Here are the 3 best scenic drives for fall foliage in Idaho, new national survey shows
There’s about a week left in the peak of Idaho’s fall foliage before the trees become bare and long drives across the Gem State become a little less beautiful.
But at least until late October, most of Idaho’s trees will remain beautiful shades of red, gold and yellow. Some fall enthusiasts enjoy the seasonal foliage so much they’ll travel across the country in search of the best views and drives.
So, where should you go in Idaho for the best fall foliage drives?
The north-central Idaho mountains are a hotbed for beautiful fall sights, so it’s no surprise that some of Idaho’s best drives are in the region. More specifically, the Lake Coeur d’Alene Scenic Byway was voted as Idaho’s best drive for fall foliage in 2023, according to a survey of 3,000 drivers conducted by Gunther VW Coconut Creek.
Idaho’s best drive for fall foliage
Lake Coeur d’Alene Scenic Byway was ranked the 52nd-most scenic drive nationwide out of the list of 140 roads.
As the name suggests, the scenic byway follows along the east coast of Lake Coeur d’Alene in northern Idaho. The 25.2-mile road takes about 43 minutes to drive and offers panoramic views of the rolling tree-covered hills and mountains.
If you want to get off the road for a little, there are multiple scenic hikes along the byway, such as the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes and Mineral Ridge National Recreation Trail.
Other beautiful Idaho roads
Two other Gem State roads made the list.
The state’s second most popular scenic route, placing 123rd, was the Salmon River Scenic Byway.
The 161-mile route runs alongside the Salmon River in central Idaho before heading into Montana. The Salmon River Scenic Byway starts in Stanley and takes a little over 3 hours to drive, guiding drivers through the Sawtooth National Forest, Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness and Salmon-Challis National Forest.
Sawtooth Scenic Byway was ranked third in the state and 137th overall. This route takes drivers on a winding path through the Boulder Mountains in central Idaho and takes about 2 hours and 16 minutes to complete over 116 miles.
The most scenic drives in America
According to the study, here are the top 10 roads and locations that drivers think are the most scenic for fall driving:
Seneca Trail U.S. Route 219, West Virginia
Falls Road (MD Route 25), Maryland
Allegheny Scenic Drive, Pennsylvania
Cherokee Foothills Scenic Byway, South Carolina
Rim Rock Drive, Colorado
Red River Gorge Scenic Byway, Kentucky
Back of the Dragon (Route 16), Virginia
Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway, Maryland
Mount Hope Bay Loop, Rhode Island
Circle Road through Nebraska National Forest, Nebraska
