Swimming Holes in Idaho

Idaho's swimming is mountain-cold and beautiful. Packer John's Cabin near New Meadows is a USFS site on the Little Salmon River. Redfish Lake near Stanley is a glacial lake in the Sawtooth Mountains — cold at any time of year but swimmable August and September. The Boise River Greenbelt has swimming access in Boise city. The Payette River above Horseshoe Bend has warm swimming by mid-July in the commercial rafting corridor. The Lochsa River in the Clearwater drainage stays cold but has swimming at the pull-offs along Highway 12.

Always check current conditions before visiting — water levels, algae advisories, and access roads change seasonally. Never swim alone in remote sites. Tell someone your plans. Explore all swimming holes on the Trek4Free map →