Idaho City

Just an hour drive from Boise, along scenic Highway 21, is the classic western town of Idaho City.

Hundreds of people poured into the Northwest Territory in the latter part of the 19th century to search for gold, herd cattle, settle down on farms and raise families. Many deserted the Oregon Trail and crossed southern Idaho lava beds on a trek to the Boise Basin.

Idaho City’s wood-planked boardwalks and historic buildings are a tribute to Idaho’s bonanza days and the turbulent times of the 1860’s gold rush era. The Boise National Forest surrounds the city. In summer, you can hike, picnic, camp, fish and go horseback riding. In fall and winter, try hunting, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, tubing, snowmobiling and yurt camping.