Indulge in the Feeling of Fall in Idaho
Cool autumn air has returned, and so have crunchy leaves, crackling bonfires and cozy flannels. Fall is the perfect season to make memories in the Gem State—illuminate your senses with vibrant hues, mouthwatering flavors and spine-tingling scenery that will leave you speechless. Discover why fall in Idaho is beyond words.
Popular Fall Activities
With mountainsides and shorelines speckled with crimson, gold and orange, fall in Idaho offers superb opportunities to awaken your senses. Enjoy camping, hot spring soaking, road-tripping and noshing opportunities all across the Gem State.
Daytrips From Your Home Base
Once you’ve checked out places to stay in Idaho and have your base camp set, discover these nearby things to do for maximum exploring.
The Pick of the Patch
Start planning your unforgettable fall getaway with these travel tips.
Leaf through more vacation inspiration with plenty of travel tips to help you plan your adventure.
Experience the Sights and Sounds of Fall
Keep your eyes and ears open for a kaleidoscope of colors amongst the trees, the soothing crackle of a campfire in the Sawtooths and the celestial colors of the aurora borealis dancing across the northern night sky. These are the moments that will recharge your soul.
Bask in the symphony of birds chirping, the roar of waterfalls and the whistling of wind through forest leaves. Become immersed in Idaho this fall.
Preserving the Beauty of Fall
This season, let’s work together to protect Idaho’s public lands and critters. Remember to take all your trash with you—even apple cores—and stay on marked trails. If you encounter a muddy trail, turn back. Hiking or biking on muddy trails causes severe erosion and damages vegetation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Average daytime high temperatures range from 40° F to 80° F. Temperatures will vary across the state, and overnight lows can dip below 30° F in areas like Stanley.
While temperatures begin to drop in September, the season for fall colors in Idaho lasts from early October to mid-November.
Each region in Idaho showcases its own version of fall colors—from gold-drenched trees towering over trails to crimson-speckled byways, this road map to Idaho’s fall foliage will help you plan your colorful sightseeing.
Peak colors vary every year and depend on a variety of factors. Historically, the fall foliage is at its most vibrant in early October in the northern, central and eastern parts of the state, and by mid-October, the colors are developing farther south. Weather permitting, the colors will hang around until early November.
Yes! The best time to see the northern lights in Idaho is between September and March.
A western larch is a deciduous conifer. In other words, unlike other evergreen pine trees, the western larch’s pine needles turn a brilliant marigold color in the fall. Find these showstoppers along Warm Lake Road from Cascade to Warm Lake or along the International Selkirk Loop near Bonners Ferry.
Yes—all across Idaho, you’ll find a variety of fall festivals and events. Check out Coeur d’Alene’s Harvest Fest & Apple Palooza, Moscowberfest in Moscow, Caldwell’s Hops & Crops Festival, Twin Fall’s Harvest Festival, the Great Pumpkin Festival in Pocatello, Idaho Falls’ ARTitorium’s Annual Harvestfest and Ketchum’s Trailing of the Sheep Festival.