Idaho
3
Day Itinerary •
USA
Three days in Idaho gives you the essential Gem State experience, from the extraordinary Sawtooth Mountains, the most dramatic alpine landscape in the American Rockies outside Colorado, to the magnificent Craters of the Moon lava fields and the remarkable Sun Valley resort and the extraordinary Salmon River whitewater. This route covers the heart of Idaho. The extraordinary Stanley Basin and Redfish Lake reflecting the Sawtooth peaks, the remarkable Craters of the Moon National Monument with its extraordinary lava tubes and cinder cones, the finest Sun Valley skiing and hiking and the extraordinary Snake River Canyon of Twin Falls.
Best Time To Visit
June to September for Sawtooth access. Ski season December to April.
Getting There
Fly into Boise (BOI) or Twin Falls (TWF)
Getting Around
Rental car essential throughout Idaho
Budget Per Day
Approx $110 to $190 per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate, some Sawtooth and lava field hiking
DAY 1
SAWTOOTH MOUNTAINS
MORNING
STANLEY BASIN AND REDFISH LAKE, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY ALPINE SCENE IN IDAHO
Redfish Lake in the Sawtooth Valley is the most extraordinary mountain lake in Idaho, its extraordinary crystal-clear waters reflecting the jagged 10,000-foot granite spires of the Sawtooth Range in a scene of alpine grandeur unmatched in the American Rockies outside Colorado. The Stanley Basin surrounding the lake gives the finest mountain valley landscape in Idaho. The Redfish Lake Lodge gives the finest lake access. The sockeye salmon return each autumn is the most extraordinary wildlife event in Idaho. Entry free. Drive: 2.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
SAWTOOTH WILDERNESS TRAILS AND THE SALMON RIVER
The Sawtooth Wilderness adjacent to Redfish Lake gives the most extraordinary backcountry hiking in Idaho, its extraordinary network of trails through granite cirques, alpine lakes and 10,000-foot passes giving the finest mountain wilderness experience in the state. The Baron Lakes Trail and the Alpine Way Trail give the finest day hikes. The Salmon River flowing through Stanley gives the most extraordinary Class III to V whitewater in Idaho. Day hike free, rafting approx $75. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
HIGHWAY 75, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY SCENIC DRIVE IN IDAHO
Highway 75 through the Sawtooth Valley from Stanley south to Ketchum is the most extraordinary scenic drive in Idaho, its extraordinary 60-mile corridor along the Salmon River through the Sawtooth Valley with the Sawtooth peaks rising to the west and the White Cloud Mountains to the east giving a mountain drive of extraordinary beauty. The Galena Summit at 8,701 feet gives the finest overview of the entire Sawtooth Valley. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Sawtooth Lake trail above Redfish Lake is the finest hidden hike in the Sawtooths, its extraordinary 10-mile round trip to the largest lake in the Sawtooth Wilderness at 9,400 feet reflecting the extraordinary 10,190-foot Mount Regan in the most extraordinary alpine scene in Idaho. Free. The most extraordinary hidden gem in the Sawtooth Mountains.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Sawtooth Hotel, Stanley The most legendary breakfast in Stanley. Extraordinary local Idaho eggs and strong mountain coffee. | Lunch: Rod and Gun Club, Stanley Outstanding Stanley lunch. Extraordinary local trout and Idaho beef burger. | Dinner: Redfish Lake Lodge dining room The finest dinner in the Sawtooth Valley. Extraordinary local Idaho produce with lake views.
DAY 2
SUN VALLEY AND CRATERS OF THE MOON
MORNING
SUN VALLEY AND BALD MOUNTAIN, THE FIRST DESTINATION SKI RESORT IN AMERICA
Sun Valley is the most extraordinary mountain resort town in Idaho, the first destination ski resort in America built by Union Pacific Railroad in 1936 and still the finest in the state. Bald Mountain at 9,150 feet gives the finest summer hiking and mountain biking in the Wood River Valley. The extraordinary Dollar Mountain and the Sun Valley Mall give the finest alpine village experience in Idaho. The summer chairlift to the Bald Mountain summit gives the finest view. Lift approx $20. Drive: 1.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
CRATERS OF THE MOON NATIONAL MONUMENT
Craters of the Moon National Monument is the most extraordinary volcanic landscape in the continental United States, its extraordinary 618,000 acres of lava flows, cinder cones, spatter cones and lava tube caves erupted between 2,000 and 15,000 years ago giving a landscape that genuinely resembles the lunar surface. The Indian Tunnel lava tube at 800 feet long is the most extraordinary cave in Idaho. The Inferno Cone cinder cone summit gives the finest lava field view. Entry $25 per vehicle. Drive: 1.5 hr drive
AFTERNOON
SHOSHONE ICE CAVES AND THE SNAKE RIVER PLAIN
The Shoshone Ice Caves near Shoshone are the most extraordinary natural ice caves in Idaho, their extraordinary lava tube system maintaining ice year-round in a tube where cold air is trapped by the lava formation giving a 40-degree cave interior in July. The extraordinary basalt canyon of the Snake River Plain surrounding Shoshone gives the finest high desert landscape in southern Idaho. Entry approx $12.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Carey Spatter Cones in Craters of the Moon are the finest hidden feature in the monument, their extraordinary cluster of small volcanic vents accessible by a short unmarked trail giving the most extraordinary close-range volcanic landscape in the park away from the main visitor areas. Free with monument entry.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Konditorei, Sun Valley The most legendary European-style bakery in Sun Valley. Extraordinary pastries and strong coffee. | Lunch: Craters of the Moon visitor center cafe Outstanding high desert lunch. Local Idaho produce before the lava field hike. | Dinner: Sawtooth Club, Ketchum The finest restaurant in Ketchum. Extraordinary local Idaho game and Rocky Mountain trout.
