In many ways, Idaho is considered by many to be one of the “safest” parts of the country, but that isn’t always the case. Danger is unavoidable, and with a state as wild and scenic as Idaho, you can bet that there are particular cities, landmarks, and local hangouts that have gained a reputation for fatalities, crimes, and disasters of every type. In fact, when it comes to highways in particular, Idaho’s smaller population doesn’t necessarily equal safety! These spots across the state are just some of the most deadly and dangerous places in Idaho for one reason or another.

1. Blue Lakes Blvd., Twin Falls
Blue Lakes Boulevard North, Blue Lakes Blvd N, Twin Falls, ID 83301, USA
Google Maps
According to the Idaho Transportation Department, over 35,000 cars per day travel down this main drag in Twin Falls -- a huge number for a non-urban city. Many of these drivers are travelers on their way to Jackpot, others are tourists visiting the renowned Shoshone Falls and Perrine Bridge, but the majority are simply commuters, Regardless of the circumstance, multiple intersections with Blue Lakes have been named to the ITD's High Accident Locations report, including Blue Lakes/North College, Blue Lakes/Addison Ave., Blue Lakes/Falls Ave. The city is gradually making improvements, but no new numbers have been released yet; thus Twin Falls still has multiple entries on the Top 100 Worst Intersections in South-Central Idaho.
2. Boise River Greenbelt, Boise
Boise River Greenbelt, Boise, ID, USA
Devlyn/Flickr
For an urban center and Idaho's largest city, Boise has always been known as a relatively safe area. Unlit portions, heavy foliage, and shaded corners make this beautiful daytime stroll a little less safe come nightfall. Multiple assault reports have been filed over the years, despite increased patrols.
3. Hwy 34 to Grace
Idaho 34, ID-34, Soda Springs, ID, USA
David Balley/Flickr
Repeatedly known as a site of "vehicular mayhem," this stretch of highway is a popular wildlife crossing after the sun goes down. Deer, elk, and more wander down from the nearby mountains and often wander unknowingly into the paths of oncoming cars -- who may not see them until it's too late. Local law enforcement officers say that multiple calls per day are common during peak grazing seasons. You can see the full list of Idaho's most dangerous wildlife crossings, compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration here.
4. Lolo Pass/Hwy 12
Lolo Pass Visitor Center, 44000 US-12, Lolo, MT 59847, USA
Brent/Flickr
Long, dizzying, steep, and occasionally lacking guardrails, this twisting mountain road to Montana is full of scenery (and no amenities), but can also be dangerous for out-of-staters who aren't expecting it. You might get a little vertigo up here, so be cautious of unexpectedly sharp corners and other motorists traveling a little too fast for comfort.
5. Perrine Bridge, Twin Falls
Perrine Street, Perrine St, Twin Falls, ID 83301, USA
cclark395/Flickr
As the longest bridge in Idaho, hovering over the longest river in the state, and the first arc bridge to span an entire canyon in the country... as well as one of the few places in the US where base jumping is legal, Twin Falls' iconic bridge sees a great deal of pedestrian and tourist traffic... but not all of it is positive attention. At around 500 feet to the Snake River, the Perrine is the tallest bridge in the state, which presents extreme safety and suicide hazards, in addition to the dangers that come with base and bungee jumping themselves. Dozens of deaths -- both accidental and intentional -- have been reported over the years, but despite Idaho ranking sixth in the nation for suicides, there is no official tracking system.

