Idaho is a very underrated state and there are so many great places for visitors to explore. Whether you enjoy hiking, beautiful scenery, waterfalls, water sports, cute towns, or hot springs, the Gem State has something for you.
Here are the 25 best places to visit in Idaho, including the top tourist spots and activities for just about everyone!
1. Sawtooth Mountains & Stanley
The Sawtooth Mountains have some of the most beautiful scenery in the state. Outdoor enthusiasts will have their fill of adventure with miles of hiking trails, whitewater rafting, fly fishing, mountain biking, horseback riding, and hot springs.
Stanley, Idaho is often referred to as the basecamp for the Sawtooth Mountains. It’s a tiny town right along the Salmon River and in the heart of the Sawtooth National Forest.
Visitors won’t find a lot of options for shopping or restaurants, but what the town lacks in amenities it makes up for in views and accessibility to the abundance of outdoor activities. There are a lot of amazing things to do in Stanley, Idaho.
Camping is a great option here, with dozens of campgrounds in the surrounding area. For those who would rather not rough it, Mountain Village Resort is a popular option with its own hot spring.
2. Bruneau Dunes State Park
Who says sand dunes are only in the southern states? Bruneau Dunes State Park actually has the tallest single-structured sand dune in the United States and also in North America.
Visitors can experience the dunes by foot or also by sandboard, which is a unique way to spend your time in the park. Sandboards can be rented at the visitor center, and there are two options: stand up or sled style, so everyone can enjoy the ride.
The park also boasts lots of other activities, including fishing, boating, kayaking, swimming, and biking. In the summer, guided evening walks are available for those who want to search for the 3 types of scorpions who call the park home.
3. Coeur d’Alene
Coeur d’Alene is another one of the best places to visit in Idaho. The city itself sits right along Lake Coeur d’Alene, which means there are endless options for visitors who want to get out on the water.
Golf is a popular sport here, as well as pickleball and biking. For families, there are dozens of great choices, including ziplining, rafting, Triple Play Family Fun Park, and mini golf. In the winter, snowsports are king at Silver Mountain, which also has the world’s longest gondola.
And don’t forget the shopping! Downtown Coeur d’Alene has over 100 shops and restaurants to enjoy. For a little pampering, there are plenty of resorts and spas that offer massages, facials, manicures, and much more.
Nature is also not far away. Just outside of the city is Idaho Panhandle National Forests and Coeur d’Alene National Forest, so those who are itching to hit the trails will have the opportunity to get out and hike.
4. Silverwood Theme Park
Just 15 minutes north of Coeur d’Alene is Silverwood Theme Park & Boulder Beach Water Park. With over 70 rides, attractions, and shows, it’s a fantastic choice for the whole family.
Kids will love the antique cars, carousel, ferris wheel, and the steam engine train. There’s also a dedicated splash pad for the littlest family members and Polliwog Park has lots of fun hoses, slides, and water fun.
Adrenaline junkies will have a blast on the five intense roller coasters. Other thrilling rides include the Panic Plunge and the Velocity Peak water slide.
5. Bonners Ferry
Bonners Ferry tends to be off of a lot of people’s radars, but it shouldn’t be! Located in the panhandle of Idaho, this picturesque city on the Kootenai River was once the center of the local farming and lumber industries.
The downtown has an old-fashioned feel but still has everything you’d need while visiting. Kootenai River Brewing Company & Restaurant is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. If you like history, the Boundary County Museum is a great place to spend an hour or so.
Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge is located right outside of town and is a great area for spotting wildlife. The trails are fairly easy and there’s even a waterfall to admire. Copper Creek Falls is another waterfall you can hike to and is one of the tallest in the state.
6. Sandpoint
Sandpoint is located between Coeur d’Alene and Bonners Ferry and is worth spending some time exploring.
One of the most popular attractions of Sandpoint is Lake Pend Oreille. The city is located right on the lake, which is the biggest and deepest lake in the state. Sandpoint City Beach Park is a great place to have a picnic, go for a swim, or relax. The lake also has dozens of parks, picnic areas, boat launches, and camping sites around it.
The city itself also has a lot to offer. There is a vibrant art scene, lots of fantastic restaurants, and some wineries. There are also golf courses and a casino. In the winter, the local Schweitzer Mountain Ski resort is the second most popular in Idaho.
7. Goldbug Hot Springs
Idaho has the most soakable hot springs in the country with 130 options. While there are so many to choose from, one of the best is Goldbug Hot Springs.
Located about 1 hour 45 minutes north of Stanley, this hot spring is one not to miss. Visitors will have to hike 4 miles round trip to access the spring, but the hike is worth the view. There are various pools of different temperatures and depths to enjoy, but the famous heart-shaped pool is the popular one with the Instagrammable view of the mountains.
For those who want the best chance of having the area to themselves, there are a couple of first-come, first-serve campsites along the trail. Campers will then have the opportunity to get to the springs bright and early. Goldbug is popular, so it can fill up quickly.
8. Sun Valley & Ketchum
These two towns are known for their ski resorts. Bald Mountain and Dollar Mountain are the popular ones and offer some fantastic runs. Cross country skiing and snowshoeing trails are also accessible, and even sleigh rides are offered during the snowy season.
