If you’ve ever searched for “day trips near me,” you may be overwhelmed with all the choices. Not to worry, we put together this handy guide with some of the most beautiful day trips in Idaho, best done over the course of a three-day weekend. It’s the perfect amount of time to check a few adventures off of your bucket list and explore some of the forgotten corners of the state that you don’t quite have time for on an ordinary weekend. Start creating a lifetime of memories by taking one (or more) of these unforgettable day trips:
First up on our list of the best day trips in Idaho is the City of Rocks National Reserve. This geologic wonderland is not only a historic, rocky playground for all ages, it's also surprisingly idyllic in every season. Spring is especially rewarding for the nature lover, and visitors will be treated to small streams and creeks bubbling up from hidden nooks and crannies. And what if one day isn't quite long enough? Camping is available as well. You have to add the City of Rocks National Reserve to your Idaho bucket list.
Idaho has no shortage of picture-perfect vineyards, but there's something to be said for this one out-of-the-way, sustainable, family-owned gem. It's so easy to spend the day enjoying fabulous food, sampling local wines, and enjoying great company in small-town Idaho at Colter's Creek Vineyard and Winery.
Sometimes, the best place to go and enjoy a special day out is a lush, colorful botanical garden. While the Thomas E. Ricks Gardens at BYU-Idaho aren't traditional by any means, they sure are stunning! Ten breathtaking acres of fountains, ponds, waterfalls, pavilions, and charming flower beds - all in one place. This is another perfect addition to your Idaho bucket list.
Because why not? This cluster of ghost towns is wrapped in one of Idaho's newest (and yet oldest) state parks, with plenty of history and scenic mountain hikes to delight the average traveler. If you've ever wanted to explore some Idaho ghost towns, now's your chance.
A lost city, an abandoned mine, a rugged trail, and endless beauty just outside of Sun Valley makes for an unforgettable trip into Idaho's beautiful Boulder Mountains. And the pinnacle lakes - while a challenge to reach - are well worth the determination. This makes a it one of the best day trips from Idaho Falls.
Few things kick off a fantastic weekend quite like a road trip, and this journey through Central Idaho is one of the state's finest. Incredible history, stunning natural beauty, wilderness adventure, and some of the wildest landscapes Idaho has to offer all collide in this truly magnificent journey - complete with off-road options and hot springs galore. It will be one of the most beautiful day trips in Idaho you can take.
While the quaint sight of Johnny Sack's historic cabin is a must-see, the dense trees and bounty of nature surrounding the spring pool is absolutely divine in every season. Multiple hiking paths will carry you into the lush trees that make up the park, while the crisp sight of the blue-green water of Big Springs is simply rejuvenating.
Of all the Wild West towns dotting the state, Idaho City is an absolute Idaho bucket list must-visit. Charming, welcoming, resilient, and full of historic beauty, there's something new to discover and learn around every corner. Dress up in saloon garb and reenact a bar scene for the camera. Camp in a yurt. Explore the historic remnants of decades past. Take an auto tour of the Ponderosa Pine scenic byway. Hot spring it up au naturale or in luxury. Grab some pie... you won't regret it.
There's a lot to love about the most unique small town in Idaho, but Wallace's Center of the Universe manhole cover plaque is just the start of everything you'll find. The Route of the Hiawatha, dozens of woodsy trails, endless quaint museums, ziplining, and even historical tours barely scratch the surface of this larger-than-life community. One day might not be enough!
If you’ve searched high and low for some good day trips near me in Idaho, this list should help.
Have you ever been to any of these awesome places? If so, which ones were your favorites? Our beautiful big-little state has so much more to explore than we could possibly fit into a Top Ten list! Where are your favorite last-minute day trips to take in Idaho? We’d love to read about your experience in the comments section below!
