back every year.”

This Idaho ski trip taught me that’s where you find the true beauty of life – not in its perfections, but in the up and down trajectory.

It’s the experiences that push you through the fear and limitation range of “I don’t think I am capable”, into a new comfort zone that says, “hang on a minute, maybe I am.”

We never get to the next level of confidence and capability without the falling.

The Ultimate Adventure

That’s why this ski experience in Idaho was my ultimate kind of adventure.

It was messy. It was scary. It was thrilling. It was fun. It was so unbelievably beautiful.

And I got to do it with my kids!

We laughed and cried, confided our fears to each other, and worked as a family unit to encourage, support, and lift each other up to ski on.

The memories from this short 5-day ski vacation are extraordinary. Not just of the spills and accomplishments, but the people we met along the way guiding us and picking us up when we fall.

There was Mary Joe at Schweitzer holding my hands, teaching me the one leg pressure turn, asking me to not break her fingers as she skied backwards to help me “get it.”

There was Tom at Lookout Pass picking me up yet again from a fall, skiing beside me as we tackled a challenging slope, talking to me of my beautiful family and how well we were doing.

There was Mike and Stan at Silver Mountain who slowly, patiently, and separately guided us down the mountain, helping us finally perfect our turns. Stan, helping the girls feel safe and empowered without us around.

Then Matt and Dig from the ski resorts showing us such kindness, and the production crew filming us who were so patient, kind and BOLD, virtually hanging of the side of cliffs on snowboards, and racing behind us on skis with heavy equipment to film our family skiing and snow tubing – all spills and effortless glides.

This was the travel experience we dream of and have sought all my life. The stories to forever share around the campfire.

Because if we have those, then we know our life has been meaningful.

3 North Idaho Ski Resorts Not to Miss

Now let’s get into the nitty gritty of the three Northern Idaho Ski Resorts we visited.  

We’ll be writing a separate post with photos on each ski resort and we’ll also be publishing videos on IGTV and YouTube – standby for those!

And we’ll also be writing a post on lessons learned on a first-time family ski trip – to help prepare you if it’s your first. Plus a valuable ski packing list and tips post.

Join our email community, so you don’t miss those important posts and free printable checklists.

Where are the North Idaho Ski Resorts located?

In the Northern Idaho panhandle, stretching across from the Washington State to Montana borders, you’ll find Schweitzer Mountain, Lookout Pass, and Silver Mountain.

Driving time between these three Idaho ski areas is only two hours max, which makes it easy to experience a few ski resorts in Idaho on the one ski trip.

The nearest airport is Spokane in Washington State, an easy 90-minute drive to Schweitzer Mountain. From there it is two hours to Lookout Pass and Silver Mountain (they are only 13 minutes apart). It’s an hour from Silver Mountain back to Spokane.

How long should you spend skiing in North Idaho?

For beginner skiers, we recommend you start in Schweitzer Mountain and move east. We visited Schweitzer for 2 nights, Lookout Pass (staying in Wallace) for 2 nights, and then back to Silver Mountain for 2 nights.

We found this a great amount of time to fully enjoy the ski and snow experience.

As we were beginners, we were limited in the number of runs we could do (confidently). We loved visiting the three resorts as it gave us new beginner trails (GREEN) to ski. If we had of stayed at the one resort the entire time, we would have quickly gotten bored of the same runs.

I think skiing on the different green trails at each ski resort also helped us ski better. And the views at each were so different, yet equally beautiful.

TOP TIP: Take ski lessons!

We’ll be sharing all our top lessons learned from our Idaho skiing trip in a separate post.

But our most important tip is to learn how to ski properly. We improved tremendously over the course of the five days thanks to our daily lessons.

If you are a new skier, I highly recommend your first trip be focused on learning how to ski. We cannot recommend the private ski lessons enough. We could take our time to master each important technical move before progressing.

We loved how our instructor took us down some more difficult runs, which helped us feel confident and safe. When we’d attempt to do them on our own, I’d just fall apart with fear when we come to a steep part, but with our instructor, I felt in control.

The ski lessons are affordable in the ski resorts of Idaho. Private lessons will be the best and most cost effective for families.

I shudder to think what would have happened to me if I attempted to ski without taking any lessons. Expert skiers make it look easy. You think you can just copy them, but there is so much finesse and technique behind it.

