South Idaho 4-Day Itinerary: Dune Bashing, Lava Fields & Potatoes

Idaho is one of the most underrated states in the Pacific Northwest. This state has so much to offer beyond potatoes, from towering mountains to rolling plains. In the summer of 2024, we decided to explore southern Idaho, keeping our itinerary light and focusing only on the southern region, as the northern and southern parts are about 6-7 hours apart.

In this blog post, I’ll share my complete 4-day itinerary, where we visited all the top spots in southern Idaho, went on a day trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park (just a 2-hour drive from Idaho Falls), and tried some local Idaho specialties that left us delighted. 

Best way to reach South Idaho? 

Boise, the capital city of Idaho, is located in the southern part of the state and is connected to many major cities in the USA via non-stop flights. Many of our friends prefer driving to Idaho or use it as a stopover on their way to Yellowstone National Park. However, I’m not a fan of long drives. My usual threshold is 3.5 to 4 hours, so I opted for a flight to Boise, as it is an 8-hour drive from Seattle. 

If you’re coming from Oregon or any neighboring states within a 4-hour drive, I recommend driving, as you’ll need a car. But if you’re coming from farther away, flying and renting a car from the airport is super convenient and affordable.

South Idaho 4-day Itinerary 

To give you an overview of our trip, we started in Boise, exploring the city and a nearby Dark Sky International observatory. We then drove east to Idaho Falls and ventured into Wyoming to explore two of its gems. Afterward, we drove back to Boise via Twin Falls, visited the Niagara Falls of the West, and ended our trip with a fantastic wine tasting tour featuring Idaho wines. 

Keep reading to know all about our complete 4-day itinerary, exploring everything that southern Idaho has to offer. 

Day 1: Exploring Boise & Camping in Bruneau Dunes State Park 

On Day 1, we took a flight from Seattle with a short layover in Portland and arrived in Boise by noon. Boise Airport is conveniently close to the city, and you can easily use public transit to get to downtown. However, since we had plans to visit the observatory at night, we decided to optimize our time by renting a car at the airport and driving to the city. 

Additionally, the rental rates at the airport location were much lower than at any other branch within the city, and it was convenient since we were also carrying our camping gear.

Things to Do in Boise

Upon arriving in Boise, we headed straight to our first stop, the Idaho State Capitol Building. Visiting the Capitol Building is one of our favorite activities as it offers a glimpse into the city’s history and stunning architecture. We also occasionally take the free tours offered at various Capitol buildings, but unfortunately, we missed this one due to time constraints. 

Boise Guide: Read all about the Top Things to Do in Boise

Next, we visited Freak Alley Gallery, an open-air art gallery showcasing incredible murals by local artists. This was one of my favorite spots in the city, and we thoroughly enjoyed our self-paced walking tour through the alleyways of this art gallery. It reminded me of the Lodhi Art District in Delhi. 

From there, we headed to Main Street to explore the eateries and shops around the area. This is the heart of downtown, offering a wide array of restaurant options. For lunch, we stopped by Pie Hole, a popular hole-in-the-wall pizza joint serving pizza by the slice. We tried the chef’s special and a regular pizza from their menu, and both were delicious! We chose this spot because it came highly recommended on Reddit and Google. 

Continuing our stroll, we stumbled upon a charming bookstore called Rediscovered Bookshop, which had a great collection of secondhand novels, storybooks, and even manga comics. We ended our day at Boise Fry Company, a well-loved food chain offering a variety of Idaho potatoes. This is one of the best places to try different types of potatoes with uniquely delicious dips, from blueberry tartar to aioli sauce. 

If you have time, you can also visit the Basque Museum and Cultural Center, which provides an in-depth look into Basque history, culture, and food. This is definitely on our list for our next visit! 

Bruneau Dunes State Park

After spending a fun time in Boise, we headed to Bruneau Dunes State Park in the evening. We had plans to camp here for the night, explore the stunning sand dunes, and watch the magnificent Milky Way at night from the Bruneau Dunes Observatory. You can read all about our experience in my Bruneau Dunes Guide and watch my Bruneau Dunes video for a better idea of this underrated gem!

Day 2: Craters of the Moon & Idaho Falls City

On day two, we headed to a unique place in South Idaho to explore the vast lava fields of Craters of the Moon. It has been one of my favorite park experiences so far. The trails were so well-organized and clearly labeled. I’m surprised it hasn’t been designated as a national park yet. 

