Field trips are a great way to reboot a bad homeschooling week, get out of the house when everyone has cabin fever, and learn about your local area. Before heading out, check out Jeanne's tips for improving homeschool field trips.
Our listing of Idaho field trips for homeschoolers is ordered alphabetically by city. If you would like to submit a Idaho field trip destination, you may do so using the red button above.
City of Rocks National ReserveAlmo
This unique geologic area became a landmark in 1843 for California-bound emigrants. They left wagon ruts across the landscape and their signatures in axle grease on Register Rock, Camp Rock and many others. A few granite pinnacles and monoliths are in excess of sixty stories tall and 2.5 billion years old. The smooth granite faces offer exceptional rock climbing. Today, over 500 climbing routes have been identified.
Castle Rocks State ParkAlmo
Castle Rocks State Park is Idaho's newest state park. Activities include rock climbing,photography, picnicking,wildflower viewing, hiking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, mountain biking, and birdwatching.
Massacre Rocks State ParkAmerican Falls
Oregon Trail emigrants referred to the Massacre Rocks area as "Gate of Death" and "Devil's Gate", but modern day travelers use terms like beautiful, serene, and restful to describe the park. The park is rich in Oregon Trail, geological, and natural histories.
Craters of the Moon National Monument and PreserveArco
A vast ocean of lava flows with scattered islands of cinder cones and sagebrush. We invite you to explore this "weird and scenic landscape" where yesterday's volcanic events are likely to continue tomorrow...
Farragut State ParkBayview
Once a World War II-era naval training station, this 4,000-acre park now provides camping opportunities with 223 individual sites, 10 camping cabins, and 7 group camps. Located on the southern tip of Lake Pend Oreille in the Coeur d’Alene Mountains of northern Idaho, Farragut State Park offers unique scenery, history, and an abundance of recreational opportunities, including disc golf, a radio-controlled airplane field, fishing, hiking, biking, equestrian facilities, and World War II history — don’t miss the Museum at the Brig during your visit. Museum opens Memorial Day and closes Labor Day each year.
Bear Lake State ParkBear Lake
Bear Lake State Park offers a wide variety of both summer and winter recreation opportunities. Bear Lake itself is 20 miles long and 8 miles wide with half of the lake in Idaho and half in Utah. The lake offers water sports attracting boaters, water skiers, and beach lovers.
Idaho Potato MuseumBlackfoot
The Idaho Potato Museum is a unique museum which appropriately showcases Idaho's Famous Potatoes®. The rich graphics showcasing the history of the potato will lead you through the revolution of the potato industry. From the original potato planted in Idaho, to the largest potato chip made by the Pringle's Company in Jackson, TN. You'll be intrigued as you stroll through the Museum which was built in 1912. Once a bustling flurry of activity, the stone depot represents significant ties between the railroad and the potato industry.Potato Museum The Potato Museum provides information on potato history, the growing and harvesting process, nutrition, trivia and educational potato facts. Watch a short video presentation on how the potato industry has developed.
Boise Art MuseumBoise
BAM is the only nationally accredited, collecting art museum in the State of Idaho--accredited through the American Association of museum (AAM). For over 70 years, Boise Art Museum has been providing access to the visual arts for people of all ages, incomes, and abilities.
Discovery Center of IdahoBoise
The Discovery Center of Idaho's mission is to provide experiences and educational opportunities that inspire lifelong learning and interest in science, math and technology, and that supplement and enrich formal science education through interactive exhibits, educational programs and teacher resources.
Idaho State MuseumBoise
The Idaho State Historical Museum, founded in 1907, is Idaho's largest and most visited museum. It has evolved from a simple collection of curios and relics sitting on shelves to the first museum in Idaho to be accredited by the American Association of museum. Objects from the Museum's collection tell the story of Idaho from prehistoric times through the fur trade, the gold rush, and pioneer settlement to the present. Richly detailed interiors show how Idahoans in the late 19th and 20th centuries lived and conducted business.
