Overview
Southwestern Idaho is in Idaho.
5 sights · 6 things to do
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Southwestern Idaho
Bruneau Dunes SP
Named for the largest sand dune in North America, the park also has camping, cabins, fishing, an observatory (open April until October), hiking, and bird watching.
Hells Canyon NRA
Featuring the deepest gorge in North America, refuge's 652,000 acres (264,000 hectares) affords a wide variety of activities including camping, hiking, and especially white-water rafting.
Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area
The 485,000 acre (196,000 hectares) refuge protects one of the world's largest concentration of nesting raptors including falcons, eagles, hawks, and owls. Come in spring and early summer to see them at their best.
Three Island Crossing SP
The park's location is at one of the most famous river crossings of the Oregon Trail. The park celebrates this history and also has camping, cabins, fishing and hiking.
Silver City
A ghost town in the Owyhee Mountains, Silver City offers a hotel, outfitter, and gift shops. Events are held throughout the year. The roads don't open to most vehicles until spring so check conditions before leaving.
Roaring Springs Waterpark
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 93°F; winter lows dip to about 25°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Cold months (Jan, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: May and Dec. (climate data from nearby Boise)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BOI Boise Air Terminal/Gowen Field, Boise — 26 mi away (major hub). Directions
- SUN Friedman Memorial Airport, Hailey — 112 mi away. Directions
Sample 3-day trip
- Day 1: Boise — Idaho State Capitol Building, Julia Davis Park, Boise Art Museum.
- Day 2: Nampa — Nampa Train Depot Museum, Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, Ford Idaho Center.
- Day 3: Payette-Fruitland — New Plymouth Congregational Church, Payette County Museum.
Built from the best-covered destinations in this region; open each for its own day plan.
Photos
Places in Southwestern Idaho
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Cities
- Boise
- McCall
- Mountain Home
- Nampa
- Payette-Fruitland
See
See Three Island Crossing SP
The park's location is at one of the most famous river crossings of the Oregon Trail. The park celebrates this history and also has camping, cabins, fishing and hiking.
Do
- ,
- - located in Meridian
Do Thunder Mountain Line
Excursion train running between Horseshoe Bend and Banks. The only one in Idaho.
Nearby
My experience
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