A snowshoe trek can be a magical way to explore winter’s striking scenery. When snow falls, the mountain trails of Idaho are transformed into an alluring world of sparkling white. Snowshoeing is fun, easy, and inexpensive—it is winter’s answer to walking and hiking.

For winter scenery, great trails, and easy access, the Idaho City Park N’ Ski Area is an excellent destination. Located northeast of Treasure Valley, the system is composed of four Park N’ Ski parking lots directly off 21—Whoop-Um-Up, Gold Fork, Banner Ridge, and Beaver Creek Summit—all dispersed along ID 21, about 30 minutes north of Idaho City. The lots are usually plowed after a significant snowfall and provide a diverse array of winter activities including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, skate skiing, fat tire biking, and snowmobiling.

There are 26 miles of groomed trails—usually groomed Tuesday through Thursday of each week, during the winter months. For snowshoers, it is the marked but ungroomed trails that offer the best outdoor experience. There are a multitude of marked snowshoe trails that begin from the four lots. Three excellent and diverse snowshoe loops are the Pilgrim & Valley Trail Loop, Whoop-Um-Up Loop, and Banner Ridge Snowshoe Loop. You will need a Park N’ Ski permit to use the area. You can choose between a $25.00 annual permit or buy a one to three day temporary permit for $7.50. Both permits can be purchased online at Idaho Parks and Rec website.

Pilgrim & Valley Trail Loop | Distance: 1.7 miles | Elevation Gain: 300 ft

This loop connects with several trails, allowing you to configure a diverse outing. The trek includes views along the Valley Trail and lush forest on the Pilgrim Trail. If you have young children who are new to snowshoeing, you can opt for the Pilgrim Loop (0.7 mile) that is quite scenic considering its shorter length. The trailhead is located at the southeast corner of the Whoop-Um-Up parking lot, 16.7 miles north of Idaho City.

From the signed trailhead, come to an immediate junction (the trail to your left is your return if you chose to snowshoe the Pilgrim Loop). Continue forward towards the Lower Lamar Trail. The route turns east and reaches a signed junction at 0.2 mile. Turn right unless you want to snowshoe the Pilgrim Loop (see next paragraph).

To complete the Pilgrim Loop continue forward at this junction. The route leads through mixed forest of Engelmann spruce, Douglas fir, and lodgepole pine, as it descends about 50 feet to a signed junction in less than a quarter-mile. Turn left on a gentle slope to where the trail levels near a vault toilet. Here, the trail splits. Continue another 50 feet to the Whoop-Um-Up lot or veer left on the Pilgrim Trail and reach the trailhead you started from in a quarter-mile.

For the longer trek, turn right at the 0.2 mile junction. You begin a gentle climb to a switchback at 0.3 mile (from the trailhead) and then veer west on an open slope. There are superlative vistas looking east over the undulating Boise National Forest. Reach a signed junction with the Valley Trail at 0.6 mile. Turn left. (If you turn right, your can extend the outing another 0.8 mile by completing the Lower Lamar Loop which returns to this junction.) You now descend 250 feet over the next half-mile through patchy burned forest. Come to a signed junction, a few yards from the Wagon Trail, at 1.2 miles. Turn left towards the trailhead, paralleling the groomed Wagon Trail. You enter beautiful Douglas fir and lodgepole forest and soon veer around the Edna Creek Campground. At 1.4 miles, reach another signed junction. Continue forward on the Pilgrim Trail as the route ascends a sloped hillside and finally reaches the Whoop-Um-Up lot.

Whoop-Um-Up Loop | Distance: 2.4 miles | Elevation Gain: 550 ft

This snowshoe trek offers superlative vistas, dense forest, and more opportunity for solitude. You can extend the outing by another 0.7 mile by hiking the Upper Lamar Loop which intersects with the main loop. The trailhead is located on the west side of ID 21, directly across from the Whoop-Um-Up parking lot (16.7 miles north of Idaho City). Use caution when crossing ID 21.

From the trailhead, veer right. The route crosses the Whoop Um Up Creek drainage within 500 feet to its north side and begins a modest ascent west through open Douglas fir forest. After a gain of 150 feet, the route veers north and then gently climbs out of the creek drainage to an open area with good views at an elevation of 5,650 feet. Here, you will enter burned forest, which gradually becomes more prominent, until you reach a signed junction at 5,850 feet near a few large ponderosa pine trees at 1.3 miles.