In the summer, there are excellent hiking and equestrian trails. Golfing, biking, and fly fishing are popular outdoor activities as well. The Sawtooth Botanical Garden is also a highly-rated attraction just south of the towns.
Sun Valley and Ketchum also make good towns to base yourself for exploring the Sawtooth Mountains and visiting hot springs. Easley Hot Springs is a popular one with regulated swimming hot tubs and a swimming pool.
9. Salmon
The town of Salmon is small but offers a lot for visitors. There are plenty of restaurants, art galleries, and shops to explore. The Lemhi County Museum lays out the history of the area, and the The Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural, & Educational Center honors and celebrates the life of Sacajawea, who was born near Salmon.
Probably the most popular attraction is the white water rafting. The Salmon River offers some great runs for just about everyone. Trips on the river can last anywhere from half a day up to a week depending on what you are looking to experience.
10. Lemhi Pass
Lemhi Pass is located right on the continental divide between Idaho and Montana in the Beaverhead Mountains of the Bitterroot Range. This pass has gorgeous views of Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest in Montana and Salmon-Challis National Forest in Idaho.
The pass is known for its ties to the Lewis and Clark expedition. This is where they discovered the headwaters of the Columbia River. In fact, the rugged landscape still looks very close to what it would have looked like to Lewis and Clark when they saw it 200 years ago.
Nearby, the Sacajawea Memorial Picnic Area is a great spot to take a snack break and enjoy the view. Visitors should also be aware that the Lemhi Pass Road can be rough and some sections are one-lane, so a high-clearance vehicle is recommended.
11. Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
Situated on the border of Idaho and Oregon, Hells Canyon is an outdoor lover’s paradise. The deepest river gorge in North America resides here on the Snake River, which is the boundary between the two states.
Lots of wildlife resides here, from mountain goats and bighorn sheep to mountain lions and bears. Lots of species of fish call the Snake River home, and birders have the chance to spot a vast number of birds, from songbirds and raptors to herons and woodpeckers.
Hiking and backpacking is abundant here, and there are plenty of campgrounds and picnic areas for visitors to enjoy. Horseback riding is also a great option here, and the fishing is spectacular.
12. Idaho Falls
Idaho Falls is one of the best places to visit in Idaho all year round. The city is split by the Snake River and has something for everyone.
This city is very kid-friendly. There’s a zoo, aquarium, museums, and lots of riverfront activities. Yellowstone and Grand Teton are only a couple of hours away, which makes Idaho Falls a great base for exploring these national parks.
The riverfront is an especially fun place to spend some time. The Greenbelt Trail is a popular attraction, with miles of paths plus parks, piers, and event spaces. In the summer, you can catch performances and farmers markets.
13. Upper & Lower Mesa Falls
A little over an hour north of Idaho Falls is Upper & Lower Mesa Falls. These two waterfalls on the Snake River in Caribou-Targhee National Forest are easy to view and worth the visit.
Upper Mesa Falls is as tall as a 10-story building and can be seen from a short boardwalk path. The view is spectacular and is accessible for everyone.
Lower Mesa Falls is 65 feet high and about a mile south of Upper Mesa Falls. The trail to this waterfall is an easy 2-mile out and back. The trails to both waterfalls can be accessed from Upper Mesa Falls Road outside of Ashton, Idaho.
14. Farragut State Park
Farragut State Park is a lakeside park with plenty to offer visitors. It is a camping paradise with over 220 individual camping sites within the 4000 acre park. It is situated on the southern shore of Lake Pend Oreille, which makes it a great addition to your visit to Sandpoint and Coeur d’Alene.
Farragut State Park also has a fascinating World War II history. It used to serve as a naval training station and visitors can learn more about it at the Museum at the Brig within the park.
Also within the park is the Tree to Tree Adventure Park and a disc golf course. Hikers will be happy to know there are over 40 miles of trails to explore, and there are also bike trails for those who like to adventure on 2 wheels.
15. Yellowstone Bear World
Kids will absolutely love Yellowstone Bear World. This popular attraction is located in Rexburg, about 30 minutes north of Idaho Falls.
There’s so much to see and do here, you could spend a full day exploring. One of the top things to do is the drive-thru wildlife park. Guests can drive their own vehicle through the park and get up close and personal to some of North America’s wildlife, such as elk, bison, deer, mountain goats, and moose.
Perhaps the most unique thing to do here is bottle feed a black bear cub. When you purchase this experience, you get a behind-the-scenes look and get to feed and pet the bear cubs.
16. Shoshone Falls
Shoshone Falls is perhaps the most famous waterfall in Idaho. It’s located just outside the city of Twin Falls. This stunner is called the Niagara of the West and is actually taller than Niagara Falls at 212 feet high and 900 feet wide.
The amount of water that flows over the cliff is dependent on the time of year and how much snow there was in the winter. Spring is the best time to really see the power of the falls. In the summer, part of the water is redirected for irrigation in the area, so the water can be a lot less impressive.
