Idaho City: A Quaint Day Trip from Boise
Spending time in Boise but want to get out of the city for a little while? Idaho City may just be the place for you!
Need some ideas for what to do while you’re in Boise? Check out this guide!
Depending on where you are in Boise, Idaho City is about an hour drive along some beautiful, winding mountain roads. You’ll be driving along the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway (ID 21). If you continue along this road past Idaho City, you can make it up to Stanley and Red Fish Lake – both of which I highly recommend as well if you have the time (blog post coming soon!). ID 21 meanders through the Boise National Forest (a protected forest area preserved and maintained by the federal government). Since it’s a national forest, you can expect gorgeous views with little human alteration or construction. Some of the road goes along the river, some follows the curve of the mountains, and some goes straight through forest. It’s a stunning drive.
Idaho City was founded in the 1860s during the Boise Basin gold rush – the largest gold rush since the California craze of the 1840s & 1850s. At it’s height, Idaho City once had more than 10,000 residents, but most left after the gold rush frenzy died down and mining in the area declined. Today, Idaho City is a very small city – according to the 2010 census, 485 people to be exact. As such, it can be considered a pretty sleepy town. However, the locals are very friendly and there are quite a few things you can do in and around the town. This small town is definitely worth a visit.
THINGS TO DO IN TOWN:
1.) Wander the streets downtown
These historic streets are full of Old West charm. Many of the original store fronts from the 1800s and early 1900s have been preserved throughout town. So much so that it really does feel like you’ve stepped through the TARDIS and gone back in time when you wander through Idaho City. Some of the original features of the town, such as the old “horse parking” area outside the Wells Fargo Express, the pest house (where sick people were sent to more or less quarantine) and jail house, the blacksmith, and the 1865 Fire House have all been well-preserved and set up as focal features of the town.
To help you explore the city in a more hands-on fashion, there are two options for walking tours. The first is with a copy of the Bricks & Boardwalks, A Walking-Tour Guide to Historic Idaho City. You can pick up a copy of this self-guided walking tour from the Idaho City Visitors Center. The second option is to go on a walking tour with a personal guide. These are offered Wednesdays-Fridays by appointment – they may be able to accommodate an alternate date upon request.
While walking downtown, there are plenty of cute gift shops, antiques stores, and other emporiums to stop by including Simply Fun, a toy store that primarily sells old-fashioned toys. Last time I was here, the owner chatted with us about how she wants to bring back toys with an old-school vibe and encourage kids to be less dependent on technology and technology-enhanced toys. She also had the cutest doggo hanging out as the store “watch dog.”
2.) The Springs
The Springs is a gem of a hot springs resort nestled just outside Idaho City city limits. They recently remodeled, and boy let me tell you, the result is pure fabulousness! There is a large, general soaking pool as well as 4 private pools. No matter which you choose, the views are stunning. The dressing rooms are clean and bright, while the pools are well-maintained. You will absolutely want to make a reservation in advance (I recommend at least a week in advance, if not more, if you’re hoping for a private pool) as the secret is out about The Springs and it’s a favorite for locals and tourists alike.
Last time I was here, in April 2022, my friend Kim and I opted for a private pool. It was the most luxurious hot springs experience I have ever had! We ordered a meat and cheese plate which had been pre-delivered and was waiting for us by the pool side. The private pools are surrounded by think concrete dividers which completely cut out sound from other guests, so all we could hear was ourselves, the running water, and nature. We also made friends with a few curious chipmunks who wanted to share in our snack plates and who kept trying to sneak food away. We had the last booking of the night, and they let us stay in the pool about 10 minutes extra while they were taking care of other guests and cleaning up, which was so kind of them. Although the private pools are more expensive, they’re 100% worth the price ($50/hour/couple, +$5/extra person up to 4 people total).
TL;DR: Want to feel bougie on a dime? Rent a private pool at The Springs for you and up to 3 other guests.