From the signed junction, turn left. Some of the best views of the hike unfold as you veer east on an open slope. Views stretch for miles over a band of green hills and mountains. At 1.5 miles, begin a gentle descent into beautiful Douglas fir forest and reach another signed junction with the Upper Lamar Trail at 2.0 miles. (This trail allows you to extend the hike. It climbs a slope and returns to the Whoop-Um-Up Trail in 0.7 mile.) Continue forward (east), reaching a signed junction with the return of the Upper Lamar Trail at 2.2 miles. The route now levels, veers north, and reaches the signed trailhead at 2.4 miles.

Banner Ridge Snowshoe Loop | Distance: 2.0 miles | Elevation Gain: 400 ft

Of the three treks described, this outing takes top honors for “best views”. Vistas include an aerial perspective of the Steep Creek drainage and extended vistas to many high peaks in the Boise National Forest. This snowshoe can be extended since several trails intersect with the route. The snowshoe begins at the Banner Ridge parking lot, 22.2 miles north of Idaho City. The trailhead is located on the west side of ID 21, a few feet before reaching a vault toilet.

Begin with an immediate ascent of 60 feet through open forest to a signed junction at 0.1 mile. Turn left (west) at the junction. You now descend 50 feet as the trail veers north alongside a small drainage. Continue ascending through open forest and, after a gain of 250 feet, reach a scenic ridge dotted with ponderosa pine and Douglas fir trees at 0.8 mile (elevation 6,050 feet).

The path turns right and gently ascends through forest. There are wonderful vistas looking northeast. After a modest gain of another 50 feet in a quarter-mile, reach a signed junction at 1.1 miles. For the best views, continue forward towards the Banner Trail another 750 feet to a treeless knoll perched high above the Steep Creek drainage. The views from this perch are sensational. (If you continue past the knoll, you reach another signed junction in less than a quarter-mile with the groomed Banner Trail. This trail allows you to extend your snowshoe trek and there is a good map at the junction.) To return to the trailhead, retrace your steps back to the signed junction at 1.1 miles. Turn left. The route descends 200 feet through beautiful forest and reaches the signed junction near the trailhead at 1.9 miles. Turn left and descend to the trailhead.

Feature image credited to Scott Marchant.

Scott Marchant lives in Boise and when not exploring the rugged diversity of Idaho, he strives to keep up with his active family. After exploring thousands of miles of trails Scott published several hiking guidebooks and hopes that others will see these remarkable places and then help to preserve and protect our public lands. Find more hiking trail details from Scott here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Three Island Crossing State Park

Idaho is known as the Gem State, and with more than 240 types of minerals identified within its borders, the state definitely earns its moniker. Ranging from rare minerals to semiprecious gems, Idaho holds many notable treasures for rock lovers to uncover. But none of these gemstones are as rare as its state gem, the star garnet. Idaho and India are the only two places in the world where this semiprecious stone is found in significant quantity.

The star garnet gets its name from the four- or six-pointed star pattern that appears to flit upon the surface of the stone when properly cut and polished. The optical effect is called asterism and is created by rutile (a mineral consisting of titanium dioxide) needle formations inside the star garnet. This occurrence is unusual and found in very few gemstones.

Digging for star garnets is a popular summer activity for the whole family found in Idaho’s Panhandle. Located near St. Maries, Emerald Creek Garnet Area is a federal site that opens every year on Memorial Day weekend for organized mining. People from around the world come to this remote corner of Idaho to hopefully find their own ruby-red gem.

Paranoid that thousands of other passionate gem seekers would get the prized dig permits before us, I found myself waking up on a Saturday at 6:55 a.m. so I could hit the “buy now” button on the permit website the second the clock hit 7. I got a shot of adrenaline when my computer screen flashed a confirmation. As a family of self-proclaimed rock hounds, my husband and our five-year-old son had been impatiently waiting to get in on the action. With my son’s birthday falling a week after we’re set to visit the dig site, it was the ideal way to celebrate his sixth birthday. Most children have a natural pull to rock collecting, making this a great thing to do in Idaho with kids—but my son especially could spend all day every day looking for treasure. Whether digging through sand, collecting rocks on a hike or geocaching, he’s always had an eye for detail and finding the “diamond in the rough.”

Where to Find Star Garnets in Idaho

Heading south from Coeur d’Alene, we drove the White Pine Scenic Byway, a peaceful stretch of two-lane highway that takes you through some of northern Idaho’s most scenic waterfront communities. Passing by the bike-friendly Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes and the Coeur d’Alene River, we were tempted to stop and spend a few hours enjoying the early summer days together, but star garnets were calling our name.

