Feel like going for a drive? There is no shortage of scenic drives in Idaho boasting spectacular views of mountains, valleys, canyons, forests, and whatever else you could imagine. Never is it a bad time to fuel up and explore one of the Gem State's beautiful backcountry highways, but we'd argue that the fall season may be the best time. During this transition from summer to winter, our state takes on some amazing landscapes as the foliage shifts colors. See the best of them with these seven fall scenic drives near you in Idaho that are bound to impress!
Boasting nearly 50 miles of epic, pristine scenery, the City of Rocks Scenic Byway takes you through the rural landscape that surrounds the Albion Mountain Range in southern Idaho. Traversing past glorious natural attractions like the City of Rocks National Reserve and the Pomerelle Ski Area, you'll be in awe for the entirety of this scenic highway.
It doesn't get much better than autumn in central Idaho! The Sawtooth Scenic Byway stretches for 116 miles along the jagged Sawtooth Mountains, rolling through charming resort towns like Hailey, Ketchum, and Sun Valley. In between Sun Valley and Stanley is where you'll witness the outstanding landscape of Galena Summit.
The Snake River Canyon makes for a spectacular sight all year long, but you'll especially love seeing it during the fall season. Hop on the Snake River Canyon Scenic Byway which covers more than 50 miles of pristine landscape. Stretching from Walters Ferry to Nyssa, Oregon, you'll be treated to incredible views and plenty of fantastic pit stops along the way.
Located in Bonners Ferry, Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge is a sight to be seen in fall. Although you can certainly explore the refuge on foot, the Auto Tour Road gives you the opportunity to enjoy the area's beauty from your car. Traverse the gravel roads to various wildlife viewpoints and enjoy this serene landscape up close.
Meandering along the western slopes of eastern Idaho's Teton Range, the Teton Scenic Byway never disappoints when it comes to showing off the area's grandiose beauty. Consisting of 70 miles, the highway takes you to dreamy vistas, historic sites, quaint towns, and the Grand Targhee Resort.
The Payette River Scenic Byway starts west of Boise and stretches north on Idaho 55. It takes you past the most magnificent forest scenery including both the Boise and Payette National Forests. Some of the highway's most prominent destinations include Smiths Ferry, Roseberry, Ponderosa State Park, and Cascade Reservoir.
Winding approximately 50 miles along the Idaho-Utah border, this scenic drive in Idaho most famously takes you past the turquoise blue waters of Bear Lake and into Oregon Trail country. Lush and green during summer, the area becomes swathed in shades of red, orange, and bright yellow as the fall season settles in.
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Are you ready for fall's beauty? These scenic drives in Idaho are the perfect way to explore Idaho's autumn scenery! What are your favorite things to do in the fall in Idaho? Let us know in the comments. And if you have a nice drive near you, tell us all about it.
If you plan to spend a lot of time in the car as you explore some of the best fall drives in the state, make sure you are prepared. Check out our ultimate road trip packing list so you are always ready for any journey, particularly those that involve the fall colors in Idaho!
One of Idaho’s most unique destinations is Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. Here, you'll find miles of hardened lava flows, scattered cinder cones, and some of the most fascinating scenery. It’s a destination that deserves a spot on every bucket list. While you can spend multiple days at Craters of the Moon, I typically plan a day trip, and from Boise, it’s the perfect road trip destination. In fact, I’ve created an unexpected road trip itinerary that takes you from Boise to Craters of the Moon. You will travel back roads, stop at a few breathtaking natural wonders, and visit four of my favorite destinations in this part of the state. So, grab some car-friendly snacks, and let’s hit the road.
This road trip itinerary will take you approximately 300 miles one way. You should plan nearly seven hours of drive time. I recommend breaking up the trip and spending the night in Ketchum or Hailey so that you can spend the majority of your second day at Craters of the Moon. If you want to take a shorter drive home, travel the main roads, which is approximately 2.5 hours of drive time.
Our first stop on this road trip is Rocky Canyon Hot Springs in Garden Valley. These are primitive hot springs along the Middle Fork Payette River. The pools are built with rock walls and are perfect for an afternoon soak — just be prepared to forge the river. And as with all hot springs, always check the temperature of the water before hopping in.
