The Scenic Road Trip That Will Make You Fall In Love With The Beauty Of Idaho All Over Again
By Courtnie Erickson|Updated on February 04, 2023(Originally published January 31, 2023)
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Courtnie Erickson
Author
From Southern Utah to the Panhandle in Idaho, Courtnie Erickson has lived in what she believes are the best (and the most beautiful!) areas in the country. She graduated with a journalism degree from Utah State University and has more than 15 years of professional writing experience. You’ll likely see her with a Dr. Pepper in her hand and a pair of running shoes on her feet. Courtnie is a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState.
Let’s be honest: is there really anywhere more beautiful than Idaho? We have it all in the Gem State, from towering mountain peaks to lava flows and flowing waterfalls, to the bluest lakes. However, we can sometimes take for granted the beautiful state that we call home. To help you fall in love with the beauty of Idaho all over again, we’ve created this road trip to some of the most scenic areas in the Gem State. Believe us, this is one scenic road trip in Idaho you will not soon forget!
This road trip is quite long and if you complete the trip in its entirety, you will travel nearly 600 miles one way. We recommend breaking this trip up into several days, which will give you plenty of time to enjoy each stop you make. You can also use this interactive map to add or remove stops as you desire.
Our road trip begins in Sun Valley, as this entire area is jaw-dropping regardless of when you visit. In the summer, explore Bald Mountain on a mountain bike or hiking trail, and in the winter, hit the slopes on your skis or snowboard. Make sure to explore the small town of Ketchum, which is truly a foodie’s paradise.
Depending on your schedule, you can drive through Stanley and admire its beauty from your car window or get out and explore. This small town has more outdoor attractions than any other place in the state. You can go for a hike, fish the Salmon River, spend the day at Redfish Lake or Stanley Lake, visit Kirkham Hot Springs, and more.
Lake Cascade is actually a human-made lake in Idaho, and it is quite a sight. This is the fourth-largest lake in the Gem State with a surface area of 47 miles. This is a great place for a picnic, to catch a fish, or to take a ride in a canoe or kayak. It is one stop on our scenic road trip in Idaho that you will not want to skip.
Another one of Idaho’s most scenic places is McCall, a small town that sits right on the shore of the stunning Payette Lake. During this road trip stop, you can spend your time around town or head into Ponderosa State Park. Here, you will find some charming waterfront cabins that are perfect for sitting back and enjoying Idaho's natural beauty.
Yet another place to enjoy simply jaw dropping scenery in Idaho, the Palouse region is one of our favorite parts of the Gem State. The Palouse is actually 18,000 square miles and it includes parts of Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. The hills of the Palouse were actually made from dust and silt called loess that blew into the area from dust storms thousands of years ago. The stunning town of Moscow is located in the heart of the Palouse and it is a great place to spend the night, grab some food, and prepare for the last few stops on our scenic road trip.
Our next stop is Lake Coeur d’Alene, one of the most well-known and popular lakes in Idaho. You can explore this lake from your vehicle by driving the Lake Coeur d’Alene Scenic Byway or taking a hike on the Rutledge Trail, which is a 5-mile paved trail that runs along the northeastern shore of the lake. One of our favorite ways to bask in the beauty of this lake? On a lake or river cruise!
The last stop on our road trip displaying some of Idaho’s most beautiful scenery is stunning Priest Lake, which is found in the northern part of the panhandle. Known as Idaho’s Crown Jewel, Priest Lake is the perfect way to end this scenic road trip. If you love water sports, this is the place to go, but there are excellent hiking, mountain biking, and camping opportunities all around as well.
So, what do you think of this scenic road trip in Idaho? Have you ever been to any of these places? If so, which were your favorites? Are there any stops you’d add to this route? We’d love to read about your experiences in the comments section below!
For more outstanding scenic beauty in Idaho, check out this video:
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Adventures in Idaho
Lysa Allman-Baldwin|February 04, 2023
Where can we find state parks in Idaho?
Harriman State Park (Island Park) is a big draw for wildlife sightings including moose and trumpeter swans, as well as for some of the best fly-fishing in the state,
Mary M. McCroskey State Park (Farmington) features 32 branching hiking trails and stunning prairie and farmland views.
Heyburn State Park (Plummer) is home to three lakes and in total encompasses nearly 6,000 acres of land and over 2,000 acres of waterways.
Where can we find the best hiking trails in Idaho?
The Fourth of July Summit Loop (Cataldo) is a 6.4-mile loop trail and part of Fourth of July Park. The loop and park offer a wealth of activities all year-round.
Goldbug Hot Springs (Salmon) is a 3.5 mile out-and-back trail rewarding hikers with some time at the Goldbug Hot Springs when they make it to the end.
Mores Mountain Loop (Boise) is a 2.1-mile loop trail featuring a handful of other shorter trails that branch off of it, providing several ways to enjoy the area.
