Idaho

Adventures in Living

Executive summary by darmansjah

They’ll never forget the name of their horse on that mountain trail ride. The Oregon Trail that they study in school is real when they drink from the same natural spring that the pioneers wrote about in their journals. Sacjawea will mean more than a face on a coin when they visit her homeland. Making it fun for kids to feel history and play outdoors is what an Idaho vacation delivers.

Idaho is for ….Explorers!

This year is a great time to head out with the kids to learn more about Idaho history, just 150 years ago on the morning of March 4, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed a congressional act creating the Idaho Territory.

Begin by exploring the Salmon and Lemhi Valleys where Sacajawea’s people met the Lewis and Clark expedition. At the Sacajawea Center in Salmon, you can learn about their experiences. Explore the 132-miles Sacajawea Historic Byway that will take you through this, incredible part of Idaho, much of it the same as the Corps of Discovery experienced it.

After leaving the Salmon Valley, Lewis and Clark and their men went north, re-entering Idaho over Lolo Pass. Orient yourself with a stop at the Lolo Pass visitor center and discover how vital the Nez Perce. Tribe was to the expedition’s success. The Northwest passage Scenic Byway passes a number of important camp sites, most with interpretation that you’ll want to take the time to absorb.

Take a look at some of Idaho’s must – do adventures.

Another option for making history come alive is to follow the route of the Oregon Trail as it crosses southern Idaho. The main route through Idaho begins in the southeastern part of state near the town of Montpelier, where an outstanding interpretative center is well worth visiting. The Pioneer Scenic Byway will take you north to Soda Springs (commonly called ‘Beer Springs’ by early explorers and settlers) where you can still try the naturally carbonated water, just as the pioneers did.

The route of the Oregon Trail will link you to no fewer than seven scenic byways, with opportunities to pause at the interpretative signs and centers that help you glimpse the difficult journey of American pioneers.

To get really up close and personal with the trail, grab your GPS and do some geocaching.

The hardest part of visiting Idaho is deciding which historic trails to explore! Plan an amazing adventure of your own start at visit : visitidaho.org, where you can order a free travel guide. National Geographic’s Greater Yellowstone Map guide (Greater Yellowstone Region: Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming including Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks) and the Top Ten Scenic Drives of the Northern Rockies.

Idaho. Adventures in Living. If you can dream it, we’ll show you amazing places to do it. For your free travel guide, see : visitidaho.org or call 1.800.visit.id.