Hells Canyon (Western Idaho)
Simply put, Hells Canyon is the deepest river gorge (7,900 feet) in North America. In some places, the canyon walls plunge more than a mile deep to sandy river banks. Officially called the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, it is accessible by one- to six-day jet boat or float trips. Whitewater rafters, jet boaters, campers, fishermen, hikers and hunters all enjoy this protected recreation area. A few roads cut through the canyon including the Rim View Drive. Strategically located overlooks provide breathtaking views.

Near Hells Canyon are the Seven Devils Peaks, one of Idaho's highest mountain ranges. These mountains are a haven for hunters, hikers and fishermen. Access to the area is off Idaho 95 near the town of Riggins. From Heaven's Gate Lookout you can see into four states.

Named for their jagged profile, the rugged Sawtooth Mountains offer abundant opportunities for the outdoorsman. Three scenic routes, the Sawtooth, Ponderosa and Salmon Byways converge in the small town of Stanley, the starting point for excursions into Redfish Lake or float trips on the Main Salmon River. In the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA), one can fish, hike, horse pack, backpack, cross-country ski, or relax at one of the area's many guest ranches. Bordering the SNRA on its southern edge is the Wood River Valley, home to the world-famous ski resort of Sun Valley.

Sun Valley (Central Idaho)
Bordering the SNRA on its southern edge is the Wood River Valley, is the world-famous ski resort of Sun Valley. In the 1930s railroad executive and world traveler Averell Harriman asked Count Felix Schaffgotsch to find a site in America "of the same character as the Swiss Alps." Today, voted number one ski resort in the U.S., Sun Valley radiates with world-class mountains and a European village atmosphere. In no time, Sun Valley was pioneering the world's first chairlift and attracting skiers, photographers, movie makers and celebrities yearning for old world charm.

Boise: Idaho's City of Trees (Southwest Idaho)
Rapidly becoming a major city in the Pacific Northwest, Boise is currently corporate headquarters for such industry giants as Boise Cascade, Albertsons, Hewlett-Packard, Micron Technology and T.J. International. During any time of the year, the valley is a place to visit and enjoy. The Idaho Botanical Garden sits next to the foothills with views of the Boise Range from its arbors and flower beds. The Boise River Greenbelt attracts walkers, runners and bikers for miles on both sides of the river. Fishing is fabulous along the river. Summer invites short float trips on rafts or tubes. During the winter, cross country and downhill skiing are only 30 minutes away at Bogus Basin Ski Resort.

The Teton Mountain Range (Eastern Idaho)
Discover the front side of the Grand Tetons in this quiet valley. Outfitters are available to take you on summertime pack trips with great fishing and hiking or on wintertime cross-country ski trips from yurt to-yurt. Summer also brings hot air balloon races, outdoor country western and bluegrass music festivals, while winter offers excellent skiing on the slopes of Grand Targhee Ski Resort.

Lake Coeur d'Alene (Northern Idaho)
Glaciers created beautiful Lake Coeur d'Alene. This international resort destination is a spectacular place for all ages to enjoy sailing, water skiing, fishing and Mother Nature. Resorts and modern amenities are on the north shore in the city of Coeur d'Alene, a recent recipient of an "All American City" award.

Lake Pend Oreille (Northern Idaho)
The largest of Idaho's lakes, Lake Pend Oreille near Sandpoint has a well deserved reputation as a fisherman's paradise. Fourteen species of game fish inhabit its waters including kokanee, largemouth bass and bluegill. The world's record Kamloops trout and a 32-pound Dolly Varden came from this lake. Sandpoint itself is a picturesque small town complete with lively visual and performing arts.

Priest Lake (Northern Idaho)
Priest Lake, the most private of all northern Idaho lakes, offers plenty for the camper and fisherman. World-class Mackinaw trout and kokanee salmon have been pulled from its waters. The remote beauty of the lake rivals the more developed Lake Tahoe and the nearby Roosevelt Grove of Ancient Cedars contains trees more than 200 years old.

Cascade and Payette Lakes (Western Idaho)
Located on the edge of the Frank Church "River of No Return" Wilderness Area, Cascade Reservoir and Payette Lake offer everything in the way of quality outdoor recreation. The area is great for golfing, swimming, sailing, fishing, hiking or just relaxing.

Bear Lake (Southeast Idaho)
Bear Lake stretches 20 miles along the Idaho - Utah border. Camping, fishing, swimming, and boating are a few of the available summer activities. Nearby, Bear Lake Hot Springs takes the edge off sore muscles. The lake is an unbelievable shade of blue.

Shoshone Falls (Southwest Idaho)
Shoshone Falls roar over a spectacular 212-foot drop and have earned the nickname, "Niagara of the West." The falls are five miles from downtown Twin Falls on U.S. Highway 93. River flows and agricultural use dictate the amount of water and springtime is often the best time to visit.

