I grew up in Idaho, and even with all of the traveling I’ve done, I still think Idaho is one of the prettiest states in the country. When I go back to visit family, I always carve out time to get outside to enjoy the jagged mountain peaks, pristine blue lakes, hot springs, and other outdoor activities.
If you are planning to visit Idaho and wondering where to go, I’ll just cut to the chase. In this post, I share the perfect 9-day Idaho road trip itinerary designed with the outdoor enthusiast in mind, with my favorite places to visit, not-to-miss outdoor activities, cute hotels, epic campsites, and yummy restaurants.
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Itinerary Overview
Using my 7-day Idaho road trip itinerary, you’ll make a big loop around the state, starting and ending in the vibrant city of Boise. Since outdoor recreation is my speciality and what Idaho is known for, this itinerary is packed with hiking, biking, rafting, and hot springs with stops in the cute towns of McCall, Coeur d’Alene, Stanley (my favorite), and Sun Valley.
Here is the day-by-day overview of all of the fun things you’ll get to do:
I’m assuming you are going to stay in hotels, and I’ll share some suggestions. However, many of these destinations have amazing camping too. If that’s your plan, make sure to check out my guide on finding free camping to help cut down on your costs.
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Day 1: Boise
Morning – Ride Bikes on the Boise Greenbelt
I grew up in Boise and it’s changed a lot over the years – in a good way! Boise has a huge variety of outdoor adventures accessible right from town, plus great restaurants and other entertainment.
I tell every first-time visitor to Boise that riding bikes on the Boise Greenbelt is a must! The Greenbelt is a 25-mile paved trail system that runs along the Boise River.
There’s tons of trees, lots of pretty bridges, and plenty of places to stop and put your feet in the river. If it’s a hot day, you might even bring (or wear) your swimsuit so you can take a dip.
Assuming you aren’t traveling with your own bike, there are lots of different bike rental shops near the Greenbelt that rent both regular and e-bikes. There is also a bike share program with dozens of stations near the Greenbelt and downtown.
My favorite section of the Greenbelt is from Esther Simplot Park to Julia Davis Park. If you want to ride further, keep riding past Julia Davis to the Warm Springs Golf Course.
Afternoon – Grab a bite, visit a brewery, and explore downtown
Downtown Boise is very walkable and has so many great restaurants. A few favorites are:
I don’t drink alcohol anymore, but Boise also has a ton of breweries. I really like the outdoor area at Payette Brewing Company. It’s dog and kid-friendly, and they also have NA options available.
Boise Accommodations
Get a good night’s sleep because tomorrow the real adventure begins. There are a ton of cute, boutique hotels in downtown Boise.
Day 2: McCall
Morning – Whitewater Rafting on the Cabarton
You’re going to get up early today (6am departure) and make the beautiful 2.5 drive up Highway 55 towards McCall to Tamarack Resort .
Once you get to Tamarack, check into the Tamarack Guided Adventures Desk for a full-day rafting trip on the Cabarton stretch of the Payette River.
I love the Cabarton section because most of it is far away from the highway (as opposed to the Main Payette which runs right next to Highway 55). This means it’s very quiet, the scenery is stellar, and you may even spot some wildlife.
The biggest rapids are Class III, so it’s exciting but never too scary. There are also some calm pools where you can get in for a swim.
I found our Tamarack Whitewater guide to be very professional and fun. The trip includes transportation to and from the takeout, lunch, and safety equipment.
Afternoon – Explore McCall
After rafting, make the short 40 minute drive up McCall. McCall is one of my favorite mountain towns in the West – I’ve thought about moving here more than once! McCall has tons of outdoor activities, including awesome hot springs, mountain biking, hiking, lakes, and more (which you’ll explore on Day 3).
McCall Accommodations
Wherever you decide to stay, book it for 2 nights.
McCall Restaurants
For dining in McCall, these are my recommendations:
Day 3: McCall
Morning – Burgdorf Hot Springs
Grab some breakfast in town. I also suggest packing a lunch for today so you don’t have to drive all the way back into town for food.
Start your morning off at Burgdorf Hot Springs, which I consider to be a quintessential Idaho experience. A short and beautiful drive from McCall, Burgdorf has three different gravel bottom soaking pools filled with geothermal spring water.
They require advanced reservations in order to prevent the pools from getting too crowded, and a 2-hour soaking pass costs $20. They don’t have much in the way of food, drinks, or other supplies, so bring whatever you need to enjoy your experience.
Afternoon – Paddle the Upper North Fork of the Payette River
On your way back from Burgdorf towards McCall, park at the North Beach boat ramp at the top of Payette Lake. Here you can rent a paddle board, kayak or canoe from Backwoods Adventures for exploring the meandering Upper North Fork of the Payette River.
This is a beautiful non-motorized, flatwater section of river, and everytime I’m in McCall, I make a point of exploring it. The first time I was lucky enough to see a moose hanging out right on the river bank, and other wildlife sightings are also very common.