Website: https://www.thespringsid.com/
3.) Visit the Boise Basin Museum
This small museum is chock-full of local history and mining history, mainly centered on the 19th century. Unfortunately, it wasn’t open last time I tried to visit, so I can’t give you too much information about it, but I know it has lots of awesome artifacts and historical photos to browse. If you’re one for museums and/or you love history, this is a must-stop.
Website: https://visitidaho.org/things-to-do/museums-galleries/boise-basin-museum/
4.) Stop by the Sarsaparilla Ice Cream Parlor
If you love ice cream, look no further. This is the best ice cream in town! It’s a cute, old timey ice cream parlor and gift shop. They also sell some delicious fudge! The Sarsaparilla is located right on the main thoroughfare through town, so you can’t miss it. It’s definitely worth a stop!
Website: https://www.facebook.com/sarsaparillaicecreamparlor/
5.) Hiking
There are SO many wonderful hiking trails around Idaho City. Since it’s in a National Forest, many of these trails are well-maintained and well-labeled. There’s a variety of difficulties, lengths and features to see, so there’s something for everyone. Charcoal Gulch & Mores Mountain are two popular hikes near Idaho City. Many of these trails are open to mountain bikers and horseback riders as well.
Websites w/details for hikes near Idaho City: Website #1 | Website #2
6.) Snowmobiling
This is one of the most popular things to do in and around Idaho City in the winter. Idaho City’s elevation is 3,907 ft (1,191 m), and they’re located in a valley surrounded by mountains, which means they get a LOT of snowfall each year. They average 71.5 in (181.75 cm) of snow annually, and about 21 inches just in January alone! There’s a snowmobile trail map located near the Idaho City Visitor Center that features some popular routes for snowmobiling. There are tons of places in and around town where you can rent snowmobiles. I haven’t done this myself so I don’t have any recommendations for you, but a quick Google Search should give you plenty of options. Be sure to reserve or, at least call ahead, to make sure they have some available and are open the day you’re planning to visit.
Link to information on snowmobiling in the Boise National Forest
7.) Horseback Riding
This is another popular activity in the area. As referenced above, there are tons of well-maintained horseback riding trails in and around town, and some storefronts even feature hitching posts in town. Unfortunately, you’ll need to have your own horses to be able to do this activity here, unless you want to drive about an hour to Lazy R Ranch in Banks, ID where you can take a lesson or join a session.
If you do have horses of your own, there are a few horse campgrounds near the town including Cowboy Campground at Legacy Park and Whoop Um Up Equestrian Campground. You and your horses are welcome to post up, campout, and stay here overnight.
8.) Rent an ATV
Unlike horseback riding, ATVs are something that you can rent right in the middle of town. There are a number of private renters as well as storefronts downtown advertising these rentals. You’ll most likely need to sign a waiver before taking these bad boys out on a joy ride, but once you secure your new rides, the whole area turns into your playground. With ATVs, you’ll be able to reach some pretty breathtaking views that would have been hard to get to otherwise.
Link to Idaho Parks & Rec trail maps for ATVs, dirt bikes, etc.
BONUS IDEAS:
Since Idaho City is an outdoor-lover’s paradise, here are a few other ideas of things to do in and around the city:
- Go fishing (be sure to purchase a fishing license in advance)
- Go snowshoeing and/or cross-country skiing in winter (many of the hiking trails morph into great snowshoeing & cross-country skiing trails once snow falls)
- Rent a dirt bike or mountain bike
- Go camping
- Have a picnic at one of the many campsites/picnic sites in the Boise National Forest
ANNUAL EVENTS:
In addition to the above-mentioned activities and sites, Idaho City has a handful of annual events that make for some additional fun. Here are 4 of the most celebrated Idaho City annual events:
- Gold Dust Rodeo – held the last Friday & Saturday in June
- Idaho City Days – large open-air market with vendors, arts, food, and more, celebrating local talent and talent throughout Idaho. Idaho City Days also usually includes a parade through town.
- Spooky Fall Family Festival – held in October
- Chili Cook-Off
Have you ever been to Idaho City? What did you like or dislike? Am I missing anything that you think should be on this list? Let me know below!
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