The Best 10-Day Idaho Adventure Road Trip
Hit the road and enjoy the natural beauty of south and central Idaho — what an incredible slice of America! This 10-day Idaho road trip from Boise is a great adventure for any outdoor enthusiast. Only have a week? Spend less time in Boise. Two weeks? Slow down a bit or consider adding Salmon to the north. This trip to Idaho surpassed all expectations!
FITZ BITS TIP: A SUV is good to have for this journey due to some unpaved roads to trailheads and natural hot springs. And, pack bug spray for the mosquitos!
These are my honest opinions and recommendations — I do not receive any compensation or discounts during our travel. This story does include some affiliate links for which I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please click the links to support my blog.
Lodging and Dining Recommendations
Twin Falls, Idaho (2 nights)
The Hilton Garden Inn is in a great location for walking to the Rim Trail. Simply walk over the bridge and you are on a nice paved path to the gorge. Enjoy a walk to Elevation 486 for a meal or a snack. Dinners are pricy so we opted for drinks and dessert.
If you like breweries check out Milner’s Gate and Koto Brewing Company. Koto was casual with good food and large portions. Milner’s was a little more expensive however our meals were outstanding.
Sun Valley, Idaho (2 nights)
We enjoyed our stay at Indian Springs Retreat, a two-bedroom condo + loft in the Elkhorn Village area. It was very comfortable for a family of five. We rented it through Vacasa, which was less expensive than the same unit on VRBO.
Elkhorn Village is about a five-minute drive to town. We ate meals in the condo so I can’t recommend any restaurants. However, Atkinsons’ Market in downtown Ketchum has a great deli in the back including good and inexpensive fried chicken, fries, and fountain drinks.
Stanley, Idaho (3 nights)
I highly suggest this nice and bright two-bedroom condo right in town. Also, check out Red Fish Lake Lodge and stop by for a snack or meal even if you aren’t staying there.
There is a grocery store in Stanley for necessities, but it has a very limited selection. Plan to buy any groceries before leaving Sun Valley!
Lowman, Idaho (1 night — or none!)
You will probably choose to continue to Boise. However, we stayed at the Southfork Lodge (not many other options unless you are camping). The staff was very nice and we enjoyed the patio restaurant and horseshoe pits.
Boise, Idaho (2 nights — 1 night — or none!)
The Downtown Hampton Inn was quite nice and the location was great. We enjoyed the inside pool and hot tub after a lot of hiking. There is a fee for the parking garage but we found street parking nearby. You can easily walk to restaurants, ice cream shops, and bars.
We really liked the food and atmosphere at St. Lawrence Gridiron — make a reservation ahead of time.
IDAHO ROAD TRIP ITINERARY
Day 1 | Bruneau Dunes + Twin Falls
Bruneau Dunes State Park
Bruneau Dunes State Park is a little over an hour from Boise. There is a $5 entry fee per vehicle. You only need a few hours to explore and hike across the tallest freestanding sand dunes in North America. The hike up to the top will get your heart rate going, but keep trekking across the dune’s entire ridge if you can. You may want to inquire into the sandboard rentals — they were closed during our visit.
If you like this hike, read my post on Exploring the USA Sand Dunes for information on other great dunes to explore (coming soon).
FITZ BITS TIP: Apply plenty of sunblock and bug spray before your hike.
The town of Twin Falls
Dump the sand out of your shoes and drive toward the city of Twin Falls. Once you are there, here are a couple more activities to round out the day:
Shoshone Falls
Stop at Shoshone Falls, the Niagara of the West, on your way to Twin Falls. These waterfalls along the beautiful Snake River are taller than Niagara Falls. The water flow can fluctuate so I hope you get a good showing! There is a $5 entry fee per vehicle (seasonal). After checking out the falls from the viewing deck, walk along the path to see information on Evel Knievel’s attempted jump over the river. Your entry fee is also good for the adjacent Dierkes Lake where you can jump in the lake from the rocks — but, be careful please.
