| Outdoor activities are plentiful in Idaho. | | | | Many travelers enjoy walking in the footsteps |
| To residents and visitors alike, Idaho is | | | | of Idaho's early movers and shakers. The |
| like a big backyard. A vast, year-round | | | | American Indian thrived for centuries in much |
| playground for adults and children. But, | | | | of the state and courageous explorers and |
| which activities rank as the top ten | | | | daring pioneers left their mark on the |
| favorites? Based on personal observations, | | | | terrain. One can observe the path taken by |
| and not in any particular order, here they | | | | Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark |
| are: | | | | as they searched for a new overland route to |
| | | | the Pacific Ocean. Wagon wheel ruts still |
| Fishing | | | | found in the rugged Idaho terrain tell a |
| | | | story of the hardships encountered by those |
| For some, fishing means trolling for sizeable | | | | who defied odds heading west on the |
| lake trout in waters like Idaho's Lake Pend | | | | California and Oregon Trails. |
| Oreille. For others, tracking down the huge, | | | | |
| prehistoric sturgeon in the Snake River is | | | | Floating |
| great angling. And, fly fishermen, using | | | | |
| insect imitations, ply Idaho's famous blue | | | | From the sheer terror of whitewater one can |
| ribbon streams for the coveted brown, rainbow | | | | experience on Idaho's famous river runs to |
| and cutthroat trout. | | | | serenely bobbing along in an inner tube on |
| | | | the Boise River at Boise, the state's 3,100 |
| Hunting | | | | miles of navigable rivers become memories for |
| | | | many adventurers each year. Rafting, |
| Idaho has some of the finest hunting in the | | | | kayaking, canoeing, tubing and jet boating |
| Western United States. There are trophy | | | | are satisfying outdoor activities you are |
| moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat, plus | | | | sure to enjoy. |
| mule deer and whitetails, as well as elk and | | | | |
| antelope. Hunters can also find black bear | | | | Boating |
| and mountain lions, along with turkeys, | | | | |
| upland birds and waterfowl. | | | | Idaho boasts over 2,000 lakes and reservoirs |
| | | | for your boating pleasure. Some are quite |
| Winter Sports | | | | large. For example, Coeur d'Alene Lake, |
| | | | known as the most beautiful alpine lake in |
| If you love winter's snow, downhill skiing | | | | the U.S., is over 25 miles long with more |
| leads the Idaho list, with snowboarding and | | | | than 120 miles of shoreline. Great boating. |
| snow tubing gaining popularity each year. | | | | About 250 miles to the south, popular |
| Nordic-style cross-country skiing is almost a | | | | Dworshak Reservoir is a 53-mile long impound |
| way of life, and snowshoeing could not be | | | | of the Clearwater River. Great boating. In |
| better. Snowmobiling is also quite popular. | | | | southeastern Idaho, near Pocatello, one can |
| Groomed trails await, or make your own | | | | spend quality boating time at American Falls, |
| tracks! In addition, ice skating and ice | | | | a 56.000-acre reservoir on the Snake River. |
| fishing are both favorite winter activities | | | | |
| for many. | | | | Biking |
| | | | |
| Hiking | | | | Bike Idaho! There are 19,000 miles of |
| | | | trails. Mountain biking trails. Trails |
| Hiking trails of varying difficulty can be | | | | along desert back roads. Trails along |
| found throughout the state. There are trails | | | | rivers, and trails in most urban areas |
| of under a mile on up to the famed Idaho | | | | throughout the state. A big favorite with |
| State Centennial Trail, a 1,200-mile Mother | | | | many is the Route of the Hiawatha Rail-Trail, |
| of All Trails that extends the entire length | | | | an easy-grade, 17-mile long abandoned |
| of Idaho from the Canadian border to Nevada! | | | | rail-bed, now paved for biking. This trail, |
| In all, some 19,000 miles of trails for the | | | | near Wallace, passes through nine tunnels, |
| hiker, backpacker and trekker are available | | | | around a closed tunnel, over seven high |
| all around the state. | | | | trestles, past waterfalls, with amazing |
| | | | vistas and interpretive signs along the way. |
| Camping | | | | |
| | | | Miscellany |
| Whether your camping style is in a luxurious | | | | |
| motor home or a simple, canvas tent, Idaho | | | | More specialized outdoor activities are found |
| offers hundreds of maintained campgrounds as | | | | all over Idaho. Horseback riding is a |
| a base camp for outdoor activities. Most are | | | | favorite, as is landscape photography, |
| located at or close to popular recreation | | | | wildlife and bird watching, golfing, |
| areas and the state's varied scenic | | | | swimming, water skiing, wind surfing, |
| highlights. These public campgrounds are | | | | spelunking, rock climbing and the search for |
| operated and managed by federal and state | | | | wildflowers, mushrooms and wild berries. |
| government agencies. | | | | |
| | | | You will never run out of fun outdoor |
| History Rewind | | | | activities when you visit Idaho! |
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