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🇺🇸 State · United States
Idaho: lunar volcanoes and cult comedy
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Idaho is a wild, mountainous state in the American Northwest, a realm of jagged peaks, alpine lakes and rushing rivers. At its core, the Sawtooth Mountains raise their sharp pinnacles above turquoise waters like Redfish Lake, a paradise for hiking, kayaking and backcountry camping. Nearby, Sun Valley, the oldest ski resort in North America, blends celebrated slopes with an understated elegance. To the south, Shoshone Falls, nicknamed the Niagara of the West, stands taller than its famous namesake, while Craters of the Moon spreads a lunar landscape of lava flows and volcanic tubes. To the north, the town of Coeur d'Alene lines a sparkling lake ringed by forests. Boise, the lively capital, adds its food scene and trails. Idaho delights lovers of wide open spaces and wilderness adventure.
Napoleon Dynamite (2004) was shot in the director's real hometown of Preston, in southeastern Idaho, on a budget of just 400,000 dollars.
In August 1969, NASA sent Apollo astronauts to Craters of the Moon, not to drive a buggy but to learn field geology for the Moon.
Visit Craters of the Moon, a black lava field where astronauts trained: its eerie lunar landscape is one of the most striking sights in the West.
Idaho is best enjoyed from June to September for lakes, hiking and rafting, when mountain roads are clear and temperatures climb above 20 C. Winter, December to February, is the season for skiing and hot springs at Sun Valley, but watch for high-elevation road closures. Spring magnifies Shoshone Falls, swollen by snowmelt. A car is essential, as distances are long between Boise, the Sawtooths and the north; allow five to seven days for a good itinerary. Pack warm layers, even in summer at altitude. As for connectivity, mobile network coverage is reliable in Boise, Coeur d'Alene and Sun Valley, but becomes scarce in the Sawtooth backcountry and wilderness areas.