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Idaho, USA
Visitor Information

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  Natural Wonders
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  Wildlife
ACTIVITIES
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STATE FACTS

Nickname
Gem State
Spud State

Name
"Idaho", an invented word,  was used for a steamship which traveled
the Columbia River

Or, a word coined by George Willing, who intended the name for the area now known as Colorado

Capital
Boise

Population
1,189,250
(1996 estimate)

Largest Cities
Boise, Idaho Falls, Pocatello

Average Yearly Precipitation
26.75 inches

Animal
Appaloosa
(once the war horse of the Nez Perce Indians)

Bird
Mountain Bluebird
(Sialia arctcia, ranges throughout the Northwest)

Fish
Cutthroat Trout
(distinguished by red slashes under their lower jaw)

Flower
Idaho Syringa - Mock Orange
(Philadelphus lewisii, a branching shrub)

Tree
Western White Pine
(Pinus Monticola pinaceae, highest is 219 feet near Elk River)

Land Area
83,574 square miles
216,432 square km
(13th largest US state)

Geographic Center
Settlement of Custer on the Yankee Fork River

Highest Point
Borah Peak, 12,662 feet

Lowest Point
710 feet above sea level at the Snake River, Lewiston

Largest Lake
Lake Pend Oreille
(180 square miles)

Motto
Esto Perpetua
Latin for "Let it be perpetual"
("It is forever")

Admitted to Union
July 3, 1890
(as 43rd US state)


Government Web Sites

Idaho Points of Interest
This Bureau of Land Management web page has photos and descriptions of Snake River Birds of Prey, Bruneau - Jarbidge Rivers, Lower Salmon River, Coeur d'Alene Lake, Mackay Reservoir, The Oregon Trail, Great Rift Backcountry, Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir and St. Anthony Sand Dunes.

Idaho State and Local Government

Idaho State Parks
The official web site of the Idaho State Parks and Recreation department.  Camping and motor vehicle use information, as well as a guide to the 22 state parks which has photos and descriptions of facilities.

Idaho Transportation Department

State of Idaho Home Page
This web site is maintained by the Division of Information Technology and Communication Services, Department of Administration.  Includes Discover Idaho, the official Idaho travel guide.  The Capitol Tour Guide include photos.   The Idaho Department of Fish & Game has information on fisheries and wildlife.

USDA Forest Service
This is a page on the Department of Agriculture's web site, on National Forests in Idaho.

Commercial Web Sites

Great Outdoor Recreation Pages (GORP) - Idaho
Covers activities and attractions in Idaho.

Idaho Adventure Guide
For those who like to raft, ride, hike, bike, hunt, fish, ski, backpack, climb, jump, dig, watch, or take pictures.  Information on guides and outfitters, ski areas, arts, events and accommodation.

idahonews.com
This is the web site of the Post Register, Idaho's second-largest newspaper.  Includes events page, as well as indexed news stories and classifieds.

Idaho Travel Links
Extensive list of Idaho web sites.

In Idaho Vacation Services
Offers free reservation service for lodging, dining and activities in McCall, Cascade, and Sun Valley.

Scenic Idaho
Articles and photos on Native Americans, adventures, hiking, fishing, dining, and parks. This Medicine Rock Specialties web site offers lots of detail with a personal touch.

Unofficial Idaho Home Page

Visit Idaho

Weather

Idaho Weather

Idaho Winter Road Reports

The Weather Channel - Idaho
Today's weather and a 5-day forecast for over 20 towns and cities in Idaho.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Looking for a Best Western Hotel?

Choose from a great selection of Best Western Airport Hotels, Inn and Suites, Executive Inns, University Hotels, Downtown Hotels and more by clicking on Idaho Best Western.

See our complete list of Best Western Hotels for the following states:

Idaho Directory of Bed and Breakfasts, Country Inns and Small Hotels

Idaho Ranches
A directory of Idaho ranches in German.

Hostelling International - Idaho
These HI web pages include an overview of highlights in Idaho, things to do and see, including parks and recreational sports, as well as hostel locations.

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Beer Expedition - Idaho Breweries
Lists over 25 brewing establishments, organized by city. Contact information, awards, brewery type, best beers and reviews. A site that seeks user votes and feedback.

Beer is my Life - Idaho Breweries
Listing of breweries includes contact details, reviews of beers, links to web sites.

