Outside
Salmon Siren
Multiple whitewater rafting groups report seeing a mysterious woman in white along Idaho's rugged Main Salmon River. We look into the sightings and the legend's wild history.
Condé Nast Traveler
The Most Exciting Hotel Openings of Fall 2026
From a dark-sky observatory in Idaho to an English country-style inn in Sonoma, these are the hotels to watch this season.
Afar
Skip the Big City: 6 New Hotels Making Smaller U.S. Destinations Worth a Trip This Fall
Some of America’s most charming getaways are found in its smaller cities and towns—and these six new and newly renovated hotels offer another reason to visit this fall.
Outside
I Spent 3 Days Watching the World’s Best Kayakers Face Danger. Here’s What It Taught Me About Living.
Extreme whitewater may look like a reckless gamble, but on Idaho’s stoutest rapids, elite paddlers find a sacred language of focus, survival, and profound connection. Our associate editor soaked it all in at the North Fork Championship, kayaking’s gnarliest race.
Outside
You Can Still Afford to Live in a Great Climbing Town. Here Are 6.
When the best climbing seems blocked by sky-high housing prices, these are the underrated climbing towns you can still afford.
Outside
These 7 Secret Ski Towns Are America’s Most Down-to-Earth
Escape the crowds at these underrated ski towns. Discover secret powder stashes, affordable local mountain vibes, and great après spots.
Atlas Obscura
The Most Unique Camping Spots Across the U.S.
America’s geography is unmatched in diversity, spanning from scorching, sandy deserts to snow-capped mountains and dense swamps; coastal wetlands to high, grassy plains. There’s perhaps no better way to experience this incredible variety than by taking a back to basics approach and living in harmony with the land. In other words: camping. So grab your hotdogs, tents, hiking poles, and potable w…
Atlas Obscura
AO’s Favorite Unusual Sites to Spend a Night
Where to stay is a pivotal part of any trip, sometimes just as important as the destination itself. The place you rest your head can dictate not just the quality of sleep you get but the kinds of activities you choose, the people you meet, and the way you engage with the culture around you. That’s especially true at these accommodations, which are anything but ordinary—combining thoughtful desi…
Atlas Obscura
An Autumn in Sun Valley Is Unlike Any Other
Sun Valley is renowned for its winter ski slopes, drawing in thrill-seekers with its 3,400 vertical feet and over 2,500 acres of diverse, snowy terrain. Meanwhile, in summer, this pocket of Idaho comes alive with wildflowers, festivals, and. a slew of outdoor activities. But autumn, considered by locals to be the “secret season,” is full of wonders both cherished and unexpected. With its radian…
Atlas Obscura
Adam’s Gulch in Ketchum, Idaho
Mountain bikers and hikers pour into Adam’s Gulch for its 33 miles of interconnected trails, but the gulch has a quieter claim to attention: more than a century ago, it was home to an early ranger station in what became the Ketchum Ranger District. After the Sawtooth National Forest was established in 1905, its territory was divided into ranger districts, with the first ranger’s station at Adam…
Atlas Obscura
Silver Creek Preserve in Bellevue, Idaho
In the high desert near Picabo, Idaho, a cold, wildlife-filled stream winds through wetlands and grasslands, fed not primarily by mountain runoff but by water emerging from the ground. Water from the surrounding hills and nearby Big Wood River percolates underground through an aquifer before being forced back toward the surface near the Picabo Hills. Numerous springs feed seven large tributarie…
Outside
The Amtrak Empire Builder Route Makes an Incredible Cross-Country Hiking Trip
From prairie grasslands in the Midwest to mountain peaks in Glacier National Park, the Empire Builder Route strings together hiking trails across the northern U.S.
Afar
After 7 Years Away, a Luxury Hotel Returns to NYC, This Time with Rooftop Cocktails and a Wellness Suite
Viceroy Park Avenue will bring 252 spacious guest rooms and suites, a rooftop pool, Tao Group Hospitality dining, and a wellness penthouse to Manhattan’s NoMad neighborhood before the end of 2026.
The New York Times
6 Awe-Inspiring Destinations on U.S. Public Land, but Not in National Parks
You don’t have to brave the crowds at Yellowstone or Yosemite. Feel the awe of slot canyons, lava tubes, gorges and more on other U.S.-owned public land.
Outside
Sun Valley Resort Just Became the First DarkSky-Certified Ski Resort in the U.S.
