Idaho is not a destination that often comes to mind when planning a road trip, but it should be. We had only considered visiting Idaho because it was close to Seattle and we wanted to visit all 50 states. However, our road trip through Idaho ended up being our best one yet.
Idaho is a state of contrasts, with ever-changing landscapes ranging from evergreen forests to rugged mountains, scenic byways, dunes, canyons, and rivers. My husband and I loved driving through the state, taking in the stunning views from our Subaru’s sunroof. We also enjoyed the freedom of being able to drive as fast as 80 mph on Idaho’s rural freeways.
One of the things we loved most about Idaho was the sense of open space. We could stop wherever and whenever we wanted to appreciate the well-kept farms, ranches, straw rolls, animals, and rolling hills. It was truly a refreshing change of pace from the crowded cities we were used to.
In a single word, Idaho is pleasing! It was aptly put on signboards — “Idaho is too great to litter”!
Itinerary
Our itinerary was based on our desire to: [1] complete a full loop of the state; [2] wrap up the trip over the long weekend (although looking back, I wish we had stayed for more days); and [3] cover a variety of landscapes, which is what Idaho is known for.
Day 1 evening: Start in Seattle, then drive to Moscow (Idaho) for a night halt
It’s a five-hour drive from Seattle. Hence I would recommend leaving right after office hours so you reach Moscow timely and get some good night’s sleep.
Day 2: Drive to Hells Canyon; Enjoy and then drive to Stanley for a night halt
The drive to Hells Canyon, North America’s deepest river gorge was miles of beauty and fun. Hells Canyon Recreation Area offers something for everyone, whether you choose to explore by driving a scenic byway (which is what we did for hours), rafting/kayaking (which we enjoyed watching others do), or hiking a trail. In the evening, we left for Stanley, which is a tiny scenically located town. You wouldn’t find a lot of new-age hotels here (they are cozy though), but its a perfect place to take a break and have a good time, embrace the old-fashioned lodging/dining experience, and start your journey for Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
Day 3: Start in Stanley, then drive to Sawtooth; Craters of Moon; Shoshone Falls and Twin Falls; and Balance Rocks; Finally, take a night halt at Mountain Home
We knew Day 3 is going to be super tight with many attraction points, but we were excited by the fact that all these spots were so different from each other. The Sawtooth National Forest is a place of remarkable beauty — it wouldn’t be an exaggeration if I said that we stopped every few minutes just to admire the view and wilderness. We didn’t have time to cover all its trails/scenic points but it seemed to be a vacation in itself. For our next stop to Craters of the Moon, we opted for the Sawtooth and Peaks to Crater’s scenic byway. As we got closer to the destination, we felt we were on another planet altogether. I would highly recommend the scenic 7-mile loop drive and easy hike to Big Craters. Known as the “Niagara Falls of the West”, Shoshone Falls is also a must-see spot. Fall’s main viewing platform is just a few feet away from the parking spot. But, I will encourage you to walk around and try seeing the falls from various angles. If you’re in the area (otherwise won’t recommend going out of your way), a stop at Balanced Rock will be a fun addition to your trip.
Day 4: Start in Mountain Home, then drive to Bruneau Dunes; Finally, drive back to Seattle
Before heading back home, you will be surprised again with an altogether different kind of terrain if you visit the Bruneau Dunes, State Park. It is the tallest single-structured sand dune in N. America.
Sometimes when you least expect it, good things happen. So was our road trip to Idaho!