Idaho
5
Day Itinerary •
USA
Five days in Idaho lets you explore the full extraordinary breadth of the Gem State, from the dramatic Sawtooth Mountains and the finest whitewater rafting in America on the Salmon River to the extraordinary Craters of the Moon volcanic landscape, Sun Valley resort and the remarkable Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America. This route covers the complete Idaho experience. The extraordinary Redfish Lake and Sawtooth wilderness, the magnificent Sun Valley and Bald Mountain, the extraordinary Craters of the Moon lava fields, the Shoshone Falls and Snake River Canyon of Twin Falls and the extraordinary Boise food scene and the Owyhee Mountains.
Best Time To Visit
June to September for mountains. December to April for skiing.
Getting There
Fly into Boise (BOI)
Getting Around
Rental car essential throughout Idaho
Budget Per Day
Approx $110 to $190 per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate, some mountain and canyon hiking
DAY 1
SAWTOOTH MOUNTAINS
MORNING
REDFISH LAKE AND THE SAWTOOTH MOUNTAINS
Redfish Lake is the most extraordinary mountain lake in Idaho, its extraordinary crystal-clear waters reflecting the 10,000-foot granite Sawtooth peaks in a scene of alpine grandeur that rivals anything in the American Rockies. The Redfish Lake Lodge gives the finest lake access and kayak rentals. The extraordinary sockeye salmon run each autumn, among the longest salmon migration in the world at 900 miles from the Pacific, is the most extraordinary wildlife spectacle in Idaho. Entry free. Drive: 2.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
SALMON RIVER WHITEWATER AND STANLEY BASIN
The Salmon River flowing through the Stanley Basin gives the most extraordinary Class III to V whitewater in Idaho, its extraordinary Middle Fork section through the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness being the finest multi-day wilderness river trip in America. The day-trip sections near Stanley give the finest introduction to Idaho whitewater. The extraordinary Stanley Basin meadows with their views of the Sawtooth peaks are unmissable. Day rafting approx $75. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
HIGHWAY 75 AND GALENA SUMMIT, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY DRIVE IN IDAHO
The drive south from Stanley on Highway 75 through the Sawtooth Valley is the most extraordinary scenic drive in Idaho, its extraordinary 60-mile corridor with the Sawtooth Range rising to the west and the White Cloud Mountains to the east giving continuous mountain panoramas of extraordinary beauty. The Galena Summit overlook at 8,701 feet gives the finest aerial view of the entire Sawtooth Valley and Stanley Basin. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Sawtooth Lake trail is the finest hidden hike in Idaho, 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. Best hiked from the Iron Creek trailhead.
🍽 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. Local Idaho trout and extraordinary Sawtooth Valley views. | Dinner: Redfish Lake Lodge dining room The finest dinner in the Sawtooth Valley. Extraordinary local Idaho produce with lake and peak views.
DAY 2
SUN VALLEY AND CRATERS OF THE MOON
MORNING
SUN VALLEY, KETCHUM AND BALD MOUNTAIN
Sun Valley is the most extraordinary mountain resort in Idaho, the first destination ski resort in America built by Union Pacific Railroad in 1936 and still the finest resort town in the state. Bald Mountain at 9,150 feet gives the finest summer hiking network in the Wood River Valley, its extraordinary trail system giving mountain views from 25 miles of trails above Ketchum. Ernest Hemingway lived and died in Ketchum. His memorial at Trail Creek gives the most extraordinary literary site in Idaho. Chairlift approx $20. Drive: 1.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
CRATERS OF THE MOON NATIONAL MONUMENT AND PRESERVE
Craters of the Moon is the most extraordinary volcanic landscape in the continental United States, its extraordinary 618,000 acres of lava flows, spatter cones, cinder cones and lava tube caves erupted over the last 15,000 years giving a landscape unlike anywhere else in America. The Indian Tunnel lava tube, Inferno Cone summit and the North Crater Flow walk give the finest experiences. Wear sturdy boots as the lava is razor sharp. Entry $25 per vehicle. Drive: 1.5 hr drive
AFTERNOON
SHOSHONE ICE CAVES AND THE SNAKE RIVER PLAIN
The Shoshone Ice Caves maintain ice year-round in a lava tube where cold air is permanently trapped, their extraordinary 1,000-foot passage of ice formations giving the finest cave experience in southern Idaho. The extraordinary basalt canyon landscape of the Snake River Plain surrounding Shoshone gives the finest high desert scenery between Craters of the Moon and Twin Falls. Entry approx $12.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Hemingway memorial at Trail Creek near Sun Valley is the finest hidden literary site in Idaho, its extraordinary bronze bust of Hemingway at the spot he chose himself overlooking the Wood River Valley where he spent his final years giving the most extraordinary and moving tribute to the Nobel laureate. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Konditorei, Sun Valley The most legendary European bakery in Sun Valley. Extraordinary pastries and strong mountain coffee. | Lunch: Craters of the Moon visitor center Outstanding high desert lunch with extraordinary lava field views before the monument hike. | Dinner: Sawtooth Club, Ketchum The finest restaurant in Ketchum. Extraordinary local Idaho game, trout and craft cocktails.
