Spend A Chilly Weekend On This Winter Road Trip In Idaho
By Courtnie Erickson|Published December 18, 2021
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Courtnie Erickson
Author
From Southern Utah to the Panhandle in Idaho, Courtnie Erickson has lived in what she believes are the best (and the most beautiful!) areas in the country. She graduated with a journalism degree from Utah State University and has more than 15 years of professional writing experience. You’ll likely see her with a Dr. Pepper in her hand and a pair of running shoes on her feet. Courtnie is a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState.
Winter in Idaho is one cold and chilly experience. Fortunately, you don’t have to stay cooped up during these colder months of the year. There are still many incredible places to stay, things to do, and food to eat despite the weather outside. To give you a few ideas, we’ve put together this winter road trip in Idaho that is perfect for a chilly weekend.
This road trip is just over 5.5 hours of drive time between all of the stops, so it will take you all weekend to complete. Check out this interactive map that will let you customize your road trip according to your own specific starting and ending locations.
You will begin your drive at Lava Hot Springs in southeastern Idaho and will venture to the central part of the Gem State. You will also start in a hot spring and end in a hot spring — nothing could be better.
Lava Hot Springs is not only the perfect place to warm up, but it is the ideal spot to soak, relax, and release your stresses from the week. Spend the evening relaxing in the natural hot springs with temperatures ranging from 102 degrees Fahrenheit to 112 degrees Fahrenheit. You can even spend some time in the 25-yard indoor swimming pool area that comes complete with a diving board, Aqua Climb Wall, and Hot Pool.
For a charming and delightful place to spend the night, head to Pocatello and stay at the Black Swan Inn. Inside this 1933 English Tudor building is 15 themed suites and each offers many amenities to keep you cozy and relaxed. You never know what adventure you will have in the themed room of your choice.
When you wake up the next morning, get ready for a day of adventure. You’ll have approximately a three-hour drive until you arrive at the beautiful and popular Sun Valley Ski Resort. You can spend your entire day on the slopes or even just sitting in the lodge. We recommend giving yourself plenty of time to walk around all of the shops around the resort as well. The lodge is also an excellent place to spend the night so you can fully prepare for your final day of this winter road trip in Idaho.
During your stay in Sun Valley, you can eat at one of the delicious places at the resort. However, we recommend heading into Ketchum for each of your meals. Ketchum is a foodie’s paradise and was actually named a secret food destination in the country. You can learn about a few of the restaurants in this small Idaho town here.
After a busy day on the slopes, your final day is much more calm and relaxing. You will have a little more than a one-hour drive to the beautiful small town of Stanley. Here, you will find one of the most charming and lesser-known outdoor ice skating rinks in the Gem State. You’ll have beautiful views of the Sawtooth Mountains and the surrounding area right from the rink. Click here to learn more about the Stanley Idaho Ice Rink.
We started our winter road trip in a hot spring and we are going to finish it in one as well. The final stop is the beautiful year-round Kirkham Hot Springs, which is located near the small town of Lowman. These are underdeveloped hot springs so you won’t have the amenities that you will at some of the other hot spring resorts in the state. To access these hot springs, you will enter the Kirkham Campground. There is a staircase you will need to climb down, so be mindful of ice and slick areas. The campground is closed in the winter, but hot spring visitors are allowed to park outside of the property and walk inside.
What do you think about this winter road trip in Idaho? Are there any destinations you would add to this trip? Let us and your fellow road trip travelers know in the comments!
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