Perrine Bridge
You will cross the Perrine Bridge as you enter Twin Falls. This is the only man-made structure in the USA where BASE jumping is allowed without a permit. If you do not see them now, check back later because it is super cool to watch! There is a Visitor Center and viewing platform on one side and you can walk below the bridge for cool photos on the other side.
Snake River Canyon Rim Trail
Walk or bike along the Snake River Canyon Rim Trail. We liked walking to Elevation 486 from the Hilton Garden Inn. Save it for tomorrow if you don’t have the time or energy tonight.
Day 2 | Thousand Springs State Park
Thousand Springs State Park is a large park near Twin Falls with several areas to explore. Your $5 per vehicle fee is good for the entire park.
Explore the Malad Gorge where you can walk out over the bridge and drive to several marked stops along the gorge. Then drive on to Ritter Island for a historic stop along the Snake River and a 360-degree backdrop of waterfalls.
Our favorite stop was for the 4.5–mile loop trail at Box Canyon. Use the park map to get there and not GPS. It is a quick steep climb down to the river with cables to help if needed. There are a couple of different routes but either way, your endpoint is the beautiful crystal clear pool at the bottom of the canyon — bring a swimsuit if it is a hot day! Caution, watch out for stinging nettle plants along the path!
Continue driving on to Niagra Springs for even more waterfalls. We lost count by this point and I feel this stop is passable if you are ready to be done for the day.
Our last stop was Banbury Springs and kayaking to Blue Heart Springs. However, the kayaks were sold out and we found the pool to be crowded and loud. You should still check it out — I think we just had bad timing.
FITZ BITS TIP: Reserve the Banbury Springs kayaks ahead of time and possibly reversing the order of stops.
ALTERNATE ITINERARY: If you want to take a break from more driving, spend the day kayaking or paddling a SUP to the base of Shoshone Falls.
Day 3 | Twin Falls + Craters of the Moon
Twin Falls
Head out for a morning hike on the Mogensen Trail before leaving town. Hopefully, you will see some more BASE jumpers from the Perrine Bridge!
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
A detour to Craters of the Moon about doubles your 1.5-hour drive to Sun Vally but I think it was totally worth it! Start at the Visitors Center where you will get a map and free cave permit. Sadly, the caves were closed during our visit due to COVID restrictions. Embark on the seven-mile one-way driving loop with marked stops and hiking trails. Do at least a couple of hikes and be sure to take the quick steep trek up the Inferno Cone — the views are out of this world. Here is my post with more information: Exploring the Moon — Craters of the Moon National Preserve and Monument.
Drive on to the Sun Valley-Ketchum area. Explore the town of Hailey on your way in if you have time otherwise you will be backtracking.
Day 4 | Sun Valley-Ketchum
Sun Valley Hiking
Sun Valley is a phenomenal summer hiking destination. For more difficult trails, I suggest the Proctor Mountain Trail and the Bald Mountain Trail to the scenic overlook. We would have rounded out our visit with more hiking atop the Roundhouse Express Gondola however all lifts were closed due to COVID.
In June, the water at Frenchman’s Bend Hot Springs was very cold due to the spring runoff. I hope you get to enjoy these hot springs which are about 10 miles out of town.
Rock Climbing Tour
Having previously rock climbed with guides in Calico Basin near Las Vegas, we were excited to do it again! I highly suggest booking a 1/2 day outing with Sawtooth Mountain Guides who suggested a crag at Little Fall Creek. Our guides put down four lines and taught us how to safely and properly set the gear and guide one another. The experience was a blast and the view of the Pioneer Mountains was picture-perfect.
More information on our Calico Basin rock climbing: Amazing Hiking and More Near Las Vegas.
Day 5 | Sun Valley + Stanley
Consider a morning of fly fishing or rent bikes to explore the Wood River Trail and foothills. Or, mountain bike Bald Mountain via chairlift access. My teens were not very interested in fly fishing and it was very expensive for a family of five. So, our crew decided to do another hike instead — FREE!
