The 7 Regions of Idaho

Idaho’s landscapes and attractions vary widely within the state, and there is no better way to understand which part of Idaho is perfect for your next trip or even to live in than to explore each of the 7 regions in this post!

Northern:

Northern Idaho is home to Coeur d’Alene, Sandpoint, and Wallace and borders Canada. It is known for its lucious and abundant forests and stunning lakes.This region has three ski resorts, big, meandering, trout-filled rivers and hundreds of miles of biking and hiking trails to explore!

North Central:

Grangeville, Moscow, Lewiston, and Riggens are all located in north central Idaho. This region has landscapes of wilderness, rolling hills, farmland and flower-filled meadows, and is rich in cultural importance and outdoor activities. It is also home to the University of Idaho in Moscow! This region also is home to the Nez Perce National Historical Park, which celebrates the history of the Nez Perce tribe.

Southwest:

The southwest region is home to Idaho’s capital, Boise, as well as Mccall and Mountain Home. With plenty of stunning hiking and biking trails, winding rivers and sand dunes as well as historical sites, top-notch wineries, local craft breweries and entertainment, this region has a whole lot to offer. McCall is a popular vacation destination for Boiseans and has multiple lakes to recreate on, as well as ski resorts for wintertime

South Central: 

Twin Falls, Hagerman and Burley are the major towns in this region. The landscape here includes deep canyons, high bluffs, unusual rock formations and lava flows. The Snake River twists through this area, as well as many large waterfalls.

Southeast: 

The southeast region contains Pocatello, Lava Hot Springs and Montpelier and features an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities from hikes to bike rides.This region also contains sites and museums connected to the Oregon Trail for the history buffs.

Eastern:

Island Park, Idaho Falls, and Rexburg all reside in this region. This region offers a gateway to Yellowstone National Park as well as blue-ribbon trout streams.

Central:

Home to Sun Valley, Stanley, and Salmon, this region contains some of Idaho’s most dramatic scenery. With the Salmon river’s thrilling whitewater, alpine lakes, the jagged mountain peaks of the Sawtooths, wildflower-filled meadows and historic mountain towns, there is no shortage of sights to see. Stanley comes alive in the summer with raft companies chartering single and multi day trips down the Salmon river, and Sun Valley is known for its five star resort skiing in the winter.