See the Best of Idaho's Sawtooth Wilderness in One Hike
Mountains, lakes, and sunshine: this route has everything a hiker could want.
Idaho, located in the northwestern U.S., boasts an incredible amount of untouched natural areas, including 2.3-million-acre Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area, a wilderness of rugged mountains, deep canyons and whitewater rivers.
Idaho's geography is extremely diverse, offering snow-capped mountain ranges — the most popular of which is the Sawtooth Range — rapids, lakes and deep canyons. Idaho's Snake River, which flows from the Grand Tetons in Wyoming to the Columbia River in Washington, rushes through Hells Canyon, the deepest gorge in the country.
The editors at Backpacker have created an extensive collection of popular trails and trips for hiking and backpacking Idaho.
Mountains, lakes, and sunshine: this route has everything a hiker could want.
On its 50th birthday, the National Scenic Trails system boasts nearly 19,000 miles. Not sure where to start? We’ve scoured the whole network to bring you the best 50 miles.
When it comes to backpacking destinations, Hells Canyon takes the cake.
Poke your head out the front door of this hut for a view of the Payette River Valley set in front of the Sawtooths.
Idaho shares famous pow and peaks with plenty of other states, but it has one ace they don’t: the country’s best backcountry hot springs.
Go deep on this 40-mile epic through one of the country's wildest geological features.
Skip the crowds and catch the festivities on the trail.
If you’re planning on spending a night on the shores of Stanley Lake, make sure you bring and extra pair of dry socks. See how the 100 Days Outdoor journey begins in Idaho.
Explore the moonscape—lava tubes, cinder cones, caves, and tunnels—of Craters of the Moon National Monument on this weekend trip.
Toughen up to find total solitude on this 46-mile journey through a remote, untracked canyon. If you can get there, West Little Owyhee is worth the pain.
It might not be Yellowstone, but the Inland Northwest provides plenty of opportunities to view some of the continent’s most majestic wildlife.
It's spring! The high country trails may still be covered in snow, but drop down into one of the Inland Northwest's many scenic canyons and you'll find warmer temps, blooming wildflowers, and abundant wildlife.
Ski through a peaceful pine forest on this 3.1-mile loop east of Spokane, Washington.
Ooo, la la! Couples are swooning in each other’s eyes, cheap chocolates are selling like hotcakes, and single people are writing ironic posts on Facebook. Whether it’s your first date or your 50th anniversary, these hikes will make the fire burn brighter.
Low elevation and an arid climate guarantee year-round access to this secluded riverine gem in the Nez Perce.
Visit Craters of the Moon to see this lava-tubed wonder under an and azure sky.
More like “Twin Phallic.”
Just on the outskirts of town, this 7-mile foothills loop climbs to 3,570 feet with big views of Boise before returning alongside a trickling stream.
Bag two peaks on this 12-mile out-and-back, with breathtaking views of Spokane, Coeur d'Alene, and the surrounding mountains, lakes, and prairies.
A roller-coaster 9.2-mile hike hits two peaks with views of Lake Pend Oreille, Rathdrum prairie, and the Selkirk and Coeur d'Alene Mountains.