As Mike, our Silver Mountain instructor said,

“skiing is easy to learn, but hard to master. Snowboarding is harder to learn but easier to master”

And as Mary Joe said,

“You want to master those turns before you attempt a blue run!”

In case you don’t know, green is the easiest run, followed by blue, then black.  

I’d also get your instructor to help you learn how to get off the chair lift. That was the most anxiety ridden part of the skiing experience, and we all slapped it multiple times.

The most stressful part was on our last ski run, when the four of us had to get off the same chair lift at the same time for the film crew.

So much pressure, but we NAILED it!

Schweitzer Mountain Resort: The Biggest Ski Resort

What is the biggest ski resort in Idaho? Schweitzer Mountain is known as the largest and one of the best ski resorts in Idaho with over 2,900 skiable acres – 10 lifts service 92 runs.

It’s a ski in and out resort, which means that you can stay in the hotel, or condos right in the village at the base of the mountain and get immediate access to the ski runs.

We loved this feature, especially when it came to the ease of getting in and out of our ski gear and being able to keep most of our belongings in our room.

We also loved the cozy Alpine village feel, which we have always wanted to experience at a ski resort.

It was quiet when we visited. At times, it felt like we had the entire village and mountain to ourselves, especially early in the morning and late afternoon when the chair lifts were closed, and people had gone home for the day.

Schweitzer is located 25 minutes’ drive from the cute small town of Sandpoint on Lake Pend Oreille.

That is the extraordinary views you will have from the top of the mountain as you are skiing down. It has the most dramatic views of the three North Idaho ski resorts!

On our first day, we had a private 3-hour lesson with Mary Joe, who told me she’d been skiing for 64 years! Here I was at 45 struggling to do turn my skis while she held my hands and skied backwards.

Mary Joe was great in helping us learn the basics: wedge turns, pizza stops and the beginnings of French fry turning.

After lots of practice on the bunny runs (practice slope), Mary Joe took us on the green Troll Bridge run. The gradient was steep enough for us to pick up speed, feel in control and build our confidence.

That trail joined the Happy Trail, which got steeper, but a great place for us to practice.

The Enchanted Forest was the steepest of the green runs at Schweizer, which we did on our second day. I was terrified and nearly walked down it. After 5 days of skiing and lessons, I know I could go back to that run now and find it easy. 

More competent skiers will want to head up the chair lift to the steeper blue and black runs.

Despite it being a danger zone for us, we were still able to take the chair lift to appreciate the most spectacular view in North Idaho.

Whether you are skiing back down or catching the chair lift, plan enough time for lunch at the Sky House.

We loved sipping on a Duck Fart Coffee* while watching those expert skiers fly down the mountains on the double black runs. You can access the Outback bowl here, which is the other side to Schweitzer, and offers even more challenging ski runs.  

An advantage of catching the chair lift back down is you can soak up those views and watch the thrill seekers race you down the slopes. They’ll win!

* I know you’re intrigued by the Duck Fart coffee – think warming drink of Canadian whiskey, baileys, Kahlua, coffee and topped with whipped cream. Worth the chair lift and black run down just for that!

Stay and Eat at Schweitzer Mountain

We stayed in a comfortable hotel style room with beautiful views over the ski slopes in the Selkirk Lodge at the Schweitzer Mountain. There are other lodging options like larger condos you can rent for more homestyle amenities.

Powder Hound Pizza in the village had delicious pizza, including gluten free bases and plenty of beers on tap.

For the après experience you dream of, sit on the outside deck of the Taps Bar to watch the sunset and the serenity of the mountain quieting down. I was delighted to be reunited with the delicious ciders of the Pacific Northwest. There’s nowhere else like them in the country!

We loved the clothes in the locally owned Alpine Shop in the village. I could have bought one of everything, but settled for my now favorite, sweater. 

You know you love an experience if you buy the sweater!

Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area: The Most Powder in Idaho

Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area is known to have the most snowfall in Idaho, getting an average of more than 400 inches of light, dry powder snow annually.

It’s also known to have some of the best skiing in Idaho with the best-groomed runs. There are three lifts serving 35 runs.

Feeling confident from our skiing at Schweitzer, we arrived at Lookout Pass before our ski lesson and decided to take on a green run ourselves, Huckleberry.

