4.5Craters of the Moon National Monument(1.280 reviews) - go visit if you are in the area Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM National Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Geologic Formations
An ocean of blackened lava flows holds opportunities to relax, explore, and enjoy for all ages and abilities. The monument is an easy day trip from Boise, Sun Valley, and Idaho Falls. Click on the link below to learn more about this unearthly landscape and start planning your visit today.See more..
Offering a taste of the wilderness in downtown Coeur d'Alene, this self-guided two-mile trail loop has historical points along the way as well as several great viewing areas.See more..
4.5World Center For Birds of Prey(725 reviews) - Family visit to Fall Flights Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas
Experience birds of prey eye-to-eye and explore the mysteries of their flight, survival, and relationship with humans. Live bird demonstrations and interactive exhibits complement hands-on experiences for all ages. Enjoy panoramic views of the Treasure Valley from the interpretive trail and gazebo, or browse the gift shop. Admissions and purchases support conservation programs worldwide. Reservations are available online or purchase in-person at the gift shop.See more..
4.5City Of Rocks National Reserve(199 reviews) - Rock scramblers’ paradise! Spent More than 3 hours National Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Parks
Numerous granite formations, some 70 stories tall, attract world-class rock climbers. The Reserve protects 6.2 miles of the California National Historic Trail, and features emigrant signatures written in axle grease. Idaho's only pinyon pine forest is within the 14,407-acre Reserve. Activities include camping, climbing, hiking, horseback riding, photography, birding, wildflower watching, hunting, and geological and historical discovery. The Reserve is a unit of the National Park System and is managed on site by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. The visitor center is located in the gateway village of Almo,which provides food, gas, lodging, hot springs, and authentic, rural wester charm. Castle Rocks State Park is also located within a few miles.See more..
4.5North Idaho Centennial Trail(183 reviews) - Very quiet and growing Biking Trails • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails
This 22-mile paved trail is part of the Idaho Centennial Trail, which passes through 11 national forests and extends 1,200 miles from Nevada to the Canadian border.See more..
5.0Sawtooth Wilderness Area(182 reviews) - Look for the natural hot springs north of Ketchum! National Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Parks • Forests
The 217,000 acres within the Sawtooth National Recreation Area include some 300 lakes, 40 wilderness trails and a forest of fir, spruce and pine.See more..
4.5Morrison-Knudsen Nature Center(156 reviews) - No fee, great adventure! Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas
Stopped by this park to let my kids roam a bit. This was a special find! No entry fee and has a lot to see, with interactive information for the kids to learn. We went during the Fall season so the flowers and animals are not abundant but it was still fun. I recommend it! See more..
We went around 5:30pm. The visitor center was closed but the gate was open for traffic to drive the loop (about 3.5 miles). We saw eagles, turtles, deer, ducks, and geese. The scenery was absolutely beautiful. See more..
Very good fishing.. Wonderful views.. Beach clean and nice to wade my feet in. Wonderful place to hike and go to observation deck. Nice visitor store.. Very friendly.. Awesome place to go boating skiing. Very beautiful lake. I love it there.. Me n fiancee go all the time..See more..
4.5Three Island Crossing State Park(63 reviews) - Definitely a Hidden Gem. Must see! Spent More than 3 hours State Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas
Excellent exhibits with a quality introductory film. Museum exhibits include interactive parts which are great for kids and adults alike. Also, the air condition makes for a welcome break on a hot summer afternoon.See more..
4.5Hulls Gulch Nature Trail(46 reviews) - Short to long, the options are out there Nature & Wildlife Areas
There are so many trails, and great signs outlining your options at the trailhead parking lots. I would recommend taking a picture of the sign so you know which trail to stay on once you are out there though. The Nature center is a great place to spot and learn a little, maybe hit the last bathroom before you get out on the trail. Everyone I encountered was friendly, but do make sure you are on the look out for bikes and dogs, etc. as it is a popular place to recreate. See more..
