Like the perfect state that it is, Idaho – among its thousands of other beautiful landmarks and vistas – is also a tropical paradise. Just, without the palm trees. How amazing is that?!
Idaho’s primary lakes and rivers are FULL of islands, some of which are private, while others are accessible for swimming/day use only. Still others are available for a unique camping experience, but most are undeveloped (especially in Southern Idaho). You can check out a full list of Idaho’s officially named islands here, but we’ve selected just a few for you to check out that have that extra wow factor. So grab your boat, kayak, or canoe and go explore!
- Kalispell Island, Priest Lake
Kenny Huston/YouTube Kalispell is Priest Lake’s largest island. With over 50 beautiful campsites to choose from and a few day-use areas, you’re going to love the easy access and the crystal-clear panoramic views.
- Memaloose Island, Sandpoint
Eric Skinner/YouTube If you’ve ever wanted to own your own island, now’s your chance! This 13-acre island on Lake Pend Oreille is reportedly for sale and boasts over 6,000 feet of waterfront views… but it’ll cost you a pretty penny.
- Sportsman Park, Idaho Falls
Johnathan D./Yelp While not your typical island, Idaho Falls offers the opportunity to rent out portions of Sportsman Park by the day. With a cute gazebo, a shaded Japanese Friendship Garden, and a historical significance that you won’t find elsewhere: the island is the location of the first bridge to span the Snake River in Eastern Idaho.
- Three Island Crossing
BLMIdaho/Flickr Historically significant as one of the toughest crossings of the Oregon Trail, Three Island Crossing is now the home of a park, numerous impeccably maintained campgrounds, and reenactments of the historic covered wagon crossings.
- Shellworth Island, McCall
Devlyn/Flickr Shellworth and Big Cougar are two of the majorislands on Payette Lake in McCall. The Internet is conflicted as to whether you can camp here or use as a boat launch, but we do know that a few cabins on both islands recently sold… so at the very least, you can live on your own private island.
- Bartoo Island, Priest Lake
Joel Bergen/YouTube Located near the south end of Priest Lake, Bartoo is open for both camping and day use. Visitors enjoy the short, scenic float from Indian Creek, but the spacious campgrounds are just as lovely.
- Eightmile Island, Priest Lake
Joel Mann/Flickr A unique day-use site and the home of the historic Vinther-Nelson cabin make this island an awesome destination. Inside the cabin you’ll find a accumulated museum of treasures and get to experience the unique original craftsmanship of the cabin, built by the Crenshaw brothers in 1897. You’ll also see the initials of long-gone miners and hunters left by hammered bullet casings in many of the logs.
- Maiden Rock, Sandpoint
D.Taylor in Idaho/Flickr Available for day use camping only, this lush island sits near the unique monolith known as Maiden Rock, which overlooks the oasis-like pebble beach.
- The 14th Hole, Coeur d’Alene Resort
The Coeur d’Alene Resort We couldn’t call this list complete without including Coeur d’Alene’s renowned floating hole, simply because it has earned this Northern Gem such a prestigious reputation. This vibrant, green island is accessible only by a special resort ferry. Here, you’ll be one of thousands of visitors to try your hand at beating par… or be one of thousands to watch their golf balls sink into the lake.
- Island Park
Ken Lund/Flickr To be clear, Island Park is not an island. But it is a waterfront city with some of the most vibrant sunsets you’ll ever see. Located where Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming meet, this quaint town is cozy and uninhabited enough to feel remote, so you’ll probably forget the fact that you’re still on the mainland!
Who needs the crowded coast or expensive tropical vacations when we live in a state as gorgeous as Idaho? Which of Idaho’s dozens of islands have you been to? As always, if you’ve ever visited any of Idaho’s more obscure floating oases, we’d love to see your pictures!
Kenny Huston/YouTube
Kalispell is Priest Lake’s largest island. With over 50 beautiful campsites to choose from and a few day-use areas, you’re going to love the easy access and the crystal-clear panoramic views.
Eric Skinner/YouTube
If you’ve ever wanted to own your own island, now’s your chance! This 13-acre island on Lake Pend Oreille is reportedly for sale and boasts over 6,000 feet of waterfront views… but it’ll cost you a pretty penny.
Johnathan D./Yelp
While not your typical island, Idaho Falls offers the opportunity to rent out portions of Sportsman Park by the day. With a cute gazebo, a shaded Japanese Friendship Garden, and a historical significance that you won’t find elsewhere: the island is the location of the first bridge to span the Snake River in Eastern Idaho.
BLMIdaho/Flickr
Historically significant as one of the toughest crossings of the Oregon Trail, Three Island Crossing is now the home of a park, numerous impeccably maintained campgrounds, and reenactments of the historic covered wagon crossings.
Devlyn/Flickr
Shellworth and Big Cougar are two of the majorislands on Payette Lake in McCall. The Internet is conflicted as to whether you can camp here or use as a boat launch, but we do know that a few cabins on both islands recently sold… so at the very least, you can live on your own private island.
Joel Bergen/YouTube
Located near the south end of Priest Lake, Bartoo is open for both camping and day use. Visitors enjoy the short, scenic float from Indian Creek, but the spacious campgrounds are just as lovely.
Joel Mann/Flickr
A unique day-use site and the home of the historic Vinther-Nelson cabin make this island an awesome destination. Inside the cabin you’ll find a accumulated museum of treasures and get to experience the unique original craftsmanship of the cabin, built by the Crenshaw brothers in 1897. You’ll also see the initials of long-gone miners and hunters left by hammered bullet casings in many of the logs.
D.Taylor in Idaho/Flickr
Available for day use camping only, this lush island sits near the unique monolith known as Maiden Rock, which overlooks the oasis-like pebble beach.
The Coeur d’Alene Resort
We couldn’t call this list complete without including Coeur d’Alene’s renowned floating hole, simply because it has earned this Northern Gem such a prestigious reputation. This vibrant, green island is accessible only by a special resort ferry. Here, you’ll be one of thousands of visitors to try your hand at beating par… or be one of thousands to watch their golf balls sink into the lake.
Ken Lund/Flickr
To be clear, Island Park is not an island. But it is a waterfront city with some of the most vibrant sunsets you’ll ever see. Located where Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming meet, this quaint town is cozy and uninhabited enough to feel remote, so you’ll probably forget the fact that you’re still on the mainland!
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