Discover activities for the whole family
Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area sits just 16 miles from downtown Boise and offers affordable skiing and snowboarding for the entire Treasure Valley. The mountain has beginner terrain, ski school for ages 3 and up, and night skiing on weekends. Summer brings mountain biking and hiking on the same slopes.
The Pack River delta where it meets Lake Pend Oreille near Sandpoint is one of the finest paddling destinations in North Idaho—a maze of calm channels through willow flats and cottonwood groves teeming with deer, beaver, osprey, and nesting great blue herons. Kayak rentals are available in Sandpoint. Best in June and September.
Twin Falls Splash Park at the College of Southern Idaho complex operates in summer with multiple water slides, a lazy river, and a splash zone for toddlers. The park is affordable and rarely overcrowded making it a favorite for local families. The nearby Perrine Bridge and canyon views make Twin Falls a great two-stop day trip.
Cascade Reservoir and Packer John State Park offer groomed snowshoe trails through ponderosa pine forest in winter with beautiful lake views through the trees. The Valley County Nordic Ski Club maintains the trails and provides maps at sporting goods stores in Cascade. A peaceful and uncrowded winter outing.
The cheese plant near Malad City in southeastern Idaho produces millions of pounds of cheese annually. Tours show families the cheese-making process from milk delivery to aging. The tasting room features generous samples of fresh curds, colby, and cheddar. The pastoral Malad Valley setting makes for a lovely country drive.
Alturas Lake in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area south of Stanley is a pristine glacial lake ringed by granite peaks. The campground beach has a calm clear swim area with dramatic mountain views. The lake sits at 7,000 feet so water temperatures are refreshing even in August. No motorized boats are allowed.
Sandpoint hosts a charming Winter Carnival each January featuring ice sculpting competitions, a chili cook-off, and free public skating on the downtown outdoor ice rink. The lakeside setting with snow-capped Selkirk Mountains in the background makes for a postcard-perfect winter outing for the whole family.
The Sawtooth National Recreation Area near Stanley has dozens of easy family trails through high meadows carpeted with shooting stars, Indian paintbrush, and lupine in July and August. The trail to Fishhook Creek is under 2 miles and leads to a wildflower-filled meadow at the foot of the jagged Sawtooth peaks.
The Coeur d'Alene Farmers Market on Saturday mornings in downtown is one of the largest in northern Idaho with vendors selling fresh produce, artisan bread, honey, jam, and handmade crafts. Kids' activities and live folk music make it a weekly summer tradition for local families and visitors alike.
Cottonwood Butte is a small community ski area near Cottonwood in the Camas Prairie offering affordable and crowd-free skiing and snowboarding for families learning the sport. With modest vertical and gentle terrain it is ideal for beginners. Locals run the operations and provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Rexburg's community ice rink at Porter Park operates from November through March with public skating sessions nearly every day. The outdoor rink has a warming shelter and hot chocolate concessions. Figure skating lessons and youth hockey clinics run throughout the winter season for all skill levels.
Malad Gorge State Park near Hagerman protects a dramatic 250-foot-deep canyon carved by the Malad River through basalt bedrock. The Blue Heart Springs at the gorge bottom bubble up from the Snake River Aquifer at 58 degrees. A footbridge spans the gorge for thrilling views straight down into the turquoise water below.
Three Island Crossing State Park near Glenns Ferry preserves the most important fording site on the Oregon Trail where emigrants crossed the Snake River. A living-history encampment each August recreates the crossing with period wagons and livestock. Interpretive trails explain the joys and perils of the westward journey.
Franklin, Idaho's oldest permanent settlement founded by Mormon pioneers in 1860, preserves several original buildings including Idaho's first cobblestone schoolhouse. A walking tour pamphlet from the small museum guides families through the town's pioneer-era homes and the site of the original fort.
The Boise Foothills above the city offer over 190 miles of trails for mountain biking ranging from beginner-friendly dirt roads to technical singletrack. The Military Reserve and Hulls Gulch trail systems are closest to downtown. The Corrals Trail at Bogus Basin is a scenic beginner route suitable for older children.
Craters of the Moon National Monument offers one of the darkest night skies in the American West. Ranger-led astronomy programs on summer Saturday nights introduce kids to constellations, the Milky Way, and deep-sky objects through telescope eyepieces. The alien lava landscape adds an unforgettable cosmic atmosphere to the experience.
The Idaho Museum of Natural History at Idaho State University in Pocatello houses exceptional exhibits on Idaho's prehistoric past including a mammoth skeleton, dinosaur fossils, and Native American cultural artifacts. The museum serves as an excellent primer before visiting Yellowstone or the fossil beds at Hagerman.
The Lewiston Hill Scenic Overlook at the top of US-95 offers a dramatic bird's-eye view of the Snake and Clearwater River confluence and the twin cities of Lewiston and Clarkston 2,000 feet below. Interpretive signs explain the Missoula Floods that carved the landscape and a short nature loop runs from the rest area.
Each September Orofino celebrates Lewis and Clark Days with a living-history encampment, canoe races on Dworshak Reservoir, and a parade. Historical reenactors demonstrate period skills including flintlock rifle firing, hide tanning, and birch-bark canoe building in a family-friendly festival atmosphere.
The Hagerman Wildlife Management Area along the Snake River provides habitat for over 200 bird species including nesting white pelicans, great blue herons, and tundra swans in migration. An elevated viewing platform offers excellent observation of waterbirds. The site is adjacent to the Hagerman Fossil Beds visitor area.
Syringa Waterpark in Caldwell is a beloved Treasure Valley summer destination with multiple waterslides, a wave pool, a lazy river, and a zero-entry kiddie pool. The park is smaller and more affordable than major water parks making it ideal for younger children and families on a budget.
The Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge near Bonners Ferry sits in the broad Kootenai River Valley and provides habitat for white-tailed deer, moose, osprey, and vast flocks of migrating waterfowl. A 4.5-mile auto tour route and two hiking trails offer excellent wildlife viewing throughout the year. The refuge is free and open daily.
The Coeur d'Alene Tribe hosts the annual Julyamsh Powwow at the Coeur d'Alene Casino grounds each summer—one of the largest powwows in the Pacific Northwest. Traditional drumming, fancy dancing, and regalia competitions are open to the public. Native food vendors and arts and crafts booths complete the cultural celebration.
The White Bird Battlefield preserves the site of the opening engagement of the 1877 Nez Perce War where 70 Nez Perce warriors held off 100 U.S. Cavalry soldiers. A 5-mile self-guided auto tour with interpretive signs brings this pivotal chapter of Western history to life in the dramatic canyon landscape.
Emerald Creek Garnet Area near St. Maries is one of the few places on earth to find star garnets—Idaho's state gemstone. Families sift stream gravels through provided screens to find these rare six-rayed gems. A small fee covers the permit and tools. Children who find a keeper garnet earn a memorable piece of Idaho geology.