Discover activities for the whole family
Challis Hot Springs near the Salmon River offers developed natural hot spring pools ranging from 98 to 105 degrees in a spectacular mountain setting. Primitive camping is available on the property and the pools are open year-round. The drive through the Salmon River Canyon from Stanley is among the most scenic in all of Idaho.
McCall's Winter Carnival each February is one of Idaho's most beloved winter festivals featuring elaborate snow sculptures, sleigh rides, fireworks over Payette Lake, and a polar bear plunge. Snowshoe rentals are available from local outfitters and groomed trails around Payette Lake are perfect for beginners.
Swan Falls Dam on the Snake River south of Kuna is one of Idaho's oldest hydroelectric dams and sits in prime raptor country. Prairie falcons, golden eagles, and ferruginous hawks nest on the canyon walls each spring. A short trail leads to the historic dam and a canyon overlook. Best visited April through June.
Moscow Mountain offers a network of forested trails just east of Moscow through second-growth fir and pine with occasional rocky outcrops and views of the Palouse. The Potato Hill Loop is a popular family trail of about 4 miles with gentle elevation gain. Wildflowers bloom from May through July along the route.
The Shoshone Ice Caves near the town of Shoshone are a natural lava tube that maintains year-round ice formations created by cold air trapped through winter. Guided tours through summer reveal frozen walls, icicle formations, and interesting lava tube geology. Temperatures inside hover around 30 degrees even on the hottest August day.
Grangeville's Border Days Rodeo held each July 4th weekend is one of Idaho's oldest dating to 1912. The three-day event features traditional rodeo events, a parade, and a carnival. The setting in the Camas Prairie with mountain views makes this small-town celebration especially memorable for children.
Sun Valley Resort operates one of the most storied outdoor ice skating rinks in America on the same ice that has hosted Olympic skaters since the 1930s. The rink remains open to the public with skate rentals and lessons available. The setting at the base of Bald Mountain with surrounding peaks is truly unforgettable.
The Pocatello Arts Center on historic main street offers hands-on art workshops for children on weekend afternoons in painting, ceramics, and collage. The studio walls display previous participants' masterpieces. A different creative theme is featured each month making every visit a fresh experience.
The Priest River near the town of Priest River offers excellent family fly-fishing for cutthroat and bull trout in a beautiful cedar and hemlock forest setting. Several guide services offer beginner lessons and scenic half-day float trips. Even non-anglers enjoy the pristine riverbank environment and wildlife encounters.
Beyond the standard visit to Craters of the Moon National Monument, the Junior Ranger program gives kids aged 5-12 an activity book guiding them through cave exploration, volcano science, and lava field ecology. Completing the booklet earns an official badge and certificate from a park ranger. Flashlights are required for the caves.
The city of Burley operates a community outdoor pool with two waterslides, a diving board, a zero-entry area for toddlers, and a lazy river. It is a beloved summer destination for families from across the Mini-Cassia region. Affordable admission and a concession stand make it a full afternoon outing.
Heyburn State Park on Lake Chatcolet near Plummer is Idaho's oldest state park established in 1908. The park's extensive huckleberry patches attract families in late summer from August through September for one of Idaho's quintessential traditions. Trails through the park also reveal beautiful lake views and excellent bird watching.
Several outfitters operate scenic lake cruises on Lake Coeur d'Alene including the popular Lake Coeur d'Alene Cruises from the resort dock. Cruises pass rocky coves, forested shorelines, and the world's only floating golf green—a par-3 island hole on the resort course. A memorable two-hour family outing.
Wallace's community outdoor skate park and pool sit in the heart of the Silver Valley and welcome visiting families. The outdoor skate park features a bowl and rails suitable for beginners and intermediates. The community pool is open in summer for lap swimming and family recreational splash time.
Sandpoint's thriving arts community hosts a monthly First Friday Arts Walk through downtown galleries, studios, and shops from May through September. Local artists demo painting, sculpture, and glassblowing. The event is free and family-friendly with street musicians and pop-up food vendors adding to the festive atmosphere.
Idaho Ice World in Garden City near Boise is the Treasure Valley's premier ice skating facility with a full NHL-sized rink open for public skating nearly every day of the year. Skate rentals are available and beginners' lessons run on weekend mornings. Penguin skating aids for young children make learning easy and fun.
Several farms in the Twin Falls area operate autumn corn mazes from September through October some exceeding 10 acres in size. Pumpkin patches, hayrack rides, and hot apple cider are standard features. The Thomas Family Farm maze near Buhl is a perennial local favorite with a different theme each year.
The Bruneau Canyon Overlook near Bruneau rewards a short walk with a stunning view straight down into one of Idaho's most dramatic river canyons. The Bruneau River has carved a gorge up to 1,000 feet deep through dark basalt. The turquoise ribbon of river far below is breathtaking and the hike to the rim is less than a mile.
Nampa's Family Fun Center offers an 18-hole mini-golf course with a western Idaho theme, go-karts, bumper boats, and an indoor arcade. The go-kart track has a junior lane for small children. It is the perfect rainy-day or evening outing in the Treasure Valley.
Grays Lake in southeast Idaho hosts the world's largest concentration of nesting greater sandhill cranes with over 300 pairs each summer. The refuge also hosts whooping cranes as part of a reintroduction program. A gravel auto tour route offers family-friendly wildlife viewing without leaving the car.
Rexburg's Porter Park and the city nature trail offer a pleasant green oasis for families. The park features playgrounds, picnic shelters, and a popular splash zone in summer. The Teton River runs just east of town and the park hosts community events and outdoor movies on summer weekends.
The Caribou-Targhee National Forest covering much of eastern Idaho hosts dozens of accessible family hikes through subalpine meadows ablaze with wildflowers from late June through August. The Palisades area near Swan Valley offers easy trails along the South Fork of the Snake River. Moose are frequently spotted in the willows.
Henry's Lake near Island Park is legendary among anglers for trophy-sized cutthroat, rainbow, and hybrid trout. Non-fishing families enjoy the lakeside campground, a sandy beach, and excellent wildlife viewing. Trumpeter swans nest at the lake each summer and Centennial Mountain provides a stunning backdrop.
The World Potato Exposition in Blackfoot is the world's only museum dedicated to the potato—Idaho's most famous crop. Exhibits trace the history of the potato from the Andes to Idaho dinner tables. The gift shop sells potato-themed merchandise and the cafe serves potato ice cream, a surprisingly tasty local novelty.
The Snake River Greenbelt in Idaho Falls offers a paved trail along the river past the thundering Idaho Falls, the largest human-made falls in the American West. The Temple View area and adjacent river park are beautiful at sunset. Canada geese and mergansers are abundant along this stretch of the river.