Idaho has to be one of the most underrated states in the US. I have been all over the west and Idaho has surprised me the most with their outdoor activities and beautiful landscapes. If you love hiking, camping, and hot springs then you NEED to add an Idaho road trip to your list.
How much time do you need to road trip Idaho?
The stops I’ll be listing will be between Twin Falls and Stanley which can easily be done in 5-7 days. Less if you’ve got the energy for it! I recommend spending at least 2 nights in Twin Falls and 3 or more nights in Stanley. These two destinations are around 3 hours apart and if you’re flying to Boise, add another 2 hours drive from the airport to Twin Falls.
When is the best time to go on an Idaho Road Trip?
For this particular road trip, the best time to go is summer-early fall. This will be the best time to access all the hikes listed on this blog and it’ll be warm enough to swim in the lakes.
Recreate Responsibly
Before we get into it, I just want to share some outdoor etiquette and how to practice leave no trace so we can preserve and enjoy these places for generations to come. Here are some ways you can help:
- Stay on the designated trail to protect vegetation
- Do not litter (this includes fruit peels)
- Keep your distance and do not feed wildlife
- If you don’t see trash bins, pack your trash out.
Things To Do in Twin Falls, Idaho
Your first stop will be Twin Falls and there’s no shortage of things to do and see here. Everything is also relatively close together so you can see & do a lot in just a day or two.
Shoshone Falls
Shoshone Falls is the Niagara of the West and also one of the largest waterfalls in the US. The viewing platform is just a short walk from the parking lot but if you really want to experience this waterfall in a unique way, you can take a guided kayaking tour that takes you to the falls.
Paddle or Swim in Thousand Springs State Park
Thousand Springs is the perfect place to take a dip in the water and go for a paddle. We went to Ritter Island and paddled to Lemmon Falls. Just beware of how far you go since you will have to paddle upstream to get back to the parking area.
Tip: The parking lot is small so make sure to get there early if you’re going on a weekend.
Blue Heart Springs
I can’t recommend Blue Heart Spring enough! The water here is incredibly blue and so clear, you can even see the bubbles underground which is where this spring water comes from. This simply cannot be missed during your Idaho road trip. To get here you need to paddle about an hour from Banbury Hot Spring or Blue Heart Kayaking Adventures. Both have rentals but you can pay a small parking fee if you have your own watercraft.
Perrine Bridge
I would highly recommend heading to Perrine Bridge for a beautiful picnic spot for sunset. Keep an eye out for base jumpers as this is a popular base jumping spot. I was sad we didn’t see any during our visit but maybe next time!
Perrine Coulee Falls
Close to Perrine bridge and a must stop. This roadside waterfall is one of the few waterfalls in the US that you can actually walk behind. Google maps will drop you off in a residential area so I recommend using these coordinates for the roadside parking by the falls: 42.596858, -114.470167
Things To Do in Stanley, Idaho
Where do I even begin here? Stanley is an outdoor lovers paradise and should be added in every Idaho road trip itinerary. You’ve got views of the Sawtooth mountains, alpine lakes, and natural hot springs. After spending a week here, I know this is a place I’ll keep coming back to.
Alice Lake
We did this is an overnight trip but can easily be done as a 12 mile day hike. As high as that mileage sounds, the hike is not strenuous and the elevation gain is very gradual. You can also add Alice lake as a longer backpacking route with several lakes through the Alice Toxaway Loop.
No Name Lake via Thompson Peak
If you’re looking for a lesser known hike with an amazing reward you have to do this 10 mile hike. The whole hike is pretty gradual with the last mile being the most difficult with a bit of scrambling. We came here in the summer during the week and only ran into one other group at the lake. *The Alltrails link shows a 12 mile hike but if you stop at the lake your mileage will just be 10 miles.
Sunbeam Hot Springs
This popular hot spring is pretty close to town and just off the side of the road so expect to have some company here especially if you’re going on a weekend. The hot springs are big though and there are multiple pools and tubs to choose from. You can regulate the temperature of these springs by adding cold water from the river.
Sawtooth Lake
An alpine lake that don’t require any hiking in the Sawtooths! Sawtooth lake is a popular area for swimming, paddleboarding and there’s a campground nearby with views of the lake.
Find more USA travel inspo on my destinations page.