Idaho is the 14th largest state in the United States, with Boise being the capital. An interesting fact about Idaho’s name is that it means “the land of many waters.” Those who’ve visited the state know that it’s the perfect name for this state because of the more than 2,000 lakes and over 3,100 maneuverable whitewater miles.
The locations in Idaho are not only ideal for photographers and tourists—they are perfect for Instagram travel influencers too. With so many outstanding locations in the state providing a perfect backdrop for photos, who’d want to miss out on this great opportunity?
So, pack your bags, and let’s travel to the land of many waters with picturesque locations. The best thing about Idaho is that it’s a state of more than lakes. You can enjoy sunsets from plateaus and hike the beautiful canyons.
Instagrammable Places in Idaho
Snake River Canyon
A canyon formed by the Snake River in the southern region of Idaho is a perfect Instagrammable place. It’s located near Twin Falls, giving a striking impression of the 500-foot-tall bridge known as Perrine Bridge. The canyon is among the most beautiful locations to visit in Idaho.
You can find the best views from the canyon’s south rim. A quick fun fact about the Snake River Canyon is that it was shaped by the flood, but the basic structure of the canyon has been around for a long time.
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Redfish Lake
Redfish Lake is located in Sawtooth National Recreation Area. It is the largest lake in this area, with activities like kayaking, swimming, boating, and fishing. Redfish Lake got named after the sockeye salmon that would migrate from the ocean to the lake in the Sawtooth Valley.
About 4,000 sockeye salmon used to pilgrimage per year until the 1950s. Now only 2 to 20 return each year. Apart from that, it’s a beautiful crystal-clear lake with mountain peaks in the background.
If you want to capture the perfect sunset photo in Idaho, Redfish Lake is the place you need to be.
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Sawtooth Scenic Byway
Take a trip along the heart of Idaho Rockies and the Sawtooth Mountains with this one. The byway passes through fertile land and leads you to resort towns such as Sun Valley, Hailey, and Ketchum.
You can also access Sawtooth National Recreation Area with alpine lakes, streams, and rivers with the Sawtooth Scenic Byway.
It’s a 115-mile byway with memorable mountains that provide a gorgeous backdrop for photographs. The mountain peaks are prominent, reaching the skies of south-central Idaho.
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Payette Lake
The lake is located two hours north of Boise. It’s a 5,330-acre water body filled with glacial water. The lake sits in the mountains at an elevation of almost 5,000 feet. The lake was formed by a glacier, and the deepest point is 392 ft. deep.
You can participate in various activities at the lake, including fishing and boating. Whatever you do here, it’s going to look great with the backdrop of the clear water. Payette Lake has Ponderosa State Park at the eastern shore, where you can hike, camp, and enjoy beautiful sunsets.
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Bruneau Dunes State Park
Want to try skateboarding on sand dunes? Bruneau Dunes State Park is the perfect place in Idaho! The dunes are located in southwestern Idaho. It takes about an hour in the southeast direction from Boise to reach the dunes.
Bruneau Dunes State Park has the tallest sand dune single structure in North America. It’s a 500-foot-tall dune with small lakes located at different locations in the high desert. The place is fascinating to look at and capture with the camera.
Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve
The monument is located in the center of the state and is not a famous one among tourists, but it’s a perfect place to capture some Insta-worthy photos. Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve is made up of lava tubes, cinder cones, lava flows, and various volcanic features.
This place was used by Apollo 14 astronauts to prepare for their moon mission in 1969—one of the reasons why it’s a national monument. You can indulge in various activities here, such as hiking, photography, and caving.
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Lake Coeur d’Alene
Lake Coeur d’Alene is the most famous lake in northern Idaho. Among the many pristine lakes, streams, and rivers in the state, this 25-mile-long glacially-carved structure runs three miles wide. It’s among the largest lakes in the northern region of the state.
The city of Coeur d’Alene is the best place to catch the beauty of the lake on the northern shore. You can also enjoy various recreational activities at the lake, including world-class sport fishing. Golfing is also famous at the resorts.
Lake Coeur d’Alene Scenic Byway runs along the eastern coast for 36 miles—it’s a beautiful location with viewpoints and hiking trails.
Sun Valley Resort
Sun Valley Resort offers some of the best ski experiences in the world! It’s a year-round adventure destination with 18 lifts and more than 2,000 skiable acres. The terrain is wide and attractive—many skiers from all over the globe visit the Sun Valley Resort for an outdoor adventure.
The location is attractive in winter and in summer as well, both locally and internationally. There are many fun activities to participate in, not to mention many locations to take Insta-worthy photos.
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Shoshone Falls
Shoshone Falls is near the city of Twin Falls, and the people of Idaho proudly call it the “Niagara of the West.” It’s among the largest waterfalls in the United States and easily surpasses the height of Niagara Falls. If you want to visit Shoshone Falls at the best time, visit it in spring.
While daytime is great for visiting Shoshone Falls, sunset is the best moment to capture great pictures.
The only thing you should know about sunsets here is that you can’t catch the complete sunset because the sun stops way before the sunset at the steep walls of Snake River Canyon.
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Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
With the deepest river gorge in the country, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area is located near the Oregon border in the western region of Idaho.
The best scenery in this area is the Snake River carving its way at the bottom of the canyon. You can see it from either edge. Hells Canyon is a popular place among photographers and hikers.
The best activity at this canyon is whitewater rafting. The rugged landscape turns it into an exciting adventure. If you go along the 231 miles of Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, you can access stunning viewpoints of the canyon.
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Summary
With gorgeous crystal-clear lakes, sky-high mountains, sand dunes, and national monuments and parks, Idaho is the perfect place to enjoy some time in nature. Idaho has the best mix of scenic rivers, jagged peaks, and an abundance of outdoor adventures.
Make sure to visit Sun Valley Resort, Craters of the Moon National Monument, Redfish Lake, and other Instagrammable places in Idaho to take stunning photos.
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Hi I’m Jay. I grew up in Seattle, Washington and live in Los Angeles, California. I have travelled to 23 countries so far and planning to go explore more countries soon! My Favorite trips so far have been to Israel, Japan, Rome, Iceland and Australia. I started this site to share my love of travel with everyone and build a community of like-minded, free thinking, free exploring people.
