Photo Friday: Add Idaho to the Great Outdoors Vacation List

If you are an outdoors lover, a summertime visit to Idaho at some point is a must. The open space is vast and gorgeous, plus the number of visitors is small compared to National Parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite.

Redfish Lake (the photo at the top of the post) is at the base of the Sawtooth Mountain Range. The scenery in this part of Idaho is wonderfully rugged.

Hiking, boating, fishing, biking — it’s all accessible and amazing here.

Even short hikes take you somewhere that feels like a land far, far away from urban living.

We stayed at the Red Fish Lake Lodge (not on Ciao Bambino but needs to be). Families can choose from cabins, motel rooms, and camping. There’s a sandy beach and shallow water — perfect for kids of all ages.

For something more upscale, the Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch is a treat. Cozy cabins, delicious meals, and an evening kids’ program my son still talks about make this property an O’Shaughnessy favorite.

I’m still dreaming about the scenery from their deck. It’s a place where you can happily sit for hours and never tire of the view.

If you want more of a dude ranch experience, the Red Horse Mountain Ranch is in our portfolio and has a phenomenal review. Questions about this accommodation category? Read about how to choose the right family ranch vacation.

You can combine a visit to the wilderness with a few nights in Sun Valley for great restaurants and an endless list of outstanding summer events — check out the Visit Sun Valley website for details. The Sun Valley Lodge is part of our portfolio and a longtime family favorite.

For more Photo Friday posts, visit Delicious Baby.

Relevant Links:

Camping with kids tips

Start a Discussion

6 Comments
  • Full disclosure-I’m the Administrator for Tourism for Idaho. Love your article and your photos really do the place justice. That deck at IRMR is one of my favorites. You should submit your images to our advertising agency for next year’s travel guide, seriously http://www.drakecooper.com

  • What a beautiful scenery from the deck! I would love to be there with my hubby for our second honeymoon…..that won’t come for a very long time but I guess I can keep dreaming. By the way, you always take lovely photos.

  • Thanks for sharing these great images and such an insightful post. Idaho does offer the ultimate getaway – no crowds – genuine locals – awesome summers!

  • Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let Ciao Bambino! Plan Your Dream Trip with Kids
Get the latest family travel news, exclusive deals & more!

Sign up for our newsletter and you’ll be the first to know about special promotions, perks, tips and hot destinations.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign In

Want to save all the great intel and tips you are finding on Ciao Bambino? My Trip Planner allows you to bookmark articles, family-friendly hotel reviews, and family vacation packages. Simply click the heart icon on anything you want to save. Site registration is required to get started. Happy planning!

Create an Account

Please fillout the form below to create your free My Trip Planner account.