Halfway down we saw how steep it was with blue and black trails running off it. Signage was a little confusing and we convinced ourselves that we somehow landed on a blue run and we all freaked out!

Kalyra and I laugh now at the image of her careening down the hill heading straight for a tree and somehow managing to bounce herself backwards in a star shaped figure without injury.

Strangely, these are the memories that make a family adventure so worthwhile.

We had to come together to figure out how to solve this problem of us being stuck on mountain, out of our depths, with no other place to go but down.

We managed to pull in our deep breaths and slowly wedge ski down the short steep part of the mountain.

It was a great talking point on how we let fear take over our common senses. We weren’t lost at all, and we were all capable, our minds just freaked us out.

That helped us to navigate through the ups and downs of the rest of our ski experience.

Our instructor, Tom later took us back down Huckleberry and it seemed nowhere near as bad.

I did not even realize, until after our skiing at Lookout Pass that Tom took us skiing down a blue run – Tamarack.

We thought it was a green run – no wonder, the last steep part was a scary struggle for me.

Tamarack was our favorite trail at Lookout. It took you deep into the forest and crossed the state line into Montana.

The trail was wide and easy for us to practice our turns, which Tom was great at helping us learn. It was not without funny memories though: Craig out of control on a turn gently hugging a tree, and myself landing in the forest amongst the trees with Savannah racing Tom to rescue me!

The girls managed to stay upright for most of the experience. It was amazing how quickly they picked up the skiing.

The neat thing about Tamarack is it’s a run on the Montana Side of the mountain. So, when you come back up the chair lift to the peak, you must ski back down Huckleberry to get back to the lodge. Just be sure to leave yourself enough time!

It snowed while we were here, which made it fun to ski through the white hazy world of snowfall.

You will appreciate the lack of crowds at Lookout Pass. As it is not a ski village, there are limited amenities – just a small lodge that has some food and rental equipment.

This is also where we did the famous Route of the Hiawatha bike ride in the summertime, one of our top USA adventures.

This region in the Bitterroot Mountains in spectacular, and we were so happy to be back experiencing it in the winter.

Eat and Stay in Wallace

For our visit to Lookout Pass, we stayed in the nearby intriguing town of Wallace. It has old mining history, with much of the buildings maintaining the same charm. You’ll be surprised by the good food options here.

Blackboard Cafe came recommended by everyone in town as, “so good”. They were not wrong. This gourmet eatery specializes in fresh homemade dishes with a strong Italian influence. My steak was one of the best I’ve had.

The kids will love their unique milkshake flavors!

It’s also a unique shopping experience with Todd’s Bookstore and The Fox & Hare Mountain Wear specializing in quality outdoor wear from brands like PrAna and Kuhl.

City Limits Pub & Grill is a local stop for burgers and local craft brews. Craig says, don’t miss the Loft Honey Pale Ale!

The Wallace Inn is a wonderful place to stay in Wallace within walking distance of downtown. We loved relaxing in their hot tub after a hard day of skiing. Just look at how the beautiful design keeps you connected to the snowy outdoors.

Their restaurant also serves a hearty breakfast before your day on the slopes.

Silver Mountain Resort: The Longest Gondola in America

Silver Mountain Resort is in the town of Kellogg, another Idaho mining town. And if you’re looking for ski resorts near Coeur d’Alene it’s just a 35-minute drive!

To reach the slopes you catch a 25-minute gondola ride from the village at the Silver Mountain Resort to the ski fields. At 3.1 miles, it’s North America’s longest gondola ride.

Apart from the mountain lodge, there are no amenities or accommodation at the ski fields.

Runs are spread out across two mountains: Kellogg Peak and Wardner Peak with two terrain parks along with a snow tubing park.

Full of confidence from our previous days of skiing, we arrived early and attempted the Alpenway run ourselves. Even though my skiing had improved, I was still terrified when we came to a narrow section with a big drop off that intersected with steep blues and blacks.

Slowly we made ourselves through it and down to the bottom without a problem!

We almost ended up on the wrong chairlift – one taking us to the very top of Kellogg Peak. I caught the sign that said, “no beginner runs” just before we got on and saved us a possible disaster! Always ask the operator if you are not sure.

If you do get stuck, our instructors told us the snow patrols can bring you back down, or the chair lifts as well. Do not ski down if you’re not at that level.