Old Idaho PenitentiaryBoise
Our interpreters will share stories of notorious prisoners, escapes, and prison life. Your students will hear how inmates quarried the stone and built the prison themselves, and they will gain an understanding of the Penitentiary's place in Idaho history.
The Basque Museum & Cultural CenterBoise
The Basque Museum & Cultural Center provides a look into the heritage of the Basque communities of Idaho and surrounding areas. Boise, Idaho has long been a central location where Basque immigrants first congregated after coming to the United States from the Spanish Basque Region. As immigrants established their lives here, Basques became well known for their hard work and perseverance. The Basque Museum & Cultural Center provides a look into the Basque heritage by exhibits, collections, and tours. As a cultural center, it's a gathering place for events and educational opportunities - in which people of all backgrounds can participate in Basque activities.
Idaho Botanical GardenBoise
The Garden is a living museum, dedicated to the advancement and appreciation of gardening, horticulture and conservation, through plant collections and education programs within an aesthetic landscape.
Zoo BoiseBoise
The Zoo Boise features giraffe encounters, a butterfly house, a Wallaby walkabout, sloth encounters, and a zoo farm for visitors.
Eagle Island State ParkBoise
Eagle Island is a popular swimming beach, a grassy picnic area, and waterslide.
Lucky Peak State ParkBoise
Five distinct units can be found at this state park, three of which are located near Lucky Peak reservoir just 8 miles east of Boise. Discovery Park is a popular roadside park for picnics, walking your pet or fishing in the Boise River. Sandy Point, at the base of Lucky Peak Dam is most popular for its sandy beach and clear, cool water. Spring Shores offers lakeside access for water enthusiasts by providing two boat ramps, parking, a full-service marina, on-site watercraft rentals and convenience store. The backcountry yurts offer solitude, cozy accommodations, spectacular sunrises and sunsets with access to over 50 miles of multi-purpose trails. May and June is the time to tune-up your mountain bikes and get ready to ride the trails people ski on in the winter. For additional yurt information, click here. Enjoy Nordic skiing? The Idaho City park n ski area has great cross country ski areas. You can even ski to a yurt to extended your outdoor adventure.
The Peregrine FundBoise
The Peregrine Fund sponsors the Velma Morrison Interpretive Center at the World Center for Birds of Prey. The center's goal is to enhance the health, reproduction, and reintroduction efforts of endangered species and to collect information about raptors.
Bruneau Dunes State ParkBruneau
The tallest single-structured sand dune in North America. The state park includes desert, dune, prairie, lake and marsh habitat with opportunities to observe nocturnal species. Activities include fishing, birdwatching, camping, hiking, swimming and viewing the stars at one of only two public observatory's in Idaho.
Lake Cascade State ParkCascade
Lake Cascade State Park is nestled in the majestic mountains of central Idaho approximately 75 miles north of Boise on State Highway 55. This large park provides diverse and exciting recreational opportunities throughout all four seasons.
Trail of the Coeur d'AlenesCataldo
The Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes is a 73-mile paved trail spanning the Idaho panhandle between Mullan and Plummer. It was created through a unique partnership between the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, Union Pacific Railroad, the U. S. Government and the State of Idaho. The trail begins in the historic Silver Valley, continues along the Coeur d'Alene River, past scenic Lake Coeur d'Alene and through rolling farmland to Plummer. Twenty developed trailheads provide entry points and there are seventeen scenic waysides along the route for picnicking.
Land of the Yankee Fork State ParkChallis
The Land of the Yankee Fork State Park brings to life Idaho's frontier mining history. This state park is part of the larger Land of the Yankee Fork Historic Area located in scenic central Idaho. Managed by the Idaho Department of park and Recreation, the Salmon-Challis National Forest and Bureau of Land Management this historic area provides unique historical interpretation and numerous recreational opportunities. At the Interpretive Center in Challis there are museum exhibits, a gold panning station, audiovisual programs, and friendly personnel to provide information on local mining history and area attractions. Also of interest are the ghost towns of Bonanza and Custer, the Yankee Fork Gold Dredge, the Custer Motorway and the Challis Bison Jump.
