Refresh and Reset in Nature
Digital Detox Weekend
Ditch the screen. Breathe the alpine air. Let Southwest Idaho’s mountains be your wellness retreat. We’ve mapped your perfect digital detox — just follow our lead.
Day One:
Lake It or Not, You’re Relaxing
Morning: Blue Lake Trail
To start your digital escape: leave the city behind! From Boise, drive north on scenic Highway 55, which winds along the rushing Payette River. Breathe in that pine-scented mountain air on your way to Blue Lake Trailhead. The trail begins with stunning panoramic views of the mountain-lined Long Valley before descending one mile to the aptly named Blue Lake. Find a quiet spot on the shore to sit and take in the peaceful views and then take a revitalizing plunge in the cold, clear, alpine waters. Add a mile of calm walking by circumnavigating the lake. This quiet escape, paired with stunning views, is guaranteed to foster calm.
- Drive time: Boise Airport to Blue Lake Trailhead – 2 hours
- What to bring: a water bottle, sturdy walking shoes, a camera, and a swimsuit if you want
Local’s Tip: Come in the spring or early summer to be wowed by the abundant wildflowers. We’re not sure what’s more impressive: the alpine lake or the wildflower meadow.
Afternoon: Gold Fork Hot Springs
Refuel with a bite to eat in Cascade before continuing to the incredible Gold Fork Hot Springs. Here you’ll find an oasis to rest your sore muscles. Gold Fork’s six cascading natural pools await, each decreasing in temperature (110°F at the top to 85°F at the bottom), allowing you to pick your perfect temperature. Sink in. Feel your heart rate slow as you soak in mineral-rich waters with nothing but pine trees and birdsong calling for your attention. Watch the pines dance in the breeze. Breathe in. Breathe out. Relax.
- Drive time: Blue Lake Trailhead to Gold Fork Hot Springs – 1.5 hours
- Cost: $15 cash (this remote mountain outpost is a cash-only operation. Stop at an ATM in Cascade to be prepared)
- What to bring: Swimsuit, towel, water bottle, flip-flops
Local’s Tip: The last pool is sandy bottomed and 85°F, perfect for cooling off between hot soaks.
Evening: McCall it a Perfect Day
Roll into the quaint alpine village of McCall just as the sun starts to dip. Check into The Shore Lodge and immediately head to the lakeside dock to catch golden hour over Payette Lake. For the ultimate reset, book a treatment at The Cove spa. You deserve it.
- Drive time: Gold Fork to McCall – 30 minutes
Local’s Tip: Dinner spot! Salmon River Brewery for locally made craft beers, regional ingredients, and a rooftop patio.
Day Two: Go with the Flow
Morning: Paddle the North Fork
Catch the sunrise over the lake, or sleep in. Fuel up with breakfast on the lakeside patio at Alpine Pantry & Provisions. Stock up on snacks and picnic supplies for later. Head to the Upper North Fork of the Payette River — a wild and scenic section of river where motors are banned and wildlife thrives. Choose your vessel (canoe, kayak, or stand up paddleboard) and glide through pristine waters. Keep your camera ready for moose wading in the shallows or otters playing along the banks.
- Drive time: 15 minutes
- Cost: Rentals from Backwoods Adventures are $30-$60
- What to bring: sandals, sunscreen, water bottle
Afternoon: Get into hot water (at Burgdorf Hot Springs)
Once your shoulders have a good ache, it’s time for another famous Southwest Idaho hot springs gem. Burgdorf Hot Springs is a rustic 1870s resort tucked into the beautiful mountains. Refreshingly stuck in time, there’s no cell service and no electricity — just pure escape. Three log-sided, gravel-bottomed pools await. Float on your back and watch clouds dance between mountain peaks.
- Drive time: 50 minutes
- Cost: $20 per person
- What to bring: swimsuit, towel, water bottle
Local’s Tip: There are limited slots to ensure restful soaking experiences for all. Don’t forget to make a reservation!
Evening: Decision time
Stay in Burgdorf’s rustic cabins (BYO sleeping bag) for a full digital detox, or head back to the comforts of Shore Lodge. Either way, step outside after dark. Far from the city lights, you’re sure to feel a wonderful sense of awe. Catch a shooting star, feel small, have wonder. Bring a journal, write it down. You’ll want to remember how this feels.
Day Three: Pine for Nothing More
Morning: Ponderosa State Park
Hit up the Fogglifter for the perfect Eggs Benedict. Then, cap off your digital detox with a final dose of nature therapy. Just 1.5 miles from downtown McCall, Ponderosa State Park offers the perfect end to your wellness weekend. Choose from lakeside wanderings, heart-pumping climbs, or a scenic overlook. Follow the Peninsula Trail for the greatest hits: towering ponderosa pines, crystal-clear coves, and panoramic vistas of Payette Lake.
- Drive time: 5 minutes
- Cost: $7
- What to bring: sturdy shoes, water bottle, camera
Local’s Tip: Check the visitor center for ranger-led walks — learn about local wildlife and plants from experts who know every inch of this paradise.
Afternoon: Shore to Please
Find a perfect patch of shoreline and sink into the sand. Let the gentle lap of water against the shore be your meditation soundtrack. Take time to reflect on your journey from alpine lakes to hot springs, from paddle strokes to pine-scented trails. This is what wellness feels like: reconnection with nature, yourself, and the present moment.
Heading Home: Carrying the Calm
As you pack up to head back to reality, your digital devices will power on, but something has changed. You’ve reset. Southwest Idaho’s mountains, waters, and skies have worked their magic.
The real souvenir? The sense of calm you’re taking home. Don’t forget to come back and do it all again.
Important: Keep the outdoors as breathtaking and memorable as you were able to experience it, and recreate responsibly.
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