Including Pocatello, Craters of the Moon NP, & Minidoka National Historic Site
Idaho, known as the “Gem State,” is a land of diverse landscapes, outdoor adventures, and rich history. Idaho is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, offering activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, skiing, and whitewater rafting. Explore the rugged beauty of the Sawtooth Mountains, the pristine waters of Lake Coeur d’Alene, or the vast wilderness of the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. Discover Idaho’s natural wonders at its national parks and monuments. Visit Yellowstone National Park’s lesser-known neighbor, the stunningly beautiful Grand Teton National Park, or explore the unique landscapes of Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve.
Regions
The major regions collectively showcase Idaho’s natural beauty, outdoor activities, historical significance, and unique cultural attractions, making it a diverse and appealing destination for visitors.
- Northern including Coeur d’Alene, Sandpoint & Wallace: Known for its beautiful lakes, outdoor recreation opportunities, and charming small towns. Coeur d’Alene boasts a picturesque lake with a scenic waterfront, while Sandpoint offers access to Lake Pend Oreille and Schweitzer Mountain Resort. Wallace is famous for its silver mining history and preserved downtown.
- North Central including Grangeville, Moscow, Lewiston & Riggins: This region features diverse landscapes from the Clearwater River Valley to the rolling hills of the Palouse. Grangeville is a gateway to the Nez Perce National Forest. Moscow is home to the University of Idaho and is surrounded by fertile farmland. Lewiston is Idaho’s only seaport, situated at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers. Riggins is known for its outdoor activities, including whitewater rafting on the Salmon River.
- Southwest including Boise, McCall & Mountain Home: Boise, the capital city, offers a vibrant cultural scene, including museums, theaters, and a lively downtown. McCall is a resort town on the shores of Payette Lake, popular for skiing in winter and water sports in summer. Mountain Home is known for its proximity to the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area and outdoor recreational opportunities.
- South Central including Twin Falls, Hagerman & Burley: Twin Falls is famous for Shoshone Falls, often called the “Niagara of the West,” and the nearby Snake River Canyon, which offers scenic views and recreational activities like BASE jumping. Hagerman is known for its fossil beds and hot springs, while Burley is a gateway to the Snake River Valley and agricultural lands.
- Southeast including Pocatello, Lava Hot Springs & Montpelier: Pocatello is a regional center for education and commerce, with outdoor activities in nearby national forests. Lava Hot Springs is known for its natural hot springs and recreational opportunities along the Portneuf River. Montpelier offers historical sites related to the Oregon Trail and the Bear Lake area.
- Eastern including Idaho Falls, Rexburg & Island Park: Idaho Falls is a gateway to Yellowstone National Park and boasts the scenic Snake River Greenbelt. Rexburg is home to Brigham Young University-Idaho and offers access to outdoor recreation in the surrounding area. Island Park is known for its fishing, snowmobiling, and proximity to Henrys Lake and Yellowstone.
- Central including Sun Valley, Stanley & Salmon: Sun Valley is a world-renowned ski destination with upscale amenities and outdoor recreation year-round. Stanley is a small mountain town near the scenic Sawtooth Mountains and Redfish Lake, popular for hiking, fishing, and camping. Salmon is known for its outdoor adventures along the Salmon River and as a gateway to the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness.
The Same
In Idaho, both the Dinks and the Family explored Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, a unique landscape shaped by ancient volcanic activity. Despite their different travel styles, they found themselves doing similar activities while at the national park.
South Central Region
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, located in central Idaho, is a unique and otherworldly landscape shaped by volcanic activity. Explore a surreal landscape of rugged lava fields, cinder cones, lava tubes, and spatter cones. These volcanic features were formed by eruptions from the Great Rift, a 62-mile-long crack in the Earth’s surface. Marvel at the diverse array of volcanic formations, including the vast lava flows of the North Crater Flow, the towering spires of the Inferno Cone, and the lava tubes of the Indian Tunnel.
While we didn’t think it compared to Volcano’s National Park in Hawaii, if you haven’t visited there this is an amazing place to see the impact of a volcanic eruptions even after thousands of years.
- Scenic Drives and Trails: Drive along the scenic Loop Road, which offers access to various viewpoints, trailheads, and interpretive exhibits throughout the monument. Stop at overlooks to admire panoramic views of the volcanic landscape and surrounding mountains. Hike along a network of trails ranging from easy strolls to more challenging hikes. Popular trails include the North Crater Flow Trail, the Inferno Cone Trail, and the Cave Area Trail, which leads to several lava tube caves.
- Lava Tubes and Caves:Explore underground lava tube caves formed by flowing lava that cooled and solidified on the surface while molten lava continued to flow beneath. The park features several accessible lava tube caves, including Indian Tunnel, Boy Scout Cave, and Beauty Cave.
- Visitor Center and Interpretive Programs: Visit the visitor center to learn about the geology, ecology, and human history of Craters of the Moon through exhibits, interactive displays, and ranger-led programs Join guided walks, talks, and evening programs offered by park rangers to deepen your understanding of the monument’s natural and cultural significance.
Local Cuisine
Exploring Idaho’s culinary offerings allows you to appreciate its agricultural bounty and unique regional flavors, showcasing the state’s natural resources and local traditions. We both loved sampling Idaho’s local cuisine, which includes hearty comfort foods like potato dishes, huckleberry treats, and locally sourced meats such as trout. Visit farmers’ markets, breweries, and restaurants to taste the flavors of Idaho.