Museum of North IdahoCoeur d'Alene
The Museum of North Idaho collects, preserves and interprets the history of the Coeur d'Alene Region. to foster appreciation of the area's heritage.
Coeur d’Alene Lake Parkway State ParkCoeur d'Alene
Walkers, hikers, and cyclists of all ages love Coeur d’Alene Lake Parkway State Park. Spend the day on foot, on a bike or on the half-mile long beach. The paved parkway lies along the north shore of Lake Coeur d’Alene and has 5.7 miles of non-motorized fun. The parkway is part of the nationally famous North Idaho Centennial Trail, a multi-use recreational trail system that meanders for 24 miles from the Idaho/Washington state line. The parkway also includes an exercise course, roadside picnic tables, restroom facilities, and benches for those who wish to stop and just enjoy views of the lake and the soaring Veterans Memorial Bridge. During the winter, spectators watch as Bald Eagles visit the park during the southern migration.
Historical Museum at St. GertrudeCottonwood
Preserving the rich heritage of the Monastery of St. Gertrude, Camas Prairie, Snake River, Salmon River, and surrounding areas. View special exhibits, including the stories of the Benedictine sisters, the Nez Perce people, and fascinating local characters such as Polly Bemis and Buckskin Bill. Visit a replica of the original attic museum begun by Sister Alfreda Elsensohn, celebrated Idaho historian and foundress of the Historical Museum at St. Gertrude.
Gem County Historical Society and MuseumEmmett
Offers a variety of exhibits in a multi-building Museum complex. A Victorian residence is furnished with many of the belongings of Governor Frank W. Hunt (Idaho's 5th Governor, 1901-1903). Other structures include a blacksmith shop, one-room schoolhouse, bunkhouse, and natural history display. The main museum houses two floors of exhibits. The McNeely Historical Library is also housed here. It provides research opportunities and preservation for books, documents, maps and photos. The Museum Complex provides an educational focus on history for the 4th grade classes of Carberry Elementary, students from Black Canyon Alternative High School, and home-schooled children. They are given an insight into the daily lives of past Gem County residents starting with Native Americans and continuing into the 1960s. One of the most popular exhibits is the one-room school which portrays the education of yesterday for consideration by the youth of today.
McCroskey State ParkFarmington
This 5300-acre ridgeline park is dedicated to pioneer women. McCroskey State Park's highlight is an 18-mile skyline drive through the park on unimproved roads provides spectacular views of the rolling Palouse country and access to 32 miles of multi-purpose trails. Facilities include a group day use shelter, primitive camping areas and picnic areas along the road. The road is not recommended for RVs and may be too rough for your family car.
Tribal MuseumFort Hall
Step into the past with a visit to the Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Museum located near the Tribal Enterprise businesses at exit 80, I-15. See the collection of old photographs dating back to from 1895, and artifacts from the site of the olf Fort Hall.
Westy's Garden LanesGarden City
Westy's is a 40 lane bowling center, Westy's is willing to offer a bowling rate for field's trips to our facility @ $2.00 a game plus tax (includes shoe rental).
Glenns Ferry Historical MuseumGlenns Ferry
The museum tells the history if this area in Idaho with artifacts housed in a 1908 schoolhouse.
Three Island Crossing State ParkGlenns Ferry
Three Island Crossing State Park is located on the Snake River at Glenns Ferry. It is home to The Oregon Trail History and Education Center where visitors can learn about pioneer emigrants and Native American history.
Minidoka National MonumentHagerman
A National Historic Site that commemorates the WWII Minidoka War Relocation Center in Idaho. The website offers historical information about the relocation center for those who cannot visit in person.
