Idaho's Top Attractions
Idaho’s top attractions include some of nature’s most stunning vistas, immense canyons, heart-pounding rivers and serene mountain lakes, and there are also fascinating museums, mining era towns, prehistoric exhibits, a cave or two and the Northwest’s largest theme park! While driving around Idaho, there are some roadside attractions that you might find interesting. Some are quirky, while others are quite fascinating. For a listing of some of these roadside features,
take a look at this.
SOUTHEASTERN IDAHO TOP ATTRACTIONS National Oregon/California Trail Center At the junction of U.S. Route 30 and U.S. Route 89, in the far southeast corner of Idaho, stop at the town of Montpelier. Visit The National Oregon/California Trail Center to experience a wagon train adventure of the mid-1800’s. The acclaimed interpretive center uses exhibits and live actors to recreate the experience. Open May 1 - September 30. Idaho Potato Exposition The potato is the world’s most popular vegetable and Idaho’s most famous product, so the Idaho Potato Exposition is a top attraction. Located off Interstate 15 and U.S. Route 91 in the town of Blackfoot, it features a museum, an everything-potatoes gift shop, and the world’s largest potato chip. Admission includes a free baked potato and toppings. Lava Hot Springs The natural hot water springs were used by Indians as healing waters for centuries. This attraction, operated by the State of Idaho, is located near the town of Lava Hot Springs, off U.S. Route 30. The waters have been a consistent 110 degrees F for an estimated 50 million years and the hot mineral baths are sulfur and odor free. Open year-round. Fort Hall Replica Located off Interstate 15 and Interstate 86 at Ross Park in the city of Pocatello. Fort Hall is a replica of the historic facility that served pioneer travelers along the Oregon Trail. A covered wagon and tepee enhance the outdoor exhibit. See the video "Fort Hall, Gateway to the Northwest" and visit the gift shop. Open Memorial Day until Labor Day. Minnetonka Cave From the town of St. Charles take Forest Road 412 off U.S. Route 89 near the north end of Bear Lake. The U.S. Forest Service operates tours from June 15 through Labor Day into the incredible half-mile cave. Stalactites and stalagmites throughout the limestone cave offer an awesome peek into the geology of the area. Includes climbing of stairs. Idaho Museum of Natural History This top attraction is located on the campus of Idaho State University in the city of Pocatello, the museum exhibits depict the natural history of Idaho and the Intermountain West. The main gallery exhibit is The Nature of Idaho while the Fichter Gallery hosts changing exhibits for adults and children. Open year-round, but closed Sundays, Mondays and holidays. Fee charged.
SOUTH CENTRAL IDAHO TOP ATTRACTIONS Snake River Canyon Just north of Twin Falls, take Shoshone Falls Road off U.S. Route 93. The area features the historic north side alternate of the Oregon Trail, Murtaugh rapids on the Snake River, the Caldron Linn National Historical Site and the Devil's Corral Archeological Area. A noted feature on the Snake River here is Shoshone Falls, where water plunges 212 feet (best viewed in spring). A must-see attraction. Herrett Center for Arts & Science Located on the campus of the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, the Center features artifacts from ancient Americas, contemporary art, and the Faulkner Planetarium, a state-of-the-art, 144-seat planetarium/theater. Artifacts include pre-Inca textiles, Mayan jade and Peruvian pottery. Open all year, but closed Sundays, Mondays and holidays. Balanced Rock South of Buhl at Castleford, take Balanced Rock Road into the Salmon Falls Creek Canyon. Balanced Rock is a wind-carved rock perched on a 3 feet by 17 inch pedestal. The rock weighs 40 tons and is over 48 feet tall. A top attraction. Balanced Rock Park, located nearby, is a great spot for a picnic. Bring your lunch. Oakley Historical Area South of Burley, off I-84 and on State Route 27, is the historical town of Oakley. The town was founded by Mormon immigrants in 1878. Today it is on the National Register of Historic Places due to the outstanding collection of old stone and brick buildings in the area, which date back to the 1880’s. This town is near City of Rocks National Reserve. City of Rocks National Reserve Granite columns, some over 2.5 billion years old and reaching the height of 60 stories, are among the top attractions at this 14,407 acre reserve. Located near the town of Almo. southeast of Oakley. Take a walk to see inscriptions on the spires written in axle grease by pioneers traveling through on the California Trail. See the Visitor Center at Almo. Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument Located south of I-84 on U.S. Route 30 is the town of Hagerman. Nearby, the Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument attracts visitors from around the world. This is Idaho’s richest fossil deposits from the Pliocene Epoch of 3.5 million years ago. The site of an ancient lake, the sediment layers have preserved fossils of a horse-like creature. Visitor Center. A top attraction.
