The Scenic Backroad That Leads To 6 Historic Idaho Destinations
By Courtnie Erickson|Published January 05, 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.
We love a beautiful drive in Idaho, and there is no shortage of options in the Gem State. But if you are searching for a road trip that is not only going to leave you inspired but is also going to take you to several unique destinations, we have just the route for you. The Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway is one of the most stunning scenic byways in Idaho. Taking you from Boise to Sun Valley, you will drive through forests, mining towns, and past historic and must-visit attractions. This is one scenic road trip in Idaho that will make you appreciate the Gem State so much more.
If you follow our itinerary in its entirety, you will travel approximately 185 miles, and it will require at least four hours of driving time. You can always complete this drive in a single day, but we suggest breaking it up into multiple days so you can fully enjoy each destination along the route. You can also use this customizable map to help plan your trip.
1. Lucky Peak Dam, Lucky Peak State Park
Lucky Peak State Park, 9725 ID-21, Boise, ID 83716, USA
The first stop on our road trip is Lucky Peak Dam at Lucky Peak State Park, just outside of Boise. The dam was built in 1949 and is pretty cool — you could easily spend all day admiring and exploring the area. With all of the beach areas, picnic spaces, hiking trails, boating opportunities, and so much more, you'll want to give yourself plenty of time to explore this state park in Idaho.
The perfect place to stop and enjoy a meal on the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway is Trudy’s Kitchen. This small-town restaurant is known for one thing: its world-famous pie. This restaurant is the newest destination on our route, having opened in the 1990s. However, since its opening, it has faced many challenges and has still established quite a name for itself. Trudy’s Kitchen serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but you must stop for a slice of pie. Each slice is massive.
Boco Sluice Box is one of the coolest places to shop in Idaho and even the exterior of this building with entice you. The building was constructed in the 1970s and is made using random items such as windows, stairs, doors, and signs. Inside, you will find an antique and secondhand store with every type of treasure you can imagine. Plus, you can grab yourself a cup of coffee and a tasty pastry in the Lobby Coffee Shop located inside the store.
Stanley is known for its stunning beauty, and it will certainly leave you impressed. This small town of approximately 100 residents was established in the early 1900s and today, it is home to more outdoor attractions than any other small town in Idaho. Here, you can truly do it all including fishing, camping, hiking, rafting, skiing, snowmobiling, swimming, ice skating, and even soaking in nearby hot springs. As we said …. Stanley offers it all.
The next stop on this country road trip is the Pioneer Saloon in Ketchum. This rustic, Western-themed restaurant originally opened in the 1940s as a gambling casino. Throughout the years, the building has served many purposes such as a meeting hall, dry goods store, and more. Today, it is a restaurant that serves incredible prime rib. When you visit, make sure you take a look around the interior of the restaurant as you’ll see items like Ernest Hemingway’s shotgun.
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6. Sun Valley Lodge, Sun Valley
Sun Valley Resort, 1 Sun Valley Rd, Sun Valley, ID 83353, USA
The last stop on our scenic road trip is the historic Sun Valley Lodge. This incredible building opened in 1936, and countless celebrities have stayed in the lodge throughout the years. Ernest Hemingway even lived in Room 206 and wrote some of his most popular works here, including "For Whom the Bell Tolls."
Have you ever driven this route? What are some of your favorite destinations along the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway? What other stops would you make along this beautiful backroad? Let us and your fellow travelers know in the comments!
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