I personally prefer paddling in a single kayak, but I’ve also done it on a paddle board and in my own packraft. Depending on the time and energy levels, you can do a 2 hour or half-day rental. The entire stretch is 7-miles long with several sandy beaches that you can pull off at.
Day 4: Coeur d’Alene
Morning: Drive to Coeur d’Alene
Today you’ve got a bit of a drive ahead of you. It’s 5 hours from McCall to Coeur d’Alene which is up in Idaho’s panhandle. This is a remote stretch of highway up through Riggins, Lewiston, and Moscow with sections hugging the Little Salmon River.
When I did this trip, I booked it up Coeur d’Alene, but if you have more time, you should consider doing a jet boat trip through Hells Canyon – the deepest river gorge in all of North America. My parents did this and loved it. Most of these trips depart from Lewiston.
Afternoon: Hike Tubbs Hill in Coeur d’Alene
Coeur d’Alene is a cute (but touristy) town on a massive lake in Idaho’s panhandle. If you’re into boating or golf, you could easily spend a few days here. However, on this itinerary, it’s going to be a quick stop on your way to the Hiawatha Trail.
Once you’ve got your bearings, head over to Tubbs Hill for a 2-mile loop along the shore of Lake Coeur d’Alene. It’s an easy, flat trail with great views and gives you a taste of what this region is about. Note this is a very popular trail, so expect to share it with other visitors.
Coeur d’Alene Accomodations
Coeur d’Alene Restaurants
For dinner, I recommend Fire Artisan Pizza that’s right in the heart of downtown and walking distance from Tubbs Hill.
Short on Time?
If you need to cut a few days out of this Idaho road trip itinerary, I would skip Days 4 through 6, eliminating the long drive to and from the panhandle and the Hiawatha Trail. Instead, I would drive directly from McCall to Stanley on spectacular Highway 21, stopping at Kirkham or Bonneville Hot Springs on the way.
Day 5: Bike the Hiawatha Trail
Morning: Biking
The Hiawatha Trail sits on the Idaho/Montana border, and as one of 15 rail trails in the country designated as a “Hall of Fame” trail, biking it is a really unique experience.
On this 14.4 mile bike trail, you’ll ride through 9 pitch black tunnels, some more than 1.5 miles long, using a bike light or headlamp, and over 7 train trestles where you’ll get expansive views.
Most people (including myself) ride it one-way from the Pearson Trailhead to East Portal. The entire ride is downhill and when you reach the end there are shuttle buses waiting to transport you and your bike back to the top.
Prior to starting, you must stop at Lookout Pass Ski Area which is 7 miles from the Pearson Trailhead to get your trail pass and shuttle ticket. They also have bike rentals, bike lights, and bike racks for your car available if you’re not road tripping with your own.
When I biked the Hiawatha Trail it was mid-September, raining, and very cold, and I was grateful to have solid rain gear and gloves. Even in summer, the tunnels can feel damp and cold, so you might want to bring some layers, just in case.
For more details, see this writeup on biking the Hiawatha Trail.
Evening – Missoula
The most direct way from the Hiawatha Trail down to your next Idaho road trip stop in Stanley travels through Montana. So you’ll get to see a small sliver of Montana too.
Since you’re going to have a long day on the Hiawatha Trail, I suggest you drive 1.5 hours to Missoula, grab dinner, and call it a night. If you have energy and want to keep driving, Salmon (4 hours total from the Hiawatha Trail) would be your next good stop. However, the road does get pretty curvy and mountainous in sections, so you might not want to do that in the dark.
Missoula Accommodations
Note: There are two small stores in Stanley (your next stop) that carry groceries, but they both are pretty terrible when it comes to fresh, healthy foods. If you need to resupply on groceries, I suggest stocking up in Missoula or Salmon.
Day 6: Stanley
Morning – Drive to Stanley / Hot Springs
From Missoula, it’s a 5-hour drive to Stanley. The drive isn’t overly eventful, but there are some nice views as you drive past Lost Trail Ski Area back into Idaho, as well as along the Salmon River.
There is so much to do in Stanley, so I’d book it down there as quickly as possible.
On the way into Stanley, you’ll pass some of my favorite hot springs. Sunbeam Hot Springs is 12 miles outside of Stanley along ID-75. There is a sign and a small parking area, making it hard to miss.
Most of the soaking pools are down a small hill to the right of the bathhouse next to the Salmon River. You can go from hot springs to the river and back or find an area that’s the perfect temperature by mixing the hot and cold water together.
Note that if you go in early summer during peak run-off, the river levels might be too high, washing out the pools. If that’s the case, go left of the bathhouse where there are two tubs that have hot water piped into them.
Afternoon – Redfish Lake
Redfish Lake is the most famous lake in the Sawtooths and is worthy of an afternoon hang.
They have paddle boards for rent, as well as pontoon boats. You can also take the boat shuttle to the other side of Redfish Lake where a number of different hikes leave from, including this backpacking trip to Baron Lakes which I did a few years ago.
