Idaho, what’s the story? What are the secrets?

another well kept secret , if you need hookups..
idaho power parks
any of 'em

http://www.idahopower.com/OurEnvironment/Recreation/parks/

bring your swim trunks , water toys ,

start in boise heading towards mtn home. pick up all the "petrified watermelons"you can carry for all your friends back home

Here are a couple that I found interesting.
Yankee Fork Gold Dredge Click I took the 4x4 road out of Challis.

The Experimental Breeder Reactor #1 Click Small place with very interesting history. When we visited (2007) there were students directing the tours.

Ketchum- (We used to live there, was a great little western town, but now it's a little Malibu in the mountains)

The Ketchum/ Sun Valley/Stanley area is an incredible place to spend time, not for the towns per se, but for the mountain scenery, camping, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, golf. Little mountain Malibu is there is you want art galleries, restaurants, Sun Valley ice shows, symphony(can't believe there's a one of those here now).

You asked for an Itinerary so here goes:

Day 1. Pass thru Ketchum and continue heading up Hy. 7 miles and stop at the SNRA headquarters building. Ask them about camping spots and hiking. They have a dump station and water a mile or so up the road. In 30 years we have always boon docked, easily finding spots right on the Wood River. Fishing right out your door is hard to beat. Find a spot settle in and enjoy the dark skies filled with stars.

Day 2. Get up early grab your mtn. bikes, drive back into K town, hang out with the "cool" people at Java's, although some of them take their morning coffee and people watching seriously you don't have too! Order a Bowl of Soul. With the coffee buzz going strong head to River Run, pay, ride the lifts up 3000' to the top of Bald Mountain. Gape at the view for an hour or so, then hop on your bikes and ride one of the single track bike trails down to the base, repeat if needed. Go to lunch at Grumpy's; burgers and beer-cash only. With bellies full and andrenalin in check after the ride down baldy head to Sun Valley, only a mile away, just wander around the resort for the afternoon or better yet, ride your bikes around. To finish the afternoon off ask where Trail Creek Cabin, they have a great little deck on Trail Creek where you can have a drink and nibble before heading back to camp.

Day 3. Drive up and into the Sawtooth Valley, with the final stop being Redfish Lodge. Stops along the way; Lookout past Galena summit, Smiley Creek Lodge-milk shakes...Yum! Turn off 75 drive head into Alturas Lake and stop on the west side for some sunbathing and a chilly swim. Back on 75 stop at the fish hatchery. Stop in at Stanley town, wander around, ask about local hot springs, if you feel like a soak. Plenty of rafting trips leave from Stanley. Now head back to Redfish Lake, have an early dinner at the lodge.

Day 4. Rest !!.......If you want to be closer to Ketchum stop in at the Ketchum Ranger Station and inquire about camping options closer to town. While there ask the rangers about hiking, the possibilities are endless. Go for a short hike and then have dinner at the Pioneer. Get there early as it can get busy and there are no reservations.

Other activities to look into if you have time and energy: Silver Creek-world class fly fishing, History department at the Ketchum Library, Put Put course at the Sun Valley- lots of fun for adults and kids, Grab sandwiches to go from Bigwood Bread and have a picnic on Trail Creek, Bring some carrots to the draft horses on Sun Valley Road, Ride ATV's up to Boulder City.....Ask people for ideas..visitor center is located in the Starbuck's building for more ideas.

Here is a little insight into our area, which is in Valley County, but we visit all of the surrounding counties too.

What to see & do

I was born and raised 70 miles South of the UT ID border and spent a lot of time up in Idaho until ending up in CA.

Priest Lake is one-o-my favorite areas.
We dang near bought into a time share up there.

Don't forget about Hells Canyon on the West side!
Rafted on that a long time ago...definitely worth it.

