I grew up in Idaho, and even with the entire touring I’ve finished, I nonetheless suppose Idaho is among the prettiest states within the nation. After I return to go to household, I all the time carve out time to get exterior to benefit from the jagged mountain peaks, pristine blue lakes, scorching springs, and different outside actions.
In case you are planning to go to Idaho and questioning the place to go, I’ll simply reduce to the chase. On this submit, I share the proper 9-day Idaho highway journey itinerary designed with the outside fanatic in thoughts, with my favourite locations to go to, not-to-miss outside actions, cute accommodations, epic campsites, and yummy eating places.
This submit might include affiliate hyperlinks.
Itinerary Overview
Utilizing my 7-day Idaho highway journey itinerary, you’ll make a giant loop across the state, beginning and ending within the vibrant metropolis of Boise. Since outside recreation is my speciality and what Idaho is thought for, this itinerary is filled with mountain climbing, biking, rafting, and scorching springs with stops within the cute cities of McCall, Coeur d’Alene, Stanley (my favourite), and Solar Valley.
Right here is the day-by-day overview of the entire enjoyable belongings you’ll get to do:
I’m assuming you’ll keep in accommodations, and I’ll share some options. Nevertheless, many of those locations have superb tenting too. If that’s your plan, be sure that to take a look at my information on discovering free tenting to assist reduce down in your prices.
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Day 1: Boise
Morning – Journey Bikes on the Boise Greenbelt
I grew up in Boise and it’s modified loads over time – in a great way! Boise has an enormous number of outside adventures accessible proper from city, plus nice eating places and different leisure.
I inform each first-time customer to Boise that driving bikes on the Boise Greenbelt is a should! The Greenbelt is a 25-mile paved path system that runs alongside the Boise River.
There’s tons of timber, a lot of fairly bridges, and loads of locations to cease and put your ft within the river. If it’s a scorching day, you would possibly even carry (or put on) your swimsuit so you’ll be able to take a dip.
Assuming you aren’t touring with your individual bike, there are many totally different bike rental retailers close to the Greenbelt that lease each common and e-bikes. There may be additionally a motorbike share program with dozens of stations close to the Greenbelt and downtown.
My favourite part of the Greenbelt is from Esther Simplot Park to Julia Davis Park. If you wish to journey additional, maintain driving previous Julia Davis to the Heat Springs Golf Course.
Afternoon – Seize a chunk, go to a brewery, and discover downtown
Downtown Boise may be very walkable and has so many nice eating places. A number of favorites are:
I don’t drink alcohol anymore, however Boise additionally has a ton of breweries. I actually just like the outside space at Payette Brewing Firm. It’s canine and kid-friendly, they usually even have NA choices accessible.
Boise Lodging
Get a superb night time’s sleep as a result of tomorrow the true journey begins. There are a ton of cute, boutique accommodations in downtown Boise.
Day 2: McCall
Morning – Whitewater Rafting on the Cabarton
You’re going to stand up early immediately (6am departure) and make the attractive 2.5 drive up Freeway 55 in direction of McCall to Tamarack Resort .
When you get to Tamarack, verify into the Tamarack Guided Adventures Desk for a full-day rafting journey on the Cabarton stretch of the Payette River.
I really like the Cabarton part as a result of most of it’s far-off from the freeway (versus the Primary Payette which runs proper subsequent to Freeway 55). This implies it’s very quiet, the surroundings is stellar, and it’s possible you’ll even spot some wildlife.
The largest rapids are Class III, so it’s thrilling however by no means too scary. There are additionally some calm swimming pools the place you may get in for a swim.
I discovered our Tamarack Whitewater information to be very skilled and enjoyable. The journey consists of transportation to and from the takeout, lunch, and security tools.
Afternoon – Discover McCall
After rafting, make the quick 40 minute drive up McCall. McCall is one in every of my favourite mountain cities within the West – I’ve considered transferring right here greater than as soon as! McCall has tons of outside actions, together with superior scorching springs, mountain biking, mountain climbing, lakes, and extra (which you’ll discover on Day 3).
