24 Easy and Fun Day Trips From Boise, Idaho
Are you visiting the Boise area and wondering what the heck there is to do in southern Idaho? The capital city of Idaho, Boise is located in southwest Idaho close to the Oregon border and within three hours of dozens of cool places to see, hike, and enjoy in a variety of different environments.
If you’re planning to do a day trip or two from Boise, here are 24 easy and fun day trip ideas broken up into day trips under a 1 hour drive (one-way), day trips 1-2 hours from town, and day trips that are 2-3 hours from town if you’re feeling really ambitious. I grew up in Boise and live here currently, so you can trust that my suggestions are good ones (and accurate!). I also included a long scenic drive option if you want to hit as many stops as possible and an interactive Google map of all of the day trip ideas at the end of this post.
Oh, and if you come across a list of day trips from Boise that includes the St. Anthony Sand Dunes…click away, because the people that wrote that clearly have never looked at a map of Idaho. Those sand dunes are located in eastern Idaho about a 4.5 hour drive from Boise. They’re not close to Boise at all and definitely not what I would consider a day trip!
Read next: 12 of the best brunch spots in Boise, A Summer Guide to Boise
24 Day Trips from Boise, Idaho
DAY TRIPS WITHIN 1 HOUR OF BOISE
1. Lucky Peak Reservoir / Grand Slam
Looking to spend the day near water but don’t want to drive far? Head to Lucky Peak just southeast of Boise! Do all the water activities your heart desires on the reservoir or take the kiddos for a beach day at Sandy Point Beach.
Another option in the area if you’re looking for physical activity is to hike one of the four peaks that make up the Grand Slam: Lucky Peak (best view of Boise), Cervidae Peak, Kepros Mountain, or Mount Heinen. These long hikes are all moderately difficult to strenuous so prepare accordingly.
2. Bogus Basin Mountain Resort
Bogus Basin is the closest ski and snowboard resort to Boise, located about a 45-minute drive to the north in the Boise National Forest. Besides winter activities, it is also home to a multitude of summer activities. There are miles of mountain bike trails, Idaho’s only mountain coaster, and plenty of other activities for the kids (rock climbing, bungee trampoline, panning for gold, tubing). It’s also a popular place to hike and horseback ride.
If you’re looking for more hikes, there are multiple popular trailheads along Bogus Basin Road, including Stack Rock and Dry Creek! Watch for wildlife and be sure to check for ticks afterward, especially if you bring a pup along.
3. Payette River
A really popular summer activity is to raft the Payette River starting from Banks, Idaho, which is located about an hour north of Boise. The most well-known company and the one I rafted with multiple times as a kid was Cascade Raft and Kayak. There are rapids, and this section of the river does require a little bit of work (paddling).
If you’re not into rapids/rafting and want an easy float, the section of the Payette through the Emmett area is the most leisurely river float I’ve ever done (it’s even easier than the Boise). No hardcore paddling required!
4. Idaho City
In Idaho City, a small mountain town located northeast of Boise, you’ll find miles of hiking and snowmobile trails. If you’re looking to unwind, check out The Springs, a popular natural hot springs resort featuring a large pool, several private tubs, and massage services.
5. Swan Falls
Located south of Boise, Swan Falls is situated along the Snake River at the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area. Hang out by the river, hike around the dam, and look around to see a variety of hawks, falcons, eagles, and owls that call the area home!
6. Sunnyslope Wine Trail
Interested in a day of Idaho wine tasting? Most of the wineries in the area are located west of Boise in the Caldwell area. 15 wineries are part of this area known as the Sunnyslope Wine Trail! I personally love Indian Creek Winery (located in Kuna) and Koenig Vineyards (located in Caldwell along the main trail). If you don’t want to worry about transportation to/from the wine trail or between the wineries, book a trip with Snake River Wine Tours! They pick up from downtown Boise.
DAY TRIPS 1-2 HOURS FROM BOISE
7. Bruneau Dunes State Park
Bruneau Dunes, located south of Mountain Home, is home to huge sand dunes that you can hike and play on as well as an observatory if you’re into viewing the night sky.
8. Shoofly Oolite
Shoofly Oolite is a relatively odd rock formation and a great quick hike just south of Grand View, Idaho. Plan accordingly and try to avoid doing this hike on a really hot day as there is no shade.
9. Bruneau Canyon
If you head south from the town of Bruneau in an area that seems like the middle of nowhere (it is), you’ll eventually come across the stunning Bruneau Canyon carved out by the Bruneau River. There are a multitude of hikes in the area, and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife.
10. Camas Prairie Centennial Marsh
The Camas Prairie Centennial Marsh Wildlife Management Area is home to a variety of different birds and other wildlife as well as the beautiful camas lilies. The best time of year to visit is in the spring: the wildflowers bloom from about mid-late May to early-mid June.
11. Soldier Mountain Ski Area
Soldier Mountain is located north of Fairfield, Idaho, and the Camas Prairie. It’s a smaller ski resort but don’t let that deter you—they offer cat skiing and incredible views. In the summer, there are a few mountain bike trails to enjoy on the weekends.
12. Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument
The Hagerman Fossil Beds are home to cool fossils, as the name suggests, including the famous Hagerman horse fossil (found at the visitors center). The fossil beds themselves aren’t able to be visited due to active excavations but there’s a nice overlook by the fossil beds and a pretty view of the river below. You’re also right along the original Oregon Trail.
