There are hundreds of ways to experience Idaho’s incredible scenery up close and personal, but there’s something spectacularly All-American about the opportunity to see it from the perspective of a train, barrelling down the tracks. Sadly, Idaho’s last Pacific passenger line shut down in 2016, leaving railfans and explorers aching for something new.
Sometimes, Idahoans know how to get creative.
The Gem State is home to thousands of miles of abandoned railroads, crisscrossing and winding through the landscape as a reminder of days gone by.
Russ Nelson/Flickr
While plenty of commercial and industrial lines still exist, a major portion of Idaho's tracks are abandoned - left to fall into disrepair and decay in the brutal winters and intense heat of our state's ever-changing seasons. Many of these lines are leftover from the height of Idaho's logging and mining days. They were once used to bring hopeful prospectors to the region or haul away ore, a changing landscape has rendered many of the tracks obsolete.
Depending on the materials and design, these beauties are typically electric or solar-powered, and can go up to 20mph.
While there are no dedicated tracks in Idaho for rail-riding, you can find sections of historic lines just about everywhere - like the Camas Prairie Railroad.
A note of caution: while many of Idaho's railroads seem abandoned at first glance, every line is still privately-owned and permission must be granted before attempting to ride on one, whether in-use or not. You should also take extreme care to know your surroundings and be aware that - without proper research beforehand - this is an illegal and dangerous activity.
What do you think? I’d love to see Idaho’s abandoned tracks restored, but this might be a good way to explore Idaho’s oldest rails in style! If you have any more info about legal spots for rail-riding, drop a comment below.
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