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What Are The Best National Parks In Idaho? The Ultimate Travel Guide In 2026
BY Sibashree Sep 2, 2021
Idaho is the only western state that does not have a national park. However, some parts of the Yellowstone National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are in Idaho. Yellowstone National Park has witnessed a boost in the number of visitors in 2025. Furthermore, it has been recently in the news for how AI audio recorders are documenting bird chirps and wolf barks. Furthermore, while we can call Yellowstone the only and the best national park in Idaho, the state also has some state parks, national reserve, national monument, and national preserve. So, if you are looking for the best national parks in Idaho, you can visit these places. What Are The Best National Parks In Idaho? You can start your exploration of the best national parks in Idaho with Yellowstone National Park, as I have mentioned. Then, you will also love the Farragut State Park, City of Rocks National Reserve, and other outdoor gems in Idaho. 1. Yellowstone National Park The geology and the wildlife of the Yellowstone National Park are fascinating. However, only 1% of this magnificent national park is in Idaho. Furthermore, the UNESCO World Heritage Convention says, “Yellowstone contains half of all the world's known geothermal features, with more than 10,000 examples. It also has the world's largest concentration of geysers (more than 300 geysers, or two-thirds of all those on the planet). Established in 1872, Yellowstone is equally known for its wildlife, such as grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and wapitis.” So, it is no wonder that the Yellowstone National Park is at the epicenter of the “Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem,” (GYE) that stretches over 7 million hectares. In addition, you will find fossil plants of around 150 species here. Moreover, it has the largest recognized caldera in the world. Yellowstone National Park Now The Yellowstone National Park has witnessed a surge in its visitor numbers in 2025. According to the latest data from the National Park Service, 4,762,988 people visited this national park in 2025. It has secured the third position among the most-visited national parks in the USA. However, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Zion National Park, with 11,527,939 and 4,984,525 visits respectively, are the most and second-most-visited national parks in the USA. Furthermore, the Yellowstone National Park now has the “Cry Wolf” Project. It is a collaboration of the Yellowstone Wolf Project and Jeff Reed, a computational linguist. With this project, 50 recording units have been installed across 50000 acres of the park. These AI sound recorders record “Yellowstone's wolves as they bark, yip, howl, and whine.” Wolves have always been one of the most difficult animals to monitor. Thanks to this recorder, the problem of monitoring them has been solved here. 2. Craters Of The Moon National Monument And Preserve From one geological wonder to another! Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve has one of the most unique landscapes in the United States. What’s more fascinating is that the landscape is formed due to volcanic activities occurring over the last 15000 years. So, today, you will notice cinder cones, lava fields, and even “underground lava tubes” in this 753000-acre preserve. Furthermore, it gets its name from its unique terrain that looks like a lunar surface. Also, did you know that back in the 1960s, astronauts used to prepare for their lunar missions here? In addition, this national preserve is home to a wide range of wildlife, including: Pika Proghorn Mountain Lions Packrats Moreover, this national preserve with a volcanic landscape looks the most beautiful in the spring season. In the spring season, you will notice a wide range of wildflowers blooming on the dark rock. Again, the Craters Of The Moon National Monument and Preserve is one of the five designated dark skies in the state of Idaho. So, it is great for stargazing, and it is one of the best places to see the Northern lights in the USA. How To Explore The Craters Of The Moon National Monument And Preserve You can take the seven-mile Loop Road to get easy access to the trails of the preserve. Hike through these trails to explore the unique geological features like the Inferno Cone and Big Craters. Moreover, here you can see many lava tube caves. However, you will need a flashlight and, most importantly, a free permit to explore the caves. Furthermore, you can camp in the grounds of the Craters of the Moon, and don’t miss the exhibits on the geological forces at work here. Having said that, please keep in mind that the caves are now closed here due to snow and ice. They have been closed since 11/13/2025 and will remain closed till June 2026. 