The days are already getting shorter and it looks like the hottest days of summer have already come and gone. Kids are gearing up to go back to school, if they haven’t already, and most people have returned from their big summer vacations. It’s official: summer is coming to an end. The end of Summer 2017 may have come to quickly for some of you. Don’t get me wrong, Fall in Idaho is great. But summer always comes with a sense of exploration and adventurism. It can be hard to say goodbye to that as we begin to settle in for colder days.
Well, it may be close but summer isn’t over yet! Think of this road trip as one last hurrah. A final goodbye, even…at least until next year. Feel free to customize our itinerary as you please, but this trip highlights some of Idaho’s greatest hits when it comes to summer adventures. If you feel like you still have a little adventure left in you, then this road trip will be the perfect ending to another beautiful Idaho summer!
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1. Take in the rugged beauty of the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey Conservation Area
You'll start off at one of the most breathtaking places in Southern Idaho. Morley Nelson is a 485,000 acre preserve that is located along the stunning Snake River Canyon. Thousands of different kinds of birds make their homes at this preserve. There are several lookout points that are perfect for just sitting and taking in the vastness of awe-inspiring canyon landscape.
The Bruneau dunes are one of Idaho's most fantastic natural wonders and the end of summer is the perfect time to go see them. Bruneau Sand Dunes State Park has it all. Hike across the monstrous dunes and sled down to the bottom. Enjoy a nice picnic while observing the wildlife in the area. Make sure to at least stay until night falls so you can take advantage of the largest observatory in the state. Check out our full article on the Bruneau Sand Dunes here.
3. Unearth fossils and explore the small town of Hagerman
Hagerman is a tiny town of only approximately 1,000 residents, but this place packs a whole lot of punch for its size. Most famously it is known for being home to the Hagerman Fossil Beds which contain over 200 different species of plant and animal fossils. After you're done checking out the fossil beds, you can stop by the nearby Thousand Springs State Park which is full of unique geologic wonders including Malad Gorge.
It's hard to find a more impressive spot in Idaho that beats Shoshone Falls. Really nothing can top seeing these falls in person. The experience is hair-raising, frankly. A last minute summer road trip just wouldn't be complete without seeing Shoshone Falls. Although the best time to see them is usually springtime, they've had quite a good year this year and their flow has remained consistently strong. This is the perfect place to stop for a few hours and snap your picture in front of the falls. You can read more about Shoshone Falls here.
5. Get lost in an underground lava cave at Craters of the Moon
If Shoshone Falls is one of the most impressive sights in Idaho than Craters of the Moon is probably the weirdest. If you haven't made a visit to Craters of the Moon National Monument yet this summer then this is your chance. You could spend all day at this place and still have so much more to explore. Craters has a variety of hiking trails to choose from depending on whether you're looking to stay for just an hour or a whole day. Exploring this unearthly landscape is a must before summer comes to an end.
One of the most laid back and inviting towns in all of Idaho is Sun Valley. Although recognized most famously as a ski town, this place is great to visit all year long. Hiking, mountain biking, and camping are abundant near Sun Valley but if you're looking for something more relaxing, an easygoing walk or bike ride around town provides just as much fun. Enjoy a nice meal among some of the most hospitable Idahoans in the state in one of the most beautiful towns in the country!
There really isn't a more perfect way to wrap up a quintessential Idaho road trip than ending up at Redfish Lake, one of the most gorgeous bodies of water in the Gem State. Take off your shoes and dip your feet in the crystal clear lake water on some of the sandiest beaches in Idaho. Surrounding the lake is the Sawtooth Wilderness, arguably the most stunning mountain landscape in the state. Parting with summer is always bittersweet, but surrounded by Idaho's beautiful wilderness might not make it seem so bad.