DAY 3
TWIN FALLS AND SNAKE RIVER
MORNING
SHOSHONE FALLS AND THE SNAKE RIVER CANYON
Shoshone Falls at 212 feet is higher than Niagara and the most extraordinary waterfall in Idaho, its extraordinary 900-foot-wide cascade across basalt cliffs in the Snake River Canyon giving the finest waterfall experience in the Pacific Northwest. The extraordinary Snake River Canyon surrounding Twin Falls, carved 500 feet into the Snake River Plain basalt by the Bonneville Flood 14,500 years ago, is the most dramatic river canyon in southern Idaho. Entry $3 per vehicle. Drive: 1.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
PERRINE BRIDGE BASE JUMPING AND CANYON RIM TRAIL
The Perrine Bridge at 486 feet is one of the only places in America where BASE jumping is legal year-round without a permit, its extraordinary daily spectacle of jumpers leaping from the bridge into the Snake River Canyon being the most extraordinary free show in Idaho. The canyon rim trail gives the finest walking view of the bridge, the Twin Falls, the canyon and the Perrine Coulee Falls. Both free. Drive: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
THOUSAND SPRINGS AND HAGERMAN FOSSIL BEDS
The Thousand Springs Scenic Byway west of Twin Falls gives the most extraordinary spring landscape in America, its extraordinary series of springs erupting from the Snake River Canyon walls where the Snake River Plain aquifer discharges giving a unique geological spectacle. The Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument nearby preserves the most extraordinary Pliocene mammal fossil beds in North America, including the Hagerman Horse. Fossil Beds free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Balanced Rock near Castleford south of Twin Falls is the finest hidden geological wonder in southern Idaho, its extraordinary 40-foot basalt mushroom balanced on a 3-foot pedestal in the high desert giving the most extraordinary roadside oddity in 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. 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
BOISE
MORNING
BOISE BASQUE BLOCK AND THE HYDE PARK NEIGHBORHOOD
Boise has the most extraordinary Basque heritage community in America, its extraordinary Basque Block on Grove Street with the Basque Museum, the Euskal Etxea social club and the Leku Ona restaurant giving the finest Basque cultural experience outside Spain or Argentina. The extraordinary Hyde Park neighborhood of Victorian houses and independent shops in the North End is the finest historic neighborhood in Boise. Basque Museum entry approx $6. Drive: 1.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
BOISE RIVER GREENBELT AND THE IDAHO STATE CAPITOL
The Boise River Greenbelt is the most extraordinary urban riverside trail in Idaho, its extraordinary 25-mile paved path along the Boise River through the heart of the city past Esther Simplot Park, Ann Morrison Park and the extraordinary Barber Park giving the finest urban cycling and walking experience in the state. The Idaho State Capitol with its extraordinary sandstone exterior and Roman Corinthian columns is the finest state capitol building in the Pacific Northwest. Capitol free. Drive: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
BOISE FOOTHILLS AND TABLE ROCK OVERLOOK
Table Rock above Boise is the most extraordinary free viewpoint in Idaho, its extraordinary sandstone mesa rising 2,700 feet above the Treasure Valley giving a panoramic view of Boise, the Snake River Plain, the Owyhee Mountains and on clear days the Sawtooth Range 100 miles to the north. The Boise Foothills trail network gives the finest urban hiking in Idaho. The extraordinary Camels Back Park gives the finest approach to the foothills. Both free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Idaho Botanical Garden near the old Idaho State Penitentiary in Boise is the finest hidden garden in Idaho, its extraordinary 50 acres of themed gardens in the foothills above Boise including the most extraordinary heirloom rose garden in the Pacific Northwest. Entry approx $8. The most extraordinary hidden gem in Boise.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Goldy's Breakfast Bistro, Boise The finest breakfast in Boise. Extraordinary local Idaho produce and strong coffee. | Lunch: Bar Gernika, Boise Basque Block The most legendary Basque lunch in America. Extraordinary Basque chorizo sandwich and picon punch. | Dinner: Chandlers Steakhouse, Boise The finest steakhouse in Boise. Extraordinary local Idaho beef and outstanding wine list.
