Versteckte Highlights & Geheimtipps In Idaho

Idaho is far more than the famous places like Boise, the Sawtooth Mountains or Shoshone Falls. Just off the classic routes, numerous natural wonders, small western towns and lonely landscapes await to be discovered. Those who travel by camper or Fifth Wheel and take their time here experience an Idaho that many US travelers never meet.

The following places are ideal as stopovers or small detours and give your trip that certain something.

Category | Information

Ideal for | Explorers and individual travellers

Duration of stay | Depending on the route a few hours to 2 days

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

Visitors | (mostly very quiet)

Nature experience | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Between Twin Falls and Boise, hundreds of springs spring along the steep cliffs of the Snake River.

The water emerges directly from the basalt cliffs and forms spectacular waterfalls.

Particularly worth seeing are:

Knight Island

Malad Gorge

Niagara Springs

Crystal Springs

Many travellers drive directly past it on Interstate 84. A small detour is definitely worth it.

In the middle of Idaho rises the highest freestanding sand dune in North America.

The landscape is more reminiscent of the Sahara than of the Rocky Mountains.

Highlights:

Walking on the dunes

Sandboarding

Observatory

Beautiful sunsets

Shortly before sunset, fascinating light and shadow plays are created on the dunes.

One of the most beautiful natural hot springs of Idaho.

After a 3 km long hike you reach several natural pools with fantastic views over the valley.

The hiking trail leads up steadily. Plan enough water and good footwear.

In the east of Idaho two impressive waterfalls plunge through a wooded volcanic landscape.

The Upper Mesa Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the state with its almost 35-metre high fall edge.

A short wooden bridge leads directly to several viewpoints.

It is located on the border between Idaho and Oregon, and is the deepest river gorge in North America.

With a height difference of over 2'400 metres, it is even much lower than the Grand Canyon.

Among the most popular activities are:

Wildlife observation

The access is via winding mountain roads. Larger Fifth Wheels you can better stand on a campground and explore the canyon with the pickup truck.

In the north of Idaho, one of the most beautiful lakes in the state is located.

The crystal clear water and dense forests make it an ideal place for:

Kayaking

Bathing

Camping

Compared to the more famous Coeur d'Alene Lake, it is much quieter here.

Directly on the Payette River are several natural thermal pools under small waterfalls.

The combination of hot spring water and rushing river makes this place particularly attractive.

Visit the sources as early as possible in the morning or during the week because they are very popular.

Near Buhl, a huge boulder is balancing seemingly weightless on a narrow stone column.

With a height of about 15 meters, Balanced Rock is one of the most unusual natural formations in Idaho.

Idaho offers numerous little-known panoramic roads.

Especially recommended are:

Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway

Salmon River Scenic Byway

International Selkirk Loop

Mesa Falls Scenic Byway

Here you often experience Idaho almost without traffic.

Idaho owns more natural hot springs than almost any other state in the United States.

Many of them are free of charge and are located in the middle of nature.

Among the best known are:

Goldbug Hot Springs

Kirkham Hot Springs

Jerry Johnson Hot Springs

Pine Flats Hot Springs

There is hardly any light pollution away from the cities.

Especially suitable are:

Sawtooth Mountains

Bruneau Dunes

Craters of the Moon

City of Rocks

Here the Milky Way often belongs to the standard program of every clear night.

Most insider tips are far from larger cities.

Plan your purchases early in:

Boise

Twin Falls

Coeur d'Alene

If

Many smaller towns have only a General Store.

Family-run restaurants and diners are often the best choice, especially in remote regions.

You can also stop at an inconspicuous roadhouse or café, where you will often find excellent burgers, homemade cakes and regional specialities – and interesting conversations with locals.

Idaho offers countless natural campsites.

Especially recommended are:

Priest Lake State Park

Bruneau Dunes Campground

Kirkham Campground

Hells Canyon Creek Campground

Thousand Springs State Park Campground

If you prefer to travel comfortably, there are numerous RV parks with full hook-ups in the larger cities.

Many of the most beautiful places in Idaho are located off Interstate. Plan enough time for smaller side roads – there are often the biggest surprises waiting.

If you plan two or three additional travel days and consciously explore less well-known regions, you will experience a completely different Idaho than most visitors.

The most beautiful landscapes are often created not at the famous viewpoints, but along the Scenic Byways or on the quiet Forest Roads.

In the remote regions you can observe with a little luck:

Moose

Black bears

Mule deer

Bighorn sheep

Whitehead sea eagle

Osprey

The best chances are early in the morning or shortly before sunset.

Leave main roads only with sufficient fuel.

Download offline cards – mobile phone reception is restricted in many places.

Inform yourself about the condition of unpaved roads in advance.

Always take enough drinking water, even for short trips.

The famous sights of Idaho are impressive – but the true character of the state is often evident in places that are not featured on a classic guide. Small mountain villages, lonely lakes, natural thermal springs and spectacular landscapes make Idaho a paradise for individual travellers.