Elmore County, Idaho

Set off from the Bruneau Lake parking lot and circumnavigate the lake in a clockwise direction. The hike traverses small rolling dunes before beginning it's ascent of the big dune. The big dune rises 450 feet and it's loose sand is both entertaining to climb as well as a test of patience.The 360 ...

From the small town of Bruneau turn east on Hot Springs Road (set odometer) and continue for 15.6 miles on a well maintained dirt road. Turn right at the "Overlook" sign and continue for another 3 miles. The road terminates at a dirt parking area.The drive to Bruneau Canyon is through remote and ...

Each spring the Camas Prairie comes alive with acres of vibrant Camas lilies. The bloom lasts from late May to mid-June.From Route 20 turn south onto Wolf Lane east of Hill City, following the Centennial Marsh Wildlife Management Area signs. The road is dirt but passable for sedans.Stop at the Ce...

In just over an hour, you can leave downtown Boise and arrive above Arrowrock Reservoir in a location so unique that you won't believe you're still in Idaho. The South Fork of the Boise River provides excitement for campers, wildlife lovers, and outdoor goers. Although I just visited for the firs...

The two to three car parking area is situated at about and elevation of 3000 feet. Situated 200 feet up the interpretive trail stand the oolite rock structures. These structures stretch on for as far as you can see, and only a minute portion are included in the article photography.Access to the t...

Because of the altitude of the this lake, the road to it doesn't open up until mid to late July. You can still get to the lake, but it is a 6 mi round trip hike down a dusty dirt road. It gets old. When the road is open, you can drive right up to the lake.  To get there, right before the town of ...

From the peak the views are limitless, a full 360 degrees of landmarks like Lucky Peak Reservoir. Wildlife is quite abundant and if you're lucky you may be able to spot herds of antelope, deer, and elk. My favorite time to do this hike is during the earlier hours of the day. It offers a beautiful...

Located near Gooding, Idaho, the Little City of Rocks provides endless wandering through volcanic ash hoodoos and sagebrush desert.The parking area is less than two miles down a decently graded dirt road. In spring there is a water crossing. If your car cannot cross park and walk the short distan...

Floating the Boise River is the perfect leisurely summer activity for families and those who just want to relax outdoors. You'll enter the river at Barber Park, then float past beautiful trees and greenery on your way down to Ann Morrison Park. The whole trip takes about 2-3 hours. To start, unle...

At Wees Bar, a remote area accessible only by bike or foot, explore hundreds of petroglyphs carved into glacial boulders by Native Americans 12,000 years ago. Begin at the Swan Falls Dam parking lot. Bring a fat bike in late summer and fall to glide over the dry, loose dirt that forms as the cany...

To start your journey, you must cross the Swan Falls Dam. It’s a low-level thrill but it is not often you get to walk on top of a hydroelectric dam. If you are bringing a four-legged friend with you, make sure you have some treats to lure them across. The pathway across the dam is steel grate and...

Boise has plenty of trails to choose from when it comes to short accessible hikes. If you're looking for panoramic views of the treasure valley then this is a great place to start.  Table Rock Quarry has 4 different trails to choose from ranging all skill levels and distances. There are a mix of ...

Tucked away, almost hidden in a vast expanse of farmland, lies a secluded canyon filled with natural springs, crystal clear water, waterfalls, and wildlife. There’s a good chance you may miss the turn off to the trailhead, so keep a keen eye peeled for the small park signage. There are two parkin...

This alley is a Boise must-see. Local street artists regularly change up the gallery, so there's always something new to see!  You can park anywhere you can find a spot! If you're luck you can find a spot on the side of the street along the shops, but if not, you can park further down past the ca...

Balanced Rock is famous throughout the Magic Valley, and getting there is easy. A picnic table and turnoff on Castleford/Glenns Ferry Road allows you to park below the rock. From there it's a short scramble up the hill to get to the base -- that's the only way to get a feel for the boulder's enor...

Southern Idaho offers a lot of unique places to go photograph, but not all places have as good of a spot for astrophotography as Balanced Rock State Park does. Because this spot is quite a ways out from the towns, you don't have a lot of light pollution which allows you to see all of the stars in...