Went there expecting it to be some middle of nowhere trap. turns out it is very accessible once you find the correct singeage. (our nav got lost a few times and very little sineage to get there). Had a blast and mined for the star garnets we came for. Come out with at least a pound between 3 of us and have cut one 23.5ct 6 star garnet. Very dark very purple but a star none the less! Will be back next year for moreSee more..
4.5Wilson Springs Ponds(31 reviews) - Peaceful walk in unspoiled nature reserve Spent 1-2 hours Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails
Well-stocked ponds, great walking paths, a bird-watcher’s dream. A great place for children to learn to fish and opposite a hatchery.See more..
I enjoyed visiting this farm very much. The owners took the time to walk me through all their livestock and farm (safely for COVID), and I enjoyed interacting with them and the animals. They explained to me the various farm and community programs that they participate in, and it seems they give back quite a bit to the community and younger generation. I enjoyed feeding the alpacas and meeting all the critters. Their alpaca wool products store was very diverse as well, always exit through the gift shop! Thanks for letting me visit your place.See more..
We planned an overnight stay in Montpelier and drove the gravel road at the end of Bear Lake, just based on the previous reviews. The number of new birds to us was incredible! We had stopped at Bear Lake Marina for just half an hour, also. The swallows were amazing, plus there were many shorebirds around in July. But the drive was off the beaten path, as they say, so we stopped 4 or more times to use our binoculars. It was worth the drive, as we were on our way to Jackson, WY and there aren't many ways to get there.See more..
Nothing spectacular here. Lots of long tubs with fish in them. Most interesting thing is feeding the fish.See more..
4.5Celebration Park(15 reviews) - Learn from the past Wednesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent 2-3 hours National Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Parks
The area is amazing and the guides are well informed. When we were going to have a 10 minute tour, we stayed for an hour and 10 minutes because it was amazing to see and hear about the petroglyphs. The park would be a fun place for young people to have hands on experience. A little hard to find so I'm attaching a map to help.See more..
We visited this wonderful hatchery to learn about the Salmon story....from gathering mature adults to harvesting salmon embryos that are then manually fertilized and then raised to fingerlings that then are released to make their way to the ocean. The cycle repeats each year. The facility is mandated by the US Fish & Game Department as a solution to dams that block the historic spawning streams that Salmon use. Idaho Power pays for this hatchery. Make sure you look towards the back of the buildings to find the Office, where you will find a photo wall of the Salmon story. Quite informative and worth your visit. A nice trailhead at the top of the road to hiking areas.See more..
4.5Dedication Point(13 reviews) - What can you say about this area that The Wonderful World of Disney did not show in the 1960's and 1970's Nature & Wildlife Areas
Breathtaking, wonderful, in the summer it is really really hot so be prepared. Fall is wonderful and the animals are out and roaming. Winter is when you see ice crystals, snow and the area is different Christmas time is wonderful here. Spring the new babies are everywhere the birds are everywhere showing their offspring to the world. Come to Idaho any time of the year you will discover new and exciting things to do here. Please pack it in and pack it out you will fall in love with this area too.See more..
4.0Rexburg Nature Park(13 reviews) - Great Family Park Spent 1-2 hours Biking Trails • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Parks
This park is great for the whole family. My son loves the play area, and there is a great path to follow. Nice to be so close to nature. See more..
English Point is one of our regular hikes year round that's not far from home (Coeur d Alene.) There are several loop options of various lengths on either side of the road from the parking area. Yesterday we did the longest yellow loop on one side and then did the short gray loop on the same side as the parking lot for a total of about 4 miles. The yellow loop is popular with cyclists so be aware. It was also very muddy in some sections even though it hasn't rained in a few days. The trail could use some maintenance and drainage improvements. The shorter loop that we did was in excellent shape. All of the hikes here are very pleasant woodsy hikes with no real views. But you do get some solitude at least on week days.See more..
This is a pretty unique and beautiful place. If you are in the Sun Valley area it is deffinatly worth your time for the short 20=30 min drive south. If you are an angler, well, you should already know of the area. Take a walk or go for a short float. The Nature Cons. does an excellent job manageing the property. The amoount of lfe in this high desert eco-system is note worthy. So Weather a birder, fly fisher, photographer ect. Check this little gem out. *sunset is amazing from here. You can get food and snacks in the small town of Picabo, just 5 min east of the preserve. The general store( in Picabo) has really expanded there fly fishing assortment in the last few years. I cann't stress enough, just how unique this general area is. Nature at it's best.See more..