Reaching the recreation area requires driving on a gravel road (Forest Service Road 447) for eight miles. The route is well-maintained, and any standard vehicle should be able to handle the terrain. When we pulled into the parking lot for our afternoon dig, prospectors from the morning session were returning to their cars. We struck up a conversation with an animated group of women who were boasting about who dug the most star garnets. Excited to share what was found, they pulled out their treasures and gave us our first look at the gemstones up close. As with many unpolished stones, these seemed unremarkable upon a quick glance—a misshapen black nugget. However, in the sunlight, you could see hints of maroon flush beneath the surface—the telltale sign of a star garnet.

The Experience

We walked the half-mile path to the sluice area, where a handful of other groups were already in line at the rangers’ desk. Your permit time slot allows you three hours, and showing up late doesn’t mean you are allowed to stay later. The rangers run a tight, albeit friendly, ship, and water used for the mining process is shut off promptly at the end of every session. The rangers handed us our federal mining permits and educated us on what a star garnet looks like, pointing out its unique dodecahedron (three-dimensional with 12 equal, flat faces) shape. After a quick rundown of what to do, they pointed to some well-used buckets and sent us off. The process is simple: Dig, sift, sluice, repeat.

Our First Dig

With buckets in tow, we headed to the massive pile of dirt and began digging. In the past, you were allowed to dig directly out of the creek bed, but the Forest Service put a stop to that practice to protect the environment and water quality. Now the site offers a pile of dredged-up earth that holds the promise of finding a star garnet.

After filling our buckets halfway, we took them to the sifting area. The sifters have mesh bottoms that allow much of the dirt to rinse away, leaving behind muddy rocks that you wash at the sluice station. The sifters are also made of solid wood, so after a few rounds of burning through our shoulders and forearms, we quickly learned it was better to take turns and shake up the dirt as a team effort. Our son gave it two tries before deciding this portion would most definitely be an operation led by his parents. The sluice boxes are where kids get to let loose and channel their inner prospector. With a bucket of dirty rocks, we sat on a tree stump and washed the rocks off in a steady stream of clean water. With the midday sun beaming down, the star garnets are surprisingly easy to spot with their crimson hue against a backdrop of gray river stones. On our first go, we found eight pieces of garnet! We were hooked.

The Results

Banking on beginner’s luck, we started the process over again, eager to max out our two-pound-per-person limit. I can’t lie—it’s hard work. By the third go-around, my arms were spent, and the 85° F heat was weakening my resolve. But my son’s exuberance and the sweet victory of finding more garnets kept me going.

Moving at a leisurely pace, we completed four rounds of the entire rotation and came away with just under two pounds of garnets—a far cry from our allotted six pounds. But we felt a sense of accomplishment, especially when our son found the largest gem of the day—a golf-ball-sized star garnet that weighed a whopping 5.6 ounces.

With our pockets stuffed with garnets and our bodies a bit worse for the wear, we walked back along the tree-lined path to dish over every detail and decide what we should do with our findings. Will they be rough or polished? Should we have them professionally cut or keep the stones natural? If we get them cut, should we choose a cabochon (polished but uncut) or faceted shape?

For the time being, we settled on enjoying these natural wonders as-is and set our alarms to be first in line to do it again next year.

Reserving a Permit

Permits are required to access the Emerald Creek Garnet Area, the only dig site where you can find star garnets in Idaho, and are awarded on a rolling 90-day calendar. It’s a popular summer activity, so advanced planning is highly recommended. Be sure to set a reminder to wake up early and buy your tickets. The site offers two three-hour sessions daily, with both an early morning and midday slot. Children five and under are free, but you will still need to obtain a ticket for them. Walk-up permits are not offered. Due to high demand, each individual is allowed to purchase one permit per year. However, the policy could change, so check the Idaho Panhandle National Forests website for the most current information. If you can’t secure a reservation, continue to check the website. Cancellations happen, and spots do occasionally open up.

Good to Know

• In the summer, the area is hot with limited shade. Bring drinking water and sun protection.

• Beginning Memorial Day weekend, Emerald Creek Garnet Area is open Friday through Monday. The site closes for the season on Labor Day weekend.

• You must bring a valid ID to the site to obtain a permit.

• Wear comfortable shoes and clothing you don’t mind getting dirty.

• The site has no amenities like potable water or food, but there are two vault toilet bathrooms at the dig site and a single bathroom in the parking lot. While shade is limited, there are a handful of picnic tables that offer light coverage. You are welcome to bring your own food and eat at the picnic tables.

• Pets are not allowed at the dig site.

Feature image credited to Bradford Benoit.

Christina Grance and Bradford Benoit are the writer/photographer duo behind the travel blog, Live A Wilder Life. Former full-time travelers turned part-time nomads, they live with their wild son and an ornery cat in north Idaho, where they spend every second they can dreaming up their next adventure.

