Fall is a magical time of year. The cooler weather arrives, the pumpkin patches bring lots of smiles, and the corn mazes are filled with adventure and laughter. But one of our favorite aspects of fall in Idaho is the fall foliage. While there are destinations around the state where you can bask in the beauty of the red, orange, and yellow leaves, there are Idaho state parks that never fail to enchant. In fact, here are just seven state parks in Idaho with stunning fall foliage year after year.
- Castle Rock State Park
Alex Ratson/Moment Via Getty Images Castle Rock State Park, located in southern Idaho, is home to the most incredible rock formations and during the autumn, beautiful fall foliage. You can explore this state park and view the bright fall hues on one of the many hiking trails. Just make sure you look up during your visit — you may just spot rock climbers above you. Castle Rocks State Park, 748 E Castle Rock Rd, Almo, ID 83312, USA
- Heyburn State Park
Li Nu/Google Heyburn State Park is a large state park in Idaho that is just waiting to be explored — especially during the fall months. This state park is actually home to three different lakes, excellent beaches, paved paths, hiking trails, campgrounds, and more. This is one state park you’ll want to spend multiple days visiting. Heyburn State Park, 57 Chatcolet Lower Rd, Plummer, ID 83851, USA
- Priest Lake State Park
Priest Lake State Park/Facebook Priest Lake is located just a short drive from Canada and offers some truly spectacular scenery. While every season is beautiful at this Idaho State Park, the trails, roads, and other areas of this park pop with yellow, red, and orange when the fall foliage reaches its peak. You may not know it, but this state park is also one of the best places in Idaho to view the northern lights. Priest Lake State Park, 314 Indian Creek Park Rd, Coolin, ID 83821, USA
- Thousand Springs State Park
Anna Gorin/Moment Via Getty Images Thousand Springs State Park is one of the best state parks in Idaho to view fall foliage. This park is actually divided into six separate units and we recommend you visit each and every one. Ritter Island (pictured above) is one of the more popular units of this state park and offers gorgeous views and waterfalls. Thousand Springs State Park - Ritter Island, 1205 Thousand Springs Grade, Wendell, ID 83355, USA
- Farragut State Park
Janet Nead/AllTrails Farragut State Park is located along the southern tip of Lake Pend Oreille and features 4,000 acres of pure beauty. During a visit here, you’ll capture gorgeous lake and forest views that come alive during the fall months. Plus, there are more than 40 miles of hiking trails in this park, so you can easily immerse yourself in the fall colors. Farragut State Park, 13550 ID-54, Athol, ID 83801, USA
- Ponderosa State Park
Ponderosa State Park/Facebook Ponderosa State Park is one of the most beautiful state parks in Idaho. This remarkable state park features nearly 1,500 acres of lakes, forests, trails, and more. While this state park is particularly busy during the summer, the fall is when you should plan a visit as the fall foliage is some of the best in the Gem State. Ponderosa State Park, 1920 Davis Ave, McCall, ID 83638, USA
- Harriman State Park
Hannah Scherr/Google Harriman State Park is one of Idaho’s largest state parks and it is also one of the most beautiful. This state park is actually located within a 16,000-acre wildlife refuge in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. This means that during a visit, you may just spot some incredible wildlife in addition to the stunning scenery. Harriman State Park, 3489 Green Canyon Rd, Island Park, ID 83429, USA
What are your favorite state parks in Idaho to view fall foliage? Are there any that we left off of this list? Let us know in the comments and if you have photos, please share them as well! We’d love to see them!
Alex Ratson/Moment Via Getty Images
Castle Rock State Park, located in southern Idaho, is home to the most incredible rock formations and during the autumn, beautiful fall foliage. You can explore this state park and view the bright fall hues on one of the many hiking trails. Just make sure you look up during your visit — you may just spot rock climbers above you.
Castle Rocks State Park, 748 E Castle Rock Rd, Almo, ID 83312, USA
Li Nu/Google
Heyburn State Park is a large state park in Idaho that is just waiting to be explored — especially during the fall months. This state park is actually home to three different lakes, excellent beaches, paved paths, hiking trails, campgrounds, and more. This is one state park you’ll want to spend multiple days visiting.
Heyburn State Park, 57 Chatcolet Lower Rd, Plummer, ID 83851, USA
Priest Lake State Park/Facebook
Priest Lake is located just a short drive from Canada and offers some truly spectacular scenery. While every season is beautiful at this Idaho State Park, the trails, roads, and other areas of this park pop with yellow, red, and orange when the fall foliage reaches its peak. You may not know it, but this state park is also one of the best places in Idaho to view the northern lights.
Priest Lake State Park, 314 Indian Creek Park Rd, Coolin, ID 83821, USA
Anna Gorin/Moment Via Getty Images
Thousand Springs State Park is one of the best state parks in Idaho to view fall foliage. This park is actually divided into six separate units and we recommend you visit each and every one. Ritter Island (pictured above) is one of the more popular units of this state park and offers gorgeous views and waterfalls.
Thousand Springs State Park - Ritter Island, 1205 Thousand Springs Grade, Wendell, ID 83355, USA
Janet Nead/AllTrails
Farragut State Park is located along the southern tip of Lake Pend Oreille and features 4,000 acres of pure beauty. During a visit here, you’ll capture gorgeous lake and forest views that come alive during the fall months. Plus, there are more than 40 miles of hiking trails in this park, so you can easily immerse yourself in the fall colors.
Farragut State Park, 13550 ID-54, Athol, ID 83801, USA
Ponderosa State Park/Facebook
Ponderosa State Park is one of the most beautiful state parks in Idaho. This remarkable state park features nearly 1,500 acres of lakes, forests, trails, and more. While this state park is particularly busy during the summer, the fall is when you should plan a visit as the fall foliage is some of the best in the Gem State.
Ponderosa State Park, 1920 Davis Ave, McCall, ID 83638, USA
Hannah Scherr/Google
Harriman State Park is one of Idaho’s largest state parks and it is also one of the most beautiful. This state park is actually located within a 16,000-acre wildlife refuge in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. This means that during a visit, you may just spot some incredible wildlife in addition to the stunning scenery.
Harriman State Park, 3489 Green Canyon Rd, Island Park, ID 83429, USA
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