- Potatoes: Known as the “Potato State,” Idaho is famous for its potatoes. Enjoy them baked, mashed, fried (French fries), or as part of hearty dishes like potato casseroles and potato salads. It was like Forest Gump but in stead of Shrimp, we tried every form of potato imaginable. “Potatoes are the fruit of the earth You can boil it, fry it, bake it, saute it. Dey’s uh, curly fries, steak fries, crinkle cut, shoestring, and sweet potato fries. There’s baked potatoes, baked sweet potatoes, home fries, hashbrowns. You can put them in casseroles and soups. That- that’s about it.”
- Finger Steaks: A regional specialty originating in Idaho, finger steaks are thin strips of steak battered and deep-fried. We found it to be like Chicken Fried steak but without any sauce. They are typically served with fry sauce or ranch for dipping.
- Huckleberries: Found in the mountainous regions of Idaho, huckleberries are similar to blueberries but smaller and sweeter. Enjoy them in jams, syrups, pies, or simply fresh when in season. Or even Vodka, just saying incase some people are interested.
- Trout: With abundant rivers and lakes, Idaho offers excellent freshwater trout. Try pan-fried trout served with lemon and herbs, or grilled trout accompanied by local vegetables. We always enjoy fresh seafood. (Why is it still called seafood if it comes from a lake or river?)
- Bison: Bison ranching is growing in popularity in Idaho, offering lean and flavorful meat. Bison burgers and steaks are popular choices for those seeking a taste of the American West.
The DINKs
Southeast Region
Pocatello
We stayed in Pocatello, Idaho, which is situated in the southeastern part of the state, and offers a blend of outdoor recreation, cultural attractions, and historic landmarks. Explore the natural beauty of Pocatello by hiking, biking, or picnicking in the nearby Portneuf Range mountains or along the scenic Portneuf River Greenway. We were close to the City Creek Trail System so we chose to hike it one night with a dog after work. It offers miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, with opportunities to spot wildlife and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
South Central Region
Minidoka National Historic Site
Minidoka National Historic Site, located in south-central Idaho, commemorates the experience of Japanese Americans who were unjustly incarcerated during World War II. Here’s what you can expect when visiting Minidoka. Learn about the history of Minidoka War Relocation Center, one of ten camps where over 120,000 Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated during World War II. The site provides insights into the lives of incarcerees, their struggles, and their resilience. Explore interpretive exhibits, photographs, and artifacts that tell the story of the Japanese American incarceration experience. Gain a deeper understanding of the social, political, and cultural factors that led to this dark chapter in American history.
- Walking Tour: Take a self-guided walking tour of the historic site, which includes reconstructed barracks, mess halls, and other buildings that once housed incarcerees. Follow interpretive signs along the tour route to learn about the functions of each building and the daily life of incarcerees. Visit the Honor Roll, a memorial listing the names of over 9,000 incarcerees who were confined at Minidoka during the war.Explore the remnants of the agricultural landscape at Minidoka, where incarcerees cultivated crops and worked in communal gardens to supplement their diets. Learn about the challenges they faced in transforming the arid desert into productive farmland. Visit the historic root cellar, which provided storage for vegetables and crops grown by incarcerees. Interpretive signs explain the significance of agriculture at Minidoka and its role in sustaining the camp community.
- Reflection and Remembrance: Take time to reflect on the experiences of incarcerees and the impact of wartime incarceration on Japanese American communities. Sit quietly in the site’s memorial garden, which offers a peaceful space for contemplation and remembrance. Minidoka National Historic Site serves as a reminder of the injustices faced by Japanese Americans during World War II and the importance of preserving their stories for future generations. By visiting Minidoka, visitors can pay tribute to the resilience of those who were incarcerated and reflect on the ongoing struggle for civil rights and social justice in America
Eastern Idaho
Yellowstone Bear World
Yellowstone Bear World, located in Rexburg, Idaho, is a unique wildlife park where visitors can observe and interact with North American wildlife in a naturalistic setting. Visit the Cub Nursery to see adorable bear cubs and other baby animals up close. Watch them play, climb trees, and interact with each other under the watchful eye of experienced staff. Learn about bear biology, behavior, and conservation efforts from knowledgeable guides and educational displays throughout the park. Explore the petting zoo area, where you can interact with friendly farm animals such as goats, sheep, llamas, and more or attend educational programs and demonstrations to learn about wildlife conservation, bear safety, and the importance of preserving natural habitats.
Yellowstone Bear World offers a fun and educational experience for visitors of all ages, providing a rare opportunity to observe North American wildlife in a naturalistic environment.
Summary
In comparing the DINKs’ and the family’s experiences in Idaho, both enjoyed the state’s natural beauty and local flavors. The DINKs delved deeper into Idaho’s offerings, exploring not only the unique landscapes of Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve but also venturing to Pocatello, visiting the Minidoka National Historic Site, and experiencing Yellowstone Bear World. Their extended itinerary allowed for a more comprehensive exploration of Idaho’s diverse attractions. On the other hand, the family focused their visit on the otherworldly terrain of Craters of the Moon, ensuring they also sampled local cuisine along the way. While both approaches highlighted Idaho’s outdoor wonders and culinary delights, the DINKs’ extended exploration provided a richer tapestry of experiences across the Gem State.
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