Do you have any plans for this weekend? Well, now you do. One of the greatest things about living in Idaho is the abundance of things to do and places to explore. There’s always something new to discover in our vast and beautiful state. Shake up your weekend by taking one of these simple and quick road trips to some seriously awesome destinations. There’s nothing like bragging to your colleagues about the amazing weekend you had when Monday comes!
1. Roosevelt Grove of Ancient Cedars
If you live in the northern region of Idaho, this wonderful grove of ancient cedar trees is just a short drive away. Located on the Idaho-Washington border, the grove is approximately 13 miles north of Nordman. This amazing region is full of trees that are believed to be up to 2,000 years old. Some of these cedars reach heights of up to 150 feet with trunks that are 12 feet in diameter. The grove is almost like the Northwest's version of Northern California's iconic Redwood forests!
2. Idaho Wine Country
Few people are actually aware that Idaho even has a wine country, when in fact our state is home to more than 50 unique and incredible wineries. Most of them are located in the southwestern region of the state in Canyon County. This area contains award-winning wineries and vineyards like Sawtooth Winery, Bitner Vineyards, St. Chapelle Winery, and many more. Most of them are open year-round and offer free tastings for guests.
3. City of Rocks
Located in Almo, City of Rocks National Reserve is one of those quintessential Idaho bucket list items that most people dream of visiting but don't exactly plan out a time to go. There's no time like the present for visiting this unique geologic wonder. City of Rocks is an awesome road trip destination all year long, even during the winter. Admission is free to this park where you can wander around and explore the stunning rock formations in sweet solitude.
4. International Selkirk Loop
There's no better way of knocking out this 8-hour, 285-mile scenic drive than by devoting an entire weekend to exploring all the beauty this trip has to offer. This international road trip takes you through parts of north Idaho, Canada, and eastern Washington while boasting some of the most breathtaking scenes the Northwest has to offer. Feel free to get out of the car and further explore any of the stops on this epic trip including the lovely town of Sandpoint, Schweitzer Mountain Resort, McArthur Lake Wildlife Management Area, Bonner's Ferry, and more.
5. Ketchum/Sun Valley
The Sun Valley region is a paradise for those who love the outdoors. This makes it an awesome road trip destination if you don't want to travel too far but you still want to feel immersed in our state's natural beauty. This resort town prides itself in providing some great options when it comes to lodging, food, and things to do. Whether you're a skier who wants to spend the weekend on Bald Mountain or you simply want to spend the days soaking up the exquisite charm of downtown Ketchum, you're bound to have an incredible experience.
6. Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area
Morley Nelson spans a region of 485,000 acres and is home to the highest concentration of nesting birds of prey on the entire planet. That's right. This region of the Snake River Canyon contains more than 700 pairs of raptors and 16 different nesting species. This awe-inspiring place is a must-see destination for any Idahoan. Spend a weekend really taking in the majestic beauty of the conservation area and learning all about these incredible raptors. March is a great time to view the eagles flying around.
7. The Historic Mullan Road
North Idaho is an incredible region full of natural beauty, but it's also one of the most historic parts of the Gem State. You can get a taste of the area's unique history by exploring the Historic Mullan Road. The road was the very first wagon trail that crossed the Rocky Mountains and was built by Lt. John Mullan. Today, Interstate 90 follows the historic trail as closely as possible. The road takes you through all sorts of historical attractions like the Mullan Road Historical Site and brings you to the town of Mullan itself. Here you can explore the Mullan Museum, the many historical buildings, or one of the nearby hiking trails.
8. Craters of the Moon
If you've been itching to explore some of Idaho's weirder landscapes, a trip to Craters of the Moon is definitely for you. This place is a great destination all year long. Even during the winter you'll often see snowshoers or skiers taking advantage of the park's free groomed trail that takes you across this bizarre landscape. Have you ever wanted to hike across a volcano? Here you can. Not to mention the amount of wildlife you're bound to come across. Die hard adventurers should definitely take advantage of the many underground caving options that the park provides.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.