Idaho is home to 18 ski resorts, including the world-famous Sun Valley. During the summer, mountain bikers have more than 19,000 miles of trails at their disposal, while 35 species of game fish make the state an angler's dream come true. Moreover, Idaho's Salmon River is one of several popular destinations for whitewater rafting. Numerous preserves and wildlife refuges are open to the public.
Idaho is home to a number of amusement parks, including the largest theme park in the Northwest, Silverwood, in Athol. The park has more than 65 rides and attractions. Highlights include a 1940s carousel and a 60 mile-per-hour underground roller coaster. Boulder Beach, one of the largest water parks in the region, is also part of Silverwood. It offers several water slides and an enormous wave pool. Other water parks in the state include the 15-acre Roaring Springs Water Park in Meridian, which is open on select days from May through September.
Gamers 18 and older can try their luck at the casinos on protected Native American territories in Idaho. These include the Clearwater River Casino operated by the Nez Perce tribe near Lewiston, and the casino at the Coeur d'Alene Resort and Hotel, operated by the Coeur d'Alene Tribe. In addition to slot machines, most of the casinos offer bingo games.
Idaho boasts many scenic and historical byways, including the Gold Rush History Byway on Idaho Highway 11 along the Clearwater River and the Sawtooth Scenic Byway, which traverses Sun Valley and takes drivers to the headwaters of the Salmon River. If you'd rather let someone else do the driving, sit back and admire Idaho's natural beauty from aboard one of Thunder Mountain Line's trains, which offer several scenic routes. If you find yourself in northern Idaho, consider a cruise on Lake Pend Orielle in Sandpoint. For a birds-eye view of the state, book a hot air balloon flight with a company like Adventurist Air Ballooning, which offers one-hour flights over the Lewis and Clark Valley.
