After traveling an eternity through the dry, brown high desert, French-Canadian fur-trappers spotted a green sanctuary. This wooded oasis would eventually be dubbed “Boise.” Pioneers and miners viewed the City of Trees as the crown jewel of Southwest Idaho’s harsh wilderness. But modern-day adventurers will discover exceptional places beyond the city. Now, most websites focus on the classic day trips from Boise. We are talking McCall, Sun Valley, Stanley, etc. I love all these places, but there are plenty of other (less crowded) destinations worthy of exploring. Here are our top picks for the most underrated day trips from Boise.
Idaho City
Idaho City is one of the shortest day trips from Boise. Located just an hour outside of Boise, this real-life gold rush town gives hikers and history lovers a day of memorable entertainment.
Check out our guide on what to do while exploring Idaho City, Idaho.
Craters of the Moon National Monument
The scenery at Craters of the Moon is out of this world. So much so that Astronauts trained here before lunar missions. It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen. Unlike the Volcanoes that formed Hawaii, these lava fields were not created in violent bursts. Instead, the hot magma oozed out of cracks in the earth like toothpaste being squeezed from its tube. The result is 618 square miles of rigid black lava bed, fossilized trees, and spatter cones. This is a long day trip from Boise, but it’s worth the drive. If you have more than a day, I’d recommend spending the night at the campground. This is a Dark Sky Reserve, making it the best place in Idaho to see the Milky Way.
Click here for more information on camping at Craters of the Moon.
Little City of Rocks
Little City of Rocks is the most underrated area on our list. I believe that’s due to the confusion with another Idaho landmark of a similar name called the City of Rocks National Reserve. While the City of Rocks is just North of the Utah border, the Little City of Rocks hides only 12 Miles North of Gooding, 1.5 hours away from Boise.
Little City of Rocks is like as Prehistoric Dr. Suess world. Hike along the trail to see strange rock formations, including towering rock pillars, stone hoodoos, craggy pinnacles, and natural arches.
Click here for a free hiking guide to the Little City of Rocks.
Warm Lake
Idaho is littered with lakes. Throw a stone in any direction, and it’ll skip twice. A favorite of mine is Warm Lake near Cascade, about 1.5 hours north of Boise. It’s far enough to deter crowds and big enough to find some isolation. Bring your paddleboard, kayak, or fishing pole for a fun day on the water.
Click here for more information on activities at Warm Lake.
Bruneau
When people think of Idaho, they don’t often picture waving hills of desert sands. You might be surprised to learn that the highest single-structured sand dune in North America is just an hour outside Boise. Bruneau Dunes State Park and it’s 470 feet dune is worth exploring, day or night. Traverse the dunes in your hiking boots or visit the Bruneau Dunes Observatory and look at the stars through the Observatory’s collection of telescopes.
Click here for info on the Big Dune Trail.
After exploring the dunes, empty the sand from your shoes and make your way to one of Idaho’s largest canyons, Bruneau Canyon. The Bruneau Overlook is the only drive-to spot to peer into this magnificent canyon. This 1,300-foot wide, 800 feet high canyon was shaped by a fantastic mixture of ancient volcanoes and melting glaciers. From the lookout, your eyes can follow the Bruneau River as it tumbles all the way down the 60-mile canyon.
The overlook can be tricky to find, so here is a helpful guide.
Day trips from Boise Conclusion
Jump into your car, experience a full day of exploring historical towns, lava fields, lakes, or canyons, plus be home by dinner!
Chad can be summed up by his idea of a perfect day: Waking up early to watch the sunrise over the mountains, warm cup of coffee in hand then grabbing his camera and fly rod, hitting the trail to explore some uncharted territory followed by cold beers and campfire steaks. Chad is often joined on his adventures by his wife, Tori, and their dog, Kona.