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Idaho’s landscapes are wild, unpredictable, and often overlooked. But hidden between its jagged peaks and deep valleys are places many travellers miss entirely. These hidden places in Idaho are not marked by signs or crowds, they exist quietly, carved by rivers, wind, and time. Some are reached by dirt trails, others lie beyond volcanic craters or tucked inside forgotten canyons. They all share a sense of stillness that feels rare, carrying its own story, shaped by nature and left untouched.
9 Hidden Places In Idaho To Explore
These hidden places in Idaho offer raw beauty, quiet trails, and landscapes shaped by fire, ice, and time.
1. Goldbug Hot Springs
Photo: BLMIdaho / Wikimedia Commons
Tucked into the hills above the Salmon River, Goldbug Hot Springs feels far removed from the world below. The trail begins quietly off US-93, winding through sagebrush and stone, gradually opening to views of a wide valley and distant ridges. After two miles and a bit of a climb, a series of steaming pools appear, cascading naturally down smooth rock shelves. The water is warm, never too hot, and the view stretches endlessly of pine forests, bare slopes, and often a hawk circling overhead. You step into water warmed by the earth and look out at land shaped only by time.
Best Time To Visit: March to May and September to October
Nearby Attractions: Salmon River, Sacajawea Interpretive Center
2. Ritter Island
Photo: Charles Knowles / Shutterstock
Ritter Island lies quietly in the heart of Thousand Springs State Park, separated from the world by the Snake River and time. A narrow bridge takes you across to this quiet patch of green where waterfalls tumble straight out of rock walls. The island was once a working dairy farm, and traces of that history still remain with the stone barn, the orchard, and the restored farmhouse. On most days, the only sounds are falling water and rustling leaves. Short trails loop around the island, leading to clear springs and hidden picnic spots.
Cost: $7 per vehicle (state park fee)
Best Time To Visit: April to October
Nearby Attractions: Malad Gorge, Minnie Miller Springs
3. Box Canyon Springs Preserve
Photo: Chris Light / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
This spring lies west of Twin Falls and is part of Thousand Springs State Park. It’s one of the largest natural springs in the country, flowing through a narrow canyon carved into basalt rock. The water comes up from underground and stays clear and cool all year. From the top, you can see the bright blue colour of the spring. A short hike leads to the rim, and a steep path brings you down to the water and a small 20-foot waterfall. Some of the rock formations here are said to resemble surfaces seen on Mars.
Best Time To Visit: April to June
Nearby Attractions: Thousand Springs, Ritter Island
4. The River Of No Return Wilderness
Photo: Rex Parker / Wikimedia Commons
This wilderness area stretches across central Idaho and remains one of the most remote regions in the United States. It is part of the larger Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, named after the Salmon River, which flows through deep canyons with sharp rock walls and dense pine forests. The terrain here is rugged, trails cross high ridgelines, pass through forests, and dip into narrow valleys where the sound of the river echoes against the rock. You can spot elk, black bears, bighorn sheep, and bald eagles in the area.
Best Time To Visit: June to September
Nearby Attractions: Frank Church Wilderness, Panther Creek Falls
5. Craters Of The Moon Caves (Non-touristy sections)
Photo: Matthew Dillon / Wikimedia Commons
Craters of the Moon is known for its volcanic landscape, but far from the main paths are lava caves that few reach. These caves formed when molten lava cooled on the outside but kept flowing underneath, leading to long and hollow tubes. While the better-known ones like Indian Tunnel draw small crowds, other sections remain quiet. Some of the lesser-known caves can be found off the main loop, beyond the marked trails. Inside, the temperature drops, and the walls are lined with frozen waves of black rock.
Cost: $20 per vehicle
Best Time To Visit: May to September
Nearby Attractions: Inferno Cone, Tree Molds Trail
6. Trail Creek Cabin Hot Springs
Photo: Aaron / Wikimedia Commons
Tucked deep within the Boise National Forest, Trail Creek Cabin Hot Springs is one of those places that feels entirely separate from the outside world. To reach it, you drive west from Cascade and then hike a short distance through a forest lined with pine and fir. The spring flows next to a rustic Forest Service cabin built in the 1920s, once used by rangers stationed in the backcountry. Today, the cabin can be reserved, but the hot springs remain open to day visitors.
Best Time To Visit: August to October
Nearby Attractions: Warm Lake, Boise National Forest
7. Lava Lake
Photo: PeaceLoveScoobie / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Lava Lake is a 55-acre lake found in Blaine County. It sits near the edge of the Craters of the Moon area, where older lava flows still shape much of the land. The lake is part of a working ranch that manages both livestock and conservation. Much of the surrounding area is dry, with stretches of sage, rough grassland, and dark volcanic rock. In the distance, the Boulder and Pioneer Mountains rise sharply. Fish Creek Reservoir is located roughly six miles away, along with other nearby lakes like Huff, Carey, and Cameron.
Best Time To Visit: July to September
Nearby Attractions: Pioneer Cabin, Sun Valley Lodge
8. Weir Creek Hot Springs
Photo: Los Paseos / Wikimedia Commons
Weir Creek Hot Springs sits in a forested area along US-12 in north-central Idaho. The spring is reached by a short trail, less than a mile, that follows the edge of the creek through dense trees. The water flows from a rocky slope and gathers into a shallow pool bordered by stone. The spring is surrounded by pine trees, and the creek runs beside it at a steady pace. It isn’t a large pool, but it fits a small group without feeling crowded. People often come early in the day or just before dark, when it’s quieter and the light begins to fade.
Best Time To Visit: December to April
Nearby Attractions: Jerry Johnson Hot Springs, Selway River
9. Black Magic Canyon
Photo: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Black Magic Canyon is a slot canyon located just north of Shoshone along Idaho State Highway 75. The canyon stretches for about 10 miles and includes sections that require scrambling over rock and squeezing through tight turns. Some areas feel like natural corridors, while others open slightly, exposing patterns left behind by flowing water. Visitors often start from the old dam parking area reached via Highway 93, past Johnny’s Country Store, then down Road 520. The path is rocky and uneven, and good shoes are necessary.
Best Time To Visit: November to February
Nearby Attractions: Shoshone Ice Caves, Little City of Rocks
Idaho’s most remarkable places aren’t always marked on the map. From quiet forest springs to narrow lava-carved canyons, these hidden places in Idaho offer a kind of solitude that’s hard to find elsewhere. They remind you of how wild and untouched much of the state still is. If you’re planning to explore Idaho beyond the obvious, let TripXL help you get there with ease and purpose.
Cover Photo: Clay Elliot / Unsplash
