Out For A Scenic Drive

Aaahhhh. Scenic drives… spectacular scenery, charming small towns, good music (your own)…what could be better? Not much. The trick is knowing where to wander. Let us make a few suggestions...

Payette River Scenic Byway: A classic Idaho experience, this scenic drive takes you along roaring white water and pristine mountain lakes. Through charming small towns and sweeping valleys with spectacular views. It can be completed in a single day (about 5 hours of driving), but we recommend at least two days for you to best enjoy everything the area has to offer.

Snake River Canyon Scenic Byway: This drive starts on Idaho 45 at Walter's Ferry, on the banks of the Snake River and through the Snake River Valley wine country, where you can tour wineries and sample fruits from Southwest Idaho's orchards. Along the way, you'll enjoy broad vistas, canyon views and numerous opportunities to stop at historical markers to learn more about early Idaho pioneers.

Oregon Trail Back Country Byway: Starting at the historic Three Island Crossing in Glenn's Ferry, where Oregon Trail pioneers traversed the Snake River, this journey allows you to follow in their covered-wagon ruts. Much of this route appears today just as it did over 170 years ago, so make sure you plan for unpaved roads and a bumpy (but fun) ride. At the end of this byway you experience the jaw-dropping view of the Boise River valley at Bonneville Point.

Also Consider

Hell’s Canyon: Southwest Idaho is your jumping off point to jet boat or raft North America’s deepest canyon. Big water. History. Fun.

Hot springs: Explore some of Idaho’s many natural hot springs. You’ll find them scattered throughout Southwest Idaho from Marsing to Lowman and everywhere in between.

Camping: Your options are nearly endless. Some favorites include camping on the shores (a peninsula, actually) of Payette Lake at Ponderosa State Park, or at the base of North America’s tallest sand dune at Bruneau State Park. You can also find dozens of other options along the Snake River or near Idaho City. For a unique experience, stay at Givens Hot Springs or camp on-site at Starlight Mountain Theatre.