If you’re just looking to hang on the beach and go for a swim, I prefer driving over to the Sandy Beach boat ramp on the east side of the lake. It’s a bit quieter than the area near the Redfish Lake Lodge, and you get great views of Mt. Thompson (pictured below), which is the highest peak in the Sawtooths.
Stanley Restaurants
If you want to eat out, the best dinner options in Stanley are the Sawtooth Hotel (better for those with dietary restrictions) or the Mountain Village restaurant.
Stanley Accommodations
Day 7: Stanley
Morning: Stanley Bakery / Hike to Sawtooth Lake
The Stanley Bakery is a MUST for breakfast. The oatmeal pancakes are famous around these parts, and they also have plenty of gluten-free and plant-based options, as well as baked goods to go. This place gets busy, so get there early or be prepared to wait in line.
After filling your belly, drive up Iron Creek to the Sawtooth Lake Trailhead. This is seriously one of my favorite hikes of all-time. The hike is almost 10 miles round-trip with 1,800 feet of elevation gain, leading to the most BLUEtiful lake you’ll ever see. There are some steeper parts, but length aside, I’d consider this a moderate hike.
You can prepare for this hike by reading my Sawtooth Lake hiking guide.
Afternoon – Mountain Village Hot Springs or Stanley Lake
Feeling like your muscles could use another good soak? Mountain Village Resort has 3 different hot springs, and you don’t have to be a hotel guest to use them. I like these hot springs because they are deep, and they have some of the best views of the Sawtooths in town. They are also super clean. To soak here, you have to make a reservation and pay a small fee.
If you’ve had enough of Idaho’s amazing hot springs, then I suggest heading to Stanley Lake. It’s a lot less busy than Redfish Lake with more gorgeous views of Mt. McGowan.
Day 8: Sun Valley
Morning – Drive to Sun Valley
The drive from Stanley to Sun Valley is beautiful. As you drive towards Galena Summit, you’ll pass Pettit Lake and Alturas Lake. If you’re looking for more photo opportunities, these are worth stopping at.
Next, you’ll drive to the top of Galena Summit. If you happen to be traveling with mountain bikes, there is an incredible free mountain biking trail system with over 40 miles of trails that starts right at Galena Lodge.
Afternoon – Hike to Pioneer Cabin
Assuming you aren’t biking at Galena Lodge, today you’re going to tackle another hike. This one is a bit steeper and more challenging than the hike to Sawtooth Lake, covering 8.0 miles and gaining 2,500 feet in elevation.
The first 1.5 miles are in the forest, but as you get higher, the trail opens up to views of the Pioneer Mountains. At 4 miles, you reach Pioneer Cabin, which was built as a ski hut way back in 1937, with some of Sun Valley’s most dramatic landscapes.
Sun Valley Dining
For a small town, Sun Valley has a great food scene. Here are some of my favorite spots:
Sun Valley Lodging
Camping in Sun Valley isn’t quite as plentiful as it is in Stanley, but there are still quite a few options for free and paid campgrounds. There are also several nice hotels in town that put you within walking distance of all of the shops and restaurants. Keep in mind that Sun Valley is a resort town, and the lodging prices reflect that.
Day 9: Sun Valley / Drive back to Boise
Morning: Explore Town / Ride Gondola
Sun Valley / Ketchum is a super cute town. It’s worth poking around Main Street and the rest of downtown.
For a birdseye view of the area, take the Roundhouse Gondola from the River Run base up Bald Mountain.
From the top of the gondola, you can grab lunch at the Roundhouse Restaurant with panoramic views or hop on the scenic Christmas lift to the top of the ski area. There are lots of different hiking trails if you want to explore, or you can take some pics and ride back down.
Afternoon: Drive back to Boise
That wraps up your 10-day Idaho road trip itinerary. The drive from Sun Valley to Boise is just under 3 hours. There aren’t a lot of places to stop, so you should grab lunch in Sun Valley before you hit the road.
If you have additional time
If you have more than 9 days for your road trip, there are so many more things you can do in Idaho. Here are some suggestions:
Frequently Asked Questions
If you want to hike and bike, my favorite months to visit Idaho are late June, early July, and September. Mid-summer can be hot and smoky depending on whether there are wildfires burning. Winter is also great if you are looking to ski and do other winter sports.
To properly explore the state, I think you need at least 7 days, although you could easily spend 2 weeks covering all of Idaho. If you have less time than that, I’d focus on the Boise, McCall, Stanley area for your road trip.
My favorite area of Idaho is Stanley and Sun Valley. These are home to the most dramatic mountains in Idaho with tons of hiking, biking, paddling, hot springs, and other outdoor activities.
More Idaho Recommendations
Have a few extra days to spend on your Idaho road trip? Get additional ideas for things to do in these blog posts:
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What other Idaho road trip stops have you been to or would recommend for an itinerary? Leave a comment below!
