Summer adventure in Idaho:
A statewide guide
Photo: Visit Idaho
Idaho comes alive in the summer. Wildflowers bloom, the rivers run fast and cold, campgrounds open their gates. It’s the season to get outside and fill these long, golden days with a variety of adventures. Lucky for us, Idaho is home to wildly different landscapes to explore — from high mountain lakes to desert canyons and everything in between.
Whether you’re looking to whitewater raft, rock climb, paddle board, or explore more of Idaho’s rich history and culture, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a diverse mix of adventure options from around the state.
This guide is proudly produced in partnership with Visit Idaho.
Northern Idaho
Photo: Visit Idaho
Idaho’s panhandle may not be very wide, but it’s dense in its natural beauty. The northern region of the state is home to the thickest forests and deepest lakes, and is best seen while hiking or biking — or from the water.
North Central Idaho
Photo: Visit Idaho
Below the panhandle, the state borders begin to widen, as do the valleys. North Central Idaho features a dramatic landscape shaped by some of the most scenic rivers in the country.
Southwest Idaho
Photo: Visit Idaho
The region of Southwest Idaho runs from the sagebrush steppe in the corner of the state up through river valleys, past the capital city of Boise, and on into mountains and rocky canyons. Suffice it to say, there’s a lot going on here.
South Central Idaho
Photo: Visit Idaho
Beyond the farms and fields this region is known for, there are cliffs, canyons, and caverns galore. You might get dirty, you’ll almost definitely get wet, and it will all be 100% worth it for the adventures in store.
Southeast Idaho
Photo: Visit Idaho
This part of the state feels like a deep breath and an exhale. Maybe it’s the mineral springs, the big skies, or the wildlife, but something in the air here feels powerfully peaceful — and also a little quirky. This is the land of Napoleon Dynamite, after all.
Eastern Idaho
Photo: Visit Idaho
Thick forests, impossibly tall mountains, moose, bison, and bears. Is this Alaska? Nope, just good ‘ol Eastern Idaho. The Teton Range and the Yellowstone Caldera define this region of the state with their grandeur. Things feel big here.
Central Idaho
Photo: Visit Idaho
Central Idaho has hundreds of alpine lakes, the largest contiguous designated wilderness in the Lower 48, and an impressive concentration of geothermal hot springs studding the mountainous landscape. Good luck seeing it all!
This guide is proudly produced in partnership with Visit Idaho.