Before moving on, be sure to check out Ketchum’s cute downtown local shops, stock up at the grocery store, and make a quick stop in the historic Sun Valley Lodge to view the old photographs in the hallway.
FITZ BITS TIP: Purchase groceries in Sun Valley because there are slim pickings in Stanley.
It is just over a one-hour drive to Stanley, but it may take longer with photo stops along the stunning Sawtooth Scenic Byway. There are hikes along the way if you have the time and energy. AllTrails is a great app for finding nearby hikes. We did the Boundary Creek Trail.
Day 6 | Idaho Road Trip — Stanley
Alpine Lake Trail
There are so many hikes to choose from around Stanley! If you like challenging hikes, the Alpine Lake Trail will be right up your alley. It is a moderate 11-mile out-and-back hike. You start by hiking or taking a BOAT TAXI to the trailhead from the Redfish Lake Lodge Marina. The boat transfer is expensive for a family of five at $18 per person round trip, but hey, the hike is free! It is a quick boat ride, but this doubles as a chance to get out on the water.
We turned around after reaching the pristine Alpine Lake because there was still snow on the upper trail in June. If you return to the dock with time before your return pick-up, explore the paths to the left and right for a waterfall and lily pad inlet. Finally, enjoy an ice cream and/or a drink at the Redfish Lake Lodge outside grill. YOU EARNED IT!
Snake Pit Hot Springs
Idaho is full of natural hot springs — so fun! This one is easy to get to from Stanley. Turn off the main highway at the Stanley Museum and follow the road around a bend to the small parking area. Cross the footbridge and the natural pool is to your left. Note: Google Maps has it pinned as Valley Creek Hot Springs. You may need to move around in the water to find areas with warmer temperatures.
Mountain Village Resort has a nearby reservation-only little cabin with an adorable hot tub space. We sneaked a peak and it looked amazing. Next time!
Star Gazing
Stanley is part of the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve. You will see so many stars that you feel like you are in an observatory. The only catch is that it doesn’t get super dark in the summer until well after midnight. I set an alarm to get up for star gazing — so worth it!
Day 7 | Stanley
Sawtooth Lake Trail
The Sawtooth Lake Trail is a MUST DO HIKE! It is a picture-perfect moderate 10-mile out-and-back trail with views that seem straight out of a movie. The first lake is Alpine Lake (a smaller lake with the same name as yesterday’s Alpine Lake). You can take a quick trek down to get a closer view of this clear turquoise lake that still had a thin cover of ice in June. Some turn around at this point, but you should not! Keep going as you quickly gain elevation for a bird-eye view of Alpine Lake and the trail continues uphill to Sawtooth Lake. Sawtooth Lake is larger and breathtaking in every direction. We saw some bear tracks and were alert and mindful to make noise while hiking.
While there was still snow on the upper trail in June, but you will be warmed up after all of the uphill hiking. I like to pack lightly so we did this trail in gym shoes — no problem.
Day 8 | White Water Rafting and Hot Springs
It is great to have a plan but remember to allow for changes. Unfortunately, a storm was headed our way followed by a drastic temperature drop. So, we decided to cancel a horseback tour with Mystic Saddle Ranch in order to go white water rafting on a warm sunny day. Bummed to miss the horseback riding and the folks at Mystic Saddle Ranch were so nice and understanding.
FITZ BITS TIP: Understand cancelation policies. We were able to cancel the horseback riding 24-hours in advance.
White Water Rafting
The full-day rafting tour with Payette River Company near Lowman, ID is a blast. We had our own raft and guide as we were a family of five. The guides are good at reading the group and making the experience less or more intense. You will stop at the Pine Flats Hot Springs along that way and a little later there is another stop for a casual riverside lunch. They took some great photos that were available to purchase but I had some nice shots from my waterproof camera.