McCall Lodging
Wherever you determine to remain, ebook it for two nights.
McCall Eating places
For eating in McCall, these are my suggestions:
Day 3: McCall
Morning – Burgdorf Scorching Springs
Seize some breakfast on the town. I additionally counsel packing a lunch for immediately so that you don’t need to drive all the way in which again into city for meals.
Begin your morning off at Burgdorf Scorching Springs, which I take into account to be a quintessential Idaho expertise. A brief and exquisite drive from McCall, Burgdorf has three totally different gravel backside soaking swimming pools stuffed with geothermal spring water.
They require superior reservations as a way to forestall the swimming pools from getting too crowded, and a 2-hour soaking go prices $20. They don’t have a lot in the way in which of meals, drinks, or different provides, so carry no matter you could get pleasure from your expertise.
Afternoon – Paddle the Higher North Fork of the Payette River
In your manner again from Burgdorf in direction of McCall, park on the North Seaside boat ramp on the high of Payette Lake. Right here you’ll be able to lease a paddle board, kayak or canoe from Backwoods Adventures for exploring the meandering Higher North Fork of the Payette River.
It is a stunning non-motorized, flatwater part of river, and everytime I’m in McCall, I make some extent of exploring it. The primary time I used to be fortunate sufficient to see a moose hanging out proper on the river financial institution, and different wildlife sightings are additionally quite common.
I personally choose paddling in a single kayak, however I’ve additionally finished it on a paddle board and in my very own packraft. Relying on the time and power ranges, you are able to do a 2 hour or half-day rental. All the stretch is 7-miles lengthy with a number of sandy seashores you could pull off at.
Day 4: Coeur d’Alene
Morning: Drive to Coeur d’Alene
Immediately you’ve acquired a little bit of a drive forward of you. It’s 5 hours from McCall to Coeur d’Alene which is up in Idaho’s panhandle. It is a distant stretch of freeway up via Riggins, Lewiston, and Moscow with sections hugging the Little Salmon River.
After I did this journey, I booked it up Coeur d’Alene, however you probably have extra time, you must take into account doing a jet boat journey via Hells Canyon – the deepest river gorge in all of North America. My dad and mom did this and cherished it. Most of those journeys depart from Lewiston.
Afternoon: Hike Tubbs Hill in Coeur d’Alene
Coeur d’Alene is a cute (however touristy) city on a large lake in Idaho’s panhandle. For those who’re into boating or golf, you would simply spend just a few days right here. Nevertheless, on this itinerary, it’s going to be a fast cease in your technique to the Hiawatha Path.
When you’ve acquired your bearings, head over to Tubbs Hill for a 2-mile loop alongside the shore of Lake Coeur d’Alene. It’s a straightforward, flat path with nice views and provides you a style of what this area is about. Notice this can be a highly regarded path, so anticipate to share it with different guests.
Coeur d’Alene Accomodations
Coeur d’Alene Eating places
For dinner, I like to recommend Hearth Artisan Pizza that’s proper within the coronary heart of downtown and strolling distance from Tubbs Hill.
Brief on Time?
If you could reduce just a few days out of this Idaho highway journey itinerary, I’d skip Days 4 via 6, eliminating the lengthy drive to and from the panhandle and the Hiawatha Path. As a substitute, I’d drive immediately from McCall to Stanley on spectacular Freeway 21, stopping at Kirkham or Bonneville Scorching Springs on the way in which.
Day 5: Bike the Hiawatha Path
Morning: Biking
The Hiawatha Path sits on the Idaho/Montana border, and as one in every of 15 rail trails within the nation designated as a “Corridor of Fame” path, biking it’s a actually distinctive expertise.
On this 14.4 mile bike path, you’ll journey via 9 pitch black tunnels, some greater than 1.5 miles lengthy, utilizing a motorbike mild or headlamp, and over 7 prepare trestles the place you’ll get expansive views.
Most individuals (together with myself) journey it one-way from the Pearson Trailhead to East Portal. All the journey is downhill and if you attain the top there are shuttle buses ready to move you and your bike again to the highest.
