20 Best Places to Visit in Idaho-Must-see National Monuments, Ski Resorts, and Quaint Hidden Gems Included

"According to Nakia Williamson-Cloud, the cultural resources program director of the Nez Perce Tribe, it's "the beauty of the natural landscape and the extreme physiology of the region, with arid and semi-arid regions contrasted with the high alpine mountains and large river systems" that creates such an incredible place to experience. Erik Leidecker, co-owner of Sawtooth Mountain Guides, agrees, noting that this is a state with a "vast amount of untrammeled wilderness.""

""The Lochsa River corridor is accessed by U.S. Highway 12, which is paralleled to the north by the ancient Nez Perce Trail, or kuséeyne'iskit ("Trail to the East/Buffalo Country")," says Williamson-Cloud. "This area has minimal alteration to the natural beauty, with views of pristine waters and ancient forests of red cedar and fir that form a sea of mountains and forests." Visitors come to this area to hike, camp, fish, hunt, swim, and tube down the river."

Idaho presents a wide variety of outdoor experiences across contrasting physiographies, from arid and semi-arid areas to high alpine mountains and large river systems. The state contains vast untrammeled wilderness, pristine waters, and ancient forests that support hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, swimming, and river tubing. Smaller towns showcase growing arts, culture, and food scenes, with Island Park noted as a standout small mountain town. The Lochsa River corridor along U.S. Highway 12 borders the ancient Nez Perce Trail (kuséeyne'iskit) and features red cedar and fir forests with minimal alteration to natural scenery.

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