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.

1. Sun Valley

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.

2. Stanley

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.

3. Lake Cascade

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.

4. McCall

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.

5. The Palouse, Near Moscow

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.

6. Lake Coeur d’Alene

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!

7. Priest Lake

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: