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Paddlers on the Snake River //
(c) Visit Idaho |
To encourage families to spend their summer vacation in Idaho, Visit Idaho has come up with a top 10 list of favorite summer family travel activities and adventures. The state, which is rich in natural resources and landscapes, from biking trails and mountains to lakes and white water rapids, offers a number of different activities suited to each family member. The following is a list of activities being promoted by Visit Idaho:
Hiking the Trail of Hiawatha
The Trail of the Hiawatha, located in Northern Idaho, is a 14-mile bike trail along an old 1900’s railroad route. This trail takes riders through 10 tunnels and across seven high trestles, across the Bitterroot Mountains and the Idaho/Montana state line. Families can rent bikes for adults and kids, and even travel trailers, from the Lookout Pass Recreation Area that operates the trail. Day tickets are only $9 for adults and $6 for kids.
Fly-Fishing in the Snake River
Families might also enjoy visiting the Snake River, which runs throughout Idaho, and offers world-class fly-fishing in Ketchum and Sun Valley.
Ice Skating in Central Idaho’s Sun Valley
Those visiting central Idaho should look into a stay at Sun Valley, the tucked-away Idaho resort town that is famous for being the first destination ski resort in the nation and even offers ice skating in the middle of summer.
Exploring Craters of the Moon
East of Sun Valley, the Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve is a sprawling 750,000 acres of lava flows. Here, kids can pick up a copy of the Lunar Ranger booklet at the visitor center and, by completing its activities throughout the day, they can earn a Lunar Ranger badge.
Saddle Up in Central Idaho
For the equestrian family, Lewis & Clark Adventures, of Gibbonsville, also in central Idaho, takes families on horseback and rafting tours along the same route that Lewis and Clark traveled with Sacajawea.
Feed the Bears at Yellowston Bear World
Families who visit Yellowstone Bear World in Rexburg, Idaho, can take park tours in an open-top vehicle for sightings of Rocky Mountain elk, bison, moose, wolves, and bears. They can even bottle feed bear cubs with professional help.
Go Rafting
Fans of whitewater rafting should visit the Idaho Whitewater Guide, an online resource for family-friendly trips and outfitters that can get your client in a raft and on the river.
Float Down the Boise River
In Idaho’s capital city, a favorite summertime activity is to float the pristine, crystal clear Boise River. Epley’s, a local outfitter, rents rafts and tubes, and also offers shuttle services that take rafters from one end of the float to another.
Explore the Bruneau Dune
This dune is the tallest single-structure sand dune in North America and it offers countless physical, fun challenges, such as swimming in the small lake at the base of the dune.
Take a Dip in Burgdorf Hot Springs
Near the old town of Burgdorf are the Burgdorf Hot Springs, where families can rent cabins for the night, soak in the hot springs during the day and explore the wide-open natural surroundings; visitors can also enjoy an indoor mineral spring swimming pool with family recreational facilities like a poolside climbing wall.
For more Idaho travel ideas and suggestions, agents should visit Visit Idaho online at VisitIdaho.com.
Visit Idaho
www.visitidaho.org
