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