At Silver Mountain, we had a split private lesson. Kalyra and Savannah went with Stan, and Craig and I went with Mike.

We all enjoyed this experience just as much as the private family lesson. I think it helped us to better concentrate on our technique.

As Savannah said later, “I really liked it as I wasn’t distracted. When I’m with you, I worry too much about you.”

“Same here, my darling. Same here.”

Mike took us down a steeper green run and worked with us on our turns. For the first time, I started to feel in control of my speed. I finally hit the “skiing is glorious” phase.

We recommend finishing your Northern Idaho Ski Resort trip at Silver Mountain. The runs here were a little more challenging so by the end of your trip – after all your lessons – you should be able to manage (and enjoy) them.

Silver Mountain is also where we went snow tubing! Your ticket includes a two-hour block of tubing fun.

Snow tubing gave us a bit of thrill without the fearful intensity of skiing.

We enjoyed the whole time racing each other or flying down the hill holding on as a group. The views of the surrounding mountains as you fly down are spectacular.

On our last day at Silver Mountain, we were filmed here for Visit Idaho’s 2022 winter campaign commercial. The crew were awesome. We loved this experience as they flew around on their skis and snowboards capturing the magic of our Idaho ski trip.

They filmed our last ski lesson with Mike. Savannah and Kalyra and Stan joined us this time.

Mike and Stan, full of confidence over our previous day skiing skills, took us down the next level green trail.

We started on the steep Noah’s Run, which I handled perfectly the day before, but this time, I got in my head, worried about the girls and the camera crew, and ended up flying into the trees on several occasions.

Then we hit the steeper Bear Grass part of the green trail – we all sure it had to be a blue run.

The girls did SO well! I was so impressed and believed Stan when he said they could do one of the blues from the top of the mountain!

I, however, could not get myself together on this trail, spending more time on my butt and sliding down to meet the easier trail below.

It’s a fun story to tell now.

That’s the joy of this skiing adventure, and I felt so taken care of by Mike, who was always there to pick me up. I still don’t get how the instructors can so effortlessly pick up my heavy flailing body on skis and not fall over.

As Mike said, “I don’t fall over anymore as I can’t get back up.”

All our instructors inspired me and showed me that age does not have to stop you from doing what you love and that skiing just may be a way to keep yourself incredibly fit and healthy in body and mind.  

They also showed me it’s possible to become a skier who doesn’t fall!

After that crazy run, we went onto our favorite Alpenway trail and ended up finishing our Idaho ski trip with the most beautiful skiing run – in experience and landscape.

The camera crew told us the footage they captured of us skiing down the narrow path as a family was magical. Somehow, we managed to ski in sync with each other with perfect turns in the perfect afternoon light.  

That was when I finished our family ski vacation saying, “Yep. I love this. We’re going to go skiing every year.”

And we will.

Eat and Stay in Kellogg Idaho

The year-round Silver Mountain Resort is a great place to stay in Kellogg for the complete ski experience.

It’s a modern resort with condo accommodations. The extra space and amenities are perfect for families who want to save money and prepare their own food.

Families will also love the indoor waterpark at Silver included with every stay. With inside temperatures at 84-degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll forget you’re surrounded by snow capped peaks.

Do not miss the thrilling Moose Sluice – a water slide in the dark and scarier than we anticipated. Parents will love the Lazy River and be sure to have a go at the Flow Rider wave machine– Craig let loose with a barrel roll to cheering crowds!

Noah’s Canteen at the resort is the place for lunch or dinner. They also have a bar area and outside fire pits. Their salmon caesar salad was one of the best I’ve had in the USA. And the burger is excellent too.

For breakfast, pop into Mountain Cafe & Catering in the Gondola Village for some huevos rancheros and a coffee.

Come early though as it gets busy – and you want to preserve all your time for snow fun on the mountain – grab a coffee to go for the 25-minute gondola ride up!

Comment: Have you been skiing in Idaho before? Which ski resort should we visit next?

More Idaho Travel Ideas:

• 20 Amazing Things to do in Idaho for first time visitors
• The Route of the Hiawatha: An unforgettable USA Rail Trail
• 3 Educational Places to Visit in Idaho
• 12 Top Idaho Outdoor Adventures in the Summer

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Just in case you didn’t get what I did there, the educational manifesto I wrote as a teacher had the line,

“Parents are the first and foremost educators of their children.”

