Day Trips from Meridian: Exploring Idaho's Breathtaking Mountain Landscapes

Just 45 minutes from Meridian sits Bogus Basin, a name that ironically delivers anything but bogus experiences. While locals flock here for winter skiing, summer transforms this mountain retreat into an adventure playground that hits a home run with kids and adults alike.

My daughter Emma and I discovered the Glade Runner Mountain Coaster last summer – think of it as a rollercoaster winding through pine forests with you controlling the speed. At 12, she insisted on going full throttle while I pretended my white-knuckle grip was just being extra safe. The mountainside trampoline park nearby had her bouncing with joy while I nursed my racing heart with local craft beer at the lodge.

For families with varied hiking abilities, the Around the Mountain Trail offers spectacular views with options to customize your distance. We packed our lunch in my trusty insulated backpack cooler which kept our sandwiches fresh and drinks cold even after hours on the trail. The cooler's padded straps made it comfortable to carry, and having cold drinks waiting at scenic viewpoints earned me serious dad points.

A two-hour drive north of Meridian delivers you to McCall – a mountain town that feels like it was designed by a committee of outdoor enthusiasts and ice cream aficionados. Centered around the stunning Payette Lake, this gem offers the perfect blend of mountain adventures and small-town charm.

Payette Lake itself is the star attraction in summer. Last year, I surprised Emma by renting a stand-up paddleboard – watching her wobble, fall, laugh, and eventually master it became one of those core memories parents treasure. For families with younger kids, the North Beach offers shallow swimming areas and rental kayaks.

Before hitting the water, I always make sure we're protected with my reef-safe sunscreen. Idaho's mountain sun is sneakily intense – that elevation means you're closer to the sun than you realize, and the water reflection amplifies it. The non-greasy formula means no complaints from the kids about application, and I appreciate that it's reef-safe for when our adventures take us beyond Idaho.

Pro tip: After a day on the lake, head to Ice Cream Alley in downtown McCall. It's become our tradition to compare new flavors – Emma's current champion is the huckleberry (because when in Idaho, right?), while I remain loyal to their salted caramel that rivals anything I've had in Chicago or San Diego.

If you're willing to make a longer day trip (about 3 hours each way) or turn it into an overnight adventure, the Sawtooth Mountains deliver the kind of jagged, dramatic peaks that make you question whether you're still in Idaho or somehow teleported to the Swiss Alps.

Stanley, Idaho serves as the gateway to this mountain paradise. The drive alone is worth the trip – winding through changing landscapes that had Emma and me playing our favorite road trip game: rate the vista on a scale of 1-10. By the time we reached the Sawtooth Valley, we'd broken our scale.

Redfish Lake is the perfect introduction to the area for families. The sandy beach and gradually deepening water make it ideal for younger kids, while older ones can rent kayaks or join boat tours to the far end of the lake. For families with hiking enthusiasts, the Alpine Way Trail offers spectacular views with moderate difficulty.

One item that's earned permanent status in my mountain day-trip kit is my portable water filter. While most developed areas have water available, having the ability to safely drink from mountain streams during hikes has been a game-changer. It's lightweight, easy to use, and has turned water breaks into mini-science lessons about backcountry safety for Emma.

After a day of mountain exploration, Stanley's food scene punches way above its weight class for such a tiny town. Stanley Baking Company serves breakfast all day – their huckleberry pancakes have developed something of a cult following in our family. Just be prepared for a wait during peak season.

Not every mountain adventure requires a full tank of gas. Some of the best family experiences can be found within 30 minutes of Meridian, perfect for those days when you want nature without the extended car ride soundtrack of 'are we there yet?'

The Boise Foothills offer over 190 miles of trails through the Ridge to Rivers system. For families with younger kids, the Hulls Gulch Nature Trail provides a gentle introduction to mountain ecosystems with interpretive signs that sparked Emma's interest in local wildlife. The Camel's Back Park to Table Rock hike is perfect for families with older children, offering spectacular valley views as reward for moderate effort.

On hot summer days, the Robie Creek area at Lucky Peak provides the perfect combination of mountain scenery and water play. The designated swimming area has become our go-to spot for impromptu afternoon adventures.

For these shorter trips, I've found my hiking fanny pack to be the perfect companion. It's just enough to carry essentials without the bulk of a backpack, and the multiple pockets keep my phone, keys and trail snacks organized. Emma has her own in a different color – a small investment that gives her independence to carry her own treasures and snacks.

After exploring, we often stop at The STIL in downtown Boise for artisanal ice cream. Their Idaho Wilderness flavor – huckleberry ice cream with honey and pine nut brittle – tastes like our mountain adventures in dessert form.

Any baseball fan knows that stadium food is half the experience, and the same goes for mountain towns – the local eateries are essential to the full adventure. Idaho's mountain communities have evolved far beyond the basic burger joints you might expect, offering culinary experiences that rival their scenic backdrops.

In McCall, my top pick remains The Sushi Bar – yes, you read that correctly. Exceptional sushi in a mountain town hundreds of miles from the ocean. Their Payette Roll (named after the lake) features locally-sourced trout that's transformed into something magical. For families with less adventurous eaters, Salmon River Brewery offers a kids' menu alongside craft beers that help parents recover from a day of mountain parenting.

Stanley's Sawtooth Hotel serves comfort food with gourmet touches – their Idaho rainbow trout with huckleberry sauce converted Emma from a fish-avoider to a fish-enthusiast. For breakfast, Stanley Baking Company's sourdough pancakes have developed such a following that I've seen people lined up before opening hours.

For picnics with a view, I always pack our meals in my leakproof food containers. The separate compartments keep foods from getting soggy, and they're durable enough to survive being tossed in a daypack. Plus, the built-in utensils mean one less thing to remember when packing.

A final tip from a former minor league marketing guy who's eaten at ballparks across the country: don't skip the small-town ice cream shops. Idaho may be known for potatoes, but their huckleberry ice cream deserves its own hall of fame. Ice Cream Alley in McCall and Hanson's in Stanley are worth planning your day around.