Hagerman Fossil Beds National MonumentHagerman
Largest concentration of Hagerman Horse (Equus simplicidens) fossils in North America - 30 complete horse fossils and portions of 200 individual horses. Internationally significant Monument protects world's richest late Pliocene epoch (3 - 4 mya) fossil deposits: over 220 species of plants and animals! Glimpse life before the last Ice Age and view earliest appearance of modern flora and fauna.
Thousand Springs State ParkHagerman
Thousand Springs State Park, with its nine beautiful units, is a testament to why the area is called the Magic Valley. Visitors can view wagon ruts and bridge abutments at Kelton Trail, explore the magnificent Malad Gorge, access the riding arena at Billingsley Creek, get writing inspiration at Vardis Fisher, step back in time and tour historic structures at Ritter Island and Bonnieview, take in the scenery at Earl M. Hardy Box Canyon Springs Nature Preserve, view Niagara Springs, fish at Crystal Lake. Day use opportunities abound within the units of Thousand Springs State Park.
Blaine County Historical MuseumHailey
At the Blaine County Historical Museum visitors can explore the Wood River Valley's pioneer past, research family histories, and view vignettes of mines, schools, ranches, famous literary personalities, period fashions, and political memorabilia. Each display shows aspects of the life that early inhabitants and pioneers experienced.
Tautphaus Park ZooIdaho Falls
Watch the flock of threatened African Penguins, experience a wallaby mob on the move, discover the gibbons aerobatic abilities or surround yourself with sights and sounds of South American birds in the walk-through aviary. Stop by the Children's Zoo and pat a donkey, feed a lamb or just relax on a bench and enjoy the beautifully landscaped grounds. Over 400 animals, the largest collection in Idaho, call Tautphaus Park Zoo home.
Harriman State ParkIsland Park
Harriman State Parkoffers over 20 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and cross county skiing.
Henrys Lake State ParkIsland Park
Located 15 miles from Yellowstone National Park and surrounded on three sides by the Continental Divide, Henrys Lake State Park campsites are situated on the shoreline of the 6,000-acre lake. The park also offers beautiful nature trails for hiking and biking, and wildlife and wildflower viewing. After a long day of fishing and hiking, take a swing on the porch of one of three park cabins. The state park opens the Thursday before Memorial Day and closes October 31st, weather permitting. The park offers campfire programs and a Junior Ranger program.
Jerome County Historical MuseumJerome
The museum's displays tell the story of the development of the North Side Irrigation project, one of the most successful Carey Irrigation Act projects in the nation, and its towns and people. A display of materials from the Minidoka Relocation Center at Hunt is also featured. A large research library is available that includes over one hundred bound volumes of newspapers and a large collection of detailed indexes.
Shoshone County Mining and Smelting MuseumKellogg
Where the mountains meet the mining history.
Nez Perce National Historical ParkLapwai
Since time immemorial, the Nimiipuu or Nez Perce have lived among the rivers, canyons and prairies of the inland northwest. Despite the cataclysmic change of the past two centuries, the Nez Perce are still here. Join us in exploring the park's thirty-eight sites and experiencing the story of a people who are still part of this landscape.
South Bannock County Historical Center MuseumLava Hot Springs
The South Bannock County Historical Museum, in operation for nearly 30 years, offers both permanent and rotating exhibits about the history of the Lava Hot Springs area and development of the surrounding rural communities of Arimo, Inkom, Downey, McCammon, Virginia and Swan Lake.
Nez Perce County Historical Society and MuseumLewiston
Nez Perce County Historical Society works to preserve the unique history of Nez Perce County and its environs and to share it with residents and visitors to the museum. Join us for a look at our history and heritage from the Nez Perce Indians and Lewis and Clark to the modern day.
Hells Gate State ParkLewiston
Hells Gate State Park is the gateway to both Idaho's Lewis and Clark country and to Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America.
