Planning this region

Idaho is one of the biggest surprises in the West. While many travelers only cross the state on their way between Montana, Washington, Oregon or Utah, those who take time discover an exceptionally varied landscape: crystal clear mountain lakes, deep gorges, imposing waterfalls, pristine forests, wide plateaus and some of the most beautiful mountain panoramas of the Rocky Mountains.

With an area of more than 216'000 km2, Idaho is almost five times as large as Switzerland, but counts only about two million inhabitants. This makes it possible to find numerous places even during the summer months where you can enjoy nature almost on your own.

Idaho is a true paradise especially for campers and Fifth Wheel travelers. The roads are usually not very busy, campsites often lie in the middle of nature and the range of State Parks, National Forests and Boondocking possibilities is one of the best in the USA.

Idaho is also known for its hospitality. Small mountain villages, historic mining towns and family-run restaurants give the state an authentic character that many travelers particularly appreciate.

If you want to experience the spectacular landscapes of the American West without constantly meeting large tourist crowds, Idaho will love.

Category | Information

Capital | Boise

Largest city | Boise

Nickname | The Gem State

Area | 216'443 km2

Inhabitants | 2 million

Best time to visit | June to September

Ideal stay | 10–14 days

Time zones | Mountain Time & Pacific Time

Fifth-wheel access | Check your vehicle, specific campsite and approach road.

Landscape | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Our recommended route connects the most beautiful lakes, mountain regions and natural wonders of the state.

Coeur d'Alene → Sandpoint → Lake Pend Oreille → Wallace → Silver Valley → Stanley → Sawtooth National Recreation Area → Craters of the Moon → Twin Falls → Shoshone Falls → City of Rocks → Boise

This route is suitable for classic campers as well as large Fifth Wheels and combines famous highlights with less visited insider tips.

Take your time for spontaneous stops. Idaho is one of the few states in which the small side roads often lead to the most beautiful landscapes.

Idaho can generally be visited all year round. However, the summer and early autumn months are particularly suitable for a camper trip.

The mountain passes gradually open up. Rivers and waterfalls carry a lot of water and the temperatures are pleasant.

The ideal time to travel for mountain hikes, lakes and national recreation areas. During the day it gets warm in the lower regions while the mountain regions remain pleasantly cool.

Many locals consider September as the most beautiful month of travel. The forests start to turn, the temperatures remain pleasant and much fewer visitors are on the road.

Snow falls early in the higher altitudes. Numerous mountain roads and campgrounds are then closed.

Idaho has an excellent network of roads.

Most highways are also easily accessible with large Fifth Wheels.

Only some remote forest roads and Boondocking access routes can be challenging depending on the weather.

Plan enough time for mountain roads. Although the distances on the map often seem short, winding routes significantly extend the journey time.

Idaho is one of the most camper-friendly states in the United States.

You can choose from:

State Parks

National Forest Campgrounds

Army Corps Campgrounds

Private RV Parks

numerous primitive campgrounds

Many places are located directly on lakes or rivers and offer spacious pitches.

For Freisteher, Idaho is one of the most attractive states ever.

There are countless possibilities to stay free of charge on the grounds of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and in the National Forests.

Typical are:

Mountain panorama

lone forest

Riverbank

Large parking spaces

hardly any light pollution

Not every gravel road is suitable for large Fifth Wheels. Before you continue on, inform yourself about the condition of the access roads.

Idaho has an exceptionally diverse wildlife.

With some luck you can observe:

Moose

Wapitis

Black bears

Grizzly bears (northern)

Bighorn sheep

Mountain goats

Wolves

Coyotes

Whitehead sea eagle

Osprey

The best chances are in the early hours of the morning along rivers and forest edges.

Many travellers focus exclusively on Yellowstone or Glacier National Park. Idaho offers a similarly spectacular nature – but with significantly fewer visitors.

Gas stations can be far apart in remote regions. Never keep the tank below a third.

The most beautiful light moods often arise in Idaho shortly after sunrise, when fog clouds lie over the mountain lakes.

Do not underestimate the driving times in the mountains.

Reserve popular campgrounds early in the summer.

Find out about forest fire reports during the summer months.

Download offline cards – there is no mobile reception in many mountain regions.

Idaho is one of the most underrated states in the American West. Just because many travelers overlook it, it preserves its originality, which has long since been lost in other regions.