Things to Do in Idaho

Epic outdoor adventures, world-class skiing, vibrant festivals, hot springs, and farm-to-table dining — Idaho has it all, year-round.

Get Outside

Outdoor Adventures

Idaho's wild landscapes are the ultimate playground for outdoor enthusiasts of every level.

⚡ Beginner to Advanced 📅 Best Season: May – September

Whitewater Rafting

The Salmon River — nicknamed the "River of No Return" — is one of the longest free-flowing rivers in the continental United States. Its rapids range from gentle Class II floats to heart-pounding Class IV+ challenges. The Middle Fork of the Salmon is widely considered one of the top 10 whitewater rivers in the world.

The Payette River near Cascade offers excellent day-trip rafting for families and experienced paddlers alike.

Main Salmon River — 79-mile multi-day float trips
Middle Fork Salmon — world's top wilderness river
North Fork Payette — expert kayaking

Idaho ski resort with powder snow slopes, chairlifts, and dramatic mountain backdrop

🎿 All Skill Levels 📅 Best Season: December – April

Skiing & Snowboarding

Idaho's ski resorts offer some of the West's best powder — with far fewer crowds than Colorado or Utah resorts. Sun Valley was America's first destination ski resort and still sets the standard for mountain glamour and exceptional skiing on Bald Mountain's 3,000 vertical feet.

Schweitzer Mountain in the north and Bogus Basin near Boise offer excellent terrain for families and weekenders.

Sun Valley / Bald Mountain — 2,054 acres, 3,000 ft vertical
Schweitzer Mountain — 2,900 acres, panoramic lake views
Bogus Basin — Boise's backyard mountain resort
Tamarack Resort — boutique ski village in Valley County

🎣 All Experience Levels 📅 Best Season: April – October

Fly Fishing

Idaho is a fly-fishing paradise, with hundreds of miles of pristine rivers holding wild trout. Silver Creek near Picabo is considered one of the world's most technically challenging — and rewarding — spring-fed streams. Henry's Fork is another legendary destination that draws anglers from around the globe.

State fishing licenses are affordable and accessible online, making it easy to cast your line in some of America's most beautiful waters.

Silver Creek — the Holy Grail of dry-fly fishing
Henry's Fork — world-famous rainbow trout fishery
South Fork of the Snake — trophy cutthroat trout
Clearwater River — steelhead and chinook salmon

Young blonde woman mountain biking on scenic Idaho alpine trail with wildflowers and mountain views

🚵 All Abilities 📅 Best Season: May – October

Mountain & Road Biking

Idaho's diverse terrain makes it a dream destination for cyclists. Boise's Foothills has earned a national reputation for its extensive network of singletrack trails — there's something for every ability level within minutes of downtown. The Teton Valley offers jaw-dropping road cycling through hay fields with the Grand Tetons as your backdrop.

The Wood River Trail in Sun Valley winds through the Sawtooth Valley with mountain vistas at every turn.

Boise Foothills — 80+ miles of singletrack
Wood River Trail — 22 miles through Sun Valley
Hiawatha Trail — spectacular 15-mile historic rail trail
Teton Valley — world-class road cycling

Eat & Drink

Food & Drink in Idaho

Idaho's farm-to-table movement is thriving — from legendary spuds to award-winning wineries.

Farm-to-Table

Boise's Restaurant Scene

Boise has emerged as a serious food destination — from James Beard-nominated chefs to acclaimed taco stands. The vibrant downtown is home to over 300 restaurants serving everything from locally-raised Wagyu to Basque pintxos.

Idaho Grown

🥔 Famous Idaho Potatoes

Idaho grows 30% of all US potatoes — the volcanic soil and mountain climate create the world's finest spuds. Many Boise restaurants serve them loaded, au gratin, or as thick-cut fries.

🍇 Snake River Valley Wine

Idaho's Snake River Valley AVA is a rapidly growing wine region with over 60 wineries producing acclaimed Riesling, Syrah, and Tempranillo.

🧀 Locally Made Cheese

Idaho's dairy country produces exceptional artisan cheeses — the Carey Cheese company and Ballard Family Dairy are favourites.

Basque Heritage

🇪🇸 Idaho's Basque Culture

Boise has one of the largest Basque communities outside of Spain and France. The Basque Block downtown features authentic pintxos bars, restaurants serving pil-pil cod, and the annual Jaialdi festival drawing 20,000 visitors.

🍺 Craft Beer Trail

Idaho has over 50 craft breweries. Boise's bustling tap room scene, Coeur d'Alene's lakeside breweries and Sun Valley's après-ski bars make for a fantastic beer trail.

🐟 Smoked Trout

Idaho's clean-water trout are world-renowned. Many local restaurants serve them smoked, cedar-planked, or simply pan-fried with local herbs.

Annual Events

Festivals & Events

Plan your visit around one of Idaho's many vibrant annual festivals and events.

Jun

Boise River Festival

Beloved summer celebration on the Boise Greenbelt with river activities, live music, and fireworks.

📍 Boise

Aug

Jaialdi — International Basque Festival

One of the largest Basque celebrations outside of Europe, held every 5 years in Boise — 20,000 attendees.

📍 Boise

Aug

Sun Valley Arts & Crafts Festival

Free outdoor festival in the Village at Sun Valley celebrating fine arts and crafts from Pacific Northwest artists.

📍 Sun Valley

Jun

Ironman 70.3 Coeur d'Alene

World-renowned triathlon through some of Idaho's most spectacular scenery — swim, bike, run through paradise.

📍 Coeur d'Alene

Sep

Idaho Spud Day

Celebrate Idaho's most famous export in Shelley — the world's largest baked potato is the highlight of this beloved annual festival.

📍 Shelley

Oct

Trailing of the Sheep Festival

Unique celebration of Idaho's basque sheep-herding heritage — thousands of sheep parade through Ketchum/Sun Valley streets.