When you think of a romantic getaway, does Idaho come to mind? Probably not. But maybe after reading this blog, you’ll have a change of heart like we did. It wasn’t until we took a trip to the winter wonderland ourselves that we truly realized there are so many unique dates that couples can enjoy in the potato state. From racing down the most beautiful mountains together to romantic dinners off the grid, here are 6 winter dates ideas that will surely make you fall in love with (or in) Idaho.

Ice Skating at Indian Creek Plaza

If you’ve ever been ice skating before, you know that it has a way of bringing you together. Usually, that’s because unless you’re a professional, you’ll definitely need to hold each other up a time or two as you duck walk around the ice. There’s no way to look cool when ice skating for the first time, so it’s a great way to break the ice and just let loose & have fun, especially if you’re with a new date. Check out Indian Creek Plaza website for more information on hours and rates.

Enjoy the Over 1 Million Lights at Indian Creek Plaza

After ice skating wears you out, we highly recommend grabbing a delicious hot chocolate from The Good Spoon and snuggling up for a brisk walk along the creek to enjoy the beautiful holiday lights. From November 17^th through January 8^th, you will find Indian Creek covered in over 1 million lights every night for the Winter Wonderland Festival. It’s a truly magical sight that you don’t want to miss.

Take Ski Lessons at Brundage Mountain Resort

There’s no better place to have a winter date than Brundage Mountain Resort in McCall, ID. Afterall, nothing quite says I’m falling for you like taking ski lessons together for the first time. As beginners, you will most definitely fall quite a few times during your lesson, but luckily, Brundage is known for its amazingly soft snow. It also offers a variety of terrain for those that are just starting out so you’re able to have a more intimate and relaxed experience together as you learn.

Soak in the Thermal Pools at Burgdorf Hot Springs

Located just 30 miles north of McCall, Burgdorf Hot Springs is a must do date for any couple visiting Idaho in the winter. It’s a rustic little lodge, with a natural thermal pool that is the perfect place to warm up together on a chilly winter’s day. The springs feature 3 log pools with temperatures ranging from 96F to a whopping 118F.  The coolest thing about Burgdorf Hot springs, besides looking like a scene from a Hallmark movie, is the fact that in the winter, it is only accessible by snowmobile. This gives it a very exclusive feeling, as surely not too many people own snowmobiles. We arrived at 2pm for our soak session and were lucky enough to have the hot springs all to ourselves, how romantic!

Take a Guided Backcountry Snowmobile Tour

Speaking of snowmobiles, a guided backcountry snowmobile tour is obviously something you can’t miss on your winter trip to Idaho (especially if you want to visit the hot spring we mentioned above). It’s not exactly the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a date, which is why you should definitely do it. Truth be told, it’s not every day that you have the opportunity to take your significant other on an adventure-filled ride through the winter wonderland that is Idaho’s backcountry. As you race down the snow-covered highways together, and stop to admire the incredible views, you will be overcome with love and adoration for life and the unforgettable memories you are creating together.

Snowshoe to the Blue Moon Yurt

Have you ever hiked to dinner before? If your answer is no, you are not alone! With that being said, it is imperative that you experience a date to the Blue Moon Yurt during your winter vacay to Idaho, because it is surely an experience unlike anything else you’ve ever seen. Snowshoeing through the mountains together will definitely bring you closer, but the real treat begins once you arrive at the romantic, candlelit yurt and meet Lisa and her incredible team.

The concept of the yurt is like a mixture of fine dining meets glamping, with a community style seating arrangement. Yes -you will be seated with strangers, but that is what makes the yurt experience that much more unique. The yurt team greets you with a delicious hot cider and prepares a 5-course meal for you that will surely have you falling in love.

By now, your question is not whether you should take a trip to Idaho for one of these epic winter dates, but which one should you do first?! Be sure to check out our blog How to Make the Best Out of A Winter Trip to Idaho for our full 6 day itinerary that will help you map out a week full of love and winter adventures.

Feature image credited to Love at First Flight.

Our names are Lanaiza & Mahdi. We are from New Orleans, Louisiana, and met while working in corporate America doing sales for a big travel company. After a couple of months of office banter, we finally admitted our romantic interest in one another, and the rest was history. It wasn’t long before we took our first trip together to Puerto Rico, which made us really believe in the power of travel. A few years later, here we are, traveling the world and creating incredible memories that will last us long beyond any materialistic item.

Are you ready to explore the exciting world of speakeasies around Boise? Prepare to embark on an adventure, as each hidden gem I’ve uncovered offers a unique blend of incredible cocktails, swanky vibes, and hidden venues. Trust me when I say—there’s something for everyone!