Idaho's Thousand Springs (South Central Idaho)
An abundance of natural springs gush from steep canyon walls and cascade into the river below. The water source is the Snake River Aquifer, one of the largest groundwater systems in the world. It creeps through several thousand square miles under porous volcanic rock before emerging from the springs in the cliffs. Some say the Lost River in central Idaho drops into the ground at the base of the Lost River Mountains and comes out here. Up close and personal tours of the springs are available.

Upper and Lower Mesa Falls (Eastern Idaho)
Upper and Lower Mesa Falls are the last free-flowing major waterfalls in the Columbia River watershed. Upper Mesa Falls plunge 100 feet; Lower Mesa Falls 70 feet. Both falls can be seen just off the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway, Highway 47.

Moyie Falls (Northern Idaho)
These falls on the Moyie River can be viewed by turning off U.S. Highway 2 a short distance north of Bonners Ferry. Visitors can walk above the cascades and get a bird's-eye view of the waterfall.

Idaho's Silent City of Rocks (South Central Idaho)
Located 15 miles southeast of Oakley, the Silent City of Rocks is a place of geologic enchantment. This 14,000-acre National Historic Reserve is named for the skyline of rock pinnacles, many 60 to 70 stories high. Near the junction of the Oregon/California immigrant trails, it was often mentioned in pioneer diaries. Popular area with rock climbers.

Shoshone Ice Caves (South Central Idaho)
Air currents have formed ice sculptures in this natural lava tube, creating striking natural phenomena. The cave, three blocks long and 90 feet below the earth's surface, is one of Nature's magic tricks. Guided tours are available. Just a short drive away is the incredible Mammoth Cave, complete with self-guided pathway and a small natural history display.

Minnetonka Cave (Southeast Idaho)
A rare limestone cave, Minnetonka Cave is actually a fully-developed, half-mile long complex of chambers, narrow passageways and weird formations. Located 7,700 feet above sea level, the cave features fossils of ancient tropical plants and marine life. Bring a jacket: the cave maintains a 40-degree, year-round temperature.

Lava Hot Springs (Southeast Idaho)
Early pioneers soon learned what Idaho Indians already knew--the mineral warm waters of Lava Hot Springs seem to have natural healing powers. The 110-degree water has stayed the same, but the spa now features pools ranging from whirlpool to Olympic-size. They are open to the public year-round. Fishing and golf are available nearby.

Soda Springs (Southeast Idaho)
In the middle of Soda Springs is a geyser created when workers were drilling for hot water to fill the community swimming pool and struck a pocket of carbon dioxide. Nearby Hooper Springs echo the legend and lore of the Oregon Trail.

Craters of the Moon National Monument (Central Idaho)
Volcanic formations--part of a 60-mile crack where eruptions occurred as recently as 2,000 years ago--make this an incredible geologic landscape. This area gives one the sense of being on another planet and was once used for training early moon-mission astronauts. Pahoehoe lava flows and cinder cones are remnants of volcanic activity along the Great Rift. Late spring visits mean spectacular wildflower displays.

Bruneau Sand Dunes (Southwest Idaho)
Along the five-mile hiking trail at Bruneau Sand Dunes State Park rise two sand dunes that cover approximately 600 acres! The tallest of these dunes is 470 feet high. With the completion of C.J. Strike Dam 12 miles away, the area has become a winter rest haven for thousands of Canada geese, ducks, and blue herons. The park is open to visitors year-round.

Snake River Birds of Prey Area (Southwest Idaho)
Established in 1971, this area is home to North America's densest population of nesting raptors and covers 483,000 acres along 80 miles of the Snake River. Eagles, hawks, falcons, owls and vultures sail on the updrafts and wind currents and raise their young in the canyon. Study of the birds' habits and propagation takes place at the World Center for Birds of Prey, located on the outskirts of Boise. A recent addition to the Center complex is the Tropical Birds of Prey building. The World Center is open to visitors by advance appointment.

The Salmon "River of No Return" (Central Idaho)
The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act helped preserve a number of Idaho's major rivers. In central Idaho, the Salmon River System is the longest undammed river system in any single state. The Middle Fork and Main Salmon are the best known major whitewater rafting rivers in Idaho. Visitors can follow segments of these mighty rivers along Highways 75 and 93 north of Challis or Stanley. In northern Idaho, the Clearwater and Lochsa were the rivers Lewis and Clark followed into the Clearwater Valley. These explorers also discovered the Snake River near the end of their journey to the Columbia and the Pacific Ocean. Over to southeastern Idaho flows the Henry's Fork of the Snake River, and Interstate 84 follows the Snake River Canyon across southern Idaho.