That’s right, teachers and schools come second. Don’t fear, you’ve been doing this since they were born and can continue to do it while the school doors are closed.

Do as we do – let your living experiences do the teaching for you.

Be present with the kids, engage in their curiosities, pursue their passions, and interact with them in the moment.

You’ll be surprised at how much they learn, practically on their own.  

This month we’re revisiting, and celebrating places to visit in Idaho, one of our favorite states in the USA (in partnership with Visit Idaho).

It’s unlike any other state we’ve visited and blew us away with its beauty, opportunities for learning, and incredible memory making experiences.

So, let’s hit the Idaho road with these three educational experiences designed to teach, but also offer loads of fun at the same time.

Why can’t all classrooms be like that? Do we even want to return to pre-COVID times?

Oh, and by the way, this is learning for you too! Because you are never too old to be wowed by the planet.

Sacajawea Interpretative, Cultural and Educational Center

In the early 1800s, Lewis and Clark were commissioned by Thomas Jefferson to explore the land west of the Mississippi River and hopefully find a water route to the Pacific Ocean.

Sacajawea became part of the expedition when her French-Canadian trader husband was hired to be an interpreter for Lewis and Clark.

Sacajawea was integral to the success of their Corps of Discovery Expedition due to her interpretation assistance and knowledge of the tribal lands they were traveling through, in particular, the Agai’dika (Salmon Eater) Shoshone-Bannock, Sacajawea’s own tribe whose homeland was in the vicinity of present-day Salmon, Idaho.

Before visiting the Sacajawea Interpretative, Cultural and Educational Center, I knew of this female warrior by name only. I had little understanding of Sacajawea’s importance and strength.

While small, the interpretative center gives you an educational insight into Sacajawea’s life, her integral contribution to the success of the Lewis And Clark Corps of Discovery expedition, and the perspective of her people and their Salmon and Lemhi River Country.

Most striking is the bronze statue of Sacajawea in the garden holding a young child looking out over the mountains and landscape she loved so much. In writing this post, I have discovered there are more statues in the USA dedicated to Sacagawea than to any other American woman.

This place to visit in Idaho is on a beautiful 71-acre park which offers scenic trails that take you by several fascinating interpretive signs and artifacts. We took a short loop walk along the river and saw a bobcat!

The Sacajawea Center also holds indoor and outdoor concerts in the summer, as well as annual historical events, festivals, family historical programs, kids summer camps and Dutch oven cookouts.

Homeschool Activity

There is a great workbook for kids (access online) where you can learn more about the Sacajawea, the expedition and her people with fun activities like crack the codes, learn Indian Hand Talk. and make your own tipi.

Land of Yankee Fork State Park, Challis

Here is your opportunity to step back in time and learn a little about the mining history of Idaho.

The Land of Yankee Fork State Park is in Challis, Central Idaho, along the Salmon River Scenic Byway (one of our favorite US road trip experiences).  

As mining towns do, they boom, and they bust. This area was thriving between 1877 and 1911 with the towns of Bonanza, Bayhorse, and Custer supporting it. Not too long after that the bust came, and the people left behind the crumbling remains of ghost towns.

A trail was used during the old mining days that took supplies from Challis to the Yankee Fork Mining District, and you can follow this historic trail along a 98-mile loop drive.

Not only will you get to visit ghost towns, but the river and mountainous scenery is beautiful. There are also plenty of ATV, mountain bike and hiking trails in this area.

This loop drive will take you along rivers, mountains, and scenic vistas to the various attractions.

Here are your stops along the way:

Interpretive Center

Start at the Interpretive Center with an informative video sharing the history of the area and development of the mining towns. You can then explore the artifacts in the small museum.

Ready for your homeschool activity?

The Center’s engaging scavenger hunt is a great way for kids to learn more about this region. It was a fun learning experience that helped our girls to connect with life back in the mining days.

Challis Bison Kill Site

There is a short, paved pathway from the Interpretive Center that takes you to the Challis Bison Kill Site, where early inhabitants of the Round Valley captured bison. Archaeological excavations uncovered the bones of about 30 bison as well as glass beads and stone tools spanning across different time frames.