DAY 5
MCCALL AND PAYETTE LAKE
MORNING
MCCALL AND PAYETTE LAKE, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY LAKE TOWN IN IDAHO
McCall is the most extraordinary lake town in Idaho, its extraordinary Payette Lake of crystal-clear mountain water surrounded by ponderosa pine forest and the Salmon River Mountains giving the finest alpine lake town experience in the state. The extraordinary Shore Lodge gives the finest lakeside dining in Idaho. The McCall winter carnival in February is the most extraordinary snow sculpture festival in the Northwest. Payette Lake beach free. Drive: 1.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
PONDEROSA STATE PARK AND THE PAYETTE RIVER
Ponderosa State Park on the McCall peninsula is the most extraordinary state park in Idaho, its extraordinary 1,000-acre ponderosa pine forest jutting into Payette Lake giving the finest combination of swimming, hiking and lake views in northern Idaho. The North Beach area gives the most extraordinary swimming and kayaking on the lake. The Payette River below McCall gives the finest whitewater kayaking in central Idaho. Park entry $7. Drive: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
CASCADE AND THE LONG VALLEY DRIVE BACK TO BOISE
The Long Valley drive south from McCall through Cascade and Horseshoe Bend back to Boise via Highway 55 is the most extraordinary mountain-to-valley drive in Idaho, its extraordinary descent from the Salmon River Mountains through the ponderosa pine forest of the Long Valley past Cascade Reservoir and the extraordinary Payette River whitewater to the Treasure Valley giving the finest closing drive in Idaho. Cascade Reservoir free to view.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Brundage Mountain above McCall gives the finest hidden ski and summer mountain experience in Idaho, its extraordinary uncrowded ski slopes and summer chairlift to 7,640 feet giving the finest view of the Salmon River Mountains and Payette Lake. Summer chairlift approx $15. The most extraordinary hidden mountain in Idaho.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: The Pancake House, McCall The finest breakfast in McCall. Extraordinary Idaho huckleberry pancakes and strong mountain coffee. | Lunch: Shore Lodge, McCall The finest lunch at the finest lodge in Idaho. Extraordinary local Payette Lake views and local produce. | Dinner: Smoky Mountain Pizza, McCall The finest pizza in McCall. Outstanding local Idaho ingredients and craft beer before the drive.
Where To Stay
Stanley and Ketchum, Nights 1 to 2 Redfish Lake Lodge or Limelight Hotel Ketchum. Approx $130 to $280. Twin Falls, Night 3 The Penny Hotel or Hampton Inn. Approx $90 to $160 per night. Boise and McCall, Nights 4 to 5 The Owyhee Hotel Boise or Shore Lodge McCall. Approx $120 to $280.
Top Tips
1. Redfish Lake at dawn is the most extraordinary mountain lake scene in Idaho. Stay at the lodge for best access.
2. Craters of the Moon Indian Tunnel lava tube requires a torch. The cave is 800 feet long and extraordinary.
3. Boise's Basque Block on Grove Street is the finest Basque heritage district in America outside Spain.
4. McCall's Payette Lake is the finest lake town in Idaho. Shore Lodge gives the finest lake dining.
5. Salmon River whitewater rafting from Stanley is the finest multi-day river trip in America. Book ahead.
6. The Perrine Bridge BASE jumping is best viewed from the canyon rim trail in the late afternoon.
Total Budget
$110 to $190/day