Discover activities for the whole family
Teton Valley west of the Teton Range offers flat agricultural terrain and quiet roads perfect for family cycling with jaw-dropping views of the jagged Teton peaks. The route from Driggs toward Victor passes farms, wildlife ponds, and scenic pullouts. Grand Targhee Resort in nearby Alta offers mountain biking in summer.
The Teton Valley Museum in Driggs tells the story of farming, ranching, and homesteading in the shadow of the Teton Range. Outdoor exhibits include original pioneer cabins and a restored threshing machine. The museum grounds offer stunning views of the Grand Teton visible from Idaho's western side just 30 miles from Jackson Hole.
The Pocatello Nature Area in the Bannock Range foothills offers snowshoeing on groomed trails through juniper and mountain mahogany woodland in winter. In summer the same trails provide excellent bird and butterfly watching. Free snowshoe loans are available from the Pocatello Parks Department on winter weekends.
The Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Museum at Fort Hall celebrates the living culture of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Paiute peoples with exhibits of traditional regalia, beadwork, historic photographs, and contemporary art. The annual Shoshone-Bannock Festival each August is one of Idaho's largest powwows and is open to visitors.
The Camas Prairie Centennial Marsh Wildlife Management Area near Fairfield is a critical stopover for hundreds of thousands of migrating waterfowl each spring. Sandhill cranes, white pelicans, tundra swans, and dozens of duck species converge here. A viewing platform and a 3-mile dirt road loop make wildlife observation accessible for families.
The rolling green hills of the Palouse in north-central Idaho create some of the most photographed agricultural scenery on earth. Several low-traffic roads near Moscow and Potlatch offer gentle cycling through wheat and lentil fields. Steptoe Butte in Washington provides a panoramic overlook of the entire Palouse from 3,600 feet.
The Moscow Farmers Market on Saturday mornings from May through November is one of the finest in the Pacific Northwest featuring over 100 vendors selling farm-fresh produce, artisan cheeses, baked goods, and handcrafted items. Live music, kids' art activities, and ready-to-eat food make it a full morning outing.
Dworshak Reservoir on the North Fork Clearwater River is one of Idaho's largest and most pristine reservoirs offering boating, fishing, camping, and swimming in mountain water. Dworshak State Park has a boat launch and a sandy beach. The surrounding forest is prime habitat for black bear, elk, and deer.
The lower Clearwater River between Orofino and Lewiston offers one of Idaho's most enjoyable family river floats with wide calm water, mountain canyon scenery, and frequent wildlife sightings including deer and birds of prey. Local outfitters provide tube rentals and shuttle services for a carefree float.
The Nez Perce National Historical Park at Spalding preserves the homeland and culture of the Nimiipuu people. The visitor center features an outstanding museum with beadwork, quillwork art, historical photographs, and the story of the 1877 flight of Chief Joseph. The riverfront setting along the Clearwater River is peaceful and beautiful.
The Emmett Valley in Gem County is one of Idaho's premier cherry-growing regions. Several U-pick orchards open in late June and July allowing families to harvest fresh cherries directly from the trees. The drive through blossoming orchards in spring is spectacular and Emmett's Gem County Fair in August draws the whole family.
The town of Payette sits at the confluence of the Snake and Payette rivers. A whitewater park in the river channel provides play waves for kayakers and entertainment for spectators on the banks. The riverfront park hosts summer splash events and fishing derbies for kids in a charming historic setting.
Every June, Weiser becomes the fiddle capital of the world for the National Oldtime Fiddlers Contest and Festival drawing competitors from across North America. Free outdoor stages offer continuous music throughout the week. Kids can take a beginners' fiddle lesson and participate in the youth competition division.
The Caldwell Night Rodeo held each August is one of the oldest and most beloved rodeos in the Pacific Northwest. Barrel racing, bull riding, team roping, and mutton busting for kids are crowd favorites. Concession stands serve classic rodeo fare and the lights-on atmosphere creates a memorable summer evening.
The Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa houses an extraordinary collection of World War II aircraft, personal memorabilia, and oral history recordings from veterans. Kids can sit in a replica cockpit, try on helmets, and watch archive footage. Docent-led tours bring wartime stories to life in a personal and engaging way.
Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge encompasses Lake Lowell near Nampa and provides critical habitat for more than 240 bird species including tundra swans, Canada geese, and dozens of duck species. A 6-mile paved biking and walking trail follows the shore. Free wildlife viewing maps are available at the refuge office.
Jump Creek Falls is a hidden gem in the Owyhee Mountains southwest of Marsing. A short half-mile trail follows a narrow slot canyon carved by Jump Creek to a 60-foot waterfall that remains cool even on the hottest summer days. The canyon walls tower overhead and the hike is suitable for ages 5 and up.
Eagle Island State Park west of Boise is a forested river island with walking trails, picnic areas, and a small beach on a quiet channel of the Boise River. The park rents paddleboards and kayaks for exploration. The natural floodplain setting provides excellent bird watching amid the urban Treasure Valley.
Ann Morrison Park is one of Boise's largest city parks with vast lawns, a rose garden, sports fields, and a popular splash pad open throughout summer. The park connects to the Boise River Greenbelt and sits just south of downtown. Summer concerts and festivals bring the park to life on weekends.
Each summer thousands of Boiseans float the Boise River from Barber Park to Ann Morrison Park on tubes and inflatable rafts. The gentle three-mile float takes about two hours and is suitable for all ages. Tube rentals are available at Barber Park and a free shuttle bus returns floaters to the launch point.
Lucky Peak Reservoir and State Park just 10 miles east of Boise has three developed recreation areas. Sandy Point Beach offers a wide sandy beach with calm water, a roped swim zone, and a playground. The reservoir is popular for wakeboarding and fishing in the surrounding coves and is the go-to summer escape for the Treasure Valley.
Balanced Rock Park near Buhl showcases a remarkable 48-foot-tall lava rock that balances on a base only 3.5 feet wide—one of nature's most improbable formations. A short paved trail leads to the base of the rock and continues along a scenic creek canyon. Ideal as a quick and memorable stop in the Magic Valley.
The Thousand Springs area on the Snake River Canyon near Hagerman is one of Idaho's most dramatic landscapes where springs burst directly from basalt canyon walls hundreds of feet above the river. The state park encompasses several access areas including a restored pioneer-era fish hatchery and scenic viewpoint.
Minidoka National Historic Site commemorates the World War II incarceration of over 13,000 Japanese Americans at the Hunt Camp near Eden. A self-guided driving tour leads through remaining structures and a new visitor center opened in 2023. The story of resilience and injustice makes for a profound and important family conversation.
Massacre Rocks State Park along the Snake River was a landmark on the Oregon Trail where wagon trains passed through a narrow rock gap. Interpretive trails highlight pioneer history and vivid Snake River Plain geology. The park's rock climbing area is popular with families and swallows nest in the cliffs each spring.