Idaho has way too much to list!
A real paradise year round unless you don't like snow :C

caver wrote:
Elk City if it hasn't been mentioned. Rent a bicycle and ride the route of the Hiawatha. Easy trail that starts out through a 1.66 mile railroad tunnel and then it's downhill from there. A shuttle takes you back up. I'm overweight and out of shape and did the trail.
Last year I did a 5-6 day float down the Middle Fork of the Salmon. It's right up there with a week long trip down the Grand Canyon/Colorado River.

Oh yes - and after Elk City go on to Red River Hot Springs!! I courted my wife there in 1955!!

Elk City if it hasn't been mentioned. Rent a bicycle and ride the route of the Hiawatha. Easy trail that starts out through a 1.66 mile railroad tunnel and then it's downhill from there. A shuttle takes you back up. I'm overweight and out of shape and did the trail.
Last year I did a 5-6 day float down the Middle Fork of the Salmon. It's right up there with a week long trip down the Grand Canyon/Colorado River.

the bear ll --Thanks, but am actually trying to Identify the little places that you only find out about after you leave. When we are there we’ll be sure to stop by the roadside stands.

Old Idaho guy – ok, 75 is in the plan and I think no matter what, I’d have to touch Sun Valley and Red Fish Lake but there have to be a couple of spots that are really Special that only the real travelers know about and that you could let me know about and I should not miss.

sheltieRV -- We usually have the bikes but I really not a big fan of the Interstates so the old tracks might not work – but if we had a special little camp site about a mile or so from town we would certainly make that ride.

ArticDodge -- Could you just share a couple of your favorite spots? Must be something you like and you could share with the rest of us.

The Texan -- Who was watching when you snuck in? Share a little info.

4runnerguy -- I'm with you on this one Busskipper. We've contemplated a trip into Idaho for several years now, but have yet to make the plunge. Like many, we've seen places right around Yellowstone and along the interstates, as well as Craters of the Moon. But I want more ideas! – what I would love to find is the resident expert, the 4runnerguy of Idaho. With any luck someone will step up with the real inside dope.

Desert Hawk – I have always enjoyed your informative post and will be sure to include these locations on an itinerary, as it develops.

trailertraveler -- Your link to the scenic byways is great, will dig into it and see what I can find – Thanks

Jay Pat -- will keep the bears in the file for when we have the granddaughter. Thanks

SteveAE – Steve, thanks for the help, likely we will make that decision much later and it will depend on our location and the WEATHER, Thanks

crabbin cabin – John, Just a quick note on my map – it only shows the spots I’ve been in this Coach (have not updated it in 5 years) – I’ve had some sort of RV from 1965 on, with close to a million miles on a long list of vehicles, and yes we also love the Northwest, have a nephew on Whidbey Island and have flown out a couple times to visit. You are sharing what I’m looking for – places that the natives know and use – I will need to put your info into a map/itinerary and get back with you.

EgorKC – Greg, Thanks will add the falls to the map.

Jayco23FB – My CG’s go from $199.00/ night to Wal*Mart – so what we generally do is try to catch a full service CG every 4th or 5th day when we are traveling or find a great location and stay for a week or so. Got your PM but would like to keep everything on this tread so it is available to all.

So I repeat;
can someone (or lots of someone’s) give me a travel itinerary that would keep me busy for a few weeks – what are the secret spots – not the places everyone goes – (I really am not a fan of the Estes Parks and the Ketchum’s more the Lake City, Silverton, Ouray and Crested Butte) – Hikes, like lost, hidden, or hanging Lake – where are the great fishing spots? – White water rafting or just a float trip -- is there a special little Bar or eating spot that you never miss when you are in the area – Is there a drive that is really special, like 128 or 12 in Utah or Wind River Valley in Wyoming – do you have a 4x4 trail that rivals those in Colorado, like the Alpine loop?

What I would like to have is the ability to post a map with the really neat/good highlights of Idaho – we can include the known spots but we are looking to discover the spots we don’t want to miss.

Thanks to everyone so far let’s keep it coming,

Busskipper

I am in the northen panhandle. What do you like to do and how do you like to camp? I can give you some info. We mostly boondock, plenty of opportunities for that here.