These speakeasies aren’t just a typical night out—they’re a unique opportunity to step outside of the box and experience something new in the Boise area. So gather your friends, prepare for an unforgettable evening, and let’s dive into the six speakeasies you simply can’t miss.

1. Gatsby

Step into Gatsby in downtown Boise where you can relive the roaring twenties in style! This hidden gem will transport you to a time of flapper dresses, jazz, and lavish parties. You’ll need a password to get in, and reservations are highly recommended. Be sure to check out their dress code requirements as well.

From there, all you have to do is make a reservation on their website and then call on the day of the reservation to find out the password for that day! You’ll knock on the door in the alleyway and then tell the hostess your password before entering.

They have fun cocktails—including a gin drink out of a bathtub with a rubber ducky—and even have a highly exclusive, private social club called the Boiler Room. This spot is perfect for dressing up and meeting your friends for a memorable night out.

Directions: Gatsby, 280 N 8th St #130, Boise, ID 83702

2. Suite 104

Visit “Boise’s Worst Kept Secret,” Suite 104, nestled off of 8th Street in downtown Boise. This speakeasy does a great job combining sophistication with a laid-back vibe. Don’t miss their patio, perfect for soaking up the sunshine when it’s nice in Boise. The highlight? Their exceptional drinks, especially the Method 104, a personalized cocktail crafted based on your preferences. No reservations are required here; just stroll right in. With ample space, Suite 104 can comfortably accommodate larger groups too. It’s a great spot, and you won’t be disappointed!

Directions: Suite 104, 280 N 8th St Suite 104, Boise, ID 83702

3. Craft Lounge

Discover Craft Lounge, an unpretentious speakeasy that prides itself on delivering exceptional cocktails. With locations in Nampa and Caldwell, it has quickly become a hot spot for cocktail lovers. The Nampa spot gives off a classic speakeasy vibe, while the Caldwell lounge offers a more vibrant and open atmosphere. No reservations or secret passwords are required at either location. In Nampa, simply step through the door labeled janitors closet. For a perfect evening, consider beginning your night with dinner at the popular Brick 29 restaurant located in the same building, then end your experience at the Craft Lounge for some well-crafted drinks.

Directions: Craft Lounge, 320 11th Ave S, Nampa, ID 83651

4. Press & Pony

Press & Pony is a craft cocktail bar in Boise consistently delivering expertly mixed cocktails. Their menu offers something for everyone, with a perfect balance between innovative creations and classics. Don’t miss their rendition of the Old Fashioned—it’s a true crowd-pleaser. No reservations are necessary, and you can enter through their front door, passing through heavy velvet curtains, or through the entrance in the Boise Fry Company labeled “Boise Fry Company’s Corporate Office.” Press and Pony has a commitment to quality and is a must-visit destination for cocktail enthusiasts.

Directions: Press & Pony, 622 W Idaho St, Boise, ID 83702

5. Thick as Thieves

Thick as Thieves is a hidden bar nestled in downtown Boise, known for its captivating ambiance and attention to detail. The speakeasy has a beautifully designed interior with dim candlelight that sets a stylish and intimate atmosphere. Every aspect of this bar, from the decor to the carefully crafted cocktails, has been thoughtfully curated to provide a memorable experience.

While reservations are recommended, they are not mandatory. To gain entry, you must approach the side door with two birds on it. Once inside, you’ll spot a phone at the top of the stairs, and to enter, simply dial!

Directions: Thick as Thieves, 620 W Idaho St Suite 200, Boise, ID 83702

6. Ampersand

If you’d like speakeasies with elevated views and unforgettable cocktails, Ampersand is for you. This speakeasy is unique because it’s nestled high above Boise in a converted Boise office. After a beautiful dinner at KIN, check in with the bartenders downstairs at Art Haus, and they’ll either put you on the waitlist or send you right up to the 14th floor of 999 Main St. Keep in mind that this is a smaller space and you’re allotted about 1 hour per group, so wait times can get long. That being said, the wait is worth it for the view and the delicious cocktails!

Directions: Ampersand, 14th Floor, 999 Main St. Boise, ID 83702

Cheers to the vibrant speakeasy scene in the Treasure Valley! With each venue offering its own distinct vibe and expertly made cocktails, there’s no doubt that both cocktail enthusiasts and newbies will enjoy exploring these 6 spots.

Feature image credited to Katie Williams.

Katie Williams is a world traveler and blogger at Traveling Spud. She documents her adventures around the globe and shenanigans in her home state of Idaho. Follow her on her blog Traveling Spud or her Instagram.