1.Balanced Rock – A few miles outside of Buhl Idaho this unique rock formation is reminiscent of the ones we saw at Arches National Park, but on a slightly more miniature scale. There’s a short few hundred foot hike to reach the main formation but we were surprised at how loose the gravel trail was and slipped more then once TIP – wear close toes shoes with good tread if you plan to climb the trail. Once you get up to the rock formation you will find several other smaller rocks to scramble around on and a few short trails winding around the hill. The parking area offers a picnic table and a small informational plaque. There are no bathrooms here. This attraction is also right beside a huge area of BLM that you can explore at your leisure. Cost – Free!

2.McCall – We made the five hour drive from Twin to McCall twice during our time in Idaho. Our favorite visit to this lakeside town was during McCall’s well known winter festival. During this fun time artists come from all over to create amazing ice sculpture and compete for different price categories. There are different activities offered throughout the multi day festival including fireworks over the lake and a pancake breakfast hosted downtown. TIP – make sure you have reservation for places to stay made early if you plan to visit during the festival, there are a lot of cute Airbnb’s and several nice hotels in the area but they fill up quickly. Outside of its winter festival McCall is a charming place to visit any time of the year. In summer the lake is a fun activity hub for the town and the nearby Ponderosa State Park offers great camping and hiking. We also found a cute little coffeeshop named Mountain Java while there.

3.Hot Springs – Idaho has a plethora of hot springs. Some of them have been conducted into pools reminiscent of your typical swimming pool while others remain largely untouched and require a hike through the woods to reach them. A quick google search yields lots of suggestions for great spots. The main spots we visited were Banbury and Miracle Hot Springs which were 15 minutes from our house in Buhl. Both of the locations are more of the typical pool type experiences, however Miracle is definitely a more adult type of location and is usually very crowded on the weekends. Banbury had a more relaxed atmosphere with a rolling log to play on and a diving board. Both of them offer private pools that can be reserved ahead of time. No matter which one you choose to visit, a hot spring is a great way to relax and instantly relaxes your muscles.

4.Snake River Canyon Rim Trail – This ten mile mostly paved trail system winds alongside the Snake River through downtown Twin Falls and offers a great spot to exercise with an unbeatable view! The Evil Kanievel jump site can also be viewed from the Trail. Hiking, bicycling, and dog walking are all common actives on this trail system.

5.Blue Heart Springs – A small box canyon carved into the side of the Snake River, this is some of the bluest water I’ve ever seen! We opted to rent kayaks from Banbury Hot Springs and make the 1.5 mile upriver paddle to reach the springs. You can also reach the springs via boat or waterski by putting in at one of the local boat ramps. Once at the springs we took some time to relax on the lava rocks that surrounded the clear water and watched the small fish that were easy to see swimming below us. Even in the heat of the summer the water was icy cold but it felt good to swim in after the paddle to get there.

6.Coeur D’Alene – This is another one of Idahos great lakeside towns. The city of Coeur D’Alene is a favorite spot of many for its vast network of trails to hike, run, and mountain bike on. Downtown is full of local shops and great food to enjoy when you’re not out exploring. We only spent a few days here, and unfortunately didn’t get any pictures to share, but its a spot we’d love to revisit.

7.The Twin Falls Visitor Center – This spot which is a great first stop of Twin Falls by nature also has the unique distinction of being one of the few spots around that allows individuals to BASE jump from the nearby bridge that spans the Snake River. It only requires a permit and your own gear to be able to jump. Many people gather to watch the base jumpers and Red Bull athletes have performed more then a few stunts here. The visitor center also offers a history of the area and parking for the Snake River Canyon Rim Trail mentioned before. Cost – Free!

8. Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve – This huge 750,000 acre area looks like it’s from another planet. Due to volcanic activity most of the area in the park is covered in dark lava rock and the black remains of cinder cones. There are multiple caves and volcanic tubes to explore here. The caves range in size from very tiny openings that you have to squeeze through to large rooms with high ceilings you can stand in. Surprisingly the park is also host to a large variety of wildflowers as well in the summer months. We camped here overnight and spent the day exploring the rocky terrain. Cost – $20 per vehicle entrance fee, National Park passes are accepted for free entry here.

9. Brunei Sand Dunes State Park – This unique Idaho attraction is home to the largest sand dune North America! While it’s really an interesting sight, what makes it a great spot to visit is the fact that you can slide down the massive dunes you find here!! the visitor center offers board rentals and wax, or you can bring your own gear. TIP – On busy days rentals go fast, so get here early! We quickly learned that the sand gets very hot at midday during the summer and were glad that we had plenty of water and close toed shoes. There are campgrounds and cabins here that you can reserve spots at and an observatory to view the stars from here. Cost – $7 per vehicle. See website for camping/cabin fees which may change.

Note – BLM Land areas – Like I mentioned in my other post about Idaho, the BLM land areas scattered throughout the state were one of the things we love most about the west. The sites which can be found listed at recreation.gov allow visitors free access to public land. The options for activities are endless, many people come here to hike, ride off-road vehicles, practice marksmanship, or sled in the winter. many of the areas also offer offered camping and allow for much less constricted camping sites then your typical established campground would.