Idaho Travel
If you’re looking for a place to “get away from it all,” Idaho may be the perfect fit. It’s known for being one of the most rural states in America. Use this Web guide to plan your Idaho retreat; it shows you some of the state’s best attractions, where to stay in Idaho and how to travel around while you’re there. For a Spanish-language version of the Guide, click here.
Travel in Idaho
Some stories say the name “Idaho” comes from an Indian term meaning “the gem off the mountains.” While that’s not exactly true, Idaho does have many gems to offer visitors. This section helps you discover some of the exciting and breathtaking sites to see on a visit to Idaho.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Like many states, Idaho is divided into tourism regions: northern, north central, southwestern, south central, southeastern, eastern and central. If you’re planning to visit only certain parts of the state, search by region on Idaho tourism Web sites to cut down on the time you spend looking for vacation ideas.
- Idaho is located in both the Mountain and Pacific time zones. Learn where the boundary between zones falls with the help of the Idaho Geological Survey (scroll down the page to find it). This map from The Official U.S. Time Web site can help, too.
- Blogs are an excellent source for insider tips on a destination. Use a blog search engine like Technorati to find blogs full of insight on Idaho.
Dulcinea's Picks
For general tourism information …
The Official Idaho Vacation and Travel Planning Guide
is an all-in-one resource for planning an Idaho vacation. Read about the history of the state, and discover places to go and top things to do. The “Go” page is helpful because it organizes Idaho’s attractions by tourist regions. The “Deals” page is the place to look if you’re searching for some pre-planned activities or package deals.
The New York Times
Travel Guide to Idaho highlights the excitement of Idaho with beautiful photos and expert travel tips. Especially useful in this guide is the “Where to Go” traveler recommendations about places they enjoyed seeing in Idaho.
For Idaho cities …
Idaho.gov
provides a list of cities in Idaho with links to their associated Web sites.
The City of Boise Web site
details the multitude of events and attractions that can keep tourists busy in Idaho’s capital city.
The Coeur d’Alene Visitor’s Bureau
entices visitors to come to Coeur d’Alene for a swim in Lake Coeur d’Alene, a day at Silverwood Theme Park and other recreational opportunities.
For museums …
The Idaho State Historical Society Web site
presents descriptions of the various displays at its museum, and offers information on the museum’s special programs.
The Rexburg, Idaho Chamber of Commerce
Web site describes some of the exhibits visitors can see at the Teton Flood Museum. The Museum showcases several pieces of memorabilia from the 1976 flood disaster and from other eras.
For national parks and recreation sites …
The National Park Service
profiles Craters of the Moon, the Hagerman Fossil Beds, the Minidoka Internment and other national monuments in Idaho. Also look for information on the Lewis and Clark, Oregon and California trails, all of which pass through the state.
The Bureau of Land Management
Web site holds a wealth of information about the recreational opportunities available in Idaho. Choose a region on the map to find a list of recreation sites and activities on the right. The site might seem a little plain at first glance, but it’s definitely worth exploring.
For sporting opportunities …
The Idaho Outfitters & Guides Association
provides referrals to the best outfitters and guides available for a variety of sports, like rafting, hunting, fishing, jet boating and more.
Idaho Fish and Game
details the seasons, rules and licensing/permitting processes sportsmen will need to follow to enjoy hunting and fishing opportunities in Idaho. Check here for news updates about fishing and hunting in the state, too.
The Winter Games of Idaho
Web site provides some great details about Idaho’s winter games, held every February. Read about the events that take place during the games, or check the calendar to see when competitions occur.
For road trips …
Road Trip USA
features a section on driving through the southern portion of Idaho. There’s also a section about traveling across the Idaho Panhandle. View a detailed map of notable locations across the state, then consult the list of communities and stops in the left sidebar for insider tips on what you’ll see when you arrive.