Previous to beginning, you have to cease at Lookout Move Ski Space which is 7 miles from the Pearson Trailhead to get your path go and shuttle ticket. Additionally they have bike leases, bike lights, and bike racks to your automobile accessible in case you’re not highway tripping with your individual.
After I biked the Hiawatha Path it was mid-September, raining, and really chilly, and I used to be grateful to have strong rain gear and gloves. Even in summer season, the tunnels can really feel damp and chilly, so that you would possibly wish to carry some layers, simply in case.
For extra particulars, see this writeup on biking the Hiawatha Path.
Night – Missoula
Essentially the most direct manner from the Hiawatha Path all the way down to your subsequent Idaho highway journey cease in Stanley travels via Montana. So that you’ll get to see a small sliver of Montana too.
Because you’re going to have a protracted day on the Hiawatha Path, I counsel you drive 1.5 hours to Missoula, seize dinner, and name it an evening. When you’ve got power and wish to maintain driving, Salmon (4 hours whole from the Hiawatha Path) could be your subsequent good cease. Nevertheless, the highway does get fairly curvy and mountainous in sections, so that you may not wish to try this at nighttime.
Missoula Lodging
Notice: There are two small shops in Stanley (your subsequent cease) that carry groceries, however they each are fairly horrible relating to contemporary, wholesome meals. If you could resupply on groceries, I counsel stocking up in Missoula or Salmon.
Day 6: Stanley
Morning – Drive to Stanley / Scorching Springs
From Missoula, it’s a 5-hour drive to Stanley. The drive isn’t overly eventful, however there are some good views as you drive previous Misplaced Path Ski Space again into Idaho, in addition to alongside the Salmon River.
There may be a lot to do in Stanley, so I’d ebook it down there as rapidly as doable.
On the way in which into Stanley, you’ll go a few of my favourite scorching springs. Sunbeam Scorching Springs is 12 miles exterior of Stanley alongside ID-75. There’s a signal and a small parking space, making it arduous to overlook.
A lot of the soaking swimming pools are down a small hill to the precise of the bathhouse subsequent to the Salmon River. You’ll be able to go from scorching springs to the river and again or discover an space that’s the proper temperature by mixing the cold and warm water collectively.
Notice that in case you go in early summer season throughout peak run-off, the river ranges is likely to be too excessive, washing out the swimming pools. If that’s the case, go left of the bathhouse the place there are two tubs which have scorching water piped into them.
Afternoon – Redfish Lake
Redfish Lake is essentially the most well-known lake within the Sawtooths and is worthy of a day cling.
They’ve paddle boards for lease, in addition to pontoon boats. You can too take the boat shuttle to the opposite aspect of Redfish Lake the place various totally different hikes go away from, together with this backpacking journey to Baron Lakes which I did just a few years in the past.
For those who’re simply trying to cling on the seaside and go for a swim, I choose driving over to the Sandy Seaside boat ramp on the east aspect of the lake. It’s a bit quieter than the realm close to the Redfish Lake Lodge, and also you get nice views of Mt. Thompson (pictured under), which is the very best peak within the Sawtooths.
Stanley Eating places
If you wish to eat out, the very best dinner choices in Stanley are the Sawtooth Resort (higher for these with dietary restrictions) or the Mountain Village restaurant.
Stanley Lodging
Day 7: Stanley
Morning: Stanley Bakery / Hike to Sawtooth Lake
The Stanley Bakery is a MUST for breakfast. The oatmeal pancakes are well-known round these components, they usually even have loads of gluten-free and plant-based choices, in addition to baked items to go. This place will get busy, so get there early or be ready to attend in line.
After filling your stomach, drive up Iron Creek to the Sawtooth Lake Trailhead. That is significantly one in every of my favourite hikes of all-time. The hike is nearly 10 miles round-trip with 1,800 ft of elevation acquire, resulting in essentially the most BLUEtiful lake you’ll ever see. There are some steeper components, however size apart, I’d take into account this a reasonable hike.
You’ll be able to put together for this hike by studying my Sawtooth Lake mountain climbing information.