4.0St Anthony Sand Dunes(9 reviews) - The Dunes are amazing!! Spent < 1 hour Nature & Wildlife Areas
These are such a treat for a small town. Parking is nearly past the dunes away from Saint Anthony or Parker/Elgin. There are signs on the Highway that say Red Road Parking Lot & Day Use Only & it’s free to park there & easy to walk to the Dunes. We walked to the top of one. Please be respectful & not litter & take your trash with you so the privilege to play here is not taken away. Enjoy!See more..
The twin Menan Buttes are two of the world's largest tuff cones - volcanoes that form when basaltic magma boils up through ground water. The trail to the summit of the North Butte offers exceptional opportunities to explore the unique geology and natural history of this area. North Menan Butte is designated as a National Natural Landmark and a Research Natural Area. These designations help presSee more..
5.0The Butterfly Haven(8 reviews) - Great Place! Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Nature & Wildlife Areas
This was a really fun place. We live about an hour away, and I would say it was worth the drive! It's a family owned business, and the owner came up to us and chatted. Other family members work other jobs there, and are all very personable. We brought our camera which was fun - it helped us really enjoy the beautifully planted foliage and butterflies. You'll probably be able to catch a butterfly on your finger! They have a little gift shop with some ice cream and drinks which was nice as we had driven a while. There's lots of little gifts for kids and even tshirts. If you're willing to learn more about butterflies, this is a really cool visit! See more..
The Granite Roosevelt Trail 301 is a fairly short hike. There is one section as you climb to the Upper Falls that is loose and steep. The Upper Cedar Grove is spectacular, with large cedars, wildflowers and huckleberry bushes along the way. My husband who had knee replacement surgery in March was able to hike without any problems (age 73). The lower falls are spectacular, and it is a short out-and-back walk to get a great photo.See more..
4.0Draper Wood River Preserve(7 reviews) - Beautiful Spent < 1 hour Nature & Wildlife Areas Such a beautiful and refreshing and relaxing place. You can come, walk, sit, and meditate on the beauty of the creation.See more..
Camas National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Idaho consists of lakes, ponds, and marshlands along with sagebrush steppe uplands, meadows, and farm fields. Camas Creek flows through the length of the refuge. During waterfowl migration, which peaks in March-April and October, up to 50,000 ducks and 3,000 geese may be present on the refuge. Camas NWR is also home to wintering big game and eagles.See more..
Covering 2.3 million acres, this is the largest wilderness area in the contiguous 48 states.See more..
4.5Niagara Springs Fish Hatchery(6 reviews) - Clear spring water bursting right out of the rocks and cascading roaring down Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Nature & Wildlife Areas
This is fairly easy to find, once you drive past the entrance, it is a narrow down grade road that starts out as paved then turn into gravel. For a while we really just saw greenery, and then bursting out of the rocky hill side all the water. So green and clear, just beautiful. This place is not very busy at all. Maybe people find it out of the way. We saw a group with kayaks getting ready to launch. Wish we had something that would put us on the water/lake. From pictures on the web, even more beautiful spots to see the waterfalls and springs. The hatchery was closed due to COVID.See more..
5.0Lake Walcott State Park(5 reviews) - Beautiful setting State Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas
We had a great visit here-our two families meeting up from Boise (3hour drive) and Idaho Falls (2hour Drive). It’s about 20 minutes off the freeway. Beautiful, well maintained state park and we saw a tiny snake, squirrels, a deer, a pelican, and many other birds. Large playground area, full basketball court, spacious frisbee golf course, numerous picnic tables spread out for privacy and in the shade. Flush toilets in the bathrooms. No “beach area” or sand but younger ones were able to wade right off the grass easily. We went on a Wednesday in June and only saw a handful of people all day, only one motor boat, and two fishing boats, until about 5:30 when there were a few more people around. Other posts have complained of bugs. We saw none down by the water and only saw some swarms in the parking lot as we loaded up at 6:30-so it may depend on time of day. In 2020 water fountains were off be because of COVID so bring extra water bottles. We had a great, fun day!See more..
