Idaho State Parks with Unforgettable Hiking Trails

Idaho boasts nearly 20,000 miles of trails, offering endless opportunities for adventure. While exploring them all may take a lifetime, the journey begins with a single step. Set your sights on the diverse and breathtaking trails within Idaho State Parks, and embark on an unforgettable hiking journey.

Farragut State Park, Northern Idaho

Farragut State Park, located in northern Idaho, is renowned for its historical significance and natural beauty. Spanning 4,000 acres, the park features numerous tree-lined trails and was once the world’s second-largest naval training facility. Visitors can explore the Museum at the Brig to learn about its World War II history. The park offers a variety of activities, including camping, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, boating, swimming, water sports, disc golf, archery, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing in winter. Additionally, the park has 223 individual camping sites, seven group camps, ten camping cabins, a boat launch ramp, and docks.

Get familiar with this beautiful park by starting with these trails:

Squirrel Cache: 1.5 miles, family-friendly loop trail.
Bernard Peak/Scout Trail: 16 miles, up and back trail, designed for experienced hikers and cyclists.
Shoreline Loop Trail: 1.5 miles, family-friendly trail.

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All Trails Walking Trail Guide – Farragut State Park

Mary Minerva McCroskey Memorial State Park, Northern Idaho

McCroskey State Park, a tribute to pioneer women, spans over 5,300 acres of beautiful wilderness and offers free entry. The park’s highlight is the 18-mile Skyline Drive, providing spectacular views of the Palouse prairie and access to 32 miles of multi-purpose trails. The park features approximately ten interconnected trails, each offering unique scenic interests. Facilities include a group day-use shelter, three primitive camping areas, and four roadside picnic areas, though water and trash facilities are not available. The park is accessible by unimproved roads, which may be unsuitable for RVs or family cars. Interpretive signs throughout the park provide insights into the area’s historical and land-management aspects.

Lazy T Trail: 2.7-mile trail, out and back trail.
Korth Trail: 7.7 miles, connects to the Redtail Trail.
Iron Mountain Trail: Stunning 1.3-mile trail leading up to and around Iron Mountain.

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All Trails Top Trails – Mary Minerva McCroskey Memorial State Park

Hells Gate State Park, North Central Idaho

Hells Gate State Park in north-central Idaho offers stunning access to Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America. Visitors can explore various hiking trails, such as the challenging 5.16-mile Loop A, the 3.22-mile Loop B, and the scenic 3.39-mile Loop C along the water’s edge. The Lewis & Clark Discovery Center provides insights into the historic journey of Lewis and Clark through Idaho. The park, located on ancient river bottoms and featuring basaltic columns, also has a rich Nez Perce heritage. Activities include jet boat rides up the Snake River, steelhead fishing, picnicking, and biking along the Clearwater and Snake River trails. Campers can enjoy quiet, grassy campsites along the river. At 733 feet above sea level, Hells Gate State Park is at Idaho’s lowest elevation, offering a long season of warm weather in the region known as Idaho’s Banana Belt.

Loop A: This trail comes with park staff recommendations. It’s a 5.16-mile path that combines six different trails including Warren’s Ridge, the Devil’s Slide, and Sundown. Rated the most difficult of the loops. Expect elevation change.
Loop B: A 3.22-mile hike that crosses the Winchester, Endurance, Easy Street, and Sundown trails.
Loop C: Beautiful views are part of this 3.39-mile trail that runs along the water’s edge.

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All Trails Best Trails in Hells Gate State Park

Harriman State Park, Eastern Idaho

Harriman State Park, part of a 16,000-acre wildlife refuge in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, is renowned for its scenic beauty and abundant wildlife. The park offers 22 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding through meadows, riverbanks, and lush evergreen forests. Anglers flock to the park for its renowned fly-fishing waters, while moose, elk, and Trumpeter Swans are commonly spotted.

Originally a cattle ranch and private retreat for Union Pacific Railroad investors from 1902 to 1977, the park now welcomes visitors to enjoy its unique history and natural beauty. Overnight accommodations include rustic yurts and the Ranch Manager’s House, ideal for family events, weddings, retreats, and conferences. In summer, guests can tour historic Railroad Ranch buildings and participate in nature programs. Winter activities feature over 24 miles of groomed Nordic skiing trails, snowshoeing, and fat biking, with the historic Jones House serving as a weekend warming hut. The Friends of Harriman State Park generously support the park’s activities and maintenance.

John Muir Loop: This 0.75-mile loop explores the park fauna as well as John Muir’s connection to the Harriman family. This ADA-compliant trail leads to an ADA fly-fishing platform.
River Trail: This one-mile waterfront trail skirts the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River and is a great place to grab a breathtaking view of the Teton Mountains.
Silver Lake Loop: This trail has many great opportunities to observe Harriman’s abundant wildlife and flora. At 4.3 miles long, it’s great for hikers and bikers alike.

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AllTrails Best Trails in Harriman State Park

Bruneau Dunes State Park, Southwest Idaho

Bruneau Dunes State Park, located just over an hour from the Boise metropolitan area, is home to North America’s tallest single-structured sand dune, standing at 470 feet. The park offers a 6-mile self-guided hiking trail, with dune hikes recommended in the early morning during late spring and summer to avoid hot sand. Known for its extended camping season, the park provides year-round camping opportunities with campsites and cabins available, including many first-come, first-served sites.

Visitors can explore the dunes on foot or rent a sandboard from the Visitor Center, though off-road vehicles are restricted to the main road. The park also features lakes at the foot of the dunes where you can fish for bluegill. Additional activities include hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, and stargazing at the Bruneau Dunes Observatory, which houses a collection of telescopes for night sky viewing.

Self-Guided Hiking Trail: A 6-mile loop that takes you around the dunes and by Sand Dunes Lake.

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AllTrails – Best Trails in Bruneau Dunes State Park

Massacre Rocks State Park, Southeast Idaho

Massacre Rocks State Park, located along the Snake River, is steeped in history and offers a variety of recreational activities year-round. The park features miles of hiking trails where visitors can discover plant and bird species, explore Oregon Trail history, and marvel at geologic wonders. Rock climbing enthusiasts will find numerous routes to challenge them, and the park boasts one of Idaho’s most challenging disc golf courses.

A scenic picnic area surrounds Register Rock, a large boulder inscribed with the names of Oregon Trail emigrants. The park also contains visible remnants of the Oregon and California Trails, including deep ruts accessible via a paved path near the visitor center, which offers exhibits and interpretive panels about the wagon trails.

In addition to its historical attractions, Massacre Rocks State Park offers 7.5 miles of hiking trails with interpretive waysides, biking, wildlife viewing, river access for boating and fishing, and a 42-site campground with hookups. A modest admission fee is charged for park entry.

Historic trails: Pohogwe (0.43 miles), Memorial Trail (0.17 miles), and the Wagon Rut Trail (0.8 miles) are all based on historical, geological, or cultural happenings in the Massacre Rocks Area.
River Trail: This 3.43-mile long trail follows along the Snake River and through high desert terrain.

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AllTrails Best HIkes in Massacre Rock State Park

Look through these additional Idaho state park trail maps to inspire your hiking adventures: