Hey everybody! We’re planning a trip for later this month to some new territory that we don’t know much about. We’ll be traveling the length of NV from Vegas up to Boise. After a few days in Boise we’ll be making our way to IA. We don’t have any set route and would love to get any tips or suggestions for our trip from those of you that have any knowledge of the area. We love to stay off interstates, we’ll gladly add a few hours to our drive to see something cool or stay somewhere primitive. We love small towns and good food!
I know we have an awesome community of readers out there and can’t thank you all enough for your suggestions!
The Craters of the Moon area in ID is pretty neat as is the old EBR1 nuclear reactor site. The Malad River Gorge is pretty neat too…
Thanks Mike! With so many mentions of Craters of the Moon, we’re thinking that’s going to be a must-see.
My wife and I stay in Vegas for the winter and would to recommend”Red Rock ” and “Valley of Fire ” state park. You won’t be disappointed !!
Thanks Jeff! Valley of Fire is one of the few places we know of in Nevada. That place is incredible!
hi, we are from B.C. Canada and travel every year. I agree with mike Jackson,the Craters of the Moon is totally awesome. and If you happen to go east a bit into Montana,i suggest Lewis and Clark caverns state park,very cool caving tour. Valley of Fire is another must do. there are blm lands outside the park that are free camping. Bruneau Dunes state park in Idaho is really nice,cool hiking around the dunes.
We are going to City of rocks in October,I hear that is pretty cool.
If you are going to be in Vegas,you may as well go a bit east and hit Death Valley,it is one of my most favorite places.
cheers,
scott anderson
Thanks so much for the suggestions Scott! We love Valley of Fire, it’s one of the only places, aside from Lake Mead that we’ve stayed at in NV.
Cathedral Gorge State Park in SE Nevada is a good overnight rest stop campground with spectacular terrain to explore. That’s pretty much due west of Cedar City, UT. Haven’t been to it yet, but all signs are that Great Basin National Park on the eastern edge of NV is a good place to break the heat; supposed to be very nice caverns there. One of the least visited NPs in the USA. Another vote for Craters of the Moon. The lava tube caves and views from atop cinder cones are other-worldly.
This is off the top of my head:
Following western Oregon along the Owyhee River Canyon. Once out of the desert, you’ll slowly start to climb as you continue thru the Andrus Recreation Area, to Garden Valley Road eastern Idaho. Head east to Stanley, into the Sawtooths. This was called, at one time, Idaho’s Primitive Area. From here there is an abundance of places to stop, Alpine Forests, Lakes and Rivers, both Fed, State and local, or just a dirt road road with an open spot. I’d suggest Red Fish Lake but it’s probably way to cilivilized for Two Happy Campers????????⛺️.
Thank you so much Denis! I have a feeling we’re going to love Idaho!
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/scnf/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=80821&actid=34
In my past I was a quide on the Middle Fork of the Salmon. The address is a camping site near the put-in.
Ron, thank you so much for reminding us about Cathedral Gorge State Park. I’d forgotten that we’ve wanted to check that out. With all the mentions of Craters of the Moon, it sounds like that might be a must-stop. Thanks so much for the suggestions!
A few spots in ID that we loved:
Stanley is a cool little town with gorgeous views of the Sawtooths. Lots of good hiking there, depending on what the snow looks like. The Stanley Baking Co has the BEST sourdough pancakes. If you head to Stanley from Boise via Hwy 21, stop at Bonneville Hot Springs. There’s a campground there, too.
Like others have mentioned, Craters of the Moon is pretty cool.
If you find yourself on the 93 south of Salmon, Goldbug Hotsprings are epic. A pretty legit hike (only two miles, but the last mile is suuuper steep).
Actually, Idaho is full of hot springs. You can basically set your route and there’s sure to be a few along the way!
You had me at sourdough pancakes. Thanks Megan!!!
