Iconic Idaho: 5 Can’t Miss Destinations

Idaho is home to a variety of terrain, from high desert to lush forests. Among these landscapes sit some of the most awe-inspiring and captivating sights in the nation. Any trip to The Great American West should include at least one of these iconic destinations.

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve

A trip to Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is practically mandatory for any visit to The Great American West. Marvel at the expanse of lava flows and explore caves and craters during a hike. As a designated International Dark Sky Park, the preserve is filled with killer views day and night. Only a few hours from Yellowstone National Park, Craters of the Moon is a perfect fit to round out your trip of natural wonders.

Dark Skies in Central Idaho

With light pollution erasing visibility of the Milky Way for one-third of Earth’s population, Central Idaho has become the best U.S. refuge for observing the night-time sky. Idaho has three designated areas recognized by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) – the leading organization working to combat light pollution worldwide – for the preservation of night sky viewing.

• Central Idaho – Reserve
• Ketchum, Idaho – Community
• Craters of the Moon National Monument – Park

The Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve is the first and only gold-tier International Dark Sky Reserve in America and the third largest in the world at 3,668 square kilometers/1,400 square feet.

City of Rocks National Reserve

Home to some of the world’s best rock climbing, City of Rocks National Reserve is filled with backcountry adventures between hiking, biking, climbing and bird watching. The park is also ripe with Oregon Trail and California Trail history, including markings from some of the emigrants who traveled through during the Gold Rush. Views of sage meadows, aspen groves and granite domes grant non-stop exploration and scenery, not to mention great material for photographers.

Shoshone Falls

Tucked away in the high desert of Southern Idaho, Shoshone Falls thunders as it plunges into the rugged Snake River Canyon. Shoshone Falls is one of the largest natural waterfalls in the U.S. and is taller than Niagara Falls at 64.6 meters/212 feet. Spring and early summer are the best times to see the full power of the falls when water flows are high.

Route of the Hiawatha

Ride the Route of the Hiawatha to enjoy a breathtaking adventure along the crest of the Bitterroot Mountains. The mountain bike or hike trail spans 24 kilometer/15 miles pocketed by sky-high trestles and train tunnels.

 

 

What’s New in Idaho

Winter Exhilaration at Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area

From skiing to tubing to snowshoeing, Idaho winters are filled with a variety of activities to keep anyone active and entertained. Just outside of Idaho’s capital city, Boise, Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area is a perfect all-ages getaway that’s grown into more than a ski area. In addition to day-skiing terrain, Nordic and snowshoe trails and tubing hill, Bogus Basin added to its recreation mountain status with Idaho’s first alpine mountain coaster. The coaster snakes along more than 1,220 meters/4,000 feet through the woods of Boise National Forest at speeds of over 40 kilometers/25 miles per hour.

 

Boise’s Clairvoyant Brewing Named One of the 50 Best New Breweries

Idaho’s craft beer scene is on the rise and Boise has the largest selection of breweries and taprooms to get a true taste of our Northwest flavor. Open for less than a year, Boise’s Clairvoyant Brewing is already making national headlines for its exceptional product. BeerAdvocate named Clairvoyant one of the 50 best new breweries in the U.S. and Canada. Read the full article:

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Learn more at visitidaho.org.