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Idaho
Curated by Our Guild Explorers · Updated August 2026
The Gem State · Capital: Boise · The West
Whitewater rivers, deep wilderness and one of the West's most liveable little capitals.
Why go
What makes Idaho worth the trip.
Wild rivers
The Salmon and Snake carve some of the country's best whitewater.
Sun Valley
A storied, uncrowded mountain resort town.
Genuine wilderness
Vast roadless country for those who want real quiet.
Idaho on the map
The capital and the places worth building a trip around. Click a marker for a quick note and hotels.
Idaho — State Facts
A short history
Idaho's mountains and river valleys have long been home to the Nez Perce, Shoshone-Bannock, and Coeur d'Alene peoples, whose knowledge of the land shaped the routes later used by Lewis and Clark in 1805 as they crossed the rugged Bitterroots on their way to the Pacific. Fur trappers and missionaries followed, but the region remained sparsely settled well into the 19th century.
Gold discoveries in the 1860s brought a rush of miners and boomtowns, and Idaho Territory was organized in 1863 before achieving statehood in 1890 as the 43rd state. Its economy grew around silver mining in the north, and irrigated agriculture, especially the potato, across the Snake River Plain in the south, a crop still closely identified with the state today.
Modern Idaho blends that agricultural and mining heritage with a growing tech and outdoor-recreation economy centred on Boise, alongside globally renowned whitewater rivers and the historic ski resort of Sun Valley, one of America's first destination ski towns, established in 1936.
Idaho earned its 'Gem State' nickname because it's one of the few places on Earth where the rare gem star garnet has been found, alongside dozens of other gemstones mined across the state.
Where to go
The signature places to build a trip around.
Boise
A leafy, easy-going capital on its own greenbelt river.
Selected hotels
Sawtooth Mountains
Jagged peaks, alpine lakes and Stanley's tiny frontier feel.
Selected hotels
Sun Valley
Historic ski resort and summer trail network.
Selected hotels
Shoshone Falls
The 'Niagara of the West' on the Snake River.
Selected hotels
Everyone hits Sun Valley in winter, but go to Stanley in late summer instead and float the Salmon River at dusk, when the Sawtooths turn pink and the crowds have already driven home.
When to go
Summer for rivers and trails; winter for Sun Valley's slopes.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Prime ski season at Sun Valley and other resorts; mountain roads can be snowy.
Spring (Mar–May)
Snowmelt swells the rivers, making it a strong early season for whitewater rafting.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Peak season for hiking, rafting and Boise's outdoor festivals; warm and dry.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Crisp air and golden aspens in the Sawtooths, with thinning crowds.
Idaho FAQ
What is the capital of Idaho?
Boise is the capital of Idaho.
What is the largest city in Idaho?
Boise is both the capital and the largest city in Idaho.
When did Idaho become a state?
Idaho became the 43rd U.S. state on July 3, 1890.
What is Idaho known for?
Idaho is known for whitewater rivers, deep wilderness and one of the West's most liveable little capitals.
When is the best time to visit Idaho?
Summer for rivers and trails; winter for Sun Valley's slopes.
Plan your Idaho trip
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