Los Angeles to Boise Road Trip Guide

Introduction

To say Los Angeles, CA is diverse would be an understatement. You can make your trip all about Hollywood and glamour or you can spend days vacationing here within the suburbs and sprawling districts that are surrounded by sun-baked hills and soft beaches.

In addition to being amazing in itself, another reason why Los Angeles is a perfect starting point for a road trip is that it allows you to explore the best of California. With its close proximity to beautiful lakes, small towns, state, and national parks, Los Angeles is the ideal starting point for a road trip.

Whether you choose to go up or down the coast, adventures will greet you everywhere. From hiking in parks and rock climbing in rugged mountains to exploring arid deserts, Los Angeles allows you to fulfill all your outdoor adventure cravings.

You can choose one of the many routes that connect you to Boise, ID. However, we would suggest mixing things up a bit and getting onto US Highway 101 to experience a little bit of everything that the three western states have to offer.

Boise is one of the most underrated cities in the US and you’ll find yourself pleasantly surprised by its beauty. Boise has somehow single-handedly managed to get the best collection of parks. Camel’s Back Park, Julia Davis Park, Fort Boise Park, and Kathryn Albertson Park can all be found in Boise where one can experience history, nature, culture, and plenty of outdoor activities all at once.

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Details

60'
Max RV length
60'
Max trailer Length
Road trip length: 3-5 days
Recommend rig: any
audience: friends

Point of Interest

Big Bear Lake

Skip out of Los Angeles via US-101 and two hours later you’ll find yourself at Big Bear Lake, CA. Nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains, this place is nothing short of a magical retreat.

This stopover on your road trip is perfect for both summers and winters. Snow falls on the mountains and makes for some pretty awesome skiing and snowboarding opportunities.

The Big Bear Resort has a Scenic Sky Chair Lift to drop you off on the top of the mountain. The Lake also attracts numerous bald eagles and offers plenty of water-based activities.

Depending on the time of the year you make this trip, you could end up witnessing – or participating in – fishing tournaments, such as the Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest, or a display of amazing fireworks.

If you want to venture away from the lake then you can also opt for off-road Big Bear trails in jeeps.


Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park has long been an escape for artists and self-proclaimed outcasts. When you visit Joshua Tree National Park, you’ll understand exactly why they found inspiration here.

This arid land is considered otherworldly for its breeding of super odd and unusual rock formations. Additionally, it is also home to a large population of Joshua Trees and various species of cacti. In case you don’t know, Joshua trees are weirdly shaped trees with prickly leaves and spiky branches and appear surreally beautiful.

Joshua Tree National Park is a significant location as the meeting point of two desert ecosystems, namely Mojave, CA, and Colorado. This makes it an interesting habitat for a diverse population of wildlife.

Throughout this park, there are campsites given on a first-come, first-served basis and you can enjoy stargazing, rock climbing, hiking, and various other outdoor activities here.


Baker, CA

Baker, CA is a super small town with a super small population, and yet has the biggest thermometer in the world. After two hours of driving from Joshua Tree National Park, it also feels like a good place to rest and look around. Baker is the metaphorical calm before you hit the chaotic storm that is Las Vegas.

In addition to the World’s tallest Thermometer, also found in Baker is the Pisgah Crater, a volcano with popular lava tubes, and Silver Lake. Baker is also the only gateway to enter the remote Death Valley National Park from the south side.

One thing that many tourists do at this pit stop is take a picture with the totally random, yet equally fascinating statue of Roald Amundsen, the discoverer of the South Pole.

The town also has a few famous eateries to fill you up. It is a small town that has a cool vibe to it.


Las Vegas

If you come across Las Vegas en route to your destination, would you stop or would you silently drive by? For some reason, we don’t think you’d be able to resist the charm of perhaps the most happening city in Nevada and even the world.

The only difference is, this time around, you can explore Las Vegas like never before. When you are in your RV, casinos might not be your first choice of destinations.

Luckily, there’s a lot to Las Vegas than meets the eye. For example, Bodies: The Exhibition which is a museum that displays dead bodies. It might sound morbid, but it’s educational and even spreads awareness when you see organs in different stages of distress.

Another unusual place to visit in Las Vegas is the Lion habitat Ranch where you see lions and cubs in a new light. Don’t forget to experience the Old West at the nearby Pioneer Saloon.


Snake River Canyon Rim Trail

As soon as you step into Twin Falls, ID, head straight to the Snake River Canyon Rim Trail where you can admire the beauty of nature in all its splendid glory.

In this trail system, you can walk, hike, and bike along the trails and enjoy the views of steep scenic canyons. This trail can be accessed from Shoshone Falls Park, Twin Falls Visitor Center, or from Washington St. N.

This is the same canyon in which Evel Knievel attempted to Skycycle jump in 1974. This canyon is about 500 feet deep and has stiff cliffs on either side, making it slightly dangerous but beautiful at the same time.

The trail goes on for more than six miles and offers some mind-numbing angles with fascinating vistas. You can finish your trip here with a view of the magically beautiful Shoshone Falls.


Sawtooth National Forest

Sawtooth National Forest is a must-visit place between Twin Falls and Boise in Idaho and we suggest that you at least spend a day or two here.

Spread over two-million acres of land, Sawtooth National Forest has a timeless beauty that seems to increase every time you glance at it.

Recreational activities such as backpacking, mountain biking, camping, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and water-based activities are some of the most popular here.

Nighttime at this magical location is spellbinding as stars come out in full force and the water reflects the twinkle of starlight.

There are several campsites and campgrounds here that you can claim. It doesn’t matter whether you are here with family, friends, or your significant other, every bond becomes ten times stronger when you spend it together in a place like this.


Summary

Boise is the capital of Idaho, and hence, despite its small population, enjoys the buzz and chaos of big city life. From afar, the city is big on culture, music, and food, but explore it and you’ll find hidden gems of unique landscapes, mountains, and rivers.
The city is extremely cool yet underrated, and it seems like locals love to keep its amazingness a secret.
Prior to the 1800s, this was just a small establishment beside Fort Boise, but today, it is a sprawling city.
Boise has many natural attractions and you’ll spot many city parks and ski slopes alongside the Boise River Greenbelt. The latter has quite a reputation and once you’ll visit it, you’ll understand why. This Greenbelt is a non-motorized pathway going all the way into the heart of the city with the river and tree-lined routes at one side and the city on the other.
On the Boise River Greenbelt, you’ll also find other attractions like Boise State University Campus, Julia Davis Park, and the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial. There couldn’t be a more fitting finish than Boise on such a road trip.

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