We love Idaho and want to explore even more of it! When life gets busy, the best way to explore is sometimes a day trip from Boise. Here are the best and easiest day trips from Boise that are perfect to do alone, with friends, or with the whole family!
Hot Springs
Idaho is known for its hot springs! We have about 130 soakable hot springs in the state! Here are some of our favorite springs that are an easy and quick drive from Boise.
Kirkham Hot Springs
This hot spring is located next to the South Fork Payette River just east of Lowman, Idaho, along State Highway 21! It is a very popular destination to enjoy some beautiful natural hot water pools along the river. It is relatively easy to access year-round, but there is a bit of a climb down to get to them.
Pine Flats Hot Springs
This hot spring is only a 0.6-mile out-and-back trail near Lowman, Idaho. It is just up the road from Kirkham and is generally considered an easy route! This hot spring is also relatively easy to access year-round but can get icy in the winter. It is on a mountainside overlooking the river and is a great place for the whole family!
State Parks
Idaho is home to many state parks that highlight some very unique features! Idaho has a lot of beauty and these state parks are here to preserve them.
Bruneau Sand Dunes
This day trip to the sand dunes is great for hiking, exploring, and sledding down the tall sand structures! They have the tallest single-structured sand dune in North America with a peak rising 470 feet above the surrounding desert. It can be quite the trek to get to the top of it, but the view is worth it.
Shoshone Falls
Located in Twin Falls, about 2 hours from Boise, Shoshone Falls is one of the largest natural waterfalls in the United States surpassing the height of the famous Niagara Falls. This is such an amazing natural wonder that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime! It is recommended to go in the spring so you can really see the falls flow.
Cities
If you want to get out of the city and into another one, here are some cities close to Boise that are always a fun visit!
Salt Lake City
Boise is still our favorite city, but it doesn’t have everything. If you want to go to bigger concerts, an amusement park, or an international airport, then Salt Lake City is for you! Only 4-5 hours from Boise, you can make it a day trip if you try hard enough. I have considered this just to get some In-N-Out!
McCall
McCall might be one of my favorite day trips from Boise. Just 2 hours north, this quaint town is the perfect getaway. It is a year-round destination with a lake, mountains, and trails. Depending on the time of year, it can be very easy to rent a room in the heart of town or a cute cabin on the lake. There are so many activities that make this destination very friend and family-friendly!
Now go out and enjoy our amazing state! You have no excuse not to see these amazing attractions, they are just a day trip away!
Sources: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2019-02-28/the-best-hot-springs-in-america-are-in-idaho#:~:text=Idaho%20has%20130%20soakable%20hot,years%20by%20colliding%20tectonic%20plates.
https://www.tfid.org/309/Shoshone-Falls
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/idaho/pine-flats-hot-spring
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/boise/recarea/?recid=5199