Pine Flats Hot Springs
The many hot natural pools at Pine Flats are really fun to explore and great for a soak. It is a short hike to the first set of pools. But, do not just stop there! Go up and over the hill for some more geothermal pools and waterfalls, especially if the first ones are crowded. Also, check out Kirkham Hot Springs — unfortunately, they were closed during our trip.
I suggest you head to Boise for the night after the hot springs. We spent the night in Lowman because I wanted to explore some hikes and towns on the way to Boise. A rainstorm the next day stopped us from doing anything other than getting an ice cream cone in Idaho City. But really, I don’t think we missed much! Be sure to take the route along the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Highway for a beautiful drive to Boise.
Day 9 & 10 | Boise Area
Boise is an easy city to explore. Walk around town and check out the university, the capitol, JUMP, Bosque block, Barber Park, Ann Morrison Park. Rent bikes for the MTB trails or paved paths. Hike the Table Rock Trail up to the 60-foot tall cross. My husband and teenage boys enjoyed the Old Idaho Penitentiary Museum when it was raining. And, the adjacent Idaho Botanical Garden is great for photos right after a drizzle. There are separate entry fees.
We went to the Birds of Prey area however I do not recommend the extra driving since we did not see more birds than other areas and you will have already seen a lot of the Snake River. However, on the way back we came across the largest cow farm I have ever seen — that was pretty cool!
It wasn’t open in June, but during the summer it looks like a blast to float down the Boise River in a raft or a tube!
Mountain Biking
I highly recommend renting bikes for a full or half-day while you are in Boise. We rented mountain bikes from Boise Gear Collective as it was a block away from our hotel. This is the first time I have ridden a mountain bike with a dropper seatpost — so great! Be sure to ask about paths and routes to fit your skill level.
Camel's Back Park, etc. (Moderate to Strenuous)
We spent about three hours on the MTB trails in the Boise foothills from Camel’s Back to the Military Reserve. There were a ton of well-marked MTB trails of varying levels.
Boise River Greenbelt Pathway (Easy)
Or, head to the flat and paved 25-mile Boise River Greenbelt pathway. Along the way, stop to check out the river surfers at Whitewater Park and then enjoy a glass of wine on the patio of a nearby winery. There are closer places to stop, but we went to Cinder Wines a little off the path.
Hike Table Rock
The trail starts near the Old Idaho Penitentiary. You are hiking to the cross at the top. This is a steady uphill hike with fantastic views of Boise and beyond.
ITINERARY NOTE: We headed out to Bruneau Dunes from Boise because as I mentioned, we started our journey from Salt Lake City. The dunes are an easy outing from Boise.
Salt Lake City — Alternative Beginning or Ending
We started our Idaho road trip in Salt Lake City and ended in Boise because airfare and car rentals were less expensive. The flight times were also better. Play around and get creative. If you are coming from Salt Lake City be sure to add City of Rocks to the itinerary and then hit Twin Falls. We visited Bruneau Dunes from Boise, at the end of our journey.
City of Rocks National Reserve
City of Rocks is a United States National Reserve in southwest Idaho. And it is FREE. Stop by the Ranger Station about a mile after the Tracy General Store. Be sure to get a stamp for your US Parks Passport book and grab a map while you are there.
The area is quite remote but you will find it is a mecca for climbers. We need a little more climbing experience before going out on our own. However, there are many hikes in the park and opportunities for rock scrambling.
Give it a full afternoon at a minimum. You will be able to do one longer hike and stop at Camp Rock and Arch Rock — must-do’s for this visit. We chose the Riverside Trail for a longer hike. With more time, pick another hike or two. Or, stop by Castle Rock State Park nearby ($5 per vehicle).
FITZ BITS TIP: Stop at the Tracy General Store for a sandwich, and ice cream, or anything. It is super cute and there is not much else around.
Explore this cool map from Wanderlog
Wanderlog is a great travel itinerary and road trip planner app. Give it a try!
Visited in June 2020