Bayhorse

The Bayhorse Mining District was among the longest running lead and silver producers in the state of Idaho. The town had a population of about 300 people.

Bayhorse is well preserved with the Bayhorse Saloon, numerous cabins, the beehive kilns, the stone Wells Fargo building, and a large stamp mill.

A short self-guided tour will tell you more about life in this Silver town. 

Bonanza

As we were short on time, we did not make it to Bonanza. It was the largest of the towns and was destroyed by fires in the 1890’s. The remaining merchants all moved to Custer. Today, Bonanza has only about seven tumbling structures, in various states of decay.  

Custer

In its hey day Custer had a population of about 600 people.

Self-guided walking tours in Custer tell the story of Idaho’s mining history along its mile long Main Street. Stop into the Empire Saloon for a cheap scoop of handmade ice cream (recess break).

You can also take a tour of the 988-rton Yankee Fork Gold Dredge, the largest dredge in Idaho to help get that gold out of the Yankee River. Over its time in use, the dredge recovered an estimated $1,000,000 in gold and silver.

While here, don’t miss:

A soak in a natural hot spring.

In this area, you’ll find numerous hot springs by the side of the byway next to the Salmon River. Of course, it is educational.

These springs are caused by the fault line that runs underneath Idaho. This is the perfect, real-life experience for kids and a great lead in (or out) to our next educational place to visit in Idaho.

Sunbeam Hot Springs are right near the old Sunbeam Dam, the only dam ever constructed on the Salmon. The dam was built in 1910 to generate electricity for the nearby mines and is no longer in operation.

We share more Idaho hot spring ideas in this post on things to do in Idaho.

Check out this amazing ghost town in California: Bodie Ghost Town.

Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve

Life should be filled with wow moments. Driving into the Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve was one of those.

We pulled over to the side of the road to soak in the striking rainbow colors of the desert landscape morphing into the black hardened rock of the lava fields.

How did I not know Idaho, was in part, created from volcanic activity? If I read that in a science book I’d probably have forgotten not long after the test had finished.

But now that I’ve walked amongst the black twisted lava beds, I will never forget it.

Text and pictures in a book can only do so much. Walking up a cinder cone and looking out to a field of spatter and cinder cones pretty much brings it to life.

This volcanic wonderland offers 750,000 acres of twisted lava fields, craters, cinder cones and surrounding mountain ranges. It’s in the high desert of Central Idaho, about 175 miles from Boise. It’s an incredible place to visit on your Idaho road trip.

Learn at the Visitor Center

Thanks to a few highly informative displays in the visitor center, I learned more about how this region was created by a handful of lava flows.

They oozed out of fissures along the Great Rift, 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. What a fantastic way to lead into our upcoming adventures exploring the USA’s first national park.

By the way, the western edge of Yellowstone and the western slope of the Tetons are places in Idaho! (Incorporate them into your Idaho road trip through this region.)

Things to do in Craters of the Moon National Monument

With its 7-mile scenic loop drive and short, flat trails this is an easy national park to explore in just a couple of hours. Choose the trails that best suit your length of time and interest.

Here are two experiences not to miss.

Inferno Cone

Don’t miss the 0.2 mile hike up Inferno Cone. This was my favorite of things to do in Craters of the Moon.

The views of the Great Rift, Snake River Plain and Pioneer mountains and the various cinder cones that lay scattered around are spectacular and showcase creation frozen in time.

Does it get any more real for a child then to climb to the top of a black cinder cone?

Explore the Lava Tubes: Caves Trail

Dip below the surface of the Earth to venture into a series of caves created by molten lava thousands of years ago.

I love venturing through lava tubes and seeing firsthand how these caves were created. It’s so easy to point out the shapes and explain to your kids how they were formed They get it straight away.

Caves Trail is a popular trail that will take you to 4 caves, tubes, and tunnels created by the flow of lava.

Learn about the Stars

One of my favorite things to do is lie under a starry sky and contemplate how big the Universe is and how small we really are.

Keep your children connected to this humbling feeling.

Craters of the Moon National Monument is a designated International Dark Sky Park for its outstanding night skies.

You can stay at very funky looking campsite within the park to see it for yourself, or there are ranger-led full moon hikes during the summer months where you can learn more.

There truly no better way for a child to learn than have them walking amongst Craters of the Moon and experiencing the essence of volcanic activity through their five senses AND their imagination.

