I grew up in Idaho, and even with all the touring I’ve completed, I nonetheless assume Idaho is without doubt one of the prettiest states within the nation. Once I return to go to household, I at all times carve out time to get outdoors 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 lower to the chase. On this publish, I share the right 9-day Idaho street journey itinerary designed with the outside fanatic in thoughts, with my favourite locations to go to, not-to-miss outside actions, cute lodges, epic campsites, and yummy eating places.
This publish might include affiliate hyperlinks.
Itinerary Overview
Utilizing my 7-day Idaho street journey itinerary, you’ll make an enormous loop across the state, beginning and ending within the vibrant metropolis of Boise. Since outside recreation is my speciality and what Idaho is understood 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 all the enjoyable belongings you’ll get to do:
I’m assuming you will keep in lodges, and I’ll share some ideas. Nonetheless, 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 lower 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 so much 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 bushes, plenty of fairly bridges, and loads of locations to cease and put your toes within the river. If it’s a scorching day, you may even convey (or put on) your swimsuit so you possibly can take a dip.
Assuming you aren’t touring with your personal bike, there are many totally different bike rental retailers close to the Greenbelt that hire each common and e-bikes. There may be additionally a motorcycle 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 chew, go to a brewery, and discover downtown
Downtown Boise may be very walkable and has so many nice eating places. A couple 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, and so they even have NA choices out there.
Boise Lodging
Get a great evening’s sleep as a result of tomorrow the true journey begins. There are a ton of cute, boutique lodges in downtown Boise.
Day 2: McCall
Morning – Whitewater Rafting on the Cabarton
You’re going to stand up early as we speak (6am departure) and make the gorgeous 2.5 drive up Freeway 55 in direction of McCall to Tamarack Resort .
When you get to Tamarack, test into the Tamarack Guided Adventures Desk for a full-day rafting journey on the Cabarton stretch of the Payette River.
I like the Cabarton part as a result of most of it’s distant from the freeway (versus the Essential Payette which runs proper subsequent to Freeway 55). This implies it’s very quiet, the surroundings is stellar, and you could even spot some wildlife.
The most important 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 contains 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 thought of shifting 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 as we speak so that you don’t must drive all the way in which again into city for meals.
Begin your morning off at Burgdorf Scorching Springs, which I contemplate to be a quintessential Idaho expertise. A brief and delightful drive from McCall, Burgdorf has three totally different gravel backside soaking swimming pools full of geothermal spring water.
They require superior reservations in an effort to forestall the swimming pools from getting too crowded, and a 2-hour soaking move prices $20. They don’t have a lot in the way in which of meals, drinks, or different provides, so convey no matter you could take pleasure in 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 possibly can hire 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 want paddling in a single kayak, however I’ve additionally completed it on a paddle board and in my very own packraft. Relying on the time and vitality ranges, you are able to do a 2 hour or half-day rental. Your entire stretch is 7-miles lengthy with a number of sandy seashores that you would be able to pull off at.
Day 4: Coeur d’Alene
Morning: Drive to Coeur d’Alene
At this time 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 by way of Riggins, Lewiston, and Moscow with sections hugging the Little Salmon River.
Once I did this journey, I booked it up Coeur d’Alene, however in case you have extra time, it is best to contemplate doing a jet boat journey by way of Hells Canyon – the deepest river gorge in all of North America. My mother and father did this and beloved 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. When you’re into boating or golf, you possibly can simply spend a number of days right here. Nonetheless, on this itinerary, it’s going to be a fast cease in your method 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 simple, flat path with nice views and provides you a style of what this area is about. Notice it is a very talked-about path, so count on 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.
Quick on Time?
If you could lower a number of days out of this Idaho street journey itinerary, I’d skip Days 4 by way of 6, eliminating the lengthy drive to and from the panhandle and the Hiawatha Path. As a substitute, I’d drive straight 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 by way of 9 pitch black tunnels, some greater than 1.5 miles lengthy, utilizing a motorcycle gentle 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. Your entire journey is downhill and if you attain the tip there are shuttle buses ready to move you and your bike again to the highest.
Previous to beginning, you need to cease at Lookout Cross Ski Space which is 7 miles from the Pearson Trailhead to get your path move and shuttle ticket. Additionally they have bike leases, bike lights, and bike racks in your automobile out there if you happen to’re not street tripping with your personal.
Once 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 time, the tunnels can really feel damp and chilly, so that you may wish to convey 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 street journey cease in Stanley travels by way of Montana. So that you’ll get to see a small sliver of Montana too.
