8 Most Scenic Drives in Idaho
It’s vacation time. Everyone is excited and eager to reach their destination. But before you get there, you must endure the long wait to board the plane, eat tasteless airplane food (if they even offer any), and tolerate the inevitable overcrowded baggage claim lines. Then, you'll have to do it all over again on the return flight. Why not skip the sky and stick to the streets? You can avoid all this stress with a road trip — and choosing one of the eight most scenic drives in Idaho means a wide range of spectacular views and interesting spots to rest and learn about the beautiful state and the people who live here.
Elk River Backcountry Byway
Start your road trip at Idaho 7 in Orofino. The byway will take you deep into thick forests along winding roads, adding to the adventure and mystery of what lies beyond the next corner. Time to rest? Stop at the Elk Creek Falls and be blown away by the cascade’s natural beauty. Cross the Dent Bridge and arrive at the Dworshak Reservoir. Unpack the fishing and camping gear and spend an hour or two relaxing in nature’s peace while enjoying a light snack or meal and refreshments. Visit the Dworshak National Fish Hatchery, which, according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, is "the largest combination producer of steelhead trout and Spring Chinook and Coho salmon in the world." The Elk River Backcountry Byway is 57 miles long and takes a couple of hours to traverse, depending on one's own pace and choice of stopping points. The byway ends at Idaho 8. You could make the return trip in a day or camp at one of the many dozens of RV campsites and general camping grounds. Keep in mind that the Elk River Backcountry Byway is well-maintained and open year-round, but it can be icy in winter.
White Pine Scenic Byway
Before leaving Cataldo on Idaho 3 on your White Pine Scenic Byway road trip, visit the Old Mission of the Sacred Heart, Idaho’s oldest existing building, the Parish House, and the visitor center. Now that you’ve learned a bit about your route’s history, you can relax and enjoy the magnificent scenery, particularly the White Pine, as you pass dense forests and grand rivers. The St. Joe River is the world’s highest navigable river. It’s time for a break when passing through St. Maries. While here, pay your respects to the 54 firefighters lost at the St. Maries 1910 Fire Memorial. The journey from Cataldo to Potlatch is 82.8 miles and will take about two hours. Instead of returning home the same day, camp at one of many camping parks along the route; St. Maries and Potlatch sites offer full services. The route is open all year, so you can embrace nature's wonder when it suits you.
City of Rocks Backcountry Byway
Rock climbers and hikers, the City of Rocks Backcountry Byway is your playground. The byway covers 49 miles of intriguing rock formations. Start your adventure in Albion, but before venturing too far, stop at the Circle Creek Overlook for breathtaking views at 6,120 feet. Climbers, at the City of Rocks National Reserve, you can climb until you drop (please don’t drop!) with over 700 climbing routes of varying difficulties. Once you’ve climbed and hiked, you deserve a break. Enjoy a picnic at Emery Pass Picnic Area. Then, drive for 1.5 hours until you reach Oakley. The town of Oakley is on the National Register of Historic Places; it has many historic buildings and exhibitions to end your road trip on a high note. If you have energy left, attempt a few more climbs on your return or stay overnight in historical Oakley.
Thousand Springs Scenic Byway
Thousand Springs means many waterfalls and hot springs from the Snake River Plain Aquifer, which flows 2,308 miles beneath volcanic rock. Beginning at Bliss, enter the Snake River Canyon and treat yourself to a hot soak at Miracle Hot Springs, Banbury Hot Springs, or the 1,000 Springs Resort. All resorts have RV and camping facilities available. Fishing enthusiasts can catch the annual Trout Festival in historic Buhl. Take a slight detour to Shoshone Falls, the 212-foot waterfall, higher than Niagara, impresses with its glorious views. While at the Shoshone Falls, visit the famous Evel Knievel jump site and try to imagine what he attempted — and failed — to do. On this byway, you'll travel for 67.8 miles, about 1.5 hours, and not only will nature’s elegance and power amaze you, but so will the well-restored historic small towns. Camping sites, parks, and services are available in every town along the route. There is so much to see and do along the Thousand Springs Scenic Byway you might have to do it over a day or two.
