Fall road trip to Idaho

[janetb]

I'm trying to accept the fact that I'm apparently a "search" idiot, although I know I've read some great info. on this site about traveling and camping in Idaho.
While I try to deal with this affliction, I'm hoping that any of you kind souls who have done a camping trip to Idaho will have some good scoop to share.
We want to head out from central CA in early fall for about 2 weeks and hope to see some of the pristine sites we've heard about--boondocking or otherwise.
Many thanks for any input.

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by janetb

I'm hoping that any of you kind souls who have done a camping trip to Idaho will have some good scoop to share.
We want to head out from central CA in early fall for about 2 weeks and hope to see some of the pristine sites we've heard about--boondocking or otherwise.
Many thanks for any input.

Weather you go in early or late fall will help you decide how much of Idaho you see.

Eastern Idaho has Craters of the Moon (very cool) and Yellowstone if you want to venture that far north east. Central Idaho becomes much harder to access once you hit October. It has snowed by then. Some of the passes are in-accessable when towing. Redfish lake near Stanley is beautiful.
In Western Idaho, Cascade, McCall are all beautiful. US 95 North will take you from McCall up to Coeur D'Alene. A very nice drive. Also a problem the longer you wait.

In the Boise National Forest, a place that will always have a special place in my memories, is Bonneville Hot Springs. Dry Camping with a natural Hot spring a short walk away. It is two hours east of Boise on ID 21.

Yellow Pine and Atlanta are old mining towns. Also hard to get to once it snows. Last time I was in the Yellow Pine area they had working crank telephones.

A significant number of the Idaho State parks Close October 1st.

Make sure you get a Federal Lands access pass. (Forest Service, BLM, National Parks) It will pay for itself.

Is that enough to get you started?

[Boondocker]

Hey Janet,

I will be in Idaho this summer for part of my trip. Discussion on boondocking spots and hot springs is accumulating in my trip planning thread and I will be posting my observations as I travel this summer. I bet you are excited about your trip!

[safari57]

Be sure to take a potato peeler with ya.

Barry

[janetb]

Thanks Michelle--great info.! We'll try to make the trip in early/mid. Sept. so will hopefully still have decent touring weather. Redfish Lake and the Stanley Basin are at the top of our list, and we'll check out the other spots you mentioned...

Gen Disarry, thanks for the thread link. We are very excited about heading out on another excursion with the Rollertoaster. Sounds like you have a terrific trip coming up soon!

Potato peeler packed and ready~

Take care,

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by janetb

Thanks Michelle--great info.! We'll try to make the trip in early/mid. Sept. so will hopefully still have decent touring weather. Redfish Lake and the Stanley Basin are at the top of our list, and we'll check out the other spots you mentioned...
Potato peeler packed and ready~

Take care,

Janet,
If you head from Stanley towards Challis/Salmon Area make sure you stop at the road side Hot tub in Sunbeam. The hot springs is on Google Earth.
There are lots of hotsprings in Idaho.

[samb]

If the weather starts to turn cold on you try some of the Idaho Power camps along the Snake River. There is a very nice one West of Cambridge on Brownlee Reservoir. Nice sized sites and very well kept.
I took my Safari there for it's maiden voyage the first week of November last year. They shut the water hookups off November 1st, but remain open all year. Dump station, electric hookups, restrooms, and showers still available after November. We had "T" shirt weather and sunburns. I think this area is the second lowest elevation in the state to camp, with the Lewiston area, also along the Snake, being the lowest.
Two weeks is not enough time for all that Idaho has to offer. Don't try to see it all or you will just end up with a list of places you will have to go back to.
Sam

[maxandgeorgia]

Janet, we second the suggestions for the Central Idaho area around Stanley. Redfish and many other great places are close by, but our long standing favorite place to camp at Stanley is the FS campground outside of the town at Stanley Lake, the upper campground, site #4. The view of the snowy mountain peak just across the lake from this site is a marvelous "front yard." At sundown, you'll be awed by the "aspen glow." I also second Michelle's note of the hot spring at Sunbeam on the way to Challis from Stanley. It's along the highway and open, but jump right in for a relaxing treat. A commercial but very enjoyable hot spring is also found at Challis at the campground there. Don't miss the mining lore and ghost town at Jordan(the drive starts near Sunbeam)...and on and on and views of rushing rivers and mountains everywhere. If you like upscale resorty fun, south of Stanley after a very picturesque drive is the ski mecca of SunValley. Perhaps you'll love the little town of Stanley like we do, including Jimbo's Jumbo hamburger stand and across the highway grocery. If you stay in the more southern area around Yellowstone/Teton's, the drive along the Teton Range on the Idaho side is beautiful, though often overlooked in literature about this beautiful range of peaks. Well, wish we could meet you round the campfire somewhere in Idaho this fall too! Green with envy, G

[overlander63]

Here's the result of a search with the keyword "Idaho", as single posts:


http://www.airforums.com/forums/sear...archid=1015208

[janetb]

Wonderful!
I love how you teach by example.


And Georgia, thanks for your thoughtful input. Getting the forum feedback has made me--almost--wish fall was already here!

[Boondocker]

Originally Posted by overlander63

Here's the result of a search with the keyword "Idaho", as single posts:


http://www.airforums.com/forums/sear...archid=1015208

Here is the result of following that link

Sorry - no matches. Please try some different terms.

[FordTruck]

I spent 7 months on a project in Boise (BOY-CEE) not (BOY-Zee). Had the opportunity to travel around the state (not camping).
Ditto on Stanley, McCall, The Payette river area. Snake River, Idaho Falls area for antiques. You can also slip down to Jackpot NV for the casino side of life.
If you're in Boise, be sure to go to the CO-OP. Great food and the best wine selection in the city.
If you want to dine "out" in Boise, go to:
Mortimer's (110 S 5th St, Boise, ID)for a special occasion.
MaiTai (750 W Idaho St, Boise, ID) for Thai food.
Cottonwood Grill (913 W River St, Boise, ID)
Tablerock BrewPub (705 Fulton St, Boise, ID)
Milky Way (205 N 10th St # 101, Boise, ID_
Pollo Rey (222 N 8th St, Boise, ID)
Korea House (160 N 8th St, Boise, ID)
One additional suggestion is to go west to Baker City OR. There is a great exposition to Lewis & Clark. Well worth the trip.

[janetb]

Thanks for that great list Fordtruck. We really appreciate your thoughtfulness and the time you spent putting it together. More great and useful tips!
We'll definitely check out the logistics of going to Baker City. I just finished reading "Undaunted Courage" by Stephen Ambrose (great read) and am rewataching Ken Burns' "the Journey of the Corps of Discovery" on DVD, so your mention of the Lewis and Clark trail is great timing.
Amazing that so few years later we're revisiting parts of the route in shiny trailers with all the amenities.
Best wishes,

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by FordTruck

I
If you want to dine "out" in Boise, go to:

Tablerock BrewPub (705 Fulton St, Boise, ID)

this is my favorite place to eat.
You may also want to try McGraths Seafood and Murphys.

One additional suggestion is to go west to Baker City OR. There is a great exposition to Lewis & Clark. Well worth the trip.
Baker City should be a stop on any Airstreams tour. The Birth place of Wally Byam.