10 Places to Travel on a Budget: Idaho

Finding places to travel on a budget in Idaho may not be easy, but great places to visit are actually abundant. Pinching pennies is not merely a way to save money anymore, it has become a way of life. Below is a list of places to visit when traveling through Idaho on a budget.

1. Priest Lake. Priest Lake has a ton of fun things to do which don’t cost anything. Hiking the marked trails, huckleberry picking, mushroom hunting, rock climbing, swimming, and visiting the natural water slides are only a few of the great no cost activities. When traveling Idaho on a budget the cheapest way is to camp at one of the various campsites or to rent a house with a group of friends and split the cost.

2. Coeur D’Alene. A stop in Coeur D’Alene is a must! Visit in either the winter or the summer and Coeur D’Alene will still have numerous low cost activities for the whole family. In the winter you can walk the board walk and view the awesome light show which is free and set up for the public. The cruise boats are very reasonably priced as well for any season and offer different cruises such as eagle watching or dinner cruises.

3. Sandpoint. Downtown Sandpoint is located near the city beach on Lake Pend Oreille. Sandpoint is also the home of Schweitzer Mountain ski resort, which is open year-round for activities from skiing to hiking or mountain biking. Many hiking and mountain biking trails are all over the area at no cost. Boating and water sports are also included in popular activities for anyone traveling Idaho on a budget.

4. Silverwood. Silverwood Theme Park is about a twenty minute drive from Coeur D’Alene.  If you get the two-day pass you save twenty percent on the tickets. An RV and tent campsite is set up near the parking lot across the street from the theme park, all for guests to enjoy a great experience, for less money. Bringing groceries also cuts down on cost when traveling on a budget.

5. Twin Falls. Twin Falls is a great place to stop and see Shoshone Falls, a waterfall taller than Niagara Falls. Another good place to stop is the Shoshone Indian Ice Caves. Twin Falls is one of the best places to visit when traveling Idaho on a budget.

6. Montpelier. Montpelier is the home of the Minnetonka Cave, a rare limestone cave discovered in 1904. Cave tours are only open in the summer season and cost five dollars. Children cost only four dollars and if they are under six they are free! Great prices for traveling on a budget. Montpelier is also very close to Bear Lake, another scenic attraction.

7. St. Joe River Scenic Byway. Sometimes it’s nice to simply get in the car and drive. One of the best places to travel Idaho on a budget is the St. Joe River. Start out in St. Maries and pack a lunch for an afternoon picnic. The St. Joe River Scenic Byway makes for a great drive anytime of the year.

8. Bonners Ferry. Travel through Idaho, way up north, almost to Canada and there lies Bonners Ferry. Bonners Ferry boasts the natural wonders of Moyie River Falls. Like most north Idaho towns, Bonners Ferry is also a great place to find camping, hiking, swimming and other low-cost outdoor activities.

9. Free Museums. Most cities and towns have free or low-cost museums which offer great history and culture to a road trip or visit. Also, visiting scenic view stops along most of the highways is a great way to keep on your Idaho trip on budget.

10. State Parks. State parks are a great place to stop if traveling on a budget. State parks normally charge a small fee to enter, but are often a great place to camp, fish, boat, hike or simply stop for lunch.

Idaho Parks and Recreation

Minnetonka Cave

Priest Lake