Plan Your Own Adventure

There’s no shortage of incredible destinations in Idaho. From north to south, the state offers forests and deserts, mountains and rivers with outstanding fishing and recreational opportunities-and gorgeous scenery. Here are some ideas for how you can explore Idaho. Idaho has great hiking opportunities across the state.

All Regions Central / East Idaho North / North Central Idaho South Central Idaho Southwest Idaho

Central / East Idaho

Aldous and Hancock Lakes

The hike to Aldous and Hancock lakes is a kid-friendly adventure along the Continental Divide with options to extend your hike into more rugged territory.

Central / East Idaho

Amber Gulch

In the Boulder Mountains, Amber Gulch is an adventurous hike to alpine lakes.

North / North Central Idaho

Beehive Lakes

The Beehive Lakes offer rewarding views of the Selkirk Mountains, hungry cutthroat trout and a chance for experienced hikers to scramble to the crest.

Central / East Idaho

Betty, Goat & Baptie Lakes

These lakes are at higher elevations than just about any other lakes in Idaho, but they're well worth the views of the Pioneer Mountains.

Southwest Idaho

Big Jacks Creek

If you haven't been to Big Jacks Creek, add it to your list of Must See areas in Idaho!

Central / East Idaho

Blue Heart Springs

To get to Blue Heart Springs, put in at the boat launch at Banbury Hot Springs and paddle downstream along the Snake River for about a mile. On the north …

Southwest Idaho

Boiling Springs

Enjoy this relaxing hot springs on the Payette River!

Central / East Idaho

Boulder Basin

This hike offers views of alpine lakes and even a historic mining town.

Southwest Idaho

Boulder Lake

Enjoy an easy day hike outside McCall!

Central / East Idaho

Boulder Lake

A beautiful hike through the Pioneers Mountains with views of alpine meadows, ending at Boulder Lake.

Southwest Idaho

Bruneau Sand Dunes

Bruneau Dunes State Park offers a wide range of recreational activities and one of Idaho's most impressive geological wonders.

Southwest Idaho

C.J. Strike Reservoir

C.J. Strike Reservoir is part of the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Recreation Area and a popular destination for boating and fishing.

Central / East Idaho

Castle Peak

Castle Peak, now part of Idaho's newest wilderness area, was once the site for a proposed open-pit mine.

North / North Central Idaho

Cayuse Creek

Cayuse Creek is the perfect marriage between hiking and blue ribbon trout fishing.

Central / East Idaho

Centennial Mountains: Kilgore Project Area Tour

Tony H., an ICL member and volunteer from Idaho Falls, shared with us his favorite motor vehicle loop that explores the Kilgore project area.

Central / East Idaho

Chamberlain Basin

Explore the Boulder-White Clouds and hike the Chamberlain Basin.

North / North Central Idaho

Chimney Rock

This is an aptly named geological formation that straddles the Selkirk Crest. It's an impressive feature to view and popular with climbers.

South Central Idaho

Earl M. Hardy Box Canyon Springs Nature Preserve

A day trip to Box Canyon Springs packs a punch with its dramatic views, wildlife sightings, and misty waterfall hiking. The trailhead is easy to find on the GPS and …

Central / East Idaho

East Fork North Fork of the Big Wood River

Take the road less traveled and see Idaho's wildlife on this difficult hike.

North / North Central Idaho

Fish Creek

This is a perfect backpacking trail for those looking for a longer trip or a quiet retreat into the wilderness.

Central / East Idaho

Fourth of July Lake & Washington Lake

Fourth of July and Washington Lakes are the gold standard for easy day hikes in the Boulder-White Clouds.

Central / East Idaho

Galena Gulch

This trail leads you to a saddle that is prime habitat for mountain goats and other wild game.

Central / East Idaho

Gladiator Creek

Explore old pioneer cabins and prepare yourself for a steep climb on this mountain trail.

Central / East Idaho

Grand Prize Gulch

Surround yourself with incredible views of several mountain ranges while exploring the Boulder Mountains.

North / North Central Idaho

Harrison Lake

One of the most popular destinations in the Selkirk Mountains, this hike features a stunningly beautiful alpine cirque cradling the lake and a basin ringed by granite cliffs and peaks

Central / East Idaho

Heart Lake and Six Lakes

Enjoy colorful surroundings on this cross-country trek in the Boulder-White Clouds.

Central / East Idaho

High Ridge Trail

See great views of the Pioneer Mountains and Mt. Borah, Idaho's highest mountain peak.

Central / East Idaho

Horton Peak

Bring your camera and capture the beauty of snow-capped peaks surrounding Horton Peak.

Central / East Idaho

Hunter Creek Summit

Walk along a small creek and view the beautiful Boulder Mountains on this easy day hike.

All Regions

Idaho Wilderness Trail

The trail connects the state through almost 300 miles of established trails, so you can explore your own wild Idaho on the IWT.

North / North Central Idaho

Johns Creek Trail System, Blue Ridge Route

A scenic loop that follows along Johns Creek and passes through the Gospel Hump Wilderness.

North / North Central Idaho

Kelly Creek

Excellent fishing and camping in the heart of the Clearwater!

North / North Central Idaho

Lake Darling-Mount Pend Oreille

Visit the crowning summit of the Pend Oreille Divide and moose-friendly Lake Darling for a hike through timbered trails and high open views on this loop in the Cabinet Mountains.

Central / East Idaho

Lightning Lake

View wildflower meadows and turquoise lakes on this day hike.

South Central Idaho

Little City of Rocks

The Little City of Rocks is a unique desert feature located in the Magic Valley. There is a parking area on a dirt road a short drive off Highway 46...

Southwest Idaho

Little Jacks Creek

Little Jacks Creek Wilderness is a great place to check out the impressive Owyhee Canyonlands.

North / North Central Idaho

Long Canyon & Parker Ridge

From old-growth giant cedars to ridgeline walks above the treeline, this loop offers the full spectrum of the Selkirks.

North / North Central Idaho

Maiden Rock

Take a short hike down to a remarkable granite rock on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille for some beach time, swimming and/or camping.

North / North Central Idaho

Meadow Creek

Meadow Creek is perhaps one of the most important fisheries in the Clearwater Basin. It's not a bad place to visit either.

Central / East Idaho

Murdock Creek

Hike along a canyon and see some miniature waterfalls.

Central / East Idaho

North Fork of the Big Wood River

Enjoy rugged scenery and quiet solitude in the Boulder Mountains near Sun Valley.

South Central Idaho

Ritter Island

Hidden within the desert landscape exists the serene and beautiful Ritter Island Unit of Thousand Springs State Park.

North / North Central Idaho

Roman Nose Lakes

This easy yet rewarding trip to three lakes in the shadow of Roman Nose Peak offers near-trailhead camping, relaxed hiking and a chance for captivating views of the Selkirk Crest.

North / North Central Idaho

Scotchman Peak

A strenuous climb and the "grand-daddy" of hikes in the proposed wilderness area, leading you to the highest point in Bonner County

Southwest Idaho

Shafer Butte

Camping, hiking and mountain biking just minutes outside Boise!

Southwest Idaho

Table Rock

Want to take a hike but don't have time to get out of Boise? Go up to Table Rock!

Southwest Idaho

Three Island Crossing

Three Island Crossing State Park is a great place to learn about the Oregon Trail or begin exploring the Owyhee Canyonlands!

Central / East Idaho

Toolbox-Herd Peak Trail

Explore the eastern side of the Boulder Mountains.

North / North Central Idaho

Two Mouth Lakes

These two picturesque lakes are worth a visit, but tread lightly because this is very important wildlife habitat.

North / North Central Idaho

Upper Priest River/American Falls

Take a magical trek through centuries-old cedars and ancient hemlock, in Idaho's portion of the world's only inland temperate rainforest.

Central / East Idaho

Washington Lake

Starting from the same trailhead as Boulder Lake, this hike through the Pioneer Mountains takes you to even higher alpine lakes.

Southwest Idaho

Weiser River Float

Float Idaho's Weiser River in the spring! Locals will  tell you mid to late April is prime floating.

Southwest Idaho

Weiser River Trail

Check out the longest trail in Idaho! This trail follows the Weiser River for 84 miles from Weiser to New Meadows.

North / North Central Idaho

Weitas Creek

Raft or kayak Weitas Creek in the Clearwater National Forest!

Central / East Idaho

West Fork of the North Fork

Hike along a stream in the Boulder Mountains to see some spectacular wildflowers.

Central / East Idaho

West Pass of the Big Wood River

This hike is strenuous but offers great views of the White Cloud Peaks.