Top 10 Hiking And Trekking Spots In Idaho, The USA

hiking in idaho
Alex
Alex 
Published
| 4 min read

Idaho may be one of the smallest states and the least densely populated but it is filled with an interesting and diverse environment. Bordering Montana, Nevada, and Utah, Idaho is a place where you will meet all types of outdoorsy people. Whether you want to hike the Rocky Mountains or go fishing in the lake, the Gem State offers an array of adventure activities. Here, you will be surrounded by the state’s green landscapes with its nature parks, varied trails, and protected areas. If you’re looking to see the beauty of Gem State, check out our list of the top 10 hiking and trekking spots in Idaho, the USA.

1. Deadwood Hot Springs Trail

Hiking trail
Source: Unsplash

Deadwood Hot Springs Trail is one of the most interesting hiking trails in Idaho. The trail is pretty simple but if you’re not an experienced hiker, there might be some difficulty traversing certain parts of the path. There’s a hot spring that awaits you at the end of the path, and you can soak in it if you feel like going just slightly beyond the maintained area.

Deadwood Hot Springs Trail

Address: Boise National Forest, Deadwood Reservoir, Idaho, USA

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

Visited this place?

2. Targhee Creek Trail

Flowers
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Metrodyne used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

If you’re looking to immerse yourself in the serenity of nature, Targhee Creek Trail is a great place that is known to have a little “split personality.” Although the trail is moderately trafficked, it is spacious and quiet. You will notice that the first few kilometers are fairly easy to trek with tons of flowers but at a certain point, there is going to be steep elevation as it intersects with the continental divide. So if you’re looking for an easy and challenging hike, then consider yourself lucky. Dogs are allowed at the trails but must be on a leash. If you are hiking with kids, need not worry as Targhee Creek Trail is also kid friendly.

Targhee Creek Trail

Address: Forest Rd 057, Island Park, ID 83429, United States

Website: Targhee Creek Trail

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

Visited this place?

3. Eastside Trail

Winter path
Source: Pixabay

No matter what time of the year it is, hiking the Eastside Trail always sounds like a great idea. Serving as the main trunk trail of Stack Rock trail system, Eastside Trail’s first part was built by mountain bikers from 2003 to 2004. The logging roads were made into hiking and mountain biking paths. There are also different lanes around the area that provide some alternatives for more professional riders. Needless to say, Eastside Trail is very popular for mountain biking in the summer. During the winter, it is overflowing with people who are into cross-country skiing.

Eastside Trail

Address: Eastside Trail Idaho 83629, USA

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

Visited this place?

4. Louie Lake Trail Head

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Louis Lake Trail is a very picturesque hiking trail that is not too difficult, but due to its rocky conditions, mobility-impaired adults might have a hard time trekking through the area. In comparison to many others around the state, the path is relatively short as the distance only covers 2.5 mi (4 km). The path is heavily trafficked and dogs are allowed here as well as the use of off-road vehicles. The path also goes around the lovely Louis Lake.

Louie Lake Trail Head

Address: Boulder Lake Rd, McCall, ID 83638, United States

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

Visited this place?

5. Washington Lake Trail

Trees
Source: Unsplash

Washington Lake Trail is beautiful and moderately trafficked. For anyone looking to reconnect with nature, this trail is brimming with towering trees, glistening lakes, and diverse fauna. The trails start near the area of Stanley, Idaho, and are rated as moderately difficult due to some high peaks that make the climb challenging. The trail loops around so you can always leave from where you start. Tourists who are only taking a leisurely walk can bring their dogs with them as long as they are on a leash.

Washington Lake Trail

Address: Washington Lake Idaho 83278, USA

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

Visited this place?

6. Around the Mountain

Sawtooth Mountains
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Nmeier used under CC BY 2.5

Popular among hikers, Around the Mountain is an amazing loop around Bogus Basin Ski Resort. Boasting a few different trails, you can always come back and hike the other trails here. Aside from the paths being well maintained, there are tons of amazing sites from the top of the mountain with views of Sawtooth Range as well as wildflowers and wildlife. The mountain is classified as moderate to difficult so expect that the climb is going to be a little difficult.

Around the Mountain

Address: Lowman, ID 83637, United States

Website: Around the Mountain

Opening hours: 6am - 10pm (daily)

Price: 10 USD

Visited this place?

7. Boulder Lake Trail #105

Wildflowers
Source: Photo by Flickr user Tejvan Pettinger used under CC BY 2.0

Despite its not-so-creative name, Boulder Lake Trail #105 is a nice place to hike if you’re looking for a short and moderately easy trail around nature. There are plenty of sights to enjoy while you walk such as mature rainforest trees and wildflowers. When you get to the end of the trail, get ready to be greeted by the beautiful Boulder Lake. Enjoy some birdwatching and marvel at the leaves changing colors in the autumn.

Boulder Lake Trail #105

Address: 500 N Mission St, McCall, ID 83638, United States

Website: Boulder Lake Trail #105

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

Visited this place?

8. Huckleberry Trail

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Located on the shores of Ponderosa State Park, Huckleberry Trail is a great, small loop surrounded by nature—making it a nice alternative for trekking mountains. The park is popular and frequently visited by hikers and mountain bikers alike. Dogs are also welcome but must be on a leash. During the summer, you can take a refreshing dip in the lake on site.

Huckleberry Trail

Address: Huckleberry Loop Idaho 83638, USA

Website: Huckleberry Trail

Opening hours: 8am - 9pm (daily)

Price: Free

Visited this place?

9. Sterling Justice Hiking Trail

Hiking And Trekking Spots In Idaho, The USA
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Michlaovic used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

Sterling Justice Hiking Trail is a connecting trail and relatively new hiking path offering stunning views of Pocatello. The path is categorized difficult as there are a few steep sections and elevations. The trail is a popular spot in the winter for cross-country skiing. Dogs are allowed on the path as long as they are on a leash.

Sterling Justice Hiking Trail

Address: Pocatello, ID 83204, United States

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

Visited this place?

10. Waterfall Canyon Trail

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Waterfall Canyon Trail is for people looking to spend a lot of time hiking and trekking through the Idaho countryside. The trail here is over 20 mi (32 km) and is lightly trafficked. Although the trail is long, it is only rated with moderate difficulty and dogs are welcome to trek with you as well. Camping is a popular activity to do here, just in case you don’t feel like trekking the full 23 mi (37 km).

Waterfall Canyon Trail

Address: Waterfall Canyon Idaho 83428, USA

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

Visited this place?

Explore the scenic landscapes of Idaho

Idaho is a great place for nature lovers as there is plenty of lush forests, crystal-clear lakes, and green mountains. Hike up to some points of the hills here and soak in the stunning views of nature around. Go on an unforgettable adventure, and don’t forget to see our list of the best hiking and trekking spots in the Gem State.

Visited this place?
Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

Alex is a Canadian university graduate with degrees in English literature and History. He was born in Montreal and when he's not traveling he enjoys movies, video games, playing the drums and...Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Explore Idaho
Looking for accommodation?
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.