Idaho Day Trips from Boise
Turn Boise into a base for an unforgettable collection of Idaho landscapes, from forested mountain trails and Gold Rush history to volcanic plains, river canyons, hot springs, and powerful waterfalls. Start close to town with Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area for high-elevation views and year-round outdoor fun, then follow the scenic mountain roads toward Idaho City Historic District and the relaxing riverside pools at Kirkham Hot Springs.
For distinctive natural scenery, visit Bruneau Dunes State Park to climb towering sand dunes and enjoy dark-sky stargazing, or travel south toward the Snake River to see Shoshone Falls, Thousand Springs State Park, Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, and Malad Gorge State Park. Longer day trips reward travelers with the alpine shores and trails of Ponderosa State Park near McCall and the surreal lava fields, cinder cones, and caves of Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. Plan routes by region, allow extra driving time for mountain roads, and check seasonal road, trail, hot spring, and visitor-center conditions before departing.
