We live in a desert, which means we have to work to see fall colors outside of residential areas. Luckily though, it doesn’t take too far of a drive to get to some autumn foliage.
Yesterday, City Cast Boise lead producer Frankie Barnhill joined host Emma Arnold (both self-proclaimed fall girlies) to give us their best fall day trip candidates.
Sun Valley
You can head to downtown Ketchum or Sun Valley for the mountain village fall feel, or get as remote as you like. Head further up canyons to reach higher altitudes, where leaves are well on their way to falling.
Galena Lodge, although closed until late November, is a good home base for hikes or biking with plenty of aspens and cottonwoods in view.
To get a good hike but less of a drive, try the Bald Mountain Trail just outside Ketchum.
Also try to catch the Trailing of the Sheep Festival, Oct. 4 - 8!
Sawtooths
On the other side of Galena, the Sawtooths — a booked-and-busy summer destination — offers a quieter side of the mountains in the fall. Redfish Lake Lodge and other areas are great fall camping spots, but do keep an eye on the forecast, because snow might come sooner than you think.
Snake River Canyon
Fall is peak hot springs season, and there are a few quaint springs around Hagerman to check out. Also travel the Thousand Springs Scenic Byway, see the fossil beds, and stop at some of the orchards in the area.
Highway 55
Driving north from Boise to McCall, there are any number of destinations along the highway. Getting a coffee in downtown McCall and then taking a crisp walk by the lake is about as fall as it gets.
