Idaho is the seventh least-populated state per square mile in the US; however, nearly half of our population thrives in just three distinct cities: Boise, Moscow, and Coeur d’Alene. Outside of these “urban” zones, Idaho is a wide expanse of rural farmland, small town charm, and picturesque natural beauty. Idaho is so much more than just sprawling agriculture or scenic mountains – it is our combination of these landscapes that makes Idaho truly unique. While these areas may be small in population, or unpopulated entirely, they are big on charm. Here are 16 reasons why rural Idaho is truly Heaven on Earth.

1. The quiet isolation, where you can truly hear nature speak.
Linda Paul/Flickr
Taken on the Salmon River.
2. The picturesque scenery.
Shawn Kinkade/Flickr
3. The history.
Alan/Flickr
Bayhorse, Idaho ghost town.
4. The otherworldly landscape of rural Southern Idaho.
Chrishna/Flickr
5. The fresh-cut grass fields and meandering hills.
Wayne Stadler/Flickr
6. The hidden gems.
DAT in Idaho/Flickr
Taken near Stevens Peak at Lone Lake.
7. The distant horizon.
**/Flickr
Taken in Aberdeen.
8. The scenic country roads.
GPS/Flickr

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9. Rural Idaho also brings you scenery such as this.
Nicholas D./Flickr
Little Redfish Lake.
10. And this.
Stephen Hanafin/Flickr
Pictured is the Snake River Canyon in Twin Falls.
11. The quaint architecture.
Paul Godard/Flickr
12. The low hum of moving trains in the distance.
Charles (Chuck) Peterson
13. The iconic homages to our agricultural roots.
Linda Paul/Flickr
14. The epic sunsets.
Ryndon Ricks/Flickr
15. The beauty of hay season.
j_arred/Flickr
Taken near Bear Lake.
16. The serenity of mountain evenings.
Jess Johnson/Flickr

Idaho is fortunate to be so much more than a tangle of highways and skyscrapers, though out-of-staters may not recognize the inherent beauty in our rural landscape. But these photos show just how serene and picturesque rural Idaho truly is.

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