Boise
A friendly capital with a river greenbelt and Basque quarter.
Points of interest
- Boise River Greenbelt
- Basque Block
- Payette River nearby
State guide
Things to do in Idaho
Wild rivers and white-water rafting, the jagged Sawtooth Mountains, natural hot springs, the lava fields of Craters of the Moon, Sun Valley's slopes and the quiet side of the Tetons and Yellowstone.
2
Hostels across its 4 main cities
6.9
Average, from 70 reviews
5–7
Days to do it properly
Rivers, hot springs and wilderness
Idaho is one of the most underrated outdoor states in the USA. It has the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, the largest continuous wilderness area in the lower 48 states, and some of the best white-water rafting in the country on the Salmon and Payette rivers. It also has more natural hot springs than almost anywhere in the USA.
Boise, the capital, is a friendly, growing city with a river greenbelt and a Basque quarter. In the centre of the state, the Sawtooth Mountains around Stanley are a spectacular range of granite peaks and alpine lakes, and Sun Valley was the first destination ski resort in the USA. In the south, Craters of the Moon is a strange landscape of lava fields, and Shoshone Falls is taller than Niagara. In the east, Idaho has a quieter side of the Tetons and Yellowstone, with towns such as Driggs and Island Park.
Give Idaho five days to a week, by car. Summer is best for rafting, hiking and hot springs; winter is for skiing.
Where to base yourself
Boise for the south-west, Stanley for the Sawtooths, and Driggs or Island Park for the Tetons and Yellowstone.
Driggs
1 hostel · dorms from $68
A quiet base on the west side of the Tetons.
Points of interest
- Grand Targhee
- Teton Valley
- Grand Teton nearby
Island Park
1 hostel
A forest town near Yellowstone's west entrance.
Points of interest
- Mesa Falls
- Henrys Fork
- Yellowstone nearby
Stanley
A tiny town below the Sawtooth Mountains.
Points of interest
- Sawtooth Lake
- Redfish Lake
- Salmon River rafting
- Hot springs
Regions of Idaho
Lakes and forests in the north, wild mountains in the centre, and lava plains and the Teton side in the south and east.
South-west Idaho
Boise, riversThe capital and the Payette River.
Central Idaho
Sawtooths, Sun Valley, raftingStanley, Sun Valley and the Salmon River.
South-central Idaho
Lava fields, waterfallsCraters of the Moon and Shoshone Falls.
Eastern Idaho
Tetons, Yellowstone sideDriggs, Island Park and the west side of the Tetons.
North Idaho
Lakes, forestsCoeur d'Alene, Sandpoint and big lakes.
Things to do
Things to do in Idaho
Raft the Salmon River, the River of No Return, on a multi-day trip, or the Payette near Boise for a day. Soak in natural hot springs such as Kirkham, Burgdorf or those along the Salmon River near Stanley.
Hike in the Sawtooth Mountains around Stanley to alpine lakes such as Sawtooth Lake and Alice Lake. Walk the lava tubes and cinder cones of Craters of the Moon National Monument, and see Shoshone Falls near Twin Falls, best in spring.
In Boise, walk or cycle the Boise River Greenbelt, float the river in summer, and visit the Basque Block. In the north, Coeur d'Alene and Sandpoint have beautiful lakes. In the east, Driggs is the quiet base for the western side of the Tetons, and Island Park sits near Yellowstone's west entrance.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
Many of Idaho's hot springs are free and undeveloped, on public land. The Boise River Greenbelt is free, and so is floating the river if you bring your own tube.
Most hiking in the national forests and wilderness areas is free. Shoshone Falls charges a small fee for cars in summer.
Craters of the Moon charges entry.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Idaho is famous for potatoes, served every way you can think of. Try finger steaks, a Boise invention, huckleberry everything, and trout from Idaho's rivers.
Boise's Basque Block has Basque food and drink, from one of the largest Basque communities outside Spain. Boise also has good breweries and wineries nearby in the Snake River Valley.
Small towns have diners and pizza.
Nightlife
Going out
Boise has bars, breweries and live music downtown, and the Treefort Music Fest in spring. Sun Valley and Ketchum have après-ski in winter.
In small towns and the mountains, nights are quiet.
Stanley's tiny bars are full of rafters in summer.
Getting around
Getting around
Boise Airport is the main gateway. Idaho Falls, Sun Valley (Friedman Memorial) and Spokane in Washington serve other parts of the state. Jackson Hole Airport is close to Driggs.
A car is essential: public transport is very limited, and distances are long. Some mountain roads close or need chains in winter.
Idaho is split between two time zones: the north is on Pacific Time and the south on Mountain Time.
Costs
What Idaho costs
Idaho is good value, cheaper than its neighbours, apart from Sun Valley, which is expensive. Camping is cheap and widely available.
Sales tax is 6 per cent, and some resort towns add local taxes. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.
Rafting trips are the main expense, especially multi-day trips on the Salmon.
Safety
Safety and scams
Idaho is very safe; the risks are outdoors. Rivers are cold and powerful, so raft with licensed outfitters and wear a life jacket. Some hot springs are very hot; test the water first.
Bears live in the mountains, especially in the east near Yellowstone, so carry bear spray. Weather changes fast at altitude.
Wildfire smoke can affect late summer. In an emergency, call 911.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Music festivals, Basque celebrations and river season.
March
Treefort Music Fest
Boise
A big independent music festival.
June to September
Rafting season
Salmon and Payette rivers
The best time for white water.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Idaho, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
When to go
June to September is best for rafting, hiking and hot springs. Shoshone Falls is at its biggest in spring. Winter brings skiing at Sun Valley.
Jan
Skiing
Feb
Skiing
Mar
Treefort Music Fest
Apr
Shoshone Falls at its biggest
May
Spring
Jun
Rafting season
Jul
Peak summer
Aug
Peak, wildfire smoke possible
Sep
Quieter
Oct
Autumn
Nov
Quiet
Dec
Ski season
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs for Boise, rounded. The mountains are cooler.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Idaho prices.
Treat these as a guide. Rafting trips cost extra.
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- Food and drink—
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Idaho questions
The ones we get asked most.
Is Idaho worth visiting?
Yes, for rafting, hot springs, the Sawtooths and a quieter side of the Tetons and Yellowstone.
Where are the best hot springs in Idaho?
Around Stanley, along the Salmon River, and at Kirkham and Burgdorf. Many are free.
Can I visit Yellowstone or the Tetons from Idaho?
Yes. Driggs is near the Tetons and Island Park near Yellowstone's west entrance.
How many days do you need in Idaho?
Five days to a week.
Do I need a car in Idaho?
Yes. Public transport is very limited.
When is the best time to visit Idaho?
June to September for the outdoors, winter for skiing.
Is Idaho expensive?
No, it is good value, except Sun Valley.
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