SOUTHWESTERN IDAHO TOP ATTRACTIONS Discovery Center of Idaho In Boise, at the northeast end of Julia Davis Park. The Discovery Center is a hoot for the kids, but adults also love it. This is a hands-on exhibit where visitors can carry out more than 100 discoveries related to science. You’ll be surprised what you can make happen at this top attraction! Open daily, year-round, except on major holidays. An admission is charged. Idaho State Historical Museum Located at Julia Davis Park, the history of the State of Idaho from prehistoric times to pioneer settlement is told in this large, popular museum. Richly detailed interiors show how Idahoans in the late 19th and 20th centuries lived and conducted business. Exhibits about the state's Native American, Chinese and Basque populations are also presented. Closed Sundays and Mondays. Idaho State Capitol The State Capitol building is located downtown Boise. The structure was begun in 1905 and completed in 1912. The building is in the classic style of our nation’s Capitol, using Boise’s native sandstone. Marble from Italy, Alaska, Georgia and Vermont was used in the interior. Open daily. Self-guided tour. Three Island Crossing State Park Located off I-84 on the Snake River at Glenns Ferry, it is the home of the Oregon Trail History and Education Center. At this top attraction, you can learn about pioneer emigrants and Native American history. This area was a famous river crossing for wagon trains on the historic Oregon Trail. $4 per vehicle, plus separate interpretive center and camping fees. Bruneau Dunes State Park South of Mountain Home off State Route 51, The Bruneau Dunes is the site of the tallest single-structured sand dune in North America. The dune is 470 feet high. Activities include fishing, bird watching, camping, hiking, swimming and viewing the stars at Idaho's only public observatory. Visitor Center. Open daily. $4 per vehicle/day; separate camping and observatory fees. Silver City Historical Area Open June through October, this remote mining area is northwest of Bruneau Dunes. Take Silver City Road off State Route 78 before the town of Murphy. Check road conditions. Huge gold and silver deposits were discovered here in 1863 and thousands flocked to the area. 75 structures still stand. Don't miss the antique-filled Idaho Hotel (1866) and the Post Office-Drugstore. Or, try your luck at panning for gold!
EASTERN IDAHO TOP ATTRACTIONS Farnsworth TV and Pioneer Museum Located downtown Rigby (on U.S. Route 20), this Jefferson County Historical Museum has exhibits from pre-electric and early electric eras, the history of the area and early photography. Local inventors, including Philo T. Farnsworth, the inventor of television, are profiled. Also see Indian artifacts and animal trophies. Open daily, Tuesday through Saturday, 1 pm to 5 pm. Harriman State Park South of Island Park off U.S. Route 20, Harriman State Park is in the 11,000-acre wildlife refuge in the greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Trumpeter Swan, Sandhill Cranes, Moose and Elk are common to the area. Known as one of the finest fly-fishing streams in the nation, the Henrys Fork meanders for eight miles through Harriman. Enjoy hiking, biking, horseback riding, and cross county skiing. John Sack Cabin Take the Big Springs Loop Road off U. S. Route 20 northeast of Island Park. This log cabin on the banks of Big Springs was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. It was hand-built in 1939 by a German immigrant named John Sack and features inlaid flooring and hand carved furniture. Open 8 am to 6 pm, July 4th through Labor Day. Donations. Mesa Falls On State Route 47 (the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway) east of Ashton. See the Lower and Upper Mesa Falls, two spectacular waterfalls on the Henrys Fork of the Snake River. Paved parking and paths, accessible restrooms, boardwalks and viewing platforms at Upper Mesa Falls enhance the site for the visitor. Top attraction. Open mid-May through Labor Day. Road closed in winter. Teton Flood Museum The Teton Flood Museum, located in the former LDS Tabernacle at Rexburg (U.S. Route 20), displays artifacts and photographs of the disaster that occurred on June 5, 1976. On that date the new Teton Dam collapsed, pouring billions of gallons of water into the valley below. More than 25,000 people were driven from their homes and damages were estimated at $800 million.
CENTRAL IDAHO TOP ATTRACTIONS Sacajawea Interpretative, Cultural and Educational Center This top attraction is located on State Route 28 at the town of Salmon. This museum celebrates the contributions of Sacajawea, a Lemhi-Shoshone woman who served as an interpreter for Lewis & Clark across the Bitterroot Mountains. The museum chronicles her life before, during and after the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Visitor Center. Land of the Yankee Fork State Park Just south of Challis on U.S. Route 93, the Land of the Yankee Fork State Park brings to life Idaho’s frontier mining history. This state park is part of the larger Land of the Yankee Fork Historic Area located in scenic central Idaho. Interpretive Center is in Challis. Also of interest are the ghost towns of Bonanza and Custer, the Yankee Fork Gold Dredge, the Custer Motorway and the Challis Bison Jump. Sun Valley Resort Sun Valley was nation's first destination ski resort. The Resort, located near Ketchum on State Route 75, still attracts Hollywood movie stars and Olympic champions. Sun Valley boasts a world-class mountain, with a quality ski school, experienced instructors and a rich variety of apres-ski activities. Casual elegance. Craters of the Moon National Monument A 750,000-acre monument and preserve, this so-called "weird and scenic landscape" contains a diverse array of volcanic features including volcanic rifts, cinder cones, spatter cones, shield volcanoes and lava tubes (caves). The monument is located south of Arco on U.S. Route 20. It is an excellent site for hiking, bird watching, photography, backpacking and caving. Top attraction. Redfish Lake South of Stanley off State Route75, you’ll find two picturesque lakes. Redfish Lake and Little Redfish Lake are so named for the brilliant Sockeye Salmon that once returned from the Pacific Ocean in such massive quantities that the lake shimmered red during spawning season. Now, these fish are on the endangered species list. The lakes provide many recreational opportunities.
NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO TOP ATTRACTIONS Hells Gate State Park Find Hells Gate State Park is at the south end of Lewiston off U.S. Route 12 on Snake River Road. It is the gateway to both Idaho's Lewis and Clark country and to Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America. Jet boat excursions into Hells Canyon leave on a regular basis from the park's docks. Shady campsites along the Snake River make comfortable base-camps for exploration of the surrounding area. Hells Canyon Hells Canyon is the deepest river gorge in North America and offers more than 70 miles of rugged river country. Consider exploring this remote canyon in a jet boat or raft, or try a hike or trail ride. Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, which takes you to Hells Canyon Dam, is accessed by traveling north of Cambridge on State Route 71. You may want to check on conditions before you travel on these back roads. Top attraction. Appaloosa Museum Located off U.S. Route 95 on Pullman Road in Moscow, the Appaloosa Museum outlines the history of the breed. Exhibits explore the evolution of the breed, its importance to local Native American cultures, its role in the lives of cowboys, rodeos and circuses, and the history of the Appaloosa Horse Club. Open daily, exceptSundays. Donations. Historical Museum of St. Gertrude Located off U.S. Route 95 on Keuterville Road in Cottonwood, this museum is located on the grounds of the Monastery of St. Gertrude. The unique museum displays 11,000 of a collection of over 70,000 artifacts reflecting the early history of the region. There are exhibits from pioneer days through the early mining and farming days. Open year-round, except Sundays and Mondays. Heart of the Monster The Heart of the Monster is located just east of Kamiah on State Route 12. This large earth mound, located on the banks of the Clearwater River, is the legendary, sacred birthplace of the Nez Perce Indian tribe. A walking path takes you to an interpretive shelter and another to a small seating area where audio stations tell the legend in English and Nez Perce. Weippe Discovery Center The Discovery Center is off State Route 11 on Wood Street in Weippe. The Center focuses on telling the story of the Lewis and Clark Expedition's meeting the Nez Perce Indians on the nearby Weippe Prairie. There are painted murals depicting expedition events across the Bitterroot Mountains, along with a life-size map showing the now famous trail and campsites. Call 208-435-4058 for hours.
NORTH IDAHO TOP ATTRACTIONS Silverwood Theme Park 15 minutes north of Coeur d’Alene on I-95 at Athol. Silverwood is the largest theme park in the Northwest with over 50 amusement rides and top attractions. Enjoy Tremors roller coaster, Timber Terror and Thunder Canyon rides as well as games, restaurants, ice and magic shows. Silverwood recently opened Boulder Beach water park with Big Moose Bay, a gigantic wave pool. Info: www.silverwoodthemepark.com Route of the Hiawatha Trail Located off I-90 at Exit 0 east of the town of Mullan. The Route of the Hiawatha trail is the crown jewel of all rail-to-trail projects in the country. Over 15 miles of railroad track has been converted into a beautiful biking and walking trail with a gentle 2 percent downhill grade. Begin your ride at Lookout Pass Ski Area where mountain bike rentals, including helmets and lights, and an optional return shuttle service are available. Northern Pacific Depot Railroad Museum In the town of Wallace, off I-90. This railroad museum is located in an historic depot listed on the National Register of Historical Places along with the entire town of Wallace. The museum transports you back to the time when railroads were the king of transportation. Exhibits tell of the rich history of railroading in the Coeur d'Alene Mining District and of the depot itself. Closed mid-October through April 1. Old Mission State Park Old Mission State Park features the oldest standing building in Idaho, The Mission of the Sacred Heart. Also known as Cataldo Mission, it was built between 1848 and 1853 by The park also has a restored parish house next door to the mission, and an historic cemetery. The visitor center includes an interpretive exhibit on the area and the Coeur d'Alene Indians. Located west of the town of Cataldo offI-90. Schweitzer Mountain Resort The Schweitzer Mountain Resort is located north of Sandpoint at the end of Schweitzer Mountain Road. With a dazzling view of Lake Pend Oreille, the Resort lies high in the Selkirk Mountains, where abundant snowfall buries the slopes in more than 300 inches of delightful white snow annually. With 2,900 ski-able acres, Schweitzer is Idaho's largest ski area.
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