Idaho

Country

United States of America

Continent

North America

Best Cities to Visit

Boise
Twin Falls
Coeur d'Alene
Pocatello
Nampa

Size

216,443 KM²

Population

1,839,106

Spending Budget

$401 - $1,880

Famous For

The State Bird of Idaho is the Mountain Bluebird
The State Gem of Idaho is the Star Garnet
The State Flower of Idaho is the Syringa
The State Fruit of Idaho is the Huckleberry
The State of Idaho is Home to Quite a Few Influential People

Best Time to Visit

January
June
July
August
September
October

History

Humans may have been present in the Idaho area as long as 14,500 years ago. Excavations at Wilson Butte Cave near Twin Falls in 1959 revealed evidence of human activity, including arrowheads, that rank among the oldest dated artefacts in North America. American Indian peoples predominant in the area included the Nez Percé in the north and the Northern and Western Shoshone in the south. A Late Upper Paleolithic site was identified at Cooper's Ferry in western Idaho near the town of Cottonwood by archaeologists in 2019. Based on evidence found at the site, the first people lived in this area 15,300 to 16,600 years ago, predating the Beringia land bridge by about a thousand years. The discoverers, anthropology professor Loren Davis and colleagues, emphasized that they possess similarities with tools and artefacts discovered in Japan that date from 16,000 to 13,000 years ago. The discovery also showed that the first people might not have come to North America by land, as previously theorized. On the contrary, they probably came through the water, using a Pacific coastal road.

Present Day

Idaho was one of the hardest hit of the Pacific Northwest states during the Great Depression. Prices plummeted for Idaho's major crops: in 1932 a bushel of potatoes brought only ten cents compared to $1.51 in 1919, while Idaho farmers saw their annual income of $686 in 1929 drop to $250 by 1932. In recent years, Idaho has expanded its commercial base as a tourism and agricultural state to include science and technology industries. Science and technology have become the largest single economic centre (over 25% of the state's total revenue) within the state and are greater than agriculture, forestry and mining combined.

Future

Idaho’s economy continues to be strong, but the effects of the rising cost of living — in the Treasure Valley in particular — should not be counted out, an economic forecaster said Friday. Jordan Prassinos, an economic forecaster with Idaho Power, briefed the Idaho Legislature’s Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on the Gem State’s economic outlook ahead of the 2020 legislative session. Prassinos pointed to numerous data points showing Idaho is topping the charts nationwide, with the fastest-growing home prices of the top 100 populated cities in the nation and a continued influx of new residents. He cautioned legislators that the state’s lower wages, in comparison to the rest of the country, could hurt the state in years to come. “Idaho is the best place to raise a family, best place to walk a dog and it is a wonderful place for those things, but more importantly, Idaho’s economy is first in the nation for a lot of hard economic data as well,” he said. Idaho has boasted the country’s top migration rate for three years in a row, the state’s job-growth rate is currently holding strong at 3%, and the state has seen personal income increased 5.5% since 2018, he said.

Must Visit Places ------------

Sun Valley Resort

Sun Valley in southern Idaho attracts skiing enthusiasts from all over with its magnificent facilities for winter sports and its excellent tourist infrastructure. Bald Mountain and Dollar Mountain offer downhill skiing for all levels of ability. Thirteen chairlifts, including a gondola, service the 2,000 acres of skiable terrain at Sun Valley Resort, including 65 named runs. There is also a Nordic Center for cross-country skiers and snowshoers. Heli-Skiing is another popular activity in Sun Valley. During the summer months, the resort caters to hikers, mountain bikers, and other outdoor adventurers.

Craters of the Moon National Monument

South of Arco, in southeastern Idaho, is a lunar-like landscape created by volcanic eruptions between 15,000 and 2,000 years ago. This region of lava flows can be explored on signposted circular routes. Although it has not erupted in the last two millennia, this area is still geologically active. Detailed information and exhibits regarding the landscape are at the park's visitor centre. This unique National Monument also contains five caves to explore, which serve as a stark contrast to the sometimes searing temperatures above ground. Free permits are required to explore the caves and can be obtained at the Monument entrance station.