Afternoon – Mountain Village Scorching Springs or Stanley Lake
Feeling like your muscular tissues might use one other good soak? Mountain Village Resort has 3 totally different scorching springs, and also you don’t need to be a resort visitor to make use of them. I like these scorching springs as a result of they’re deep, they usually have a number of the finest views of the Sawtooths on the town. They’re additionally tremendous clear. To soak right here, you must make a reservation and pay a small payment.
For those who’ve had sufficient of Idaho’s superb scorching springs, then I counsel heading to Stanley Lake. It’s loads much less busy than Redfish Lake with extra attractive views of Mt. McGowan.
Day 8: Solar Valley
Morning – Drive to Solar Valley
The drive from Stanley to Solar Valley is gorgeous. As you drive in direction of Galena Summit, you’ll go Pettit Lake and Alturas Lake. For those who’re on the lookout for extra picture alternatives, these are value stopping at.
Subsequent, you’ll drive to the highest of Galena Summit. For those who occur to be touring with mountain bikes, there’s an unimaginable free mountain biking path system with over 40 miles of trails that begins proper at Galena Lodge.
Afternoon – Hike to Pioneer Cabin
Assuming you aren’t biking at Galena Lodge, immediately you’re going to sort out one other hike. This one is a bit steeper and tougher than the hike to Sawtooth Lake, protecting 8.0 miles and gaining 2,500 ft in elevation.
The primary 1.5 miles are within the forest, however as you get greater, the path opens as much as views of the Pioneer Mountains. At 4 miles, you attain Pioneer Cabin, which was constructed as a ski hut manner again in 1937, with a few of Solar Valley’s most dramatic landscapes.
Solar Valley Eating
For a small city, Solar Valley has an incredible meals scene. Listed here are a few of my favourite spots:
Solar Valley Lodging
Tenting in Solar Valley isn’t fairly as plentiful as it’s in Stanley, however there are nonetheless fairly just a few choices totally free and paid campgrounds. There are additionally a number of good accommodations on the town that put you inside strolling distance of the entire retailers and eating places. Understand that Solar Valley is a resort city, and the lodging costs mirror that.
Day 9: Solar Valley / Drive again to Boise
Morning: Discover City / Journey Gondola
Solar Valley / Ketchum is an excellent cute city. It’s value poking round Primary Avenue and the remainder of downtown.
For a birdseye view of the realm, take the Roundhouse Gondola from the River Run base up Bald Mountain.
From the highest of the gondola, you’ll be able to seize lunch on the Roundhouse Restaurant with panoramic views or hop on the scenic Christmas elevate to the highest of the ski space. There are many totally different mountain climbing trails if you wish to discover, or you’ll be able to take some pics and journey again down.
Afternoon: Drive again to Boise
That wraps up your 10-day Idaho highway journey itinerary. The drive from Solar Valley to Boise is just below 3 hours. There aren’t quite a lot of locations to cease, so you must seize lunch in Solar Valley earlier than you hit the highway.
When you’ve got further time
When you’ve got greater than 9 days to your highway journey, there are such a lot of extra issues you are able to do in Idaho. Listed here are some options:
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
If you wish to hike and bike, my favourite months to go to Idaho are late June, early July, and September. Mid-summer will be scorching and smoky relying on whether or not there are wildfires burning. Winter can be nice if you’re trying to ski and do different winter sports activities.
To correctly discover the state, I feel you want not less than 7 days, though you would simply spend 2 weeks protecting all of Idaho. When you’ve got much less time than that, I’d deal with the Boise, McCall, Stanley space to your highway journey.
My favourite space of Idaho is Stanley and Solar Valley. These are dwelling to essentially the most dramatic mountains in Idaho with tons of mountain climbing, biking, paddling, scorching springs, and different outside actions.
Extra Idaho Suggestions
Have just a few additional days to spend in your Idaho highway journey? Get further concepts for issues to do in these weblog posts:
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What different Idaho highway journey stops have you ever been to or would suggest for an itinerary? Depart a remark under!
