When it comes to vacations and comfortable living, states like California, New York, and Florida seem to get a lot of attention. However, there are a lot of states that have wonderful things to offer if you take a closer look. Idaho is one of those states. In fact, here are four reasons that it just might be the most underrated state in America.
- It’s absolutely breathtaking in both summer and winter.
No matter what time of year you visit, Idaho is beautiful. The landscape is covered in mountains, hills, rivers, lakes, gorges, valleys, and so much more. In the east are the Teton Mountains, the most photographed mountain range in the United States. In the west, you’ll find breathtaking gorges and waterfalls in the Twin Falls and Boise areas.
Idaho is pretty unique in that the northern part of the state has a significantly different landscape than the southern. Its northern mountains are shrouded in green forests, and you’ll find cute houses nestled in the forested areas as you drive along. Idaho is easily in the top 10 states for most beautiful scenery year-round.
- The people there are super nice.
People come to Idaho for the landscape, but they stay for the humility and kindness of the people. All over the state, you’ll find adorable mom-and-pop stores, but you’ll also find places you recognize. You could easily walk into any one of the AT&T stores in Idaho to get your phone updated (gotta be able to take all those pictures, not to mention the rural roads!) and meet with customer service that exceeds your expectations. Of course, they may need to explain to you a few Idaho-specific sayings and customs, but your trip will be better for knowing what fry sauce is.
- There are more natural hot mineral springs here than in any other state.
When you need to experience the serene calm of hot, soothing waters, Idaho is your state. There are multiple hot springs nestled in this mountain state where you can relax and rejuvenate yourself with a long soak. The best part is, while you can visit commercial hot springs, there are a lot of natural hot pools that you can find all over the countryside. As you hike through the mountains, you’re likely to stumble upon an undisturbed hot spring that you’ll have all to yourself.
- It’s easy to find outdoor recreation.
In Idaho, even if you’re in a city, you only have to drive about 15 minutes to find outdoor recreation. (Plus, the speed limits are 80 mph on the freeways, so that 15 minutes can take you quite a ways!) In the summer, you can take one of hundreds of hikes or scale rocks with some friends. You can raft down the river, take a bike ride, go horseback riding, and participate in hundreds more activities. The winter brings a lot of snow, which is perfect for skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling. Outdoor adventurers need never be bored!
From hot springs to mountains to the local company you will talk to, everything in Idaho can be a great adventure you will want to be a part of. Take a trip and take it all in!