ATTRACTIONS

Historic Sites

Find a Grave
Lists famous figures buried in Idaho - including Ernest Hemingway.   Includes cemetery location.

Sacred Journey of the Nez Perce
Web site for documentary co-produced by the Idaho Public Television and Montana Public Television.  A story about a physical trek over 1,600 difficult miles and a story of a spiritual journey of healing, patience and pride that has led many Nez Perce back to their cultural roots.

National Parks

Nez Perce National Historical Park
The 38 sites of the park are located in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, and preserve the history of the Nez Perce people and their relationship to North American history (A National Park Service's web page.)

RoadTrip America
Personal narrative and photos by Mark Sedenquist and Megan Edwards of their trip to the Nez Perce National Historical Park.

Natural Wonders

Hell's Canyon - Western Idaho
Hells Canyon is the deepest canyon (7,900 feet) in North America. White water rafters, jet boaters, campers, fishermen, hikers and hunters all enjoy this protected recreation area. Some portions are designated Wilderness, but much is open to motor vehicles. Strategically located overlooks provide breathtaking views. Contact: Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, 2535 Riverside, Clarkston, WA 99403; 208/758-0616.

Sawtooth National Recreation Area
Located in South Central Idaho, eight miles north of Ketchum on Highway 75.   Established in 1972, the SNRA is managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Over 300 alpine lakes dot the area. Sawtooth, Boulder and White Cloud Mountains are the headwaters of five major rivers including the Salmon & Big Wood.

Scenic Sites

Dan's Idaho Mountain Climbing Page
Dan Robbins' site is full of scenic photos.

Idaho's Top Scenic Attractions
Photos and brief descriptions with links to expanded web sites featuring popular recreation areas including mountain ranges, mountain lakes, waterfalls, and scenic rivers.

Wilderness Areas

Ralph Maughan's web site
Ralph's site has a page on what he call's "unprotected Idaho wild road-less country".  Written from an active conservationist's point of view, with photos.

Wildlife

Ralph Maughan's web site
Ralph's site has information on Idaho's wolves, bison and bear, from an active conservationist's point of view.

ACTIVITIES

Climbing

Borah Peak, 12 662 feet
This page from America's Roof  "US highpoint guide" offers access and climbing information, trip reports, maps, video images, and other links on the Peak.

Higher Ground
Each edition of Chard Berndt's e-zine contains articles in the Magic Valley, Wood River Valley, and central mountains of Idaho.  Includes hiking and scrambling.

Idaho climbing areas
The "Rock 'n Road" climbing web site, for Idaho. Search by location or type of climb for detailed and referenced information on climbs.   Contacts for climbing gear and services.

Idaho High Points
Steven Harris' site of personal photos and climbing accounts in Idaho is still under construction, but this links to a completed page on Mount Borah.

Guides & Outfitters

Idaho Outfitters & Guides Association.  P.O. Box 95, Boise, ID 83701.  Phone: 208-342-1919; Toll-free: 1-800-49-IDAHO.

Idaho Fish 'n' Hunt
On-line fishing and hunting information "about Idaho, from Idaho, by Idahoans".daho Fish 'n' Hunt
On-line fishing and hunting information "about Idaho, from Idaho, by Idahoans".

Idaho Outdoor Guided Adventures (IOGA)
Home page for the Idaho Outfitters & Guides Association.  Listings for over 400 outfitters and guides and related services.

Hiking

Idaho Hiking and Hot Springs

Idaho Native Plant Society
The Society seeks to foster the understanding and appreciation of Idaho's native flora and to preserve this rich heritage for future generations. Local chapters conduct field trips.

Go Northwest! Bookstore 
Best selection of books on the Northwest.
Click here!

Adventure Guide to Idaho
by Genevieve Rowles,
Hunter Publishing
February 1998, Paperback, 400 pages, (guidebook)

An introduction tells you about the state's history, geography, its people and the wildlife you might encounter.  Covers ski areas, river running, hiking, gold panning, excursions and activities with kids, sightseeing, plus the best places to eat and bed down for the night.
Order now...

Idaho for the Curious: A Guide/With Map
by Cort Conley
June 1982, 1st edition, Paperback, 704 pages, (guidebook)
Don't let the date put you off - this guide continues to be a top seller.
Order now...

Idaho Off the Beaten Path: A Guide to Unique Places
by Julie Fanselow
June 2000, 3rd edition, Paperback, 208 pages, (guidebook)
Order now...

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