It was an hour’s drive from our campsite, and we took several stops along the way to admire the beautiful landscapes of Idaho. Keep reading to see what all places we visited in Craters of the Moon and what to expect when visiting this place. 

Drive to Craters of the Moon

Our first stop was the park’s sign board, which we spotted on our way to the Visitor Center. It’s not marked on Google Maps, but if you keep an eye on the road about 12 miles before the Visitor Center, you’ll see the sign (to your right, if driving down from Boise). 

Next, we made a quick stop at Lava Lake, where most of the mountain runoff is absorbed by the lava rocks, creating a massive aquifer almost the size of Lake Erie. This unique feature supports Idaho’s famous potato farms and supplies drinking water to much of Southern Idaho. The view of the lake was gorgeous, surrounded by wildflowers and desert mountains in the backdrop, making this the perfect photo stop before reaching the Visitor Center. 

We also made another quick stop at Pronghorn Passage, a corridor passing through Craters of the Moon that provides a barrier-free habitat for pronghorns. Surrounded by vast grasslands and the towering Big Cinder Butte in the background, this spot was breathtaking. 

Craters of the Moon National Monument

Finally, we reach the Visitor Center, where we read through fascinating displays about the park’s geology and watched a short film explaining its volcanic history. We also bought a beautiful fridge magnet with hand drawn lava flowers in it. 

The scenic drive began from the visitor center and was easy to navigate since it was a loop drive with marking at every turn. Here is a list of overlook points and trails we covered at Craters of the Moon National Monument. 

• North Crater Flow Trail – was our first stop in the scenic loop drive, a paved boardwalk over the lava fields that got us a view of stunning lava formations like Pahoehoe Lava (a Hawaiian term for smooth, flowing lava) and cinder cone fragments. We also saw tiny lava flowers growing in the cracks that added pops of color to the rugged landscape. 
• Inferno Cone Overlook – was my favorite spot in the entire park. The cone was made of volcanic ash that gave it a stunning black color making it absolutely gorgeous. We hiked all the way to the top of the cinder cone, it was a steep but came with a rewarding panoramic views of the valley. 
• Spatter Cone Trail – Another fun trail in the park where we learned about how blobs of molten lava formed these unique features during the last moments of an eruption. 
• Tree Molds Trail – is located in the foothills of Big Cinder Butte and revealed impressions of charred wood left by molten lava. It was a fun hike through the forests with many unique formations to see on the way, from a gigantic crater to pahoehoes. Though it was slightly strenuous, but we thoroughly enjoyed the unique sights. 
• Devil’s Orchard Trail – this was the last stop in our scenic drive that offered us a glimpse of the thriving life on lava beds. We strolled on this relaxing trail observing native plants, tiny critters, and birds making their home in this otherworldly landscape.

Idaho Falls City

After a day of exploring the unique lava fields of Idaho, we drove 90 minutes east to Idaho Falls. This charming city served as our base for the next two days, as it was conveniently located just 2 hours from Yellowstone National Park. The drive through the country roads was stunning, with views of sprawling grasslands, rolling hills, and desert mountains. 

We kicked off our relaxing evening with dinner at one of Idaho’s top diners, Jaker’s Bar and Grill. This local favorite is renowned for its fresh seafood, burgers, and steaks, and it certainly lived up to the hype! We started our meal with a rich, velvety lobster bisque, complemented by freshly baked bread and butter that simply melted in our mouths. For the main course, we chose the grilled Idaho trout paired with a baked Idaho Russet potato—a divine combination bursting with flavor. If you’re ever in Idaho Falls, this restaurant is an absolute must-visit.

Following dinner, we checked into our hotel, Shilo Inn, a budget-friendly property located right by the Snake River. It offered a peaceful ambiance and great value for the price. Honestly, it’s one of the best budget hotels I’ve stayed in across the US. The rooms were clean, comfortable, and well-equipped, making it the perfect spot to unwind. For a closer look, check out my video, where I share a detailed review and give you a virtual tour of the property.

Day 3: Day Trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park 

On day three, we explored two of Wyoming’s gems: Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, both just a two-hour drive from Idaho Falls. You can read my dedicated blog post about this adventure for tips, tricks, and our full day-trip itinerary. Don’t forget to check out my YouTube video for more insights!

