Five Awesome Day Trips: Idaho

The Pacific Northwest contains some of the most beautiful landscapes in the United States. Idaho is home to 27 state parks, 10 national forests, and 6 national park units— all unique, with a diverse range of outdoor recreation. Boise, the largest city, is full of art, culture, outdoor activities, entertainment, and a great local culinary scene. There are dozens of hidden gem small-town destinations across the state that, once you find them, you won’t want to leave. To truly experience Idaho, expect to put some miles on your car to explore each of the regions, including the beautiful Northern Panhandle. Idaho has a little bit of everything and a whole lot of outdoor recreation. Our day trip recommendations will take you on scenic drives from Boise to explore amazing destinations and points of interest in the central and southern portions of the state. 

Here are five great day trip recommendations in the Gem State:

Bruneau (Parks & Recreation)

Bruneau Dunes State Park, located just 64 miles south of Boise, features the tallest single-structured sand dune in North America. The dune rises an impressive 470 feet above the desert. The surrounding park is perfect for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing. For a unique experience, rent a sand board from the visitor center and slide down the dunes. Take a break from boarding and track the creatures that call the dunes home; they conveniently leave footprints in the sand that you can follow until the wind erases them. If you are interested in spending the night in the park, Bruneau Dunes State Park has one of the longest camping seasons in the Idaho Parks system, check the website for campsite availability.

Hagerman (Parks & Recreation)

The Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument is located 98 miles southeast of Boise. The national park site contains over 200 hundred different types of fossils, including the largest concentration of Hagerman horse fossils in North America. Start your day trip at the visitor center and watch the introductory film before viewing the fossil exhibits. The first one-toed Hagerman horse is the main attraction, but fossils of camelops, bears, ground sloths, mastodons, and saber-toothed cats have also been extracted from this important Pliocene fossil site. For conservation purposes and due to the delicate nature of the area, there are no places in the park where you can see fossils in the ground. The park map is a great resource to find scenic overlooks and other points of interest inside the park and along the Snake River.

Courtesy of the Warhawk Air Museum

Nampa (Museums & Attractions)

Nampa is the third largest city in Idaho and located 23 miles west of Boise. There is no shortage of recreational activities, with local parks scattered across the city and the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, which includes Lake Lowell and over one hundred islands in the Snake River. Our day trip recommendation is a must-see for any aviation enthusiast— The Warhawk Air Museum. The collection includes exhibits and aircraft associated with World War I, World War II, and the Cold War Era. The associated exhibits are loaded with items related to aviation and military history that were collected and donated to the museum. You won’t see many Curtiss P-40’s around the country, but this collection includes a “Warhawk” and “Kittyhawk.” After your visit to the museum, spend some time in downtown Nampa where you will find shops, restaurants, and a Saturday Farmers Market in Lloyd Square.

Silver City (Ghost Town Experience)

Surrounded by the Owyhee Mountains, Silver City is located 73 miles southwest of Boise. Today, the former gold and silver mining town of 2,500 residents is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A day trip to one of the best-preserved ghost towns in the west affords visitors with the remnants of seventy-five structures dating back to the 1860’s through the early 1900’s. Take your imagination and camera for a walk around town and then have lunch at the 100-year-old Idaho Hotel, an establishment that still provides overnight accommodations from Memorial Day Weekend through mid-October. Before you leave town, stop by Pat’s What-Not Shop and Silver City Fire and Rescue Store for souvenir, and gifts to remember your ghost town day trip. For an extended Old West experience, book a multi-day horseback adventure with Sinker Creek Outfitters that includes the nearby towns of Empire City, Ruby City, and more.

Twin Falls (The Outdoors)

Located on the southern rim of Snake River Canyon, Shoshone Falls Park is 130 miles southeast of Boise. Visitors to the park can choose from a range of recreational activities, including hiking, boating, and swimming; however, the main attraction is the 212-foot waterfall, referred to as the “Niagara of the West.” This amazing natural landmark is taller than Niagara Falls, 900 feet wide, and changes in appearance depending on the amount of snowmelt. The falls are typically most impressive during the spring when the flow is at its peak. The river is partially diverted for agricultural purposes during the summer months.