Itinerary: Idaho

Southwestern Idaho Itinerary featuring the Oregon Trail, Idaho Lakes and Rivers.

Day 1: Boise, Idaho

Arrive into Boise. While in town make sure to spend some time visiting the home to exciting exhibits on endangered birds of prey, ecology and conservation at the World Center for Birds of Prey. Another unique attraction is The Warhawk Air Museum, the fastest growing World War II museum in Idaho. There are many hotels, camping and dining options for everyone’s tastes and budgets.

Stay overnight in Boise.

World Center for Birds of Prey – www.peregrinefund.org

Day 2: Baker City, Oregon

Travel into Oregon to have lunch and learn how different cultures shaped the history of the area at the Four Rivers Cultural Center in Ontario. Continue up the Oregon Trail to Baker City where the experiences of earlier travel can be relived at the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. Take a trolley tour of the historic downtown and have dinner at one of the finest hotels of the early 20th Century, the Geiser Grand Hotel. Overnight in Baker City.

Four Rivers Cultural Center – www.4rcc.com

Driving Time: Boise to Baker City – approx. 2 hours (206.6 kilometers)

Day 3: McCall, Idaho

Spend the morning traveling into the rugged Hells Canyon region where a thrill of a lifetime awaits. Board a jet boat and travel through North America’s deepest canyon, Hells Canyon. After lunch on the river, continue through the Idaho countryside to the central Idaho resort town of McCall. Spend the early evening looking around before dinner. Overnight in McCall.

Hells Canyon Adventures – www.hellscanyonadventures.com

McCall Chamber of Commerce – https://visitmccall.org/

Driving Time: Baker City to Hells Canyon – approx. 3½ hours (325 kilometers) Hells Canyon to McCall – approx. 1 hour (75.2 kilometers)

Day 4: Sun Valley, Idaho

On your way to Sun Valley, stop at the Bruneau Dunes and climb the largest single structured sand dune in North America.

Spend the morning rafting on the Payette River with lunch on the riverbanks. Travel through the heart of the scenic Sawtooth National Recreation Area to Sun Valley with stops along the way in Stanley and Redfish Lake. Overnight in Sun Valley. 

Sun Valley/Ketchum Visitor Center – www.visitsunvalley.com

Driving Time: McCall to Sun Valley- approx. 5 hours (350 kilometers)

Day 5: Boise, Idaho

Travel through Twin Falls and along the Thousand Springs Scenic Byway to the Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument and a variety of prehistoric fossils. Proceed to Boise. Stop at one of four remaining territorial prisons, the Old Idaho Penitentiary, and a nature observatory, the MK Nature Center. Enjoy a farewell Basque experience at the Basque Museum and Cultural Center. For a variety of water activities, enjoy Boise River Park and Quinn’s Pond. Overnight in Boise. 

Old Idaho Penitentiary – www.history.idaho.gov/old-penitentiary-hours-location

MK Nature Center – www.fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/education

Basque Museum & Cultural Center – www.basquemuseum.com 

Boise River Park and Quinn’s Pond –  www.cityofboise.org/

Driving Time: Sun Valley to Boise – approx. 3 hours (299.9 kilometers)