Spring is finally here, and with it comes the warm weather, sunshine, and the opportunity to shake off the cabin fever that's been building up all winter long. After a long season spent indoors, it’s time to venture outside again! What will you do? It’s still a little too cold for swimming (unless you're the daring type), and the best hiking trails can be a bit muddy. But there are still plenty of places to go this spring!
Quick, before the weather heats up and the tourists come out, here are 14 things to see and do in Idaho this spring to take advantage of the singing birds, budding trees, and beautiful weather.
1. Go waterfall chasing.
Wowza!! If ever there was a season to go waterfall hopping, this is it! After an intense winter, Idaho's waterfalls statewide are thundering, foaming spectacles that will take your breath away - even those that are typically just a trickle. Enjoy the mist on your face and the endless photo ops - these cascades deserve to be seen in person. And you have two ways to do it!
1. Check out Idaho's City of Waterfalls.
2. Take a waterfall road trip. We've compiled trips for you in every region of the state - but be sure to venture off the map to get the full beauty of Idaho's hidden cascades!
2. Check out the adorable baby birds at the World Center for Birds of Prey.
Idaho's one-of-a-kind World Center for Birds of Prey is a both educational and awesome, whether or not you're a bird fanatic. In spring, the old adage about 'the birds and the bees' comes to fruition here as many of the raptors lay and incubate their eggs for the season. The Peregrine Fund has a live Bosch KestrelCam set up to see eggs hatching and the maturation process begin, while the Boise center occasionally has viewings, but regularly keeps visitors updated with their own live streams. Follow their Facebook page to see photos of the too-cute baby hatchlings as they're born!
3. See the vibrant Camas blooms at Centennial Marsh in Fairfield.
Every spring, Idaho comes alive with the colorful sights and smells of desert wildflowers, blossoming meadows, and budding trees. Camas Prairie's Centennial Marsh is a state treasure that comes alive with acres upon acres of elegant camas lillies - bright purple flowers that thrive in the marshy wetland area. If the sight of an endless sea of purple beauty does refresh and rejuvenate your soul, the songbirds and twittering waterfowl will remind you of the beauty in simplicity.
4. Zip the Snake
For the only corss-canyon zipline in the state, Zip the Snake in Twin Falls is beyond epic. With four ziplines and a 5th opening soon...crossing the Snake River has never been so exhilarating.
Address: 199 Canyon Springs Rd. Twin Falls, ID 83301
5. Stroll the Idaho Falls Snake River Greenbelt
Idaho Falls' namesake waterfalls are just one reason to explore this loop in its entirety. Multiple gardens, plenty of benches, art, and gorgeous waterfront flora make this beautiful greenbelt an absolute must for any visitor - and during the spring? The ambiance and colors will take your breath away - there's a reason why this eastern Idaho city has won so many awards! Check out Sportsmans Park for a visit to a particularly special Asian-inspired oasis.
6. Take a lake cruise.
With spring comes vibrant sunsets, clear waters, and skies filled with migrating birds. For an epic day trip this season, a lake cruise on the Payette, Pend Oreille, or Coeur d'Alene is rewarding on so many levels! While spring hits North Idaho a little later than in the southern half of the state, you'll fall for the open horizon and rich scenery - and the beaches not clogged up with visitors!
McCall Cruises: More info and directions
Lake Coeur d'Alene Cruises: More info and directions
7. Feed the bear cubs at Yellowstone Bear World.
Does this need any explanation? Baby bears, bottle feeding, and embracing the beauty of one of Idaho's most phenomenal creatures.... priceless.
8. Bike the Weiser River Trail.
Few people realize there is an overlooked rails-to-trails treasure tucked away in Southern Idaho, or that this hidden gem is the longest rail-trail in the state. But in spring, this is one journey you won't want to miss out on! You'll meander over bridges, alongside lovely riverbeds, and even through mountains, right at the peak season to catch sight of beautiful flora and fauna of every type.
9. Go morel mushroom hunting in North Idaho.
Sepia in color with oval tops, spongey in appearance and held aloft by a rather stumpy, cream-colored leg these delicacies are treasured in a variety of cuisines and makes for a perfect family activity - much like huckleberry picking later on in the year. North Idaho has long been known as a Morel haven, and you can find these beauties along the side of the road just as easily as deep in a shady forest. There's a proper process to picking them, however, and should always been thoroughly shaken off before placed in a container. These beauties start to pop up in April and mid-May, so now's the time to keep an eye out!
10. Take a road trip on one of Idaho's overlooked historical roads.
The best way to get out and enjoy spring in Idaho? Get out and enjoy it, of course! Check out some of our favorite road trips here and here.
11. Eat some of the most mindblowingly delicious ice cream of your life at Panhandle Cone and Coffee.
PC&C is the place to grab fresh ice cream in Idaho. And it's easy to see why! Lemongrass and Roasted Blueberry, Ugly Irishman (made with Barley malt with double Askinosie Chocolate cookies with a salted caramel swirl), Peppermint Fudge, and dozens of other rotating, creative, seasonal flavors are made in-house with locally sourced ingredients and Idaho-inspired flavors. Also available in pints, in case a bowl isn't quite enough!
12. Stay a weekend at the Monastery of St. Gertrude in Cottonwood.
Situated in the scenic Camas Prairie region, the chapel provides views across the landscape of the Clearwater, Bitterroot, and Seven Devils Mountains. But this historic church is more than just a place of worship; the sisters also run an inn and host spiritual retreats, inviting visitors to stroll through the magnificent orchards and statue gardens.
13. Visit Cleo's Ferry Museum in Melba.
Of all of Idaho's trails, hikes, and botanical gardens, Cleo's homemade 1-mile walking trail is quite possibly the most whimsical and delightful of them all. This path meanders through multiple sculpture gardens, ponds, and even small animal havens along the Snake River, offers plenty of photo opportunities and rejuvenating vistas, and is sure to inspire and delight. You might even encounter a few animal friends along the way!
14. Take a wildflower walk in Southern Idaho.
While Fairfield's Camas Prairie is a gorgeous sight to behold, Idaho's desert wildflowers are an unexpected vision of color and magnificence that are diverse as Idaho's scenery. The Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise is offering multiple wildflower walks into the foothills. More details here, but there are dozens of places across the state that offer natural excursions, including Centennial Park, the Wood River Valley Preservation Society, and the Sandpoint Botanical Garden.
Spring in Idaho is full of opportunities for adventure - what are you waiting for?
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