3. Sawtooth National Recreation Area With an area of 756,000 acres, the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, east of Boise, stands out with its jagged peaks. It has more than 300 alpine lakes. Furthermore, its wilderness trails are a paradise for hikers and backpackers. The most popular hiking trails here lead to Redfish, Sawtooth, and Alice lakes. You can also hike the Fishhook Creek Trail, which is easier to conquer and ideal for wildlife spotting. Moreover, this national park was established by the U.S. Forest Service, which still manages the diverse ecosystem and natural landmarks of this recreational area. Along with hiking, you can even paddle in Redfish Lake, do rock climbing, and camp in the two campgrounds of the park. In addition, during the winter months, skiing and snowshoeing on the trails near Ketchum make the recreation area a winter paradise. 4. City Of Rocks National Reserve Close to the Almo town, you will find the City of Rocks National Reserve. It is at Idaho’s southern edge, and it stands out with its unique rock formations rising from the high desert floor. It also has monoliths and granite spires. Today, when you visit this national reserve, you will be transported to the mid-1800s. Then, this area was a landmark along the famous California Trail. You can still see how the emigrants inscribed their names on the rocks while passing the trail. Moreover, today, you will find over 600 routes of climbing with changing difficulty levels here. You can even hike through the Creekside Towers Trail that passes through sagebrush valleys. 5. Farragut State Park Farragut State Park, with an area of 4000 acres, stands out due to its historic significance. During World War II, it was a naval training station, and you can still see the remnants of the training facility here. Furthermore, today, it has many recreational amenities, such as launching a boat. You can also fish and swim in some of the deepest and largest lakes of Idaho. So, it has beautifully blended military history with modern recreational facilities here. Moreover, it has trails of around 40 miles, ideal for adventure activities such as horseback riding, biking, and hiking. You can even stay in the park as it has 223 campsites. 6. Bruneau Dunes State Park If you drive for an hour south from Boise, you will find the Bruneau Dunes State Park. It has the “tallest single-structured sand dune in North America.” The dune has a height of 470 feet, and it is a telltale of how wind and erosion have created a gorgeous landscape at the Bruneau Dunes State Park. Furthermore, the landscape, which is a work of the natural forces over 1000 years, is a sharp contrast against the mountainous region of Idaho. You will find the most popular trails in the park near the dunes, and while exploring them, you can spot wildlife such as mule deer, owls, and lizards. Moreover, the ancient channels of the Snake River have created many lakes and channels here. So, you can even do birdwatching, boating, and fishing here. Stargazing At Bruneau Dunes State Park Bruneau Dunes State Park is the third designated Dark Sky Park in Idaho. It has a public observatory that conducts a telescope program for visitors across all age groups. Low light pollution and year-round camping facilities in cabins and RV sites further make it ideal as a stargazing location. In the June 14, 2024, publication of DarkSky, Amber Harrison, the Dark Sky Places Program Manager, remarked, “For over 25 years, the Park has demonstrated a commitment to preserving natural dark skies. Bruneau Dunes State Park’s astronomy programs are vital for raising awareness about protecting natural darkness from artificial light at night. Programs are offered to the public each weekend, attracting visitors with stunning celestial views and educational content, emphasizing dark sky conservation. This initiative benefits the local community and draws photographers and amateur astronomers from nearby Boise, solidifying Bruneau Dunes as a supreme destination for a quality celestial experience and education. We are excited to see another International Dark Sky Park in Idaho.” 7. Minidoka National Historic Site The Minidoka National Historic Site holds much more history of World War 2. This park is also situated in the central part of Idaho. This park is naturally beautiful as the place is long and covered with rich, stretching green lands. This total area has a historical background and the history of World War 2. During the world war 2, 13000 Japanese Americans were imprisoned. And in 1979, this place was counted as a national historical site in the United States. The site measures more than 210 acres. The Minidoka National Historic Site and the monuments are the best attractions of the place. So, along with the excellent walking trails, you can explore the significant historical grounds to feel the site’s history. Quick Details: A Summary Of The Entry Fees And Timings Of Best National Parks In Idaho Best Outdoor Attractions in IdahoHours OpenEntry FeeYellowstone National Park24/7$20 OnwardCraters Of The Moon National Monument And Preserve24/7$10 OnwardSawtooth National Recreation Area24/7FreeCity Of Rocks National Reserve24/7FreeFarragut State Park7 AM to 10 PM$14 Per Vehicle for Non-residents and $7 Per Vehicle for Locals Bruneau Dunes State ParkSunrise to Sunset$7 Per VehicleMinidoka National Historic Site10 AM to 5 PMFree So, which one among these parks and reserves is your favorite?