DAY 3
TWIN FALLS AND SNAKE RIVER CANYON
MORNING
SHOSHONE FALLS, THE NIAGARA OF THE WEST
Shoshone Falls on the Snake River near Twin Falls is the most extraordinary waterfall in Idaho, its extraordinary 212-foot drop, higher than Niagara Falls, across a 900-foot-wide basalt cliff giving the finest waterfall experience in the Pacific Northwest. The spring runoff in April and May gives the most extraordinary volume. The extraordinary Snake River Canyon surrounding the falls, carved 500 feet deep into the Snake River Plain basalt, is the most dramatic river canyon in southern Idaho. Entry $3 per vehicle. Drive: 1.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
PERRINE BRIDGE AND BASE JUMPING CAPITAL OF AMERICA
The Perrine Bridge spanning the Snake River Canyon at Twin Falls is the most extraordinary bridge in Idaho, its extraordinary 486-foot height above the Snake River making it one of the only places in America where BASE jumping is legal year-round without a permit. The daily spectacle of BASE jumpers leaping from the bridge into the canyon is the most extraordinary free show in Idaho. The canyon rim trail gives the finest view of the bridge and canyon. Bridge and trail free. Drive: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
THOUSAND SPRINGS SCENIC BYWAY AND HAGERMAN FOSSIL BEDS
The Thousand Springs Scenic Byway along the Snake River west of Twin Falls is the most extraordinary river drive in Idaho, its extraordinary series of springs erupting directly from the canyon walls where the Snake River Plain aquifer emerges gives the most unusual spring landscape in America. The Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument nearby preserves the extraordinary Hagerman Horse, the most complete Pliocene horse fossil in the world. Fossil Beds free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Balanced Rock near Castleford is the finest hidden geological oddity in Idaho, its extraordinary 40-foot mushroom-shaped basalt boulder balanced on a 3-foot base in a landscape of extraordinary high desert beauty giving the most extraordinary roadside geological wonder in southern Idaho. Free. The most extraordinary hidden gem near Twin Falls.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Rock Creek Restaurant, Twin Falls The finest breakfast in Twin Falls. Extraordinary local Idaho potatoes and strong coffee. | Lunch: Elevation 486, Twin Falls The most extraordinary lunch location in Idaho. Extraordinary local Idaho cuisine overlooking the Snake River Canyon. | Dinner: Koto Brewing, Twin Falls The finest craft brewery in Twin Falls. Outstanding local Idaho ingredients and craft beer.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Stanley, Night 1 Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch or Redfish Lake Lodge. Approx $120 to $250 per night. Ketchum or Sun Valley, Night 2 Limelight Hotel Ketchum or Sun Valley Resort. Approx $150 to $350 per night. Twin Falls, Night 3 Hilton Garden Inn Twin Falls or The Penny Hotel. Approx $90 to $160 per night.
Top Tips
1. Redfish Lake at dawn before any other visitors gives the most extraordinary Sawtooth reflection in Idaho.
2. Craters of the Moon lava tubes require a flashlight. The Indian Tunnel is the most extraordinary to explore.
3. Shoshone Falls is higher than Niagara and best visited in spring when Snake River runoff is at peak flow.
4. The Perrine Bridge in Twin Falls allows BASE jumping year-round , the most extraordinary free spectacle in Idaho.
5. Highway 75 through the Sawtooth Valley from Stanley to Ketchum is one of the finest scenic drives in America.
6. Sun Valley was the first destination ski resort in America. The trail network in summer is extraordinary.
Total Budget
$110 to $190/day