Oneida County Pioneer MuseumMalad
The Oneida County Museum is housed in the former R.B. Davis Drug Store and Boarding House, built in 1914. The original safe and pressed-tin ceiling are still intact. The Museum displays a variety of local treasures, including furniture, photographs, quilts, toys, farm implements, musical instruments, clothing, hats, military uniforms, medical instruments, and books.
Ponderosa State ParkMcCall
Hike and bike on your own or with a guide, listen to a park naturalist in the evening at the amphitheater, or walk with them on one of the trails. Children can participate in the Junior Ranger Program in the summer months. Visitors can meander the North Fork of the Payette River in a canoe or kayak (rentals available), Nordic ski on groomed trails, snowshoe on designated trails, or simply sit on the front porch of a park cabin and enjoy the spectacular view.
Latah County Historical SocietyMoscow
Located in Moscow's historic Fort Russell neighborhood, the McConnell Mansion (at 110 South Adams Street) is an architectural and historic landmark. William J. McConnell, leading merchant, prominent Republican, and Idaho Governor from 1887 to 1893, built the house in 1886. On the main floor of the house are historic rooms interpreted in different time periods from 1900 to the 1930s. The second floor contains the restored master bedroom and exhibits, including hands-on activities for young visitors. During warm weather, visitors are invited to relax and enjoy refreshments in the backyard garden. The Museum Store carries books on local history, notecards from area artists, and more. Staffed by a corps of volunteers, the mansion is open Tuesday through Friday, and some Saturdays dependent on volunteer availability, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.
Yellowstone National ParkMulti-state
Established in 1872, Yellowstone National Park is America's first national park. Located in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, it is home to a large variety of wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and elk. Preserved within Yellowstone National Park are Old Faithful and a collection of the world's most extraordinary geysers and hot springs, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The website offers historical information about the park for those who cannot visit in person.
California National Historic TrailMulti-state
More than 250,000 gold-seekers & farmers crossed into to the gold fields & rich farmlands of California during the 1840's and 1850's. 1,000 miles of trail ruts and traces can still be seen to remind us of early American travelers and settlers.
Lewis & Clark National Historic TrailMulti-state
The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail winds nearly 4,900 miles through the homelands of more than 60 Tribal nations. It follows the historic outbound and inbound routes of the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1803-1806 from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the Pacific Ocean.
Oregon National Historic TrailMulti-state
The Oregon Trail was for fur traders, gold seekers, missionaries, and others, the pathway to the Pacific. Wagon ruts and landscape scars can still be seen from that time.
Nez Perce National Historic TrailMulti-state
The Nez Perce (Nimiipuu or Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail stretches from Wallowa Lake, Oregon, to the Bear Paw Battlefield near Chinook, Montana. It was added to the National Trails System by Congress as a National Historic Trail in 1986. The 1877 flight of the Nez Perce from their homelands while pursued by U.S. Army Generals Howard, Sturgis, and Miles, is one of the most fascinating and sorrowful events in Western U.S. history. Chief Joseph, Chief Looking Glass, Chief White Bird, Chief Ollokot, Chief Lean Elk, and others led nearly 750 Nez Perce men, women, and children and twice that many horses over 1,170 miles through the mountains, on a trip that lasted from June to October of 1877.
Owyhee County Historical SocietyMurphy
The Owyhee County Museum provides a multi-station tour where kids will learn about the fascinating history of ranching, farming, and mining. Your students will be able to see how a 1915 Model T works, pan for gold, brand their initials into a piece of wood, see how school was taught 124 years ago and so much more. If you are teaching Idaho history or western history this is the place to come to immerse yourself and your students in that history.
Canyon County Historical SocietyNampa
The CCHS has two museums: The Nampa Train Depot Museum & Our Memories Museum in Caldwell.
Warhawk Air MuseumNampa
The mission of the museum is to teach and preserve World War II history from the home front to the war front and aviation history from the advent of flight through the space age. The Warhawk Air Museum encourages an educational experience about the technology, culture, and social changes that have occurred in North America since World War II. Tours are available for group, club and educational purposes and must be arranged at least two weeks in advance of visit date.
