Car Rental Idaho

A quick guide to Idaho

This state’s natural beauty means it’s a place for those with a love of wilderness, of bracing air and outdoor activity. Hundreds of miles of mountain make it a popular ski location, while the forests and parks will truly leave you with a sense of a majestic American state stretching towards the clear sky.

Go Basque in Boise

The state’s largest city – and its capital – Boise is something of an outlier in Idaho. Whereas pretty much every other town feels rustic and happily lost in time, Boise is definitely modern and buzzing. The downtown has fine restaurants and pedestrianised areas to explore on foot, while its position next to some of the ubiquitous mountains means it’s a fabulous base for hikers to set off from.

In summer, float down the Greenbelt River in a tube, close to Julia Davis Park which hosts some fine museums. Boise also has a large Basque population, many of whose ancestors arrived in the early 20^th century to be shepherds here. Their pride is encapsulated in the Basque Museum, but also in superb ethnic restaurants such as the highly rated Bar Gernika, the perfect place for chorizo, beef tongue and croquetas.

The force of Falls

Where’s the mountains and water, there’s also waterfalls, and many of the state’s most beautiful areas are located close to these. Idaho Falls is quite a large town, with zoos and museums, great cafes proximity to brilliant outdoor activities. From here you can access Yellowstone National Park and the Craters of the Moon monument and lava fields.

Twin Falls sits on the Snake River, perfect for kayaking. Cross the canyon on the incredible Perrine Bridge then gasp in awe at the Shoshone Falls. At 212 feet high they dwarf even Niagara Falls.

The not-so-wild West

Idaho has played its part in the grander tapestry of American history, with Lewis and Clark exploring here, key parts of the Oregon Trail and the gold rush running through here too. The neighbouring towns of Sun Valley and Ketchum simultaneously embrace that past while attracting tourists for their modern offerings too.

The Dollar and Bald mountains cast a shadow over both, which is why these are some of the most popular skiing and winter sports destinations in the entire US. Snowboarding, heli-skiing, snowmobiling and more beckon, while you can also go rock-climbing, skating, fish or just relax in the hot springs. There’s history here too, with museums shedding light on the town’s mining origins, with original ore wagons on display.

From marvellous mountains to bubbling hot springs, handsome towns to dramatic waterfalls, car hire in Idaho is your key to unlock this naturally beautiful state.