Homeschooling: Earn your Badge

Junior Ranger programs are one of our favorite ways to connect to the learning experience within national and state parks.

Get your booklet from the visitor center and complete the required number of activities for your age’s badge level. All activities extend the learning about the flora, fauna, and history of the park.

Junior Rangers will love the lunar like badge they can collect from this park once completed. It was one of the most unique we collected on our 12-month RV trip.

Watch: Craters of the Moon National Monument

More Idaho Content

• 20 Amazing Things to do in Idaho for first time visitors
• The Route of the Hiawatha: An incredible USA Rail Trail
• 12 Top Idaho Outdoor Adventures in the Summer
• 11 Reasons to fall in love with Idaho

Comment: What other education places in Idaho would you add to this list?

Our family is always saying yes to outdoor activities that help us unplug to reconnect and create lifelong stories to tell like…

“Remember that time, when we cycled through the almost two-mile, pitch-black tunnel and Savannah came out the other side covered in mud?”

And that was right at the beginning before we even hit the sky-high trestle bridges with stunning views of the Bitterroot Mountains.

The Route of the Hiawatha Trail in Idaho was one of our favorite and unforgettable family adventure so far in the USA. And as far as adventures go, this one was cruisy – focused more on fun than exhausting physical exertion.

This month we’re revisiting, and celebrating Idaho, one of our favorite states in the USA in partnership with Visit Idaho.

What is the Route of the Hiawatha?

The Route of the Hiawatha is a 15-mile rail-trail that follows a former railroad route. Now don’t freak out at the 15-mile part. This bike ride is all downhill.

It runs through the Bitterroot Mountains at a gradual 1.6% average downhill grade and drops 1,000 ft over the 15 miles. Too easy!

Between 1906 – 1909 the Milwaukee Railway Company constructed this stretch of travel through this rugged mountainous terrain to expand its West Coast offerings. It cost $234 million dollars and took 9,000 men from nationalities over the world to build. At its time, it was a true engineering marvel.

After decades of financial struggles, the last train ran through in 1980 and one of the most scenic stretches of railroad in the country was abandoned.

Soon after it opened to bikers and hikers. The train track is no longer, but the route you’ll follow on your bike is just as it was in the 1900s when trains chugged through.

The Route of the Hiawatha Experience

The Route of the Hiawatha is located on the Montana Idaho border. You’ll begin your ride along the former railroad route at the East Portal/Taft Parking Lot.

If you’re hiring bikes, you’ll pick them up at the start of the trail and will go through your safety checks.

Be sure to check your flashlight properly. I didn’t and ended up cycling through those tunnels tailing Kalyra to use her light. It was waaay darker than I thought it would be and quite scary using only her light.

The ride begins at St Paul Pass or Taft Tunnel, the only tunnel everyone remembers by name as it is almost 1.7 miles long, cold and pitch black. Quite the exciting way to start (and finish) this adventure.  

This is where Savannah came out caked in mud. She was on a tag-along bike behind Craig who cycled quickly through the tunnel not realizing she was catching all the mud splash.

Kalyra did not want to get her new Vans muddy, so she and I cycled reaaaallly (painfully) slowly through it. I was grateful at the end as our clothes did not need extra soaking in the tub.

The trail goes through another 9 tunnels, none as long as the first. Although most still quite dark to cycle through so remember to flip the light switch.

The journey the entire way is picturesque and ambling.

You cycle across 7 trestle bridges spanning 230-feet above the steepest parts of the valley floor. These are fun to stop at for your photos and views down into the valley.

There are several places along the trail where you can stop to take photos overlooking the trestle bridges further ahead as the trail winds down to the valley floor.

Savannah had the most fun of all! There were no complaints of “are we there yet?” from her.

As she was 8, we put her on a tag-along with Craig, thinking the 15 miles might be too much for her to cycle on her own. She cruised and sang almost the entire way. I do think she could have done it on her own bike. But sometimes it’s best to go for the “just in case” option.

Keep an eye out for wildlife as you ride along the Route of Hiawatha. There is a good chance you may see deer. We rounded a corner and saw one quietly munching on the leaves by the side of the road.

You’ll be sad once it finishes. It’s probably the only 15-mile bike ride you’ll do where you barely break a sweat and don’t get a sore bum!