Hi, can’t help you with NV but Idaho has many scenic byways, both on major highways and way, way off the grid. There’s an excellent PBS program called Outdoor Idaho that has much info including two programs about the scenic byways. You might also check the State of Idaho online for more info and related links. Idaho is one of the places I plan to explore in depth with my Ford PU/FWC Hawk rig…………….Steve
Thanks Steve! Sounds like a show worth checking out, we’ll definitely look in to that.
That sounds like an awesome trip!!! When we lived in WA, we had the awesome experience of backpacking/camping for a weekend at Stanley Hot Springs (https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/idaho/stanley-hot-springs). Fantastic place! Relatively easy hike and there were 3 different springs with varying degrees of heat – so nice after a good hike! We also saw a wolf! First sighting for me in the wild and one I definitely was excited to cross off my bucket list 🙂 Safe travels!
Thanks Greg! When & where did you live in WA?
If you like small towns on back roads, here is a Tiny Town on a Very Back Road:Jarbidge, NV. You have to get there from Idaho, turning west off US 93 north of Jackpot, NV. (The mountain road in from Nevada will be closed with snow until 4th of July.) Last part of the drive is along the Jarbidge River which will be very full this spring and exciting. We were there early June last year and people just came up to us on the street (there is ONE street) to chat. One lady invited us to tour their home which was made based on two 1940’s trailer houses. There are two small, lonely forest service campgrounds along the river past town.
Thank you Cathy!
I live in Coeur d Alene and previously lived 10 years in Boise, so here are my suggestions. If you are coming up on US95 from Winnemucca (my sister lives there and said there is a small campground ( 8 sites) at Paradise Valley, 30 miles on Hwy 290, turnoff a bit north of Winnemucca.
Further up on US 95, watch for a historical marker for Charbonneau’s grave (Sacajawea’s son). It’s not far off the highway and is an interesting area. Then, proceeding up on US 95, a friend of mine says he has camped (no facilities) at a small reservoir just east off US 95 right before you reach Jordan Valley. There is another campground that is marked at a turnoff just beyond and right before entering Jordan Valley. In Jordan Valley, you might inquire about road conditions into the Oyhee Mtns (there is a scenic byway thru there). Silver City in this area is,(or was at least when I lived in Boise) a popular place to visit. Beyond Jordan Valley a ways, you can watch for a turnoff to the west for Succor Creek.
From Boise, you could either take Hwy 55 North to Banks and turn off east following the Payette River (scenic byway) and go to Lowman on Idaho 21. At last check, this road was open but inquire at Banks. From Lowman you could proceed to Stanley otherwise you could get to Stanley by going north on Idaho 21 from Boise. The Stanley Basin was a personal favorite years ago for backpacking but you are too early for much of that. If you do go to Stanley, you can take Hwy 75 to Sun Valley and check on conditions on the Trail Creek Summit road to MacKay
In the Twin Falls area, check out Shoshone Falls Park and Perrine Bridge over the Snake River. This is a popular site for base jumpers. Shoshone falls should be spectacular that time of year.
Hope this helps. If you have questions, please let me know.
Jim
Hello Mark and Michele,
Mark, thank you for the info on the LED light fixtures. I found it on Amazon as you suggested.
I live in Idaho, it’s my home state. Beautiful country, you will enjoy your trip through Idaho.
Here are some of my suggestion:
From Boise go north on Hwy 21 to Idaho City, Lowman, and to Stanley and see & visit the Sawtooth Mountains. The mountains is awesome- similar to the Grand Tetons. From Stanley go south on Hwy 75 to Sawtooth City, Smiley Creek Lodge is a good place to eat. Two miles south of Sawtooth City are good places to camp if there’s no snow on the ground.
Continue south on Hwy 75 to Ketchum. Visit Ketchum and Sun Valley- lots of good places to eat. Continue south to Hailey and Bellevue. About 9 miles south of Bellevue, turn east on Hwy 20. This road will take you to Craters of the Moon Nat. Park.
Happy Trail to you all.
Louis Grundel
Thanks a million Louis, we really appreciate the suggestions!