Redfish Lake is my favorite alpine lake in Idaho, and whenever I am in the area, it’s an absolute must-visit destination. If you want to speed up your trip, you can always just stop and take in the views before you continue on your way, but I suggest spending an hour or two fishing. The lake is home to all types of fish species including trout, sockeye, and steelhead.
Yes, the next stop on this road trip is another lake but with so many gorgeous alpine lakes in the area, it’s hard to pass by these gems without stopping. To enjoy the scenery at Yellow Belly Lake, you’ll need to lace up your hiking shoes and hike the 3.8-mile trail. However, because of its location, this is a great spot if you are searching for some peace and quiet, and the views are exquisite.
With all of the activities on our road trip, you’ll likely build up quite an appetite and there’s no better place to eat than at Ketchum’s Pioneer Saloon. This delicious steakhouse boasts an Old West-style vibe and an impressive menu. Many people come to this steakhouse for the prime rib, which comes in multiple cuts and tasty sides including the Jim Spud, a baked potato with Teriyaki beef, potato toppings, and cheese. Just make sure you save room for some berry cobbler or Sheila’s famous mud pie before you leave.
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Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
Once you’ve reached Craters of the Moon, get out of your car and explore. You can step into the visitor center to learn more about the area and its history. There are also several hikes including the family-friendly Devils Orchard. If you are up for a little more time in the car, take the short scenic drive through the national monument and surround yourself with the lava rock and cinder cones.
What other stops would you add to this unexpected road trip from Boise to Craters of the Moon? What are some of your favorite road trip destinations from Boise? Let us know in the comments. We are always looking for new adventures.
From the remarkable lakes in the panhandle to the waterfalls dotting the southern part of the state, there is so much to see and explore in Idaho. While there are many different ways to enjoy the Gem State, one of the best is a scenic drive. There are dozens of Idaho road trip ideas to help you experience the majestic views found all around the Gem State. But, if you feel a little overwhelmed and don’t know which Idaho road trip itinerary to choose, we are here to help. Below are just 11 of the best road trips in Idaho, from single-day excursions to adventures with the entire family. Get ready because no matter which option you choose, you are in for a journey to remember.
Route: Boise Train Depot > Idaho State Museum > Boise Fry Company > Idaho Botanical Garden > Military Reserve
Distance: 7 miles
Trip Time: 30 minutes driving time
Quick road trips in Idaho can be just what we need for a fun day trip. This short road trip in Boise, Idaho will take you on an adventure from sunrise to sunset. You will visit five different attractions in Treasure Valley including historical sites, unique places to eat, and the most beautiful botanical garden. This is one road trip where you can take your time and see some incredible views all at the same time.
Route: Bruneau River Canyon > Box Canyon State Park > Snake River Canyon
Distance: 105 miles
Trip Time: 2 hours driving time
With this incredible Idaho road trip itinerary, you can visit three incredible canyons in a single weekend. You will only travel 105 miles, giving you plenty of time to explore each area and go on adventure after adventure. This road trip is best during the warmer months of the year so you can truly get out and appreciate many of the wonders and gems that Idaho offers. Don't be surprised if you consider this one of the best weekend road trips in Idaho.
Route: Lava Hot Springs > Heise Hot Springs > Goldbug Hot Springs > Kirkham Hot Springs
Distance: 450 miles
Trip Time: 8 hours driving time
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Spend a weekend with relaxation in mind when you experience this Idaho hot springs road trip. You will travel approximately 450 miles in a single weekend and visit four different hot springs. Make sure you bring your hiking boots because some of these hot springs will require a bit of a trek, but all of them are going to help you unwind and soak away your worries. This is one of the best road trips to take in Idaho for enjoying nature - especially if hot springs are your jam.
Highway 95 is one scenic road that will practically take you from one end of the state to another. On this Highway 95 road trip in Idaho, you will visit several of the best towns located along this stretch of road. This specific itinerary will take you from Weiser to Coeur d’Alene but you can also start wherever you desire — there really are numerous stops and attractions along this route that you won’t want to miss.
