Big Craters Trail
Craters of the Moon NM (Arco)
A moderate 2.4-mile loop trail that descends into craters and traverses across fractured lava fields, offering intimate views of spatter cones and the dramatic geology that earned this landscape its otherworldly reputation. This trail provides a more challenging alternative to North Crater Trail with rewarding crater-floor perspectives.
Photo by Mattingly Marinaccio on Pexels
Gold Fork Creek Trail
Payette River Region (Crouch, Garden Valley)
Hike moderate trails alongside a pristine mountain creek through remote wilderness, with access to geothermal features and stunning views of the Payette National Forest.
Photo by allybally4b on Pixabay
Pittsburg Landing Trail
Hells Canyon (Riggins area)
A moderately challenging 5-mile round-trip descent into Hells Canyon to the historic Pittsburg Landing on the Snake River, offering stunning river views and access to one of the canyon's most remote settlements. This trail is a gateway for backcountry hikers and rafters seeking deeper wilderness immersion.
Photo by Frank J on Pexels
Redfish Lake Trail
Sawtooth Valley (Stanley, Ketchum)
A moderate alpine lake hike through mountain meadows and subalpine forest, rewarding hikers with crystalline turquoise waters framed by jagged granite peaks—ideal for swimming, photography, and picnicking on the shoreline.
Photo by pcdazero on Pixabay
Stanley Lake Trail
Sawtooth Valley (Stanley, Ketchum)
A scenic 3-mile loop around a stunning alpine lake offering dramatic mountain vistas, wildflower meadows in summer, and access to quieter waters less crowded than Redfish Lake.
Photo by pcdazero on Pixabay
Table Rock Trail
Boise, Idaho
A popular 3-mile round-trip hike to the iconic white Table Rock landmark offering panoramic views of Boise and the surrounding foothills. The trail provides accessible mountain access with stunning vistas that capture the essence of Idaho's outdoor adventure culture.
Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels
Trail Creek Trail
Sun Valley, Idaho
A scenic, moderate 6-mile hiking trail that winds through alpine meadows and aspen groves with stunning views of Bald Mountain and the Sawtooth peaks, perfect for summer mountain exploration. Accessible from the Sun Valley core, it embodies the region's backcountry charm.
Photo by bertvthul on Pixabay
Tubbs Hill Trail
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
A scenic 3.7-mile loop trail offering panoramic views of Coeur d'Alene Lake and surrounding forests, perfect for hiking with moderate elevation gain and multiple viewpoint overlooks.
Photo by Alannah Cavanaugh on Pexels
Caves Trail
Craters of the Moon NM (Arco)
Andrew Heneen / wikimedia (CC BY 4.0)
North Crater Trail
Craters of the Moon NM (Arco)
Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA / wikimedia (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Idaho offers spectacular hiking opportunities across diverse landscapes and regions. This guide covers seven premier destinations—from the otherworldly volcanic terrain of Craters of the Moon National Monument near Arco to the alpine meadows of Sawtooth Valley around Stanley and Ketchum, and the dramatic river canyons near Riggins. Whether exploring trails near vibrant cities like Boise, Sun Valley, and Coeur d'Alene or venturing into remote mountain regions like the Payette River area, hikers will discover ten featured attractions ranging from accessible crater walks to challenging backcountry routes. Each destination showcases Idaho's remarkable natural diversity and outdoor heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What volcanic hiking trails are featured in this guide?⌄
Craters of the Moon National Monument near Arco offers several volcanic trails, including the Big Craters Trail, North Crater Trail, and Caves Trail, allowing visitors to explore the moon-like landscape formed by ancient lava flows.
Which mountain valley regions are covered for hiking?⌄
Sawtooth Valley around Stanley and Ketchum features trails like Redfish Lake Trail and Stanley Lake Trail. The Payette River Region near Crouch and Garden Valley includes Gold Fork Creek Trail and Trail Creek Trail.
Are there hiking options near major Idaho cities?⌄
Yes. Boise features Table Rock Trail and Tubbs Hill Trail. Sun Valley and Coeur d'Alene are also included as hiking destinations in this guide.
What canyon hiking is available?⌄
Hells Canyon near the Riggins area offers the Pittsburg Landing Trail for visitors seeking dramatic river canyon landscapes.
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