From Byway To Byway, Take This Epic Road Trip On Some Of The Best Scenic Backroads In Idaho
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Courtnie Erickson
Author
When you want to see some of the most beautiful gems that Idaho has to offer, hop off the main roads. There are 31 scenic byways in Idaho and each offers its own sights and features that you don’t want to miss. To help you experience just a small portion of what these backroads in Idaho have to offer, we created this road trip. The vast majority of your trip will be on back roads – some are even gravel – around the southeastern and south-central parts of the state. Just be prepared, as this is one of the most beautiful drives in Idaho that you can take.
This road trip is a bit unique because you don't need a "final" destination. Rather, you can wander along some of the best scenic byways in Idaho and pick and choose your destinations along the way, and believe us, you’ll find a lot of them.
The adventure begins in the small town of Hansen and you will travel just under 500 miles and should plan for at least 9.5 hours of drive time. Be aware that along some of these roads, you will not travel the entire byway, but just a short portion of it.
Also, you may want to pack some extra essentials such as food and water as some of these backroads go long stretches without any services. Plus, it is wise to top off your gas tank at many of the larger towns that you travel into. You can use this interactive map to help you more carefully plan and customize this scenic byway road trip in Idaho.
The adventure begins in the small town of Hansen and you will travel just under 500 miles and should plan for at least 9.5 hours of drive time. Be aware that along some of these roads, you will not travel the entire byway, but just a short portion of it.
Also, you may want to pack some extra essentials such as food and water as some of these backroads go long stretches without any services. Plus, it is wise to top off your gas tank at many of the larger towns that you travel into. You can use this interactive map to help you more carefully plan and customize this scenic byway road trip in Idaho.
Thousand Springs State Park - Ritter Island, 1205 Thousand Springs Grade, Wendell, ID 83355, USA
The first byway you will explore is the Thousand Springs Scenic Byway, one of our favorite scenic drives in Idaho. This byway will take you from the small town of Hansen along Highway 30 to Bliss. This stretch of road will pass some of the most scenic attractions in Idaho including Shoshone Falls, the Perrine Memorial Bridge, and the remarkable Thousand Springs State Park.
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Main Oregon Trail Back Country Byway, Glenns Ferry, ID 83623, USA
After a short drive on I-84 to Glenns Ferry, hop on the Main Oregon Trail Back Country Byway, just off of exit 121 on I-84. This byway will take you along the route the pioneers used decades ago as they traveled across the Gem State. For this portion of your road trip, a high-clearance vehicle is best as the majority of this backcountry road is gravel.
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Payette River, Idaho, USA
Once in Mountain Home, you will once again take a drive on I-84 to the next scenic byway. You will pass through Boise, which is a good place to stock up on essentials or even spend the night. Then, hop on Highway 55, which is known as the Payette River Scenic Byway. You will only travel as far as the small town of Banks on this road trip but in total, this scenic byway in Idaho is 111 miles of pure beauty. On this scenic drive in Idaho, you will capture gorgeous views of the Payette River, and we recommend stopping at many of the pullouts along the road to admire the beauty of this area.
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WildLife canyon Scenic Byway, Banks Lowman Rd, Garden Valley, ID 83622, USA
In the small town of Banks, you will hop on the Banks-Lowman Road, also known as the Wildlife Canyon Scenic Byway. This backroad is a paved, two-lane road through a canyon with some of the most beautiful views and lots of wildlife. This road is 33 miles, and you’ll find yourself completely immersed in the backcountry of Idaho.
Ponderosa Pine Scenic Route, Idaho, USA
From Lowman to Stanley, you will travel on Highway 21, also known as the mesmerizing Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway. This is another scenic byway where you will only see a small portion of what this road has to offer, but on this road trip, you will pass the popular Kirkham Hot Springs and the Park Creek Overlook.
Salmon River, Idaho, USA
Once in Stanley, you will travel along the Salmon River Scenic Byway to the small town of Challis. This is another scenic drive that tops our favorite list. Again, on this road trip, you won’t be traveling the total byway distance as the entire Salmon River Scenic Byway takes you clear to the Montana border. However, on the portion you do explore, get your camera ready to see gorgeous mountain vistas and even a ghost town or two.
Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve, Idaho, USA
Our last byway on this scenic road trip in Idaho is the Peaks to Craters Scenic Byway. This is one of the most diverse scenic drives in Idaho that you can take. On the final 140 miles of your road trip, you will drive through incredible mountains, wetlands, lava flows, and more. There are numerous attractions you can stop at including the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, Mackay Dam and Reservoir, Grandview Canyon, and more.
You can end the road trip at the end of the Peaks to Craters Scenic Byway, or for even more adventure, hop on the Sawtooth Scenic Byway and travel south to Twin Falls or up north to Ketchum and Hailey – there really isn’t any wrong option. No matter what you choose, it’s going to be gorgeous.
What is your favorite scenic drive in Idaho? What makes it so great? Please share your thoughts with us and your fellow travelers in the comments.
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