Only in Southwest Idaho
Besides great weather, beautiful views and friendly people, there are a handful of experiences unique to Southwest Idaho that keep people coming back for more.
SANDBOARD AND STARGAZE AT BRUNEAU DUNES
Located about an hour from Boise, Bruneau Dunes State Park is home to the tallest freestanding sand dunes in North America, with the tallest reaching 470 feet high. You can climb up the dunes and sandboard down, watch a sunset over the lake, hike the surrounding nature trails, and stargaze from the park’s observatory.
HAVE THE BEST FIVE DAYS OF YOUR LIFE AT TREEFORT MUSIC FEST
Feel the thrill of discovery at Treefort Music Fest, an annual festival that brings hundreds of emerging artists and bands to downtown Boise. The eleven “forts” of Treefort function like mini-festivals and it’s open to all ages.
GET “NOSE-TO-BEAK” WITH BIRDS OF PREY
Just south of Boise is the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, which is home to the single largest concentration of nesting raptors in North America — perhaps the world. Within this area is the World Center for Birds of Prey, The Peregrine Fund’s one-of-a-kind indoor/outdoor education center where you can meet and learn about the eagles, owls, vultures, hawks and falcons from around the globe.
JET BOAT UP NORTH AMERICA’S DEEPEST RIVER GORGE: HELLS CANYON
Hells Canyon straddles the Idaho-Oregon border, with the Snake River’s Class IV whitewater surging through it. This is the deepest river gorge in North America. An unforgettable way to experience it is on the water, jet boating up or whitewater rafting down. There are several fantastic hikes and campsites with spectacular views along the rim.
SNOWMOBILE TO A BACKCOUNTRY HOT SPRINGS RESORT
Go off the grid at Burgdorf Hot Springs, a backcountry hot springs resort in the mountains of Payette National Forest. In the winter, snowmobile to the backcountry oasis and stay at one of the rustic cabins. In the summer, drive or bike to Burgdorf and sleep under the stars.
SKI THREE MOUNTAINS IN THREE DAYS
Make McCall your basecamp and explore the mountains and forest surrounding the lake town. Three ski areas — Tamarack Resort, Brundage Mountain Resort, and Little Ski Hill — are all within a 20-minute drive of downtown McCall.
DASH THROUGH IDAHO’S WINTER WONDERLAND
Riding through a winter wonderland on a horse-drawn sleigh is a truly magical experience. With Hap & Florence Points Sleigh Rides near Lake Cascade, you’ll ride to a meadow along the Gold Fork River to a herd of wild elk, which tends to feed on the sleigh’s hay bale seats.