4.5Caldron Linn(5 reviews) - intimidating and spectacular Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails • Waterfalls
Not much has changed since 1811: The area is still natural and untamed, and you won’t find safety features like guardrails or paved paths. Upstream, anglers will find great bass fishing; downstream, daring kayakers will find Class IV and IV rapids with huge drops.See more..
5.0Elk River Recreation District(5 reviews) - Elk Creek Falls - Spectacular! Spent More than 3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails • Off-Road & ATV Trails
Family Fun in the BackCountry ATVing, Snowmobiling, Hiking, Huckleberry Picking, Fishing, Hunting, Camping, Events, Mushroom Hunting, Wildlife viewing, Scenic Byway, and much much more!!!See more..
There is not a lot of people in this area and that is one of the things we most appreciated on our vacation this year. Beautiful country, wide open spaces and mostly uncrowded.See more..
4.5Nampa Fish Hatchery(4 reviews) - Great Fishing Resource Spent < 1 hour Nature & Wildlife Areas The Nampa Fish Hatchery is operated by the Idaho Fish and Game Department and is located on the south end of Nampa at the intersection of South Powerline Road and Locust Lane. This hatchery is the second largest hatchery in the state's resident hatchery system and raises and stocks fish in every region in the state. This raises rainbow trout, Lahontan cutthroat, brown trout, and Chinook salmon, which you can see in the tanks at various sizes. They also provide information on fishing and outdoor activities in the Boise are. Visitors are welcome daily between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Guided tours are provided to larger groups and can be arranged by calling (208) 465-8479. See more..
4.5Henry's Fork Greenway(3 reviews) - Nice addition to the town of Saint Anthony! Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails • Jogging Paths & Tracks
Once we found where to begin the trail (one is behind the Exxon station near the Hwy 20 overpass), we really enjoyed the paved trail along the Henry Fork River. It’s suitable for bicycles, too.See more..
3.5Ruth Rowell Modie Wildlife Park(3 reviews) - A very small area in Lewiston. Good for simple easy walks Spent 2-3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Parks • Gardens
Just a small park like area. No playground, just walking area. Some is not kept up particularly well but a good place for walking your dog.See more..
The Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute's (PCEI) Nature Center is the perfect place in Moscow to explore, learn and enjoy natures beauty. Walk our trails to discover native flora and fauna, while having a diverse educational experience. The PCEI Nature Center is a model of sustainability equipped with a composting restroom facility, rainwater catchment system, solar panels, wetlands and more! Come walk our trails, ride our bicycle pump track or lounge in our artist studio! We're open everyday from dawn to dusk.Our goals as an organization are:• Increase awareness and knowledge of locally relevant environmental issues• Encourage exploration, investigation, and understanding of our watershed• Engage community members in service projects that benefit our watershed• Foster an appreciation for conservation and habitat enhancement practices• Instill a sense of place – one that values the unique characteristics of our watershedSee more..
5.0Camas Prairie Centennial Marsh Wildlife Management Area(1 review) - Great birding area Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Scenic Walking Areas We were traveling through late in the season and needed a place off the highway to run the dogs. Snow closes a lot of roads but it was melting. Neat chunk of country. Lots of raptorsSee more..
5.0Waterlife Discovery Center(1 review) - cute little visit Nature & Wildlife Areas The Waterlife Discovery Center was fun for us to explore on our way into Sandpoint although there was quite a lot of traffic to turn to get back on the main highway. There is a cute little pond that you can see, including a clear area where you can see what goes on underneath the surface of the water. You can even feed the fish with fish food from a dispensing machine. you can also walk right by the lake here. There's also a little hiking trail, but we didn't make it over there. There is also a little house with some exhibits. That was especially fun for our toddler. It was a really nice place to explore.See more..
