IDAHO RECREATION ACTIVITIES

Recreating on public lands in Idaho can mean fly-fishing along a scenic shoreline, backpacking through awe-inspiring mountains, paddling through world-class whitewater in remote canyons or riding off-highway vehicles through vast mountain and desert landscapes.
Recreation opportunities abound throughout the diverse landscapes of Idaho’s 12 million acres of BLM-managed public land. These public lands host many unique and special outdoor opportunities where visitors can enjoy some of the most scenic spots in Idaho and learn more about the state’s history. Many of these sites are part of the BLM’s National Landscape Conservation System, which serves to protect and conserve special places on public lands.
Check out the spectacular wilderness areas and wild and scenic rivers of the Owyhee Canyonlands, walk the vast lava fields of the Craters of the Moon National Monument, or view raptors at the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area. Take a step back in time to learn more about Idaho’s history by exploring the National Scenic and Historic Trails of Idaho, including the Lewis and Clark, Nez Perce, Oregon, California and Continental Divide Trails.
Take one of the many Scenic or Back Country Byways that traverse the state. Find a quiet spot along the route, grab binoculars and search for the variety of wildlife that call this area home. Get outside to hike with the family on the Mineral Ridge or Hulls Gulch National Recreation Trails (both have interpretive signage) or camp next to the mighty Salmon River at one of the BLM’s many developed recreation sites.
A diversity of recreational opportunities is available in Idaho for individuals of all ages and interests. Public lands may be located in your backyard, so get out and explore the outdoors.
Visit @BLMIdaho Flickr and check out the many beautiful places in Idaho to get outdoors.
Recreation Areas
Bruneau Field Office
Four Rivers Field Office
Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey
Owyhee Field Office
Coeur d'Alene Field Office
Lake Coeur d' Alene Recreation Sites (MAP):
- Beauty Bay
- Blackwell Island
- Blue Creek Bay Recreation Site and Trail
- John C. Pointner Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary and Trail
- Killarney Lake Boat Launch and Campground
- Killarney Lake Picnic Site
- Mica Bay Boater Park
- Mineral Ridge Boat Launch
- Mineral Ridge Scenic Area and National Recreation Trail
- Popcorn Island
- Windy Bay Boater Park
Other
Cottonwood Field Office
Challis Field Office
- Bayhorse Recreation Site
- Big Lost River Access Trail
- Challis Bridge Recreation Site
- Cottonwood Recreation Site
- Deadman Hole Recreation Site
- East Fork Recreation Site
- Garden Creek Campground
- Herd Lake Campground
- Jimmy Smith Lake Trailhead
- Mackay Reservoir (Joe T. Fallini ) Recreation Site
- Little Boulder Recreation Site
- Morgan Creek Recreation Site
- Salmon River
- Summit Creek Recreation Site
- Upper Lake Creek
Pocatello Field Office
Salmon Field Office
- Agency Creek
- Discovery Hill
- Eightmile Day Use Area
- Elevenmile Day Use Area
- Goldbug Hot Springs
- Kilpatrick Day Use Area
- McFarland Campground
- Morgan Bar Recreation Site
- Salmon River
- Sharkey Hot Springs
- Shoup Bridge Recreation Site
- Smokey Cubs Recreation Site
- Tower Creek Pyramids Day Use Area
- Tower Rock Recreation Site
- Williams Lake Campground
Upper Snake Field Office
- Big Southern Butte
- Birch Creek Campground
- Cress Creek Nature Trail
- Henry's Lake Boat Access
- Lava Trail System (Hell's Half Acre)
- Red Road Bridge Boat Access (Henry's Fork)
- Kelly Island Campground
- North Menan Butte Trail
- St. Anthony Sand Dunes
- St. Anthony Sand Dunes: Egin Lakes Campground/Day Use Area
- South Fork of the Snake River
- Stinking Springs ATV and Mountain Biking Trail
- Twenty Mile Trail
- Wolf Flats Recreation Area