Idaho is a hiker’s paradise, with stunning mountain ranges, pristine lakes, and rugged wilderness areas to explore. I’ve had the privilege of experiencing some of the best hiking trails in the state, and I’m excited to share my favorites with you.
From challenging ascents to leisurely strolls, Idaho has something for every hiker. Whether you’re looking for a scenic day hike or a multi-day backpacking adventure, you’re sure to find the perfect trail for you.
So lace up your boots and get ready to discover the best hiking in Idaho! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Explore the Sawtooth Mountains
The Sawtooth Mountains are a hiker’s paradise, with stunning peaks, crystal-clear lakes, and lush meadows. I’ve hiked many trails in the Sawtooths, and two of my favorites are the hike to Goat Lake and the climb up Mount Heyburn.
The hike to Goat Lake is a challenging but rewarding day hike. The trail winds through a beautiful forest before emerging into a high alpine basin. Goat Lake is nestled at the base of Mount Heyburn, and its turquoise waters are a sight to behold.
If you’re up for a more challenging hike, I recommend climbing Mount Heyburn. The trail is steep and rocky in places, but the views from the summit are incredible. You’ll be able to see for miles in every direction, including stunning views of Goat Lake and the surrounding Sawtooth peaks.
Whether you’re looking for a challenging day hike or a multi-day backpacking trip, the Sawtooth Mountains have something for everyone. I highly recommend exploring this beautiful mountain range if you’re ever in Idaho.
Here are some additional tips for hiking in the Sawtooth Mountains⁚
- Be prepared for all types of weather, as the weather can change quickly in the mountains.
- Bring plenty of water and snacks, as there are no services along most trails.
- Be aware of your surroundings and watch for wildlife, especially bears and mountain lions.
- Leave no trace and pack out everything you pack in.
Hike to Goat Lake
The hike to Goat Lake is a challenging but rewarding day hike in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho. The trail is 9.6 miles round-trip with 2,000 feet of elevation gain, but the stunning views of Goat Lake and the surrounding mountains make it well worth the effort.
I started my hike early in the morning from the trailhead at Redfish Lake. The trail follows Redfish Creek for the first mile or so, before climbing steeply up into the mountains. The trail is well-maintained and easy to follow, but there are a few sections that are quite rocky and uneven.
After about 2.5 miles, I reached Goat Lake. The lake is nestled in a high alpine basin, surrounded by towering peaks. The water is a beautiful turquoise color, and the views are simply breathtaking.
I took a break at Goat Lake to enjoy the scenery and have a snack. I then hiked around the lake, taking in the views from different angles. After spending about an hour at the lake, I started my hike back down the mountain.
The hike back down was easier than the hike up, but I still had to be careful on the rocky sections. I made it back to the trailhead in about 2 hours, tired but happy.
If you’re looking for a challenging but rewarding day hike in the Sawtooth Mountains, I highly recommend the hike to Goat Lake. The views are incredible, and the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel when you reach the lake is well worth the effort.
Here are some additional tips for hiking to Goat Lake⁚
- Be prepared for all types of weather, as the weather can change quickly in the mountains.
- Bring plenty of water and snacks, as there are no services along the trail.
- Be aware of your surroundings and watch for wildlife, especially bears and mountain lions.
- Leave no trace and pack out everything you pack in.
Scale Mount Heyburn
Mount Heyburn is the highest peak in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho, and it offers one of the most challenging and rewarding hikes in the state. The trail to the summit is 11.2 miles round-trip with 4,000 feet of elevation gain, but the views from the top are simply incredible.
I started my hike early in the morning from the trailhead at Redfish Lake. The trail follows Redfish Creek for the first mile or so, before climbing steeply up into the mountains. The trail is well-maintained and easy to follow, but there are a few sections that are quite rocky and uneven.
After about 2.5 miles, I reached Goat Lake. The lake is nestled in a high alpine basin, surrounded by towering peaks. The water is a beautiful turquoise color, and the views are simply breathtaking.
I took a break at Goat Lake to enjoy the scenery and have a snack. I then continued my hike up the mountain, following the trail as it switchbacked up the steep slopes.
After about 3 hours of hiking, I reached the summit of Mount Heyburn. The views from the top were incredible. I could see for miles in every direction, and I could even see the Grand Tetons in the distance.
I spent about an hour at the summit, enjoying the views and taking pictures. I then started my hike back down the mountain.
The hike back down was easier than the hike up, but I still had to be careful on the rocky sections. I made it back to the trailhead in about 2 hours, tired but happy.
If you’re looking for a challenging but rewarding hike in the Sawtooth Mountains, I highly recommend scaling Mount Heyburn. The views from the top are incredible, and the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel when you reach the summit is well worth the effort.
Here are some additional tips for scaling Mount Heyburn⁚
- Be prepared for all types of weather, as the weather can change quickly in the mountains.
- Bring plenty of water and snacks, as there are no services along the trail.
- Be aware of your surroundings and watch for wildlife, especially bears and mountain lions.
- Leave no trace and pack out everything you pack in.
Discover the Craters of the Moon National Monument
The Craters of the Moon National Monument is a unique and fascinating landscape of lava flows, cinder cones, and volcanic craters. It’s a great place to hike and explore, and there are trails for all levels of hikers.
I started my exploration of the Craters of the Moon with a hike on the Inferno Cone Trail. This is a short but challenging hike that leads to the summit of Inferno Cone, a cinder cone that erupted about 2,000 years ago.
The trail is just 0.6 miles round-trip, but it gains 250 feet of elevation in that short distance. The trail is steep and rocky, but it’s well-maintained and easy to follow.
When I reached the summit of Inferno Cone, I was rewarded with incredible views of the surrounding lava fields. I could see for miles in every direction, and I could even see the Grand Tetons in the distance.
After enjoying the views from Inferno Cone, I hiked back down the trail and continued my exploration of the Craters of the Moon. I visited the caves, which are formed by lava tubes that cooled and hardened. I also hiked through the lava fields, which are covered in jagged rocks and twisted metal.
The Craters of the Moon is a truly unique and fascinating place. If you’re looking for a hike that’s both challenging and rewarding, I highly recommend visiting the Craters of the Moon National Monument.
Here are some additional tips for exploring the Craters of the Moon⁚
- Be prepared for all types of weather, as the weather can change quickly in the desert.
- Bring plenty of water and snacks, as there are no services available in the park.
- Wear sturdy shoes and clothing, as the lava fields can be sharp and abrasive.
- Be aware of your surroundings and watch for wildlife, especially rattlesnakes.
- Leave no trace and pack out everything you pack in.
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