Clearwater Historical MuseumOrofino
Clearwater Historical Museum invites folks to come see our collections that focus on the people and history of Clearwater River Country and its environs including Clearwater County and parts of Lewis, Nez Perce, Idaho and Shoshone counties. Our goal is to share the Clearwater River drainage rich legacy that started long before history was recorded. Our museum features artifacts relating to the Nez Perce People, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, gold mining, early homesteading, farming, logging and much more.
Dworshak State ParkOrofino
Dworshak State Park is located among trees and meadows on the western shore of Dworshak Reservoir. Camping, boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, waterskiing, and disc golf are just some of the many activities that await park visitors. A boat ramp and handling dock provide easy launching most of the year.
Heyburn State ParkPlummer
Heyburn State Park is the oldest park in the Pacific Northwest. Comprised of about 5,744 acres of land and 2,332 acres of water, Heyburn State Park is a paddler and pedaler paradise. Miles of trails await you whether you are a hiker, cyclist, or horse rider. Bring your own boat or rent a kayak, canoe, or standup paddleboard and enjoy three lakes — Chatcolet, Benewah and Hidden Lakes, or the shadowy St. Joe River, which meanders along the eastern boundary of the park. The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, one of the most popular biking trails in the western United States, runs directly through the park.
Idaho Museum of Natural HistoryPocatello
Actively nurtures an understanding of and delight in Idaho's natural and cultural heritage. As the official state museum of natural history, it acquires, preserves, studies, interprets and displays natural and cultural objects for Idaho residents, visitors and the world's community of students and scholars. The Museum also supports and encourages Idaho's other natural history museum through mentoring and training in sound museological practices.
Priest Lake State ParkPriest Lake
Priest Lake State Park lies just 30 miles from the Canadian Border, nestled deep below the crest of the Selkirk Mountains. Visitors to the park will enjoy the dense forests of cedar, fir and tamarack and will be able to observe the park’s year-round inhabitants such as the whitetail deer, black bear, moose, and bald eagles. Noted for its extremely clear water, fed by streams cascading from the high Selkirk peaks, the main body of Priest Lake extends north-south for 19 miles. A two-mile thoroughfare connects the main lake to the remote Upper Priest Lake that is accessible only by foot, mountain bike, or boat.
Round Lake State ParkSagle
Round Lake State Park is situated in 142 acres of forest surrounding a 58-acre lake at an elevation of 2,122 feet. The lake is the product of glacial activity dating back to the Pleistocene Epoch.
Lemhi County Historical MuseumSalmon
Welcome to the birthplace of Sacajawea, Lemhi County, Idaho. Here you will find archives filled with interpretations and stories of the journeys of Lewis and Clark, specifically, they are devoted to historically correct information concerning Sacajawea and the valley she was born in, Lemhi County, Idaho. There are two buildings side by side: 204 Main is the River of History Exhibit and Research Center and 210 Main is the primary Lemhi County Museum.
Herrett Center for Arts and ScienceTwin Falls
The Herrett Center is a non-profit support service of the College of Southern Idaho. Its purpose is primarily educational, offering programs to elementary and secondary school students, CSI students, and the adult community of south-central Idaho. The Center collects, preserves, interprets, and exhibits artifacts and natural history specimens with an emphasis on the prehistoric American continent.
Winchester Lake State ParkWinchester
Winchester Lake State Park surrounds a 103-acre lake, nestled in a forested area at the foot of the Craig Mountains, just off US 95 adjoining the town of Winchester. Winters at the park are long and cold with ample snowfall. Summers are short with warm days and cool, refreshing evenings. Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir are the predominant vegetation. Wildlife often seen in the park includes white-tailed deer, Canada geese, muskrats, Steller's jay, osprey, and Columbian ground squirrels. The Wolf Education and Research Center is located one mile from the entrance to the park.
