Top Things to do in Idaho
Top Hotels in Idaho
- 1. The Riverside Hotel, BW Premier Collection
- 2. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Boise Towne Square
- 3. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Coeur d Alene
- 4. Modern Hotel
- 5. My Place Hotel-Twin Falls, ID
- 6. Hampton Inn & Suites Boise-Downtown
- 7. Best Western Plus Coeur D'Alene Inn
- 8. The Grove Hotel
- 9. La Quinta by Wyndham Pocatello
- 10. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Twin Falls
10 Waterfalls in Idaho That You Shouldn't Miss
A mixture of forested mountains, alpine peaks, wildflower meadows, deep river canyons, and high plains deserts, Idaho is a paradise for golf, skiing, fly fishing, and river rafting. Boise, the capital, is the state's largest city and airline hub. North of Boise are golf, lake, and ski resorts from McCall in the south to Sandpoint and Coeur D'Alene in the north. East of Boise are the ski slopes of Ketchum and Sun Valley. East of Sun Valley are Craters of the Moon National Monument, Pocatello, Idaho Falls, and the small town of Island Park just across the border from Yellowstone National Park. Boise's Basque Museum and Cultural Center reflects having the largest Basque population in the U.S. Reflecting Idaho's diverse heritage, near the Idaho Historical Museum in Boise's Julia Davis Park is the Idaho Black History Museum's chronicle of the slave York who served the Lewis & Clark Expedition. After a family visit to the Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey and an outdoor performance at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, the next stop after Boise is likely to be Payette Lake in McCall or Sun Valley and Ketchum. About 100 miles north of Boise, past Cascade Lake, McCall takes you to the shores of Payette Lake. Go golfing, fishing, hiking, biking, waterskiing, sailing, boating, or whitewater river rafting. Ski or snowshoe Brundage Mountain or Tamarack Resorts, as well as Ponderosa State Park in winter. Ice skate year-round at Manchester Ice & Event Centre. About 450 miles north of Boise, there are resort lakes near skiing and golf at Coeur d'Alene, Hayden Lake, and Sandpoint. Golf, tennis, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, rafting, and hunting are popular in Sun Valley and Ketchum. Sockeye salmon may no longer do much spawning in Redfish Lake, but the boating and mountain scenery in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area make the short trip north to Stanley worthwhile. When the snows come the whole family will head for the slopes of Soldier Mountain, Bald Mountain, Dollar Mountain, or the Sun Valley Resort. A tiny forested town of about 250 people, Island Park has a large reservoir with fishing and boating, as well as Henry's Fork of the Snake River for fly fishing. It's only 15 miles from Yellowstone as well.
Restaurants in Idaho
1. Mesa Falls
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 397 reviews
Reviewed By Stendel - Eastpointe, United States
We were in Idaho Falls at the tourist center and the gentleman there recommended we take this side trip.Mesa Falls is located on Mesa Falls Scenic Byway off Highway 20 in the Targhee National Forest In Ashton. It was very impressive. The upper falls require some walking and steps. The path to it is not very long but there are a member of steps broken down in groups. The upper falls were beautiful. Large enough for mist to form. There are benches to sit and enjoy the falls. The smaller falls required less effort to reach and were just as impressive. We really enjoyed the falls and highly recommend.
2. Caldron Linn
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Not much has changed since 1811: The area is still natural and untamed, and you won’t find safety features like guardrails or paved paths. Upstream, anglers will find great bass fishing; downstream, daring kayakers will find Class IV and IV rapids with huge drops.
Reviewed By P2868BAalisonp
At this site near the Oregon Trail, the Snake River is forced through a passage less than 40 feet wide. The result is one of the most intimidating, spectacular waterfalls in Idaho. For this, we had to put in coordinates in the GPS. It takes you down some back roads and eventually to an area where they warn you that the road down is steep and not recommended for low-clearance vehicles (potholes and rocks abound). We drove down and it's very narrow with no guard rails so be extremely careful and go slow. Put your vehicle in low gear. Once you're down and parked, look for the trails leading out of the dirt parking area (parking on the left, trails on the right). Once you get close, you will be amazed at the force and beauty of the river and waterfalls. If you have children, hang onto their hands. There are no safety features here -- it's wild and natural. And stunningly beautiful. You can stand on the rocks above the falls and it's incredible. Just be safe.
3. Shoshone Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,927 reviews
Reviewed By ColleenC974
This was an awesome stop on our trip out west! The falls themselves are beautiful from every angle (minus the big crane), but there is also a paved path you can take to not only see the falls from many angles, but you can walk all the way down to see the jump site from Evel Knievel's unsuccessful attempt to rocket over the Snake River! (That was a must do for my husband.) The whole park was fantastic, and it's a nice place to just slow down, take your time, and take it all in. In addition, they have a small little concession stand where we found a cute ornament to commemorate our visit there. We absolutely loved our time here!
4. Selway Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By 564johnt564
The falls lie towards the end of the road heading up the Selway River from HWY 12. This is a truly gorgeous river canyon, marked by clear water, steep slopes, a recovering forest (from fire a few years ago), and a big waterfall. We watched a couple kayakers run thru the drops and holes. If you have time to hike or walk, this is a great place to start.
5. Auger Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By philhB8887XB - Idaho Falls, United States
Auger Falls isn't much of a waterfall during the early spring snow melt. It just looks like a rapid and that's it. I would go later in the spring or early summer.
6. Jump Creek
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By joshuat180
This journey was an amazing experience. We drove an hour to get to jump Creek, Then took the short quarter mile hike into the waterfall. The view along the hike was stunning; the canyon walls created a really cool effect, and the hike was short enough to enjoy without getting too tired. Timber Creek Falls was beautiful, although it wasn’t as grandiose as I expected. Granted, we did visit later in the summer so less water flow is only to be expected. It was fairly crowded but this site is big enough that everyone was able to enjoy their journey without getting in anyone else’s way.
7. Goldbug Hot Springs
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By csamson - Boise, United States
The first 1/4 mile of the hike is pretty difficult, as is probably the last 1/4-1/3 mile. The rest is easy walking. Bring water, especially on hot days. We went early morning, and it was pretty warm. Friendly people, and a really great soak. Will visit again.
8. Falls Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 111 reviews
Reviewed By bheitkotter - Mesa, United States
My family and I enjoyed this park! Nice area to take a walk, have a picnic or let the kids play. Beautiful park
9. Idaho Falls River Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 273 reviews
Reviewed By LeonardD132
Nice spot to stop by and take a walk by the falls. Easy to get to, easy parking. Facilities are available. The pathway provides multiple views of the falls.