Because you’re going to have an extended 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 vitality and wish to maintain driving, Salmon (4 hours complete from the Hiawatha Path) can be your subsequent good cease. Nonetheless, the street does get fairly curvy and mountainous in sections, so that you won’t wish to do this at midnight.
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 shortly as doable.
On the way in which into Stanley, you’ll move a few of my favourite scorching springs. Sunbeam Scorching Springs is 12 miles outdoors of Stanley alongside ID-75. There’s a signal and a small parking space, making it exhausting to overlook.
Many of the soaking swimming pools are down a small hill to the best of the bathhouse subsequent to the Salmon River. You possibly can go from scorching springs to the river and again or discover an space that’s the right temperature by mixing the cold and hot water collectively.
Notice that if you happen to go in early summer time throughout peak run-off, the river ranges is perhaps 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 probably the most well-known lake within the Sawtooths and is worthy of a day dangle.
They’ve paddle boards for hire, in addition to pontoon boats. You can even take the boat shuttle to the opposite facet of Redfish Lake the place numerous totally different hikes depart from, together with this backpacking journey to Baron Lakes which I did a number of years in the past.
When you’re simply seeking to dangle on the seaside and go for a swim, I want driving over to the Sandy Seaside boat ramp on the east facet of the lake. It’s a bit quieter than the world close to the Redfish Lake Lodge, and also you get nice views of Mt. Thompson (pictured beneath), which is the very best peak within the Sawtooths.
Stanley Eating places
If you wish to eat out, the most effective dinner choices in Stanley are the Sawtooth Lodge (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, and so they 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 toes of elevation achieve, resulting in probably the most BLUEtiful lake you’ll ever see. There are some steeper components, however size apart, I’d contemplate this a average hike.
You possibly can put together for this hike by studying my Sawtooth Lake mountain climbing information.
Afternoon – Mountain Village Scorching Springs or Stanley Lake
Feeling like your muscle tissues may use one other good soak? Mountain Village Resort has 3 different hot springs, and also you don’t must be a lodge visitor to make use of them. I like these scorching springs as a result of they’re deep, and so they have among 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 price.
When you’ve had sufficient of Idaho’s superb scorching springs, then I counsel heading to Stanley Lake. It’s so much 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 move Pettit Lake and Alturas Lake. When you’re on the lookout for extra photograph alternatives, these are value stopping at.
Subsequent, you’ll drive to the highest of Galena Summit. When you occur to be touring with mountain bikes, there’s an unbelievable 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, as we speak you’re going to deal with one other hike. This one is a bit steeper and tougher than the hike to Sawtooth Lake, overlaying 8.0 miles and gaining 2,500 toes in elevation.
The primary 1.5 miles are within the forest, however as you get increased, 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 excellent meals scene. Listed below 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 a number of choices at no cost and paid campgrounds. There are additionally a number of good lodges on the town that put you inside strolling distance of all the retailers and eating places. Take into account 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 Essential Avenue and the remainder of downtown.
For a birdseye view of the world, take the Roundhouse Gondola from the River Run base up Bald Mountain.
From the highest of the gondola, you possibly can seize lunch on the Roundhouse Restaurant with panoramic views or hop on the scenic Christmas raise to the highest of the ski space. There are many totally different mountain climbing trails if you wish to discover, or you possibly can take some pics and journey again down.
Afternoon: Drive again to Boise
That wraps up your 10-day Idaho street journey itinerary. The drive from Solar Valley to Boise is slightly below 3 hours. There aren’t quite a lot of locations to cease, so it is best to seize lunch in Solar Valley earlier than you hit the street.
When you’ve got extra time
When you’ve got greater than 9 days in your street journey, there are such a lot of extra issues you are able to do in Idaho. Listed below are some ideas:
Steadily 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 seeking to ski and do different winter sports activities.
To correctly discover the state, I believe you want at the very least 7 days, though you possibly can simply spend 2 weeks overlaying all of Idaho. When you’ve got much less time than that, I’d give attention to the Boise, McCall, Stanley space in your street journey.
My favourite space of Idaho is Stanley and Solar Valley. These are house to probably the most dramatic mountains in Idaho with tons of mountain climbing, biking, paddling, scorching springs, and different outside actions.
Extra Idaho Suggestions
Have a number of further days to spend in your Idaho street journey? Get extra concepts for issues to do in these weblog posts:
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What different Idaho street journey stops have you ever been to or would advocate for an itinerary? Depart a remark beneath!
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