hat is Idaho? Idaho is small towns, farm country, majestic mountains, lush forests, crystal clear lakes, pristine rivers, roaring whitewater, and blue sky. Idaho is wide open spaces, half again as large as England with one-fiftieth as many people. It's sophisticated, upscale, and elegant. It's vibrant cities. It's an abandoned cabin on a windswept plain. It's a picturesque farmhouse amid fertile fields or orchards. It's a contemporary home in a suburban neighborhood. Idaho is incredible variety and beauty. It is truly a playground for all seasons. And it's a wonderful place to call home.

:: A Look Back :: Idaho Today :: Around the State ::

A LOOK BACK   top

Early historical images of McCall on Payette Lake about 100 miles north of Boise

Idaho was the last state to be discovered by white explorers. Before the arrival of Lewis and Clark in 1805, the Coeur d'Alene, Nez Perce, Shoshone-Bannock, Kalispell, Kootenai, and Paiute Native Americans were the only inhabitants of the Idaho Territory. Even after Lewis and Clark groped their way across its convoluted terrain, Idaho was largely ignored by non-Indians for more than fifty years. The state's only visitors were fur trappers from the Northwest and Hudson Bay Companies, Presbyterian and Catholic missionaries, and emigrants heading west along the Oregon Trail.

The name "Idaho" was adopted for the territory in 1863. Unlike other western states, Idaho was eventually settled by a reverse migration eastward after gold was discovered in the Clearwater and Salmon River canyons. The lure of gold caused an influx of immigrants and mining activity.

From 1878 to 1884, extensive railroad construction in the area gave birth to new towns, as well as new markets for crops, livestock, lumber, and mineral wealth. On July 3, 1890, after decades of rivalry between the North and South and attempts to divide the territory between Washington and Nevada (thwarted by presidential veto), Idaho was finally admitted into statehood.

Idaho Today   top

Lake Coeur d'Alene in northern Idaho

Idaho is truly an incredible state. Among America's most rural states, it has 83,500 square miles of land, 40% of which is covered with trees, making it the most heavily forested of the Rocky Mountain States. Idaho boasts more running and white water than any other state in the continental U.S.

Hells Canyon

Eleven National Forests and an immense wilderness area make up this land mass. The Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area, covering 2.4 million acres, has the distinction of being the largest single wilderness area in the lower 48 states.

Idaho boasts more running and white water than any other state in the continental U.S. The Salmon River, stretching 425 miles, is the largest river contained within a single state outside of Alaska. Lake Pend Oreille, located just south of Sandpoint in northern Idaho, is 43 miles long, 6 miles wide and over 1,000 feet deep. It is the largest natural body of freshwater in the West, one of two thousand lakes in Idaho. 239,000 acres of reservoirs and 16,000 miles of streams throughout the state provide unlimited recreation opportunities. The state also boasts the deepest river gorge in North America and a waterfall taller than Niagara Falls.

City of Rocks Byway in Central Idaho.

The remainder of the state is filled with areas of high desert, rolling hills, irrigated farmlands, lava flows and rock formations. When combined with the timbered forests, majestic mountains, and lakes and rivers of all sizes and lengths, Idaho's landscape is breathtaking. The state has magnificent natural wonders, such as Hells Canyon and Malad Gorge; the Snake River Canyon and Shoshone Falls; the Sawtooth Mountains; Bruneau Sand Dunes; the City of Rocks National Reserve and Craters of the Moon lava flow; Coeur d'Alene and Payette Lakes; the rolling wheat fields of the Palouse; and more than seven million acres of dense forest. With so much to see and explore, it's unlikely that anyone could see and do it all - but we invite you to try.

From the time of the first trappers and mountain men, Idaho has been a famous hunting destination. The state enjoys an international reputation for its variety and quality of game. Fly fisherman and outdoorsman throughout the world rave about Idaho's fishing.

Idaho has urban sophistication and rural charm. It's a state where one can be in the lap of luxury or at the mercy of the vast wilderness. World-class resorts can be found both at Sun Valley and Coeur d'Alene, along with the nation's newest four-season Tamarack Resort in Idaho's Heartland. Unrivaled beauty and charm await visitors in the beautiful mountain lake resorts of Cascade, Donnelly, McCall and Sandpoint.

The great outdoors offer peace, solitude or recreational opportunities that are becoming harder and harder to find. It's all part of the beauty of living in Idaho - the Gem State.