For zoos …
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums
provides everything you’ll need to know about visiting the Tautphaus Park Zoo in Idaho Falls. Scope out some of the animals at the “Zoo Highlights” page, and see when the zoo is open using the “Zoo Information” page.
Zoo Boise
has the information you’ll need for seeing the wildlife on display in Boise.
The Pocatello Zoo
offers great information about the happenings in Pocatello’s zoo. Check for zoo admission and special event days that may get you a discount.
For religious history …
Idaho Public Television
details some of the history of the Cataldo Mission. Idaho’s oldest standing building, the Mission was established by Jesuits in the 1840s.
Who knew?
The City of Rigby
offers some suggestions on the best things to see and do in the town where Philo T. Farnsworth invented television.
Where to Stay in Idaho
Long hours spent exploring will definitely earn you the right to sleep somewhere comfortable. Find a rustic guest ranch, the perfect camping spot or a great hotel using the Web sites recommended below.
Dulcinea's Insight
- To see what other travelers think of accommodations in Idaho, check a Web site like TravelPost.com to read user-submitted hotel reviews.
- Look for accommodation search engines on the Idaho tourism sites listed in the first section of this guide, as many tourism sites also provide lodging directories.
Dulcinea's Picks
For hotels and other accommodations …
The Official Idaho Vacation and Travel Planning Guide
has a great listing of hotels, bed and breakfast inns, and unique accommodations available in Idaho. Ever stayed in a yurt (a watertight tent with enough room for the whole family)?
For guest and dude ranches …
The Idaho Guest and Dude Ranch Association
invites you to “try on one of the many hats” of Idaho dude ranch vacations. Click on a hat on the map to see more specific information about the dude ranches in Idaho.
For camping …
Recreation.gov
is a one-stop shop for booking campground reservations, cabin rentals, RV sites and more. Use the dropdown menus at the left of the screen to make your reservations. You’ll need to sign up for a free membership to book reservations.
Kampgrounds of America
(KOA) provides a map of Idaho showing the KOA facilities available around the state.
The Idaho RV Campgrounds Association
contains a search tool that helps you find private RV parks and campgrounds, as well as public lands campgrounds in Idaho.
Idaho Transportation
Knowing how you’ll get around Idaho is just as important as planning what attractions you’ll see. The Web sites in this section help you review your Idaho transportation options.
Dulcinea's Insight
- There is considerable distance between some Idaho cities. Plan your trip more efficiently with travel time estimates and mileage calculations from Rand McNally.
- If you’re traveling by air, visit the findingDulcinea Travel Web Guide to search for affordable flights to Idaho.
Dulcinea's Picks
For general travel advice …
The Official Idaho Vacation and Travel Planning Guide
contains details about traveling around Idaho via train, airplane and bus.
The Idaho Transportation Department
presents an interactive map travelers can use to get a thorough update of road conditions. Learn whether any roadwork, traffic accidents, weather problems or other circumstances could affect your travels.
The National Weather Service
provides weather watches, advisories and warnings for Idaho. For local weather forecasts, use the “Local forecast” search box on the upper left of the main page.
For a rental car search …
Hotwire.com
has bargains on domestic car rentals from major companies like Avis, Budget and Hertz. Specify the date, time of pickup and location, and they’ll find the best deal. Warning: you’ll learn which of the three companies you’re renting from only after you accept the price.
CarRentals.com
compares car rental rates from more than 10 major companies, including Budget, Alamo and Thrifty. The search engine is quick and easy to use.
For buses …
Greyhound
buses service several cities in Idaho. Get schedules, routes and fare information for your bus trip.
For RV rental …
Kampgrounds of America
(KOA) recommends a “KOA Preferred” RV rental center in Idaho, and also provides contact information for national rental services like Cruise America and El Monte RV.
For trains …
Thunder Mountain Line
showcases the multiple views that Idaho tourists can enjoy when they take a scenic train ride. Learn about the trips available and view train schedules here.







