Idaho Summer Activity Guide

Summer vacation is in full force – here is an amazing list of 30 things to do in Idaho with the whole family complete with links!

BOISE

  1. Rodeo at Snake River Stampede
    The 106th annual Snake River Stampede will take place July 19-23, 2022 at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa, Idaho.

2. Ride the Mountain Coaster at Bogus Basin
What’s a mountain coaster? Exactly 4,330 feet of twisting, turning, and (let’s face it) screaming as you ride through the trees with unbeatable views and an unforgettable ride. Try it for yourself – it’s located just east of Simplot Lodge.

Mountain Coaster

3. Boise Hawks Baseball Game
Schedule and Tickets HERE: https://www.boisehawks.com/sports/bsb/2022/schedule

IDAHO FALLS

4. Idaho Falls Zoo

https://www.idahofallsidaho.gov/758/Hours-Prices

5. Japanese Pavilion

http://japanesepavilion.org/

6. See a baseball game at Melaleuca Field

Get Tickets

7. Bank of Idaho River Concert Series
Check out https://www.idahofallsmagazine.com/Events for dates and performers!

POCATELLO

8. Swim at Bannock Reservoir

https://www.visitpocatello.com/lava-hot-springs-olympic-swimming-complex/

9. Rock climbing at Ross Park
Ross Park, a public park in Pocatello, Idaho, has two long but short basalt cliff bands. The rock is very friendly for climbing consisting of steep edges, pockets, and cracks. Ross Park is home to the longest running climbing competition in the United States, the Pocatello Pump which was started in 1981.

https://www.mountainproject.com/area/108167997/ross-park

10. Walk, hike and bike Portneuf Greenway Trails

https://www.visitpocatello.com/things-to-do/trails/

11. See a play at ISU Theater, Old Town Actors Studio, Shakespeare in the Parks, Palace Playhouse

https://www.isu.edu/theatre/productions-and-performances/

TWIN FALLS

12. Evel Knievel Jump Site

In his risk-taking heyday, nothing seemed to intimidate the notorious motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel. Not even the 500-foot-deep, quarter-mile-wide Snake River Canyon, which he famously attempted to jump on a steam-powered skycycle in September 1974.

12 .Shoshone Falls Park
“The Niagara of the West”

https://www.tfid.org/309/Shoshone-Falls

13. Herrett Center for Arts and Sciences
The Center collects, preserves, interprets, and exhibits anthropological artifacts and natural history specimens with an emphasis on the prehistoric American continents.

https://herrett.csi.edu/events.asp

MCCALL

14. McCall Lake Cruise
One of the best ways to experience McCall, Idaho is from the water cruising around Payette Lake aboard our 62′ vessel, The IDAHO!

https://mccalllakecruises.starboardsuite.com/

15. Whitewater Rafting on the Payette River
Idaho rafting is on everyone’s bucket list!  The South Fork Payette boasts some of the best mild to wild whitewater rafting in Idaho. Combine this with a hotsprings on every section, few river users & beautiful scenery and you’re in for a real treat.

https://payetterivercompany.com/

16. Open Roads Festival
Van life is about freedom, forging your own path, and making fun a non-negotiable. If you’re an aspiring or current van lifer who loves the outdoors, join the van life community July 15-18, 2022 in McCall, Idaho at the beautiful Jug Mountain Ranch for this all-ages camper van festival packed with outdoor activities, workshops, and social events for van lifers, tent campers, and the road-trippin’ community!

https://openroadsfest.com/

17. Hot Springs
Rain or shine, soaking in a hot spring is a favorite pastime in McCall. Whether you are looking for a developed pool for the family to swim in or are after an adventurous hike with a hot soak as a reward, they have it all!

https://visitmccall.org/things-to-do/activity/mccall-area-hotsprings/

SUN VALLEY

18. Hike, bike and more at Bald Mountain Trail
Try this 11.0-mile out-and-back trail near Ketchum, Idaho. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 5 h 59 min to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking and mountain biking but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day.

https://www.sunvalley.com/discover/summer/

19. Horseback Riding through Sun Valley Stables

Sun Valley’s legendary Western heritage is no better experienced than with a visit to the fabled Sun Valley Stables and Western Horseman’s Center.  Trail rides and wagon experiences are fun for the entire family, from the beginner to experienced rider.  Private and group events are available.

https://www.visitsunvalley.com/to-do/sun-valley-stables/

20. Ride the Gondola on Bald Mountain
Summer lift operations start at the end of June and run through Labor day weekend, yay!

https://www.visitsunvalley.com/to-do/bald-mountain-summer-lift-access/

21. Ketchum Arts Festival
The Festival dates for 2022 are July 8, 9 and 10th. Hours for the Festival are 10 – 6 Fri and Sat and 10 – 4 Sunday

http://ketchumartsfestival.com/

COEUR D’ALENE

22. Go fishing at Lake Pend Oreille
Lake Pend Oreille is known for its kamloops (a species of giant rainbow trout), mackinaw and kokanee salmon. Kamloops and mackinaw exceeding 20 pounds are not unusual in the lake, which has seen its fishery rebound in recent years. But many other fishing challenges await the angler, from bass in the sloughs to pike, walleye and various trout species.

22. Fish Lake Coeur d’Alene
Lake Coeur d’Alene has several great sport fisheries including Chinook Salmon, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Kokanee Salmon.

https://www.lakecoeurdalene.com/fishing-guide/

23. Hike Tubbs Hill
Tubbs Hill – Check out this 2.0-mile loop trail near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 52 min to complete. This is a very popular area for fishing, hiking, and trail running.

https://www.cdaid.org/tubbs-hill

24. Hike English Point
Check out this 3.2-mile loop trail near Hayden, Idaho. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 15 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking and horseback riding.

https://stateparks.com/english_point_national_recreation_trail_in_idaho.html

25. Kootenai County Farmers’ Market

https://kootenaifarmersmarkets.org/

26. Coeur d’ Alene Carousel

The carousel is a hand carved 1922 Spillman Junior built in North Tonawanda New York.   The Merry-Go-Round graced the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene as part of Playland Pier from 1942 to 1974.  The Pier and other rides are long gone, but the  carousel is back home!  Come enjoy the art and history of this wonderful treasure.


27. Spend a day at Silverwood Theme Park
https://www.silverwoodthemepark.com/

PAYETTE & WEISER

28. Hike to Blue Lake
Head out on this 1.6-mile out-and-back trail near Cascade, Idaho. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 48 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking and walking, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring.

https://visitidaho.org/travel-tips/hike-blue-lake/

29. Jet Boating in Hells Canyon

30. Centennial Park
Centennial Park is located at the end of North 6th Street just before you cross over into Oregon. This park is a joint effort with the City and County of Payette and was built during the City’s Centennial celebration in 1991. You can load your water recreational vehicles into Snake River from the docks located on the West end of this park or make use of the soccer fields which are also located here. For even more added convenience,the RV Dump is located there!

https://www.cityofpayette.com/index.asp?SEC=16CFE53E-2AED-4919-A326-C551A808D03A&Type=B_BASIC