13. Thousand Springs / Malad Gorge
In the same area as Hagerman is Thousand Springs. Malad Gorge is a part of Thousand Springs and is located to the north of Hagerman. You actually drive right over Malad Gorge along I-84; the canyon is so narrow that most people don’t realize it! It’s worth a stop to marvel at how deep the canyon is and look for springs coming out of the cliffs.
14. Little City of Rocks
Little City of Rocks is, as the name suggests, a little sister to City of Rocks but is located much closer to Boise at only a couple of hours away. There are many cool rock formations in the area that are worth hiking around.
15. Minidoka National Historic Site
For a somber but important reminder of Idaho history, check out the Minidoka National Historic Site located near Jerome. You’ll learn about one of the Minidoka Japanese Internment Camps (ugh) and see the historic buildings; tours are available.
16. Shoshone Falls
Shoshone Falls, also known as the Niagara of the West, is located east of Twin Falls near Kimberly, Idaho. It is taller than Niagara Falls at 212 feet. The Snake River runs through it, and the best time of year to view the falls is in the late spring when snowmelt runoff is peaking. Caldron Linn is a narrow and rocky part of the Snake River located upstream of Shoshone Falls near Murtaugh and is another place worth stopping if you have the time.
17. Shoshone Ice Caves
If you want to explore underground lava caves but don’t want to trek all the way to Craters of the Moon (more on that below), head to the Shoshone Ice Caves! On the way, stop at the Idaho’s Mammoth Cave and Shoshone Bird Museum of Natural History!
18. Silver City / Owyhee Mountains
Head into the Owyhee Mountains south of Boise to check out the old mining town called Silver City, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. There isn’t much going on there any more as it’s mostly abandoned, but cool buildings still stand and it feels like you stepped back in time. (Just be mindful of private property.)
If you drive through the Owyhees during the summer, keep your eyes peeled for Mormon crickets along the roads. They’re huge and EVERYWHERE.
DAY TRIPS 2-3 HOURS FROM BOISE (FOR THE AMBITIOUS TRAVELERS!)
If you want to venture out a little farther from Boise but still have some time to do activities at your destination, here are a few places that are within a 3-hour drive of Boise (a 3-hour drive one way is what I would consider max for a day trip). It’s a long day, but it’s doable if you’re feeling ambitious!
19. Cascade
Water activities abound on nearby Lake Cascade, and there are a variety of cute little shops to check out in downtown Cascade.
North of Cascade and south of McCall is the town of Donnelly, and west of Donnelly you’ll find Tamarack Resort. This is another popular ski and snowboard resort in the winter!
20. McCall
McCall is a very popular destination for Boise locals and tourists alike. The town sits on the south end of Payette Lake, where you’re able to partake in many water activities. There are fun shops and restaurants in town as well as nearby Brundage Mountain Resort for ski and snowboard fun or mountain biking in the summer.
21. Stanley / Sawtooth Mountains
Deep in the mountains of central Idaho is the cute lil town of Stanley. The main attraction in the area is definitely the Sawtooth Mountains and the lakes that dot the mountains, including Redfish Lake, Stanley Lake, Pettit Lake, and many more. You can easily spend a full day or more hiking in the area!
22. Ketchum / Sun Valley
Arguably one of the most well-known areas in Idaho is Sun Valley. Many celebrities and other wealthy folks call the area home (or second/third/fourth/whatever home, haha). It’s a very posh area nearly 3 hours from Boise (if you come in from the south) and south of Stanley.
23. Craters of the Moon National Monument
Craters of the Moon is a haul at nearly 3 hours from Boise, but you can do the national monument in only an hour or two if you just want to hit the highlights. Check out out-of-this-world volcanic features (including caves!), do a couple of short hikes, and drive the scenic loop before heading back to Boise! (You’ll drive through Fairfield/the Camas Prairie on the way.)
24. Leslie Gulch
Located in remote southeastern Oregon a little over 2 hours from Boise, Leslie Gulch is a rugged canyon featuring beautiful geologic formations and wildlife. It’s a great area for hiking but keep in mind that the roads in the area are unpaved.
SCENIC 7+ HOUR DRIVE THROUGH THE IDAHO MOUNTAINS
If you enjoy driving and want to see as much of the mountains and hit as many of the stops in this list as you can in one day, drive a scenic loop!
OPTION 1: Leave Boise and take Highway 21 north through Idaho City, turn south on Highway 75 in Stanley, continue through Sun Valley and Hailey, turn west on Highway 20 through Fairfield, turn north on I-84 in Mountain Home towards Boise.
Total travel time: approximately 7 hours. This drive can also be done in reverse order.
OPTION 2: Leave Boise and take Highway 55 north through Horseshoe Bend, turn east at Banks on the Banks—Lowman Highway, continue east on Highway 21 at Lowman, turn south on Highway 75 in Stanley, continue through Sun Valley and Hailey, turn west on Highway 20 through Fairfield, turn north on I-84 in Mountain Home towards Boise.
Total travel time: approximately 7-7.5 hours. This drive can also be done in reverse order but keep in mind that you might get stuck for a long time trying to turn left onto Highway 55 at Banks due to heavy traffic! This drive is a better option for those that are prone to carsickness as it’s not as windy as taking Highway 21 through Idaho City.