Shoshone Falls Park is home to one of Idaho’s most spectacular natural landmarks. Often called the “Niagara of the West,” Shoshone Falls drops 212 feet and stretches about 900 feet across the Snake River, creating a dramatic centerpiece within the Snake River Canyon. Families can enjoy the main waterfall overlook along with picnic areas, trails, open green space, and several Read more…
All Trails
Explore family-friendly trails across Idaho, from short paved paths and greenbelts to scenic walks, nature trails, and longer outdoor routes.
Use the listings below to compare locations, trail features, nearby amenities, and recreation options and find a route that fits your family’s plans.
Favorite
Aldous Lake in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest is known as a family-friendly hike with forest scenery, wildlife, fishing, and a small mountain lake at the destination. Amenities & Features 🥾 Family hike 🎣 Lake fishing 🦌 Wildlife viewing 🌲 Forest scenery 🧺 Picnic opportunities Good to Know This is a trail-based destination rather than a developed park. Bring water, sturdy Read more…
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The Troy trailhead at Troy City Park gives families access to the Latah Trail, a 10-foot-wide paved rail-trail built along the former Moscow-to-Arrow railroad corridor. From Troy, the route travels about 12 miles west to Moscow through forest, farmland, wetlands, and classic Palouse scenery. Connected paths continue through Moscow toward Pullman. Amenities & Features 🚶 Paved walking and running trail Read more…
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Skyline Drive is the main access road through 5,300-acre Mary Minerva McCroskey State Park. The gravel route follows forested ridges for a little over 17 miles, offering views across the Palouse, picnic pullouts, campgrounds, and access to multi-use trails. Most vehicles can travel the road when conditions are suitable, but it is narrow and essentially one lane in places. Amenities Read more…
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Freedom Park is a large, scenic recreation park in Star with two stocked ponds, swimming and paddle access, a large disc golf course, walking paths, beaches, mature trees, and broad open green spaces. The park blends active recreation with quieter landscaped areas, giving families a wide range of ways to enjoy the space. Water recreation is a major feature here, Read more…
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Dierkes Lake Park is a 191-acre recreation area next to Shoshone Falls, featuring a designated swimming area, fishing, picnic lawns, playground equipment, and dramatic canyon scenery. Families can swim during summer, walk the 1.7-mile unpaved trail around the lake, explore by nonmotorized watercraft, or reserve a picnic shelter for a gathering. 🌊 Amenities 🏊 Seasonal swimming with lifeguards generally available Read more…
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Brush Lake Picnic Area north of Bonners Ferry is a quiet day-use destination with picnic sites, boating access, fishing, biking, and a small forest lake setting. Amenities & Features 🧺 4 picnic sites 🚤 Boating access 🎣 Fishing 🚵 Mountain biking 🚻 Vault toilets Good to Know The area is generally open May through October and is free to use. Read more…
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Spring Valley Reservoir, also called Spring Hill Reservoir, is a 49-acre Family Fishing Water north of Troy surrounded by rolling hills and trees. Families can fish from shore, docks, and accessible platforms; walk the maintained shoreline trail; swim at the beach; picnic; camp; or launch a boat. Rainbow trout are stocked heavily in spring and fall, and the reservoir also Read more…
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McCroskey State Park’s remote trail system crosses forested slopes and open ridges throughout the 5,300-acre park. Trails accommodate hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders, motorcycles, and—with route restrictions—ATVs and UTVs. Families can choose from shorter outings or longer backcountry routes accessed from Skyline Drive. The official map includes routes such as the 0.6-mile Redtail Trail, 1.3-mile Iron Mountain Trail, 1.5-mile James Read more…
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Star Riverhouse / Riverhouse Park is a scenic public park area along the Boise River in Star, surrounding the historic Star Riverhouse. The approximately 5.3-acre property offers open lawn, river views, outdoor gathering space, and convenient access to neighboring Freedom Park. The Riverhouse building itself is a reservable city facility used for community programs, events, classes, and private gatherings. 🌳 Read more…