Route: Lava Hot Springs Resort > Shoshone Falls > Thousand Springs State Park > Boise River Greenbelt > Payette Lake > University of Idaho Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Moscow > Route of the Hiawatha
Distance: 740 miles
Trip Time: 13 hours driving time
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When spring arrives in Idaho, you are often itching to get out of the house to explore. This road trip in Idaho takes you to many bucket-list-worthy destinations to start your warm months off right. This is a long road trip — approximately 13 hours of drive time — so we strongly suggest you break it up into multiple days. But, if you complete the trip in its entirety, you’ll get to enjoy destinations like Thousand Springs State Park, the Boise River Greenbelt, and the University of Idaho Arboretum and Botanical Garden.
Route: Jump Creek Falls, Marsing > Deadman Falls, Glenns Ferry > Thousand Springs, Hagerman > Perrine Coulee Waterfall, Twin Falls > Pillar Falls, Twin Falls > Shoshone Falls, Twin Falls > Big Fiddler Creek/Long Gulch Falls, Elmore County
Distance: 418 miles
Trip Time: 11 hours driving time
Summer is all about waterfalls. There are dozens of incredible waterfalls all over the state, but this road trip focuses solely on the best falls in southern Idaho. You will get to chase seven waterfalls on this 420-mile trip. From Jump Creek Falls to Long Gulch Falls in Elmore County, you are going to see some pretty remarkable sights. Just make sure you break this road trip into multiple days so you can enjoy each waterfall and never feel rushed.
Route: Coeur d’Alene > Hells Canyon National Recreation Area > Ponderosa State Park > Sawtooth National Forest > Boise > Owyhee River Wilderness Area
Distance: 610 miles
Trip Time: 14 hours driving time
We have created the ultimate leaf-peeping road trip itinerary in Idaho. You will travel all across the state from Coeur d’Alene to the Owyhee River Wilderness. You will spend a lot of time in the car as this scenic drive is approximately 14 hours but there are plenty of spots along the way to admire the red, orange, and yellow hues of fall. Just make sure you time this road trip right so you can enjoy the colors during peak fall foliage.
Route: Lava Hot Springs > Black Swan Inn, Pocatello > Sun Valley Ski Resort > Stanley Ice Skating Rink, Stanley > Kirkham Hot Springs, Boise National Forest
Distance: 318 miles
Trip Time: 5.5 hours driving time
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Even when the weather is cold and chilly outdoors, it doesn’t mean you need to stay cooped up inside. In fact, when you take this chilly weekend road trip, you may just discover your love for this season in Idaho. With multiple hot springs, an outdoor ice skating rink, and charming places to stay, you are going to love this season of the year.
Are you ready for a road trip in southeastern Idaho? Grab your family and head on an adventure that will create some incredible memories. You’ll stop at attractions like Splatter Lab in Rexburg, the ARTitorium in Idaho Falls, and the Potato Museum in Blackfoot. This is one of the best road trips in Idaho and it is the perfect way to make memories with the people you love the most.
Route: Sun Valley > Stanley > Lake Cascade > McCall > The Palouse > Lake Coeur d’Alene > Priest Lake
Distance: 592 miles
Trip Time: 12.5 hours driving time
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This may be one of our favorite road trips in Idaho and it will certainly make you fall in love with the beauty of Idaho all over again. If you complete this trip in its entirety, you will travel from central Idaho all the way to the northern area of the panhandle. You’ll encounter incredible mountains near Sun Valley, small towns like McCall, the grandeur of the Palouse, and breathtaking lakes like Coeur d’Alene. It’s a trip of pure beauty.
Route: Island Park > Driggs > Ketchum > Stanley > Idaho City > McCall > Riggins
Distance: 590 miles
Trip Time: 11.5 hours driving time
There is nothing like the mountain towns in Idaho and on this road trip, you can visit some of the best. Riggins, McCall, Stanley, and Island Park are just a few of the stops along your way. This road trip is scenic and picturesque and there are countless things to do along your route. Don’t rush through this road trip. You may travel nearly 600 miles one way but the charm you’ll experience and the views you will see are worth every single mile.
Have you taken any of the above trips through Idaho? What is your favorite place to travel in Idaho? What do you consider to be the best road trips in Idaho? Share it with us in the comments and don’t forget to include your Idaho road trip map!
To help you find a charming cabin in Idaho along your travels, check out some of our favorites:
