A blissful summer’s day in Idaho isn’t complete without a stroll down by the nearest greenbelt or creek. Even better? When you’re taking that stroll with a delicious ice cream cone in hand. Especially one boasting the sweet, juicy flavors of our tantalizing state fruit: the treasured huckleberry. Fortunately, you can step onto any small-town Main Street and you’re likely to come upon an old-fashioned ice cream parlor, just the way you remember from childhood — soda fountains included. Here are some of our favorite places to find the best huckleberry ice cream in Idaho. In no particular order:

1. Ardy's Bakery and Cafe, Coolin

Pecky Cox/Google
205 Cavanaugh Bay Rd, Coolin, ID 83821, USA
Stellerbee Stelle/GoogleMaps
This quaint mom-and-pop restaurant may have quite the reputation for its homemade huckleberry pie and selection of huckleberry goodies...but the ice cream is unforgettable. If you can, get a scoop on top of their famous pie for an explosion of flavor, straight from the heart of huckleberry country.

2. Elk River Lodge & General Store, Elk River

Amy Ross/Flickr
201 Main St, Elk River, ID 83827, USA
Elk River Lodge & General Store
This tiny town is home to more than a few historic places, but this unpretentious lodge and general store is known for serving up some fantastic huckleberry ice cream and huckleberry pie. It's so famous, in fact, that Elk River is often known as "Huckleberry Heaven." Folks come from miles around to get their berry fix here!

3. Victor Emporium, Victor

Kerensta Blacken/Google
Management/TripAdvisor
When your huckleberry shake is so good that folks come all the way from Wyoming to experience the magic, you know it has to be absolutely divine. As if the mural wall proclaiming Victor Emporium to be the home of Idaho's "World-Famous Huckleberry Shake" wasn't already proof enough! The old-fashioned soda fountain will whip up your shake fresh and chilled, just the way they should be. And the huckleberry shakes are so delish, you'll definitely consider ordering a second one for the road. This is easily one of the most beloved places to order a huckleberry milkshake in Idaho!

4. Panhandle Cone & Coffee, Sandpoint

Panhandle Cone & Coffee/Facebook

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North 1st Avenue, N 1st Ave, Caldwell, ID 83605, USA
Panhandle Cone & Coffee/Facebook
Mindblowing rich house-made buttermilk ice cream takes a delicious turn with the addition of huckleberries at this daringly darling ice cream shop. Enjoy it as a scoop or take it to even sweeter homemade levels with a fresh-baked waffle cone.

5. Ice Cream Alley, McCall

J S/Google
310 E Lake St, McCall, ID 83638, USA
Harold M/TripAdvisor
Ice Cream Alley is a local secret, hidden away in a literal alleyway, but is no secret at all when the line stretches out into the road! But despite dozens of flavors of ice cream in every size, shape, and form, only one gets more requests than any other: traditional, creamy Idaho huckleberry. This tempting summer treat is so in demand in this lakefront town that you might want to get there early before they run out! Keep in mind that this is a seasonal ice cream shop, typically open from Memorial Day to mid-September.

6. Delsa's, Boise

Jonathan Chu/Google
7923 W Ustick Rd, Boise, ID 83704, USA
Randy Wiggins/Google
This charming ice cream shop has been serving up homemade ice cream shakes and cones in a uniquely retro space for decades. Real berries are just the start of what makes this frozen treat so satisfying, and the hand-dipped service is the icing on the cake!

7. Reed's Dairy, Idaho Falls

Brad Barlow/Google
Reed's Dairy, 2660 W Broadway St, Idaho Falls, ID 83402, USA
Reed's Dairy Ammon, 2523 E Sunnyside Rd, Ammon, ID 83406, USA
Reeds Dairy/Facebook
For some of the best, dairy-fresh ice cream Southeast Idaho has to offer, Reed's is a force to be reckoned with in the Idaho Falls area when it comes to this sweet treat - in fact, the cows that made it are just outside.

Huckleberry heaven is right! There’s no better way to celebrate the magic of summer than fresh-made ice cream, hand-scooped and served up retro-style, but huckleberries take it to a new level!

Are there any huckleberry gems that we missed? Where are some of your favorite places to order the best huckleberry ice cream in Idaho? If you have any other favorite ice cream shops in the Gem State, fill out this nomination form and tell us about them in the comments. We’d love to check them out! If you’re looking for more sweet treats, take a road trip to try out these yummy confections:

You’ve Never Tasted Anything Like These 9 Unique Desserts In Idaho

 

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More to Explore

Huckleberries in Idaho

Courtnie Erickson | May 12, 2023

When are huckleberries in season?

You'll find huckleberries in season from July to August.

We love huckleberry season in Idaho. In fact, it may just be one of our favorite seasons of the year. Huckleberries typically begin ripening between mid-July through August. The berries that are located in lower elevations and in sunny areas are often the first to ripen. Although, it isn’t uncommon to still find ripe huckleberries in September and October on north-facing mountain slopes.

Where can I find huckleberries in Idaho?

You can find huckleberries in Idaho at ice cream shops, grocery stores, and farmers markets.

Finding the best spot to pick huckleberries in Idaho is like finding hidden treasure. It is the ultimate discovery! Many Idahoans are not likely to share their favorite places to find huckleberries in Idaho and they are some of their best-kept secrets. But, that doesn’t mean that you won’t find areas where you can venture and find ripe berries. In fact, check out our article featuring just five huckleberry-picking locations in Idaho.

Where can I try some of the best huckleberry shakes?

There is nothing quite like a huckleberry shake. Here in Idaho, there are several destinations where you can find this perfect sweet treat. If you are on the hunt for some of the best huckleberry shakes and huckleberry ice cream in Idaho, places where you can try some of the best huckleberry shakes include:

 

What are some of the best road trips for exploring Idaho?

A great way to taste many huckleberry shakes and truly see all that the Gem State has to offer is on a road trip. Here at Only In Your State, we love to create road trip itineraries and we have dozens to choose from. In fact, some of the best road trips for exploring Idaho include:

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