Cheap flights to Idaho from £260

The jewel in the so-called Gem State’s crown is its stunning and remarkably unspoilt scenery. Adventurous types flock here to hike, climb, raft, ride and ski – or simply goggle at the views. Much of the terrain is mountainous, wild and wooded, with some spectacular gorges; at 8913ft, the dramatic Hells Canyon is deeper than the Grand Canyon.

In central Idaho, the ski resorts of Ketchum and Sun Valley are beloved of affluent second-homers and celebrities. Ernest Hemingway loved the area’s tranquillity (not to mention the hunting and fly fishing) and is buried at Ketchum, where he spent the last few years of his life.

An hour’s drive away is one of Idaho’s many wilderness areas, the Craters of the Moon National Monument. It’s an unearthly, eerily desolate 83sq mile volcanic landscape; in winter, cross-country skiers tackle the 11km loop road.

In the far north, bordering onto Canada, the panhandle region is famed for its lakes, watersports and angling; down south, adrenaline junkies take to the Salmon and Snake Rivers for whitewater rafting and kayaking.

Idaho climate

The climate in Idaho varies from region to region. Winter in the north is cloudy, humid and rainy. In the south summers are dry but wet. Generally it can get very hot in summer. Winters can be very cold.

Getting around Idaho

The best way to get around the state is to hire a car, RV or camper.

Idaho’s largest urban centre is Boise and buses are offered around the city by the Boise Urban Stages. Daily bus services are also available in Ketchum.

What is good to know if travelling to Idaho?

• Hot springs are synonymous with Idaho but the best known is the Lava Hot Springs in the south of the state. Here million-year old springs bubble at a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius soothing away tired limbs. There’s also an Olympic-sized swimming pool, massage services or tube rides on the river.
• In Ketchum celebrate the city’s mining heritage at The Wagon Days festival in Ketchum. For four days celebrations take place around town, including a shoot-out, a fiddler’s contest, a rodeo and the Big Hitch Parade.
• The City of Trees, Boise, is surrounded by greenery making it a very popular golfing destination with more than 20 golf courses in the area.
• Head to the great outdoors and take a trip to Bone Road for some stunning scenery. More than a track this 60-mile span has some of the best views of Idaho landscapes than anywhere else, guaranteeing some great wildlife sightings of moose or deer.
• Known by the locals as the “ghost town” Silver City outside Bois was once used as silver mine for the War Eagle Mountain. Today, photography workshops take place in its old houses and saloons