Sawtooth National Recreation Area

The Sawtooth National Recreation Area consists of 756,000 wildland acres within the Sawtooth National Forest of central Idaho. The National Recreation Area provides more than 700 miles of hiking and equestrian trails, 40 peaks rising over 10,000 feet, and enough alpine lakes to visit a new one nearly every day of the year. With close to 50 established campgrounds to choose from, not including the dispersed camping that is available, finding a place to spend the night in the Sawtooths is relatively easy to do. Other popular forms of recreation include mountain biking and fishing during the warmer months and cross-country skiing and snowmobiling throughout the winter.

Lake Coeur d'Alene

Steamboat traffic began on Lake Coeur d'Alene in 1889 when local lakes and rivers were used to move supplies to mine and lumber camps. The lake itself was created well before then, and its creation can be geologically traced back to glacial deposits from the last Ice Age. The overall aesthetics of this mountain-ringed lake in Northern Idaho is readily apparent with just one visit. The lake is 25 miles long and is surrounded by a forest filled with hiking trails. Boating, sailing, and fishing are popular during the summer months.

Hell's Canyon National Recreation Area

Located within the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest of northern Idaho, Hell's Canyon is the deepest river gorge in North America. It has been carved out by the Wild and Scenic Snake River for a distance of 95 miles along the border with Washington and Oregon. Popular ways to enjoy Hell's Canyon include hiking and horseback trails developed and primitive campgrounds, and taking a raft trip down the white-water rapids of the Snake River (permit required). During the winter months, Hell's Canyon and the surrounding National Forest become a haven for skiers and snowmobilers.

Shoshone Falls

Also known as the "Niagara of the West," the 212-foot-tall Shoshone Falls can be found on the northeast edge of the city of Twin Falls. Created by the turbulent force of the Snake River, this massive block waterfall spans more than 900 feet and flows year-round with a surge season between April and July. The area surrounding the falls, including the adjacent Dierks Lake, is full of hiking trails, swimming spots, and scenic overlooks. One of the most popular things to do at Shoshone Falls is packing a lunch and using the picnic areas because of the falls.

Boise River Greenbelt

The Boise River Greenbelt is an urban pathway that makes its way through the heart of Boise, linking together all the best riverside city parks. The 25-mile, the non-motorized pathway was a city innovation in the 1960s to address growing riverbank pollution, and now the Greenbelt showcases the rich natural environment via a tree-lined route. Used for both daily commutes and quick escapes into nature, the Boise River Greenbelt accesses many of Boise's top tourist attractions, including Julia Davis Park, the Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial, and the campus of Boise State University.

Salmon River

The Salmon River, also known as the "River of No Return," is one of many beautiful rivers that run through Idaho. Much of this Wild and Scenic River cuts through the expansive Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. Guided and self-sustained rafting trips through this jaw-dropping landscape are adventures of a lifetime. The Salmon is just one of the best rivers in Idaho. The state is lined with rugged waterways that define the landscape and surrounding communities. In southern Idaho, the Snake River is another such waterway with significant historical and cultural attributes.

City of Rocks National Reserve

Internationally renowned within the climbing community today, the vast outcroppings of granite in southern Idaho known as the City of Rocks has a long history of attracting visitors. Emigrants along the historic California Trail took note of the features, and the Shoshone made camp among the massive boulders and spires. Alongside rock climbers, City of Rocks is popular today among hikers, mountain bikers, birders, and photographers. City of Rocks also provides a campground for visitors, including 64 campsites with access to clean water and vault toilets.

Bruneau Dunes State Park

Bruneau Dunes is one of the best state parks in Idaho and one of the most unique. Situated an hour southeast of Boise, this state park is home to one of the largest freestanding sand dunes in North America. This intriguing landscape is best experienced by foot, sandboard, or from the comfort of a campsite. A six-mile interpretive trail extends from the visitor center and traverses across the sand dune. This hike is best avoided on hot days, when the sand becomes unbearable to touch. The state park has over 80 campsites spread across two campgrounds, accommodating both tents and RVs.