Wait a minute. How do you get back?

You have two choices. It depends on how you feel, how much time you have, and who you are with.

Those with endless time, energy, and fewer little people, may want to cycle the 15 miles back uphill.

You may be shuddering at that thought, as I was. I was surprised at how many people I saw turn around and start riding back.

It inspired me to perhaps give it a go on our next ride on the Route of the Hiawatha. Perhaps on an electric bike?

Thankfully, for the weary, there is a shuttle waiting for you at the end which takes you back to the first tunnel. Save your energy as you will have to cycle back through the 1.7-mile Taft Tunnel at the end though.

Be warned, there can be quite the line for the shuttle. We waited an hour once we finished our ride. All worth it though as it was one of our favorite things to do in Idaho!

How to prepare and things to know!

A good level of fitness would always be preferable, but as it’s downhill, you won’t have to worry too much about it.

There are a few things you want to ensure you’ve packed for your Route of the Hiawatha adventure.

• Jacket: Temperatures in the first tunnel average 47 degrees year-round. If it were a much shorter tunnel, you could probably zip through it without zipping up, but as it will take about 15 minutes, you’ll be grateful for the extra warmth.
• Flashlight: A flashlight is an absolute MUST. When they say the first tunnel is dark, they mean it.
• Pack plenty of snacks and water
• All trail users must purchase a ticket and display that ticket on your bicycle, while on the trail. You can pre-purchase online.
• Be sure to remove sunglasses and turn on lights before entering the tunnels.
• Move to the side if stopping to gawk at the views.
• Go early to avoid extra long lines at the end of the day. You also don’t want to miss the last shuttle!
• Plan for at least half a day so you can amble and enjoy those views.
• You can take your own bikes or hire them from the Lookout Pass ski area. Check current prices there.
• Heavier bikes incl Fat-tire, E-Bikes are charged extra fees.
• The trail is open from approximately Mid-May through Mid-September. The trail, trailheads, and facilities are open from 8:30 AM to 5 PM PDT.

Video: Route of the Hiawatha

Where is the Hiawatha Trail in Idaho?

The Lookout Pass Ski Area is where you can organize passes, return shuttle services, and mountain bike rentals, including helmets and lights.

Lookout Pass Ski Area is located right alongside Interstate 90. Take Exit 0, at the Idaho-Montana state line. It is:

• 12 miles from Wallace, Idaho
• 56 miles from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
• 33 miles from St. Regis in Montana

The start of the Hiawatha is a short 7-mile drive from Lookout Pass. Drive down I-90 East to Exit 5 in MT and then follow the Hiawatha signs on a dirt/gravel road two miles to the East Portal/Taft Parking Lot.

There is no Shuttle Service to the Hiawatha from the Ski Area. You will need to drive there!

Where to stay:

There are numerous campsites (primitive and paid) in the Wallace area and closer to the trailhead. Self-contained RVs may park overnight in the Lookout Pass Ski.

You’ll find several lodging options in Wallace. We stayed at the cozy Wallace Inn.

Points of interest nearby

Wallace

The nearby historic town of Wallace, Idaho is the ideal base camp for you to explore the beauty and wonder of the Silver Valley and surrounding Bitterroot Mountains.

For the past 100 years, Wallace has been the world’s largest silver producer and the richest mining town still in existence. It’s a quaint town with historic buildings, interesting museums and great breweries and restaurants.

Wallace is also surrounded towering mountains and thick forest offering world-class recreation trails for mountain bikes, ATV, and snowmobile trails.

Fun Fact – Wallace is one of only four cities in the United States that is entirely listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Coeur d’Alene

Coeur d’Alene was one of our favorite places to visit in Idaho. It’s a beautiful lakeside town in the Northern panhandle region.

It has a vibrantly, young college town feel with plenty of restaurants and bars with live music spilling out onto the pavement. We loved the access to the lake for swimming, paddle boarding and sunset cruises.

More Idaho Posts

• You can read more in-depth things to do in Coeur d’Alene in our post on 20 amazing things to do in Idaho.
• 3 educational places to visit in Idaho
• 12 Top Outdoor Idaho Adventures in the Summer

Comment: Have you experienced a rail trail like this before? Do you love these kind of adventures with your family? Leave any questions you may have!