Why Your Next Fall Family Getaway Should Be in Idaho

YOU MUST VISIT IDAHO IN THE FALL WITH KIDS!

Have you ever booked a flight spontaneously? Like, you just found an amazing deal that you couldn’t pass up?

I did that for the first time in my life this fall. I joined Scott’s Cheap Flights Premium Membership, and almost immediately found an incredible flight deal from my home airport to Boise, Idaho.

I had never been to Idaho. I had no idea what to expect from Idaho. So I did a cursory Google search, and the photos of mountainous landscapes around the Gem State looked promising.

So I booked it! But not before texting my family to see if anyone wanted to join me!

Sure enough, my parents took me up on the invitation, so we planned a quick multigenerational trip to Boise and Sun Valley, Idaho.

We purposely scheduled our visit in the fall between the active summer season and the winter ski season. We figured prices would be more affordable and there would be fewer crowds, plus we hoped to catch peak fall color while we were out there.

So without knowing what to expect, my parents, my 3-year-old, my 7-month-old, and I headed west. None of us could believe how magnificent the scenery was, and wondered why no one was talking about Idaho.

If you are looking for a family-friendly fall destination and one of the best October vacation spots, you absolutely cannot go wrong with Idaho. Below you’ll find my top 7 reasons for visiting Idaho in the autumn.

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YOU’LL HAVE THE PLACE ALL TO YOURSELF

Fall in Idaho is shoulder season! The summer crowds that love to swim and boat and kayak have gone back to school, and the ski crowd is still waiting for the snow to arrive.

That means the hotels and hiking trails are open for you and your family to explore! We did plenty of hiking, and besides locals taking their dogs for a walk or going on trail runs, we had the trails all to ourselves.

When we ventured into towns and cities, there were no lines, no waits at restaurants, and the hotels were almost empty.

If you’re looking for a fall vacation without the crowds, Idaho is the perfect spot for you!

THE WEATHER IS PERFECT

Having lived in and traveled around Florida for 5 years, I’m used to sweat and humidity all year round. I can’t tell you what a relief it was to be in Idaho in October. The sun was out and the temperatures were cool but not too cold.

When we hiked, we were able to get a good workout in without getting drenched in sweat.

With layers, we were cozy during the cool mornings and comfortable once the sun came out midday.

We didn’t have to pack snow boots or bulky coats, so we were still able to limit our bags to carry-on only.

The great outdoors is the reason so many flock to Idaho in the summertime, and almost every outdoor activity, with the exception of swimming, was still in full swing.

YOU’LL BE STUNNED BY THE SCENERY

When I booked flights to Idaho on a whim, I had no idea what to expect. I knew from doing some sleuthing on Instagram that Idaho would be a hidden gem with its mountains and lakes, but from the moment our plane landed, I was in a constant state of awe.

As we road-tripped from Boise to Sun Valley there were a few scenic overlooks. We pulled over and I photographed the vistas with enthusiasm.

But as we arrived in Hailey, Ketchum, and Sun Valley, I looked back at my photos from the scenic overlooks and laughed. Little did I know how much more stunning the landscape would become as we drew closer to the Sawtooth Mountain Range.

The golden leaves of the aspens seemed to shimmer in the sunlight in stark contrast to the brown mountainscape. A stray bright red maple tree would pop up out of nowhere commanding our attention. The peaks and valleys would take on different moods with the changing light and shadows depending on the time of day.

We alternated between speechless wonder and bewildered reverence. “Who knew Idaho was so beautiful?” we pondered aloud.

To say Idaho exceeded my expectations is a grave understatement, but sometimes words fail to encapsulate the awe-inspiring.

THERE ARE SO MANY OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

While everyone is busy paying attention to the states surrounding Idaho thanks to their National Parks, Idaho is just chilling knowing its outdoor game is strong and flying under the radar.

Families that love to incorporate outdoor activities and adventures into their vacation should add the Gem State to their bucket list!

There are countless hiking trails of all skill levels. We traveled with a baby and a toddler and were easily able to find some wide and relatively flat trails to navigate with the kids. Meanwhile, there were plenty of more challenging options we talked about trying if we ever returned with older kids.

While we didn’t attempt any biking trails, we passed so many locals and visitors cycling along and enjoying the views. If your family enjoys biking, this is the destination for you!

Despite the chill in the air, we witnessed many people casting a line in the stunning lakes and rivers.

If you happen to have warmer fall weather when you visit, swimming, kayaking, horseback riding, and rafting are other incredible outdoor options.

Adams Gulch Sawtooth National Forest.jpeg

IT’S AFFORDABLE

Since I snagged cheap flights to Idaho knowing almost nothing about the area, I wondered what kind of pricing I would find when it came to lodging, food, and car rentals.

We splurged on suites for this trip since the baby needs a quiet room in order to get any sleep at all, and we still found the hotels to be incredibly affordable while still quite nice.

Of course, the Ketchum/Sun Valley area has its share of expensive resorts and vacation rental homes, but you can still find middle-of-the-road options that fit your budget. Boise had lots of choices for families not looking to spend a fortune on lodging, too.

We were pleasantly surprised at the affordable prices at the restaurants we visited, did some grocery shopping in town to stock up on fruit and sandwich fixings, and enjoyed the free hotel breakfast.

Most importantly, you don’t have to spend a fortune to keep your kids entertained. There are endless free hiking trails to explore!

EVERY AGE GROUP WILL FIND SOMETHING TO LOVE

I had the wonderful opportunity to travel with my parents and 2 of my 4 kids. Multigenerational travel can be tough since you need to find activities everyone can and wants to participate in.

We found Idaho to be a perfect destination for that. There were easy hikes we could all do together. We had wonderful bonding time on our scenic drives. If my parents had wanted to, they could have taken time for themselves to go golfing or biking. There were botanical gardens, playgrounds, and children’s museums for the younger generation.

It’s super easy to find something for everyone to love!

IT’S UNDER THE RADAR

Do I feel a little guilty even writing blog posts about Idaho? Yes.

Why? Because Idaho is still under the radar, and the locals seem to like it that way.

People are flocking to the National Parks in Utah, Montana, and Wyoming. Everyone knows about how beautiful Washington and Oregon are.

No one is talking about Idaho. When I mentioned I was going there, people looked perplexed. Why would you go to Idaho? What’s in Idaho?

You see, in Idaho, the wilderness is still pristine. The residents take great pride in leaving no trace and preserving their natural resources. They do not want irresponsible tourists coming in to trample everything.

Understandably so!

So if you are convinced that Idaho is one of the most beautiful and somewhat undiscovered places in the U.S.A. and you want to visit, be sure to be respectful and leave no trace when you utilize the great outdoors!