Around the State   top

Eastern Idaho Wheat fields near Ashton.

Idaho is divided into seven distinct regions, each with its own scenic beauty, lifestyle and fantastic variety of recreational opportunities. Without a doubt, the crown jewel of the Gem State is the incredibly scenic North Idaho, which has more lakes than any other western state, some of which are world renowned for their scenic beauty. Mountains, forests, rivers, flora, amazing wildlife and sparkling fresh air also characterize this part of the state beckoning visitors and residents alike to relax and recreate to their hearts' content.

For centuries North Central Idaho was home to the Nez Perce Indians, but in 1805 the Lewis & Clark expedition rediscovered this beautiful region on the "Voyage of Discovery," describing the area simply as 'paradise.' The region includes millions of wild acres with peaks, canyons and streams intermingling with the mountains and prairies. It is also home to some of America's largest wilderness and primitive areas only accessible by foot, horse, airplane or boat. Hells Canyon, within this region, ranks as the deepest canyon in North America, at over one vertical mile in depth.

Payette Lake in Southwest Idaho

Southwest Idaho is a land of great diversity that is characterized by snow-capped peaks in the north, rugged desert canyons in the southernmost part, and a rich agricultural valley that is home to about one-third of the state's population sandwiched in between. The state's largest and capital city, Boise, is situated in this region, making it equally rich in cultural and economic possibilities and the financial and legislative hub of the state. Southwest Idaho is also home to the Bruneau Sand Dunes, Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area and Tamarack Resort.

Land of the Yankee Fork in Central Idaho

Some of the most startling geographical phenomena in the world, such as a waterfall higher than Niagara Falls, and the 250-ft. deep Malad Gorge canyon, combined with fertile farm land, highlight the South Central region. Irrigation has turned desolate lands into a Utopia of beauty and richness, producing crops consumed by millions all over the world. Located five miles northeast of Twin Falls, Shoshone Falls, at 212 ft. high, is reputed to be one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world during the height of spring run-off.

Traveling through Southeastern Idaho visitors can quickly develop a sense of our nation's history and heritage. The essence of the region can be captured with two tours - one, a visit to the Idaho Museum of Natural History on the Idaho State University campus in Pocatello, and the other, of the full-scale replica of Fort Hall, once one of the most famous trading posts along the Oregon Trail. Rejuvenate the senses as our ancestors once did at Lava Hot Springs; and then marvel at the dazzling beauty of Bear Lake.

In Eastern Idaho, the city of Idaho Falls is named after its many waterfalls.

Further east, Eastern Idaho showcases the soaring mountains of the Grand Tetons, grazing herds of moose and elk, and some of the best fly fishing in the world. Accounts by Lewis and Clark of the richness of this region attracted trappers and traders to Idaho. During the 18th century, trappers from all over America and Canada came together for their annual reunion held in what is now known as the Teton Valley. To this day, Eastern Idaho is famous for the Fur Trappers Rendezvous.

Finally, Central Idaho is clearly one of the most beautiful places in the world. Here you reach the whitewater rafting Mecca of the world at Salmon and Challis; the spectacular Sawtooth

Famous resort town of Ketchum in Central Idaho (Sun Valley)

National Recreation Area that includes gorgeous Red Fish Lake; Idaho's highest peak, Mount Borah, at 12,662 ft.; unique volcanic formations at Craters of the Moon National Monument; and world famous Sun Valley Resort. The Salmon River is one of the few undammed waterways left in America, and its pristine roaring waters aptly earn the nickname "River of No Return." Recreational opportunities such as fishing, hunting, whitewater rafting, hiking and horseback riding - to name just the obvious - abound in this region.

Steeped in Idaho railroad history and holding the distinction of being America's original ski resort, Sun Valley Resort deserves special mention. Founded in 1936 by Union Pacific's Averell Harriman, Sun Valley Resort quickly emerged as a world-class destination ski resort and gained a reputation for its cosmopolitan sophistication. Over the years, the resort area, that includes neighboring former mining town of Ketchum, has evolved into a year-round vacation paradise with virtually unlimited recreational activities for the entire family. In spite of the growth and activity, Sun Valley still retains its heyday charm, and when combined with spectacular scenery, beautiful sunny days and starry nights, it's simply impossible for visitors not be totally captivated by the resort. This is Idaho.