Some of Idaho’s most unforgettable experiences happen hundreds—or thousands—of feet in the air. From family-friendly bike rides across towering trestles to intense summit scrambles, scaling higher ground is the best way to explore the state. Here are seven bucket-list ways to get elevated on your next Idaho getaway.
1. Parachute into the Snake River Canyon
Standing 486 feet above the rushing Snake River in Twin Falls, the Perrine Bridge is one of the only structures in the United States open to BASE jumping year-round without a permit. Spectators gather on the footpaths to watch jumpers launch off the east side and float gracefully down to the canyon floor.
Want to experience the drop yourself? First-timers can book a tandem jump through local operators like BASE Jump The Bridge. No prior skydiving experience is required—simply strap in with a certified professional guide and let gravity do the work.
2. Bike the Historic Route of the Hiawatha
Carved through the Bitterroot Mountains near Wallace, the Route of the Hiawatha is a world-renowned 15-mile rail-to-trail bike path that crosses towering steel trestles and dark mountain tunnels.
The ride begins with an exhilarating trip through the 1.6-mile-long St. Paul Pass Tunnel before continuing on a gentle, downhill gradient suitable for all skill levels and ages. Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area provides everything needed for a seamless day trip, including trail passes, mountain bike rentals, helmet lights, and return shuttle service.
3. Take a Helicopter Tour Over St. Anthony Sand Dunes
While most thrill-seekers explore the St. Anthony Sand Dunes in eastern Idaho aboard off-road vehicles, taking to the sky offers a completely different vantage point of this massive desert landscape.
Helicopter tours fly visitors over 10,000 acres of rolling, white-quartz dunes. From above, you can watch ATVs carving tracks in the sand below while taking in panoramic views of the Grand Teton Mountains rising sharply along the eastern horizon. Flights run seasonally from spring through summer with Idaho Extreme Adventures.
4. Ride Idaho’s Mountain Coaster at Bogus Basin
Located just 16 miles outside downtown Boise, Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area is home to the Glade Runner—Idaho’s only gravity-powered mountain coaster.
Riders take the controls in open-air carts, controlling their own speed as they twist, turn, and plunge through 4,300 feet of alpine forest. It offers a fast-paced burst of mountain air for riders ages three and up.
5. Board North America’s Longest Continuous Gondola
In Kellogg, Silver Mountain Resort operates a 3.1-mile gondola ride that transports passengers from the valley floor directly to the Mountain House summit.
In the winter, the ride services snowsports enthusiasts accessing terrain across two peaks. During the summer, the gondola provides access to extensive mountain bike trails and scenic hiking paths overlooking the Coeur d’Alene Mountains.
6. Zipline to a Treetop Sunset with Timberline Adventures
Combining outdoor adventure with a classic campfire treat, the S’mores & Soar tour from Timberline Adventures in Coeur d’Alene guides guests through a high-flying zipline course in the forest canopy.
The guided evening excursion pauses at a custom treehouse suspended in the branches, where guests roast s’mores while watching the sunset over Lake Coeur d’Alene.
7. Summit Mount Borah: Idaho’s Highest Peak
Reaching 12,662 feet in the Lost River Range, Mount Borah is Idaho’s highest point. Scaling the peak is a demanding, unmaintained hike that climbs more than 5,000 vertical feet in just four miles.
The most famous section of the route, Chicken-Out Ridge, requires class-3 scrambling across narrow, exposed granite footholds. Local outfitters like Sawtooth Mountain Guides offer expert-led ascents to help hikers navigate the terrain safely. On a clear day, successful climbers are rewarded with unobstructed views spanning six distinct mountain ranges.
Whether you are looking for a family-friendly scenic ride or an extreme alpine ascent, Idaho’s high-altitude terrain delivers endless opportunities to explore above the tree line.