Idaho is home to a whole lot of beautiful destinations. From vast and breathtaking wilderness areas to little-known state parks, the beauty is truly endless in our state. In fact, it’s easy to overlook many of these spots for the more well-known locations like Hells Canyon or Frank Church Wilderness. The eight destinations featured below are extremely underrated attractions that every Idahoan should make it their mission to see. The next time you feel like taking an adventure, pick out one of the places before and seek out a corner of the state that people rarely see. You definitely won’t regret it.
When it comes to majestic bridges in Idaho, the iconic destination of Perrine Bridge may be the first that comes to your mind. However, our state is full of stunning structural beauties like Moyie River Canyon Bridge located just east of Bonners Ferry. Constructed in 1965, the bridge can be found along U.S. Route 2. Along with the aforementioned Perrine Bridge, the Moyie River Canyon Bridge is considered one of the highest in the country.
Did you know there are 35 wildlife management areas in Idaho? Although Craig Mountain Wildlife Management Area takes up a whopping 78,000 acres, it may just be one of the most unknown areas in the state. Wedged at the confluence of the Snake River and the Salmon River, this wildlife area is a wonderfully untouched oasis of natural beauty.
Surprisingly enough, the Monastery of St. Gertrude has been a staple in Cottonwood for over a century. Few people realize this beautiful monastery even exists among the beautiful prairie surrounding it. Visitors can visit the monastery for a spiritual getaway that they're bound to remember, and even stay overnight at the conveniently located bed & breakfast located nearby.
Originally established in 1969, Winchester Lake State Park is one of those parks that few people seem to even know about. Covering 418 acres of pure beauty on the southern edge of Lewis County, the park is home to the majestic Winchester Lake and an abundance of wildlife.
When it comes to visiting one of Idaho's many glorious lakes, a few come straight to mind. Redfish Lake. Lake Pend Oreille. Lake Coeur d'Alene. However, sometimes the best adventure comes from seeking out those hidden gem lakes that few people know about. Heart Lake is the perfect destination for just that. Located within the Sawtooth Wilderness, the small alpine lake is accessed via Sawtooth National Forest trail #461. Once you see this magnificent beauty, you'll be so glad you made the extra effort to see it.
Some of the state's oldest trees can be found near Clarkia in a place called the Hobo Cedar Grove Botanical Area. It's here that you'll find a grove containing old growth Western Red Cedar that has been estimated to be 500 years old. A self-guided interpretive tour leads visitors through the forest for over a mile and a half. This is truly a hidden gem destination that must be seen!
Located high above one of Idaho's greatest wonder—Hells Canyon—the Seven Devils Mountains and Heavens Gate Lookout are easily overlooked. However, it'll be well-worth your time and energy to see this incredible destination for yourself. Sitting at 8,429-feet, the overlook provides awe-inspiring views of the canyon below along with the mountain peaks of four different states: Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Montana.
Located among the trees and meadows surrounding Dworshak Reservoir in Lenore is a beautiful state park that has remained one of Idaho's best kept secrets. Dworshak State Park is a haven for camping, boating, swimming, hiking, and so much more. It's truly a wonder that this park isn't more well-known!
How many of these underrated attractions did you already know about? What should be added to this list? Let us know in the comments! For more little-known destinations that are worth checking out, take a look at our list of The 8 Most Underrated Towns In Idaho.
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