As a lifelong local of the Sun Valley, Idaho, area, home to the famous Sun Valley Resort, I’ve lived my life with a backdrop of towering peaks, flowing rivers, and an expansive and clear night sky. From pointing out shooting stars as my friends and I have sat around campfires to simply taking in the … Continued
Outside
We Tracked Down the 50 Best Waterfall Hikes in America—One in Every State
Free-hanging waterfalls, thundering cascades, and rapids hemmed in brilliant moss: No matter what you're looking for, you can find it in a state near you.
Outside
8 Victories That Give Hope in the Fight to Protect Public Lands
From a magical stretch of the California coast to 50,000 acres in Montana, conservationists are still finding ways to set aside land for protection.
Outside
The 5 Best Waterfalls to Visit During the Spring Snowmelt
Despite the dry winter, spring is when waterfalls are at their most breathtaking. Witness a snowmelt waterfall firsthand in these five locations.
Outside
These Permit-Free Adventures Are Just as Epic as Half Dome, Angels Landing, or Teton Crest
Did you miss the permit window for Angel’s Landing, Half Dome, or the Teton Crest Trail? We have 10 alternatives to keep your next outing epic, even if you didn’t nab a reservation.
Atlas Obscura
Atlas Obscura’s Guide to Sun Valley, Idaho’s Most Fascinating Places
From top to bottom, Sun Valley is full of surprises. Only in this fascinating pocket of central Idaho can you experience an annual heritage festival that parades thousands of sheep from the mountains to Main Street by day, then discover some of the darkest night skies in the world for mind-blowing star gazing. In between, you’ll relax in a botanical garden’s meditative nook, and visit the grave…
Atlas Obscura
Inside America’s First Destination Ski Town
In the heart of Idaho, about 150 miles east of Boise, the steep slopes of Bald Mountain tower over a sun-kissed valley. For roughly a century, visitors have flocked to Sun Valley from all over the country for its premiere skiing and snowboarding. But behind these sought-after slopes, there’s an impressive history and one-of-a-kind cultural experiences that make it a unique destination. Hollywoo…
Atlas Obscura
The Community Library in Ketchum, Idaho
In 1955, 17 open-minded women from central Idaho founded The Community Library Association, which they operated with funds from a one-room resale shop called the Gold Mine Thrift Store. Their mission—which persists to this day—was to create a place “of the people,” where members of their community could be exposed to diverse ideas in ever-changing forms. After two years of fundraising at the Go…
Atlas Obscura
Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve in Stanley, Idaho
Central Idaho’s vast expanses of undisturbed natural landscapes provide a unique backdrop for taking in the night sky. At the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, community members, public land managers, and private landowners have come together to protect this treasured resource. In 2017, the site became the first designated Dark Sky Reserve in America as decided by the International Dark-Sky Assoc…
Atlas Obscura
The Roundhouse in Ketchum, Idaho
Fancy a meal with a heaping side of scenery? Head to The Roundhouse, a Sun Valley eatery perched 7,700 feet high atop Bald Mountain, with panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. Since 1939, the restaurant has served up New American cuisine in its unique, octagonal building, complete with an expansive outdoor deck and four-way stone fireplace. Envisioned almost 90 years ago as the…
Condé Nast Traveler
A Guide to Sun Valley, Idaho's Old-School Ski City
This central Idaho destination has been charming Hollywood stars and adventurous skiers for nearly a century—here's where to eat, stay, and play on your next visit.
Atlas Obscura
Old Mission State Park in Cataldo, Idaho
Before America or any other power had secured control over Idaho, it was largely the realm of fur traders and missionaries interacting with natives. The latter built what is today Idaho's oldest standing building near Cataldo in the northern panhandle, serving the Nez Perce and Flathead peoples. The Roman Catholic Church originally came to Idaho on the indigenous people's behest. A native proph…
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Smithsonian Magazine
How Landlocked Idaho Became a Leader in Urban Surfing
Boise's wave park is attracting outdoor adventurers—and the innovative public works project is inspiring other cities
Condé Nast Traveler
11 Midcentury-Modern Airbnbs for Design Lovers
Open floor plans, gigantic glass windows, and minimalist furniture define these historic Airbnbs across the country.
Condé Nast Traveler
The Best Airbnb in Every State Across the US
From sea to shining sea, we’ve surfaced palatial mansions, tiny houses, and everything in between.
Condé Nast Traveler
9 Best Places to Ski in 2026
From the Canadian Rockies to Japan, here’s where to go for new on-site mountain lodges, swanky après wellness, and smooth slope-side experiences.