Day 4: Shoshone Falls & Boise Downtown

On our final day in Idaho, we embarked on a long but scenic drive back to Boise from Idaho Falls, covering a distance of about 3 hours and 40 minutes. To break up the journey, we made a memorable stop at Shoshone Falls in Twin Falls, often referred to as the “Niagara Falls of the West.” 

Shoshone Falls

Shoshone Falls is one of the most popular attractions in Idaho and truly a must-visit destination. This massive waterfall is among the largest in the U.S., captivating visitors with its awe-inspiring beauty and roaring cascades. 

You can take in the magnificent views of the falls from the Shoshone Falls Park Overlook, which provides a panoramic vista of the Snake River, the surrounding canyon, Shoshone Dam, and the waterfall itself. The park charges a $15 entry fee, which contributes to its upkeep and maintenance. 

We absolutely loved our time at the park. The lush gardens made for a peaceful stroll, while the well-placed informative boards provided fascinating insights into the history of the Shoshone Dam and the area’s geology. It was not just a visual treat but also an enriching experience, making it the perfect break on our drive back from Idaho Falls to Boise. 

Shoshone Falls is a gem of South Idaho, and we highly recommend adding it to your itinerary!

Boise Wine & Beer Tastings

We had a few hours to spare after returning to Boise before our flight, so we decided to make the most of it by exploring some of the local brews and wines. Our first stop was Telaya Wine Co., where we enjoyed a wine-tasting flight featuring homegrown Idaho varietals. Nestled by the tranquil riverside in Garden City, it’s the perfect spot to relax, especially in the summer. 

The wines we tasted were distinctly flavored, thanks to Idaho’s volcanic soil. It was an eye-opener to see how this emerging wine region is making a name for itself in the U.S. I must say, their wines are delicious, and they’re certainly ones to keep an eye on in the future. 

After our wine tasting, we took a peaceful stroll along the riverside, soaking in the calm before continuing our exploration. Our next stop was Barbarian Brewing, Boise’s original barrel house, known for its sour and barrel-aged beers. To pair with the brews, we grabbed some fish tacos and pulled pork nachos from the Sandbar Restaurant at Riverside Hotel, a popular local spot. The combination of food and drinks was perfect! 

At Barbarian Brewing, we sampled three types of local beers (we had to keep it light before our flight 😅). Two that stood out were the West Coast Pilsner and Irish Stout on Nitro. Although Idaho’s craft beer scene was enjoyable, I still lean towards Oregon or Washington beers if I’m being honest. 

All in all, we had a great time exploring the Potato State and discovered that Idaho has so much more to offer than just potatoes. I highly recommend adding it to your travel list – the state’s gems are waiting to be explored! 

Other Top Cities in Idaho that are worth visiting? 

Idaho has a plethora of gorgeous cities waiting to be explored, from Coeur d’Alene in the north to Boise and Idaho Falls in the south. Here’s a list of more cities I recommend visiting if you’re planning a trip to Idaho. 

• Coeur d’Alene – nestled in north Idaho, and renowned for its stunning lake views and outdoor adventures. You can visit Silverwood Theme Park, the largest theme park in the Pacific Northwest. Tubbs Hill for easy hikes and breathtaking views. Downtown for charming small town vibes, filled with boutiques, cafes, and art galleries. 
• Moscow – a quaint college town with rich history and culture in the Idaho Panhandle. You can visit University of Idaho Arboretum & Botanical Garden, Appaloosa Museum and Heritage Center to learn about the region’s Native American culture and history and hike in the Palouse Region. 
• Salmon – the adventure town of central Idaho, perfect for whitewater rafting, fishing, and kayaking. You can visit Lemhi Pass, Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural & Education Center and explore the natural hot springs in the area, like Goldbug Hot Springs. 
• Pocatello – another gem of south Idaho. You can visit Idaho Museum of Natural History, Pocatello Zoo (great spot if traveling with children), Portneuf River Walk and Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Museum. 

These cities are all wonderful stops, each offering a mix of outdoor activities, cultural experiences, and natural beauty. Depending on the season and your preferences, you can tailor your Idaho adventure to include one or more of these destinations.  

Happy exploring! 😊