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6. Ponderay
Ponderay, ID, USA
mm_berndt/Flickr
If you remember our list of Idaho's most dangerous cities according to FBI crime reports, you'll recall that Sandpoint topped the list. However, our list only covered towns with populations over 5,000. Based on statistics alone, the tiny town of Ponderay is actually the most dangerous in the Gem State, at least in terms of property crime, where residents have reported nearly double the rate of theft as other Idaho cities, due primarily to its hotbed as a tourist shopping mecca.
7. Soda Springs
Soda Springs, ID 83276, USA
Edgar Zuniga Jr./Flickr
The same underground processes that were tapped into to create the manmade Soda Springs Geyser are also a major seismic disaster waiting to happen. The Idaho Multi-Hazard Risk Portfolio published by the state every year shows the Soda Springs area as sitting on a major hotbed of potential activity; the same tectonic parabola, actually, that has made Yellowstone so active. While no major activity has been recorded yet, a variety of outside factors could trigger an event in the near future.
8. Washington County
Washington County, ID, USA
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
According to the Idaho Multi-Hazard Risk Portfolio, Washington County and up into McCall are at the greatest wildfire risk in the state. While all of Southern Idaho is permanently at risk due to the drier climate, this area in particular is susceptible due to a low watershed, and proximity to Oregon's own fire zones, which have been known to jump across the border.
9. Elk City
Elk City, ID 83525, USA
Alan/Flickr
Elk City has long been known for its massive landslide risks (something Idaho folks are all too familiar with) -- and recently, two happened in Elk City that were so devastating to town, that access to the city was temporarily re-routed. Governor Otter even declared the event a formal disaster. A variety of factors contributed to these slides, including water levels and recent wildfires -- making this town (or at least its roads) a dangerous place to be.
10. Idaho Falls statistical area
Idaho Falls, ID, USA
Tom KElly/Flickr
Initial estimates to-date show that over 400 workers have died on the job at the Idaho National Laboratory near Arco due to chemical exposure and radiation. But direct contamination in the workplace isn't the only factor--as a whole, Eastern Idaho's cancer rate soars above that of the rest of Idaho with increasing evidence that radiation leaks into the Snake River Plain aquifer from improperly buried nuclear waste dating back to the 1950s may be a high contributing factor.

Did anything on this list surprise you? Have you ever had any scary or close encounters at any of these locations?

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More to Explore

Most dangerous places in Idaho

Sarah M. | January 27, 2022

What are some other dangerous places in Idaho?

In terms of most dangerous cities in Idaho, we've rounded up the most recent FBI data here, which you can read at your leisure. Historically speaking, however, Coeur d’Alene is a city that used to have quite the reputation. From looking at it, you never would expect that this city in Idaho was once considered one of the country’s most dangerous places. Coeur d’Alene is actually one of the most thriving towns in the Gem State today. People are flocking to this beautiful lake town like never before. However, few people are aware of the town’s violent past. Back when the Wild West was alive and well, Coeur d’Alene was a scary place to be. In fact, it was considered the most dangerous town in Idaho in the 1880s.

What are the most dangerous trails in Idaho?

Idaho is a hiker’s paradise; and, if you hike long enough, your endurance and bravery increase. But there’s only one trail in Idaho that combines the entire length of the state and delves deep into places previously only accessible by river raft or private aircraft: the Idaho Centennial Trail. It's one of the most beautiful, and also one of the most dangerous, trails in Idaho... and it's not for the faint of heart. This is nearly 1000 miles of rough and rugged backcountry travel. Stretching from Nevada to Canada, this cross-state trail winds through some of the most isolated locations in the Lower 48, from the desolate sagebrush desert of the Snake River Plain to the rich Western forests and world-class rivers of the North. Guaranteed, the ICT will show you all there is to love about Idaho while seriously challenging your navigation skills in the process – nearly 90,000 feet of elevation, nine wild and scenic rivers, and over four million acres of wilderness stand between you and a daring feat that only a handful of people have accomplished. It's one that should only be attempted by serious, skilled hikers only. You can read more about it here.

What's the most dangerous road in Idaho?

It’s no secret that driving during the wintertime can be a hassle, and given the snow and inclement weather that can affect our state, even Idaho's most seemingly innocuous roads can become downright dangerous in the winter. According to recent data, Idaho is the fourth most dangerous state for driving in the snow, so winter driving should definitely be taken seriously. In terms of specifics, Highway 75 is one that you really should avoid in inclement weather. Between 2013 and 2016, the U.S. Department of Transportation conducted a study that identified roads across the country with the most number of accidents. According to the study, Highway 75 is rated the third most dangerous road in America. You can read more about this treacherous route here.

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