Western Heritage Historic Byway
The Western Heritage Historic Byway will satisfy bird watchers' and explorer enthusiasts' bucket lists. At the 44 exit, off Interstate 84, the 47-mile byway might take 1.5 hours without stopping until you end at Idaho 45. However, your road trip will likely take much longer with the enticement of the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, a 485,000-acre home to the densest concentration of birds of prey in North America, if not the world. Descending into the Snake River Canyon, stop at Celebration Park, Idaho’s only archaeological park, and explore the century-old petroglyphs engraved by native Americans on the boulders. The Owyhee Mountains were a rich mining region. The Owyhee County Museum allows you a peek into the lives that shaped Idaho’s history. It’s hard to fathom life without electricity. Swan Falls Dam Historic Powerhouse and Museum, the oldest hydroelectric dam on the Snake River, is a must-see in order to appreciate the efforts of historical ingenuity. The last mile of the byway steeply descends and is icy in winter, so prepare well.
Fort Henry Historic Byway
Monuments, sand dunes, wildlife, and a battleground make the Fort Henry Historic Byway a road trip worth every mile. From North Rexburg, get onto the Salem Highway and head for St. Anthony. First on the road is visiting its namesake, the Fort Henry Monument. At the original site, a new monument has replaced the old one, which has been relocated to an adjoined field. The St. Anthony Sand Dunes, included in the Sand Mountain Wilderness study area, is 35 miles long and up to 500 feet high, continually shifting and reshaping. Adventure seekers can explore the dunes with ATVs, motorcycles, or dune buggies. The 20,000-acre dune perimeters are covered with sagebrush and juniper and host deer and elk during winter. No visit to this area is complete without viewing the Camas Meadows Battleground of 1877 between the US Calvary and the Nez Perce. Besides the battleground, the Camas Meadows is home to Sage Grouse and returning Sandhill Cranes. The Sage Grouse performs courtship rituals each spring in the meadows, so remember to bring your binoculars. The Fort Henry Historic Byway has many places of interest along its 97-mile route before ending in Ashton. So, take advantage of the camping areas and take a day or two to absorb everything for an unforgettable experience.
Mesa Falls Scenic Byway
Your exhilarating journey to the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway, featuring two magnificent waterfalls cascading over volcanic rocks formed by molten ash centuries ago, begins at the southern end of Idaho 47 in Ashton. Upper Mesa Fall is 114 feet, and Lower Mesa Fall is 65 feet. Both falls have viewing platforms: Lower Mesa’s viewing platform is a quarter mile away, but Upper Mesa can be viewed from a few feet, where you will feel the fall’s power. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Big Falls Inn houses the visitor’s center, which exhibits the area’s natural and cultural history. Trails and a boardwalk are accessible from the inn so that you can appreciate spectacular views of the falls. Along your route, detour to Johnny Sack’s cabin and nearby waterwheel. Due to its location, the cabin has been a tourist attraction since 1980, and much of its original structure and décor are still intact. Mesa Falls Scenic Byway is only 28.7 miles. However, you will keep stopping to capture its beauty in photos and memories or walk one of the many trails.
Sacajawea Historic Byway
Much is known and written about Sacajawea and her impact as a crucial Lewis and Clark expedition member. A road trip on the Sacajawea Historic Byway will show you where history was made through 132 miles of heritages. Without undermining the importance of Sacajawea, the byway comprises other great historical moments, such as gold, silver, lead, and charcoal mining. The historic byway begins at Interstate 15 and Highway 33 and runs through the Lemhi River Valley, the Hawley Mountains, and the Snake River Plain. The first stop on your trip should be the Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural & Educational Center to learn and honor one of America’s greatest heroines; there is much to see and do for the whole family. An interesting stop to make is the Charcoal Kilns Interpretive Site. The restored beehive-shaped clay kilns at the historical site can be viewed, and you can also picnic or enjoy a trail. It’s not often you will hear about a mud lake. Along this route, stop at Mud Lake, a 4,500-acre lake comprising marsh and shallow flooded wetlands, and where waterfowl and shorebirds nesting habitat. Numerous camping grounds are available throughout the byway. So, take your time to observe and absorb this intriguing Sacajawea Historic Byway that ends in Salmon.
Conclusion
Idaho's beautiful and historical landscapes are a road trip away, waiting to be explored. The terrain varies from rocky to luscious forests and rivers with incredible waterfalls. However, it’s not only the scenery that inspires or intrigues along the eight most scenic drives in Idaho; the history of the land is as complex and mystified with monuments and remnants of those who made this country great. Every byway has camping grounds for cars and RVs, most with full services, so pack your vehicle and get ready for what may be the ride of your life.
