Before You Explore
5 Things to Know about Southwest Idaho
The most acclaimed wineries in the Northwest, the best whitewater in the country, the tallest sand dune in North America… All of it is in Southwest Idaho.
Here, so many of the best experiences are just off the beaten path. There’s no experience required to have a bucket-list worthy adventure — You can easily make a quick weekend road trip into an epic journey.
To make planning your trip here even easier, here are the 5 tips you need to know before you visit.
Adventure is always right outside your door
If you’re staying in Boise, you’re just minutes away from hiking trails in the foothills.
Drive north just an hour or so, and you’re in the middle of the Central Mountains, surrounded by mountain lakes, alpine forests and ski resorts.
An hour further, you’ll be in Hells Canyon — the deepest gorge in North America — where you can jetboat, raft, or hike to capture all the beauty.
Take I-84 southeast from Boise, you’ll be exploring the Owyhee mountains or Bruneau Sand Dunes within the hour.
Wherever you decide to stay, endless recreation opportunities are just steps away. Feel free to roam — there’s no need to stay in one place.
Take a road trip, and you’ll see what we mean.
Roll with the seasons
Skiing through fresh powder at Tamarack. Photo courtesy of John Webster.
Southwest Idaho gets ~206 days of sunshine and ~132 inches of snow every year. No matter if it’s snowy season or sunny season, there’s always stunning scenery and boundless adventure to be found.
In the winter, you can hit world-class ski slopes in the rugged Central Mountains outside McCall or soak in luxurious hot springs deep in the wilderness.
In the spring, you can hike the hundreds of miles of trails all throughout the region — from the sagebrush deserts to alpine meadows.
In the summer, get out on the water and float the Boise River, raft the North Fork of the Payette or take the boat for a spin on Lake Cascade.
In the fall, ride your bike in the foothills, go stargazing in the desert and savor farm-to-fork food paired with good wine.
Want to experience the best of each season in Southwest Idaho? Check out these guides.
Venture off the beaten path
Mountain biking through the alpine meadows at Tamarack. Photo courtesy of John Webster.
Don’t just isolate yourself to the cities and small towns. You’ll make some of the best memories when you venture away from city streets and highways. Hidden hot springs are just a short hike away from the trailhead. The best fishing holes are a couple minutes upriver. The freshest powder is a few feet away from the lift.
Read these first-hand stories of experiences you can find only in Southwest Idaho.
Dare to try new things.
“Riding the bull” on the Payette River.
Make the most of your time here. Try whitewater rafting, skiing, stand up paddleboarding, even sandboarding. Cross the things you’ve always wanted to try off your bucket list (or even make a new one just for Southwest Idaho!). With countless travel experiences being so affordable and easy to access, you can do it all in Southwest Idaho.
Thinking of trying something new? We’ve got guides to help with that.
No experience required.
Taking in the views along Lake Payette.
You don’t need to be an expert when you visit. You don’t need to be a pro skier or a knowledgeable wine enthusiast to experience the best that this region has to offer.
Southwest Idaho has a special reputation for being exceptionally down-to-earth. (Ever heard of “Boise nice”?) Everyone is always willing to point you in the right direction, tell you about a special trail or talk about the best place to eat.
When you visit this region, all you need is a taste for adventure. That’s it.
Get some local’s tips for your next adventure.
- Sunnyslope Wine Trail Guide
- Boise Like a Local Guide
- 10 Fishing Holes in Southwest Idaho
- Summer Weekend Guide and Winter Weekend Guide to McCall
Feeling ready to start planning your adventure? We’ve got all the guides, local’s tips and recommendations to help you explore. Feel free to roam the SWITA website for even more travel inspiration.