When you are visiting Shoshone Falls, take some time to walk the Canyon Rim Trail. This trail offers gorgeous views of the Snake River and the canyon itself, and you’ll also get a pretty neat view of the picturesque Perrine Memorial Bridge.
17. Thousand Springs State Park
Thousand Springs State Park is a unique park in that it is split up into six individual units, each offering something different for visitors.
Box Canyon Springs has a beautiful canyon with a 20-foot waterfall to view. Billingsley Creek has great opportunities for wildlife sightings and has an indoor horse riding arena. Kelton Trail offers history buffs an opportunity to see wagon ruts from the Oregon Trail and also has fascinating geology.
All six sections of the park are within driving distance of each other. The visitor center for the park is combined with the Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, which is also worth a visit if you are in the area.
18. Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument
Near Thousand Springs State Park, Hagerman Fossil Beds is a great place to visit for those who love prehistoric relics. The monument is located inside the visitor center, so this is a great place to check out before or after visiting the state park.
Guests can see various Pliocene fossils on display. Tens of thousands of fossils have been excavated here and are located in various museums around the country. The “Hagerman horse” is the fossil skeleton that makes this site famous and is on display at the monument.
Some other things to see and do at Hagerman Fossil Beds include hiking the Emigrant Trail, which parallels a portion of the Oregon Trail, taking a scenic drive to see the fossil beds, and birdwatching.
19. Lava Hot Springs
Lava Hot Springs is a small town in southeastern Idaho that is popular for its swim complex. The attraction has geothermal hot springs, an Olympic sized swimming pool, water slides, diving tower, a kiddie cove, and disc golf.
Outside of the swimming complex, visitors have other fantastic things to explore in this region. Tubing down the Portneuf River is popular, and there’s also a zipline and sunken gardens.
20. Boise
Boise is the capital of Idaho and is absolutely one of the best places to visit in the state. There is so much to do here, you could spend several days and still not see everything. It’s a great place for families, couples, and just about everyone.
One of the most popular things to do in this city is explore the Boise River Greenbelt. This complex of trails and parks hugs the Boise River and is a great place to take a break and also get some exercise.
Museum lovers will enjoy the Boise Art Museum, which houses contemporary art and also a sculpture garden. The state capitol building is a sight to see, and the Old Idaho Penitentiary has a fascinating history and is open to the public for tours.
For families, there is Zoo Boise and the Aquarium of Boise. Older kids will love the trampoline park and Roaring Springs Water Park. There is also the Children’s Museum of Idaho which is a great interactive attraction for younger kids.
21. Rolling Hills of the Palouse
Situated along the western edge of Idaho and into Washington, the Palouse Rolling Hills are some of the most picturesque areas in the state. This 4,000 square mile region is known for being the largest producer of wheat in the world.
These hills look like sand dunes in the summer and fall because of their golden color, and in the spring, they display a lush green. It’s a photographer’s paradise any time of year, and the area is worth driving through to experience this unique landscape.
22. Craters of the Moon National Monument
Craters of the Moon is aptly named as the landscape here really does look like you are on the moon!
This landscape was shaped by volcanic activity and there are a lot of fascinating natural structures to view. The best way to experience the preserve is to drive the 7-mile Loop Road and stop to check out the various sites.
The lava tubes are some of the most famous structures to explore. There are also several hiking trails that will get you up close and personal to the unique landscape. If you’re up for a short but steep walk, Inferno Cone will reward you with a panoramic view of the park.
23. McCall
The town of McCall has plenty to see and do for visitors. The town surrounds the southern part of Payette Lake, so water activities are plenty! Those who are looking for a relaxing way to enjoy the water can even take a sunset cruise.
McCall isn’t too far from Ponderosa State Park, so hikers will love the proximity to fantastic hiking and landscape views. There are also several hot springs in the vicinity, and golfers will enjoy the local courses.
For those who are interested in learning about smokejumpers (specialized firefighters who combat wildfires), the McCall Smokejumper Base is one of the largest in the country and offers tours of their facility by appointment.
24. Silver City
Silver City is one of the only old mining towns in the state that remains very similar to what it looked like back in its heyday. It was a gold and silver mining town in the 1880s and at its peak had about 2500 residents.
Guests today can check out the Idaho Hotel, which other than a few updated amenities looks very much like it did when it was built. Pat’s What Not Shop is worth browsing for some souvenirs or gifts, and Silver City Fire and Rescue Store has a lot of local art and antiques.
25. Yellowstone
While most people don’t think of Yellowstone as being in Idaho, about 1% of the park is located in the state. However, if you are spending time in the eastern part of Idaho, it really is worth taking a few extra days and heading to Yellowstone National Park.
Yellowstone was the first national park in the United States and is one of the most visited. There is so much to explore here. Some of the most famous attractions include Grand Prismatic Spring, Old Faithful Geyser, and Upper & Lower Falls on the Yellowstone River.
And don’t forget the wildlife! Guests have the opportunity to see so many species while exploring the park, including moose, bear, wolves, elk, and of course the popular bison.
Idaho has so many amazing places and activities to discover for people of all ages. Whether you want to spend time on the trails, on the water, or in a good museum, this fantastic state has something for everyone.
