Confused about where to start from? Read on to know about the best places to visit in Idaho for slaying it like an American!
Summer is a fantastic season to visit Idaho as a “local” visitor and see some of the state’s most gorgeous sights. Idaho is exceptionally fortunate to have more natural attractions, outdoor recreation options, and stunning landscapes than the majority of states combined. So why not plan a trip this summer to experience some of Idaho’s most beautiful scenery along with one of our well-known scenic byways? Here’s a list of five places you should visit this summer.
What are the 5 best places to visit in Idaho in Summer?
1. Mesa Falls
Mesa Falls is made up of two spectacular waterfalls, each of which is well worth a visit. Upper Mesa Falls, as towering as a 10-story structure and visible from an observation deck, commands attention along the Snake River. Lower Mesa Falls is about a mile south and is spectacular in its own right. Both waterfalls flow over the remains of a historic volcanic super-eruption. It’s very amazing.
2. Lava Hot Springs
Lava’s iconic pools are fed by geothermal waters, with temperatures ranging from 102°F to 112°F, making it the ideal spot for an evening soak. An Olympic Swimming Complex with twisting slides, indoor and outdoor pools, six-story high-speed slides, and a children’s cove is also available at Lava Hot Springs. Let’s just say that Lava Hot Springs knows how to party.
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3. Hells Canyon Scenic Byway
The Hells Canyon Scenic Byway is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever see. As you wind along the huge gap that separates Idaho and Oregon, you’ll see towering canyon walls. The size of the gigantic green and black basalt walls rising over the Snake River below will astound you. Visit the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, where guided float and jet boat tours on the Snake River are always in high demand, to get an up up and personal glimpse of species you’ve never seen before. The Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association can help you identify Idaho jet boating outfitters and guides.
4. Thousand Springs
Thousand Springs might be one of Idaho’s best-kept secrets. Kelton Trail, Earl M. Hardy Box Canyon Springs Nature Preserve, Malad Gorge, Billingsley Creek, Crystal Springs, Ritter Island, and Niagara Springs are just a few of the locations to visit with the kids in this large state park.
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5. Redfish Lake
During the summer, Redfish Lake is a fantastic place to visit in Idaho in Summer. At this perfect outdoor playground, make experiences with your kids that will last a lifetime. The vistas from Redfish Lake, which is situated between the Sawtooth Mountains and the Salmon River, will make you feel like you’re vacationing inside a piece of art. The Redfish Lake Lodge is right on the water’s edge, with a basic store next door where you can get maps for your explorations and snacks for the kids.
Bikes, motorboats, kayaks, canoes, stand up paddleboards, paddleboats, and even pontoon boats are available for rent at the lodge. Take a hike, go for a swim, learn to stand up paddleboard, take the kids out on a paddle boat to explore the shoreline, or simply relax on the beach. You can’t go wrong either way.
Thousands of gallons of water spill over the volcanic rock sides below as you get a close look at the springs. The water for this natural occurrence comes from a large underground aquifer that runs beneath the Snake River Plain all the way from the Pioneer Mountains in central Idaho.