Idaho’s rich history and culture span centuries and civilizations. Across the state’s diverse landscapes, deep-rooted connections to Native American, Basque, and frontier heritage await.
Connect with Idaho’s first peoples
Nez Perce Tourism provides an authentic, immersive experience in the customs of Nimiipuu culture. Traditional and modern customs blend through interactive storytelling with historical site visits, jet boat tours, food, drumming, song, and dance.
The annual Shoshone-Bannock Indian Festival held the second week of August is one of the largest and most popular Native American gatherings in the northwestern United States. This vibrant event features a powwow, art show, rodeo, food and craft vendors, and more. A festival highlight is the Indian Relay Races—a thrilling, bareback horse-racing event in which teams
of skilled riders leap from one galloping horse to another in rapid exchanges around a track. The sport originated on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation and has been passed down through generations within the ShoshoneBannock Tribes. Visitors can learn tribal history and culture year-round at the Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Museum in Fort Hall.
The Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel hosts tribal-lead, interactive tours and activities for guests to experience the Schitsu’umsh tribe’s homeland and traditions. Activities include guided hikes, bike-and-boat tours, canoe and kayaking trips, and hands-on workshops in beadwork, moccasins, and other traditional arts. Guests can also enjoy cultural dinners that highlight tribal history and hospitality.
Explore Boise’s Basque community
Idaho is home to the largest concentration of Basques per capita in the U.S., with Boise claiming one of the most active Basque communities outside the Basque Country. Nowhere is this more apparent than on the Basque Block in downtown Boise, dedicated to preserving and celebrating Basque culture and history. The Basque Museum and Cultural Center sits alongside Basque eateries like Bar Gernika, Leku Ona, and The Basque Market for a complete experience.
Every five years, Boise hosts Jaialdi, a six-day festival celebrating Basque music, dance, food, and other traditions. The next Jaialdi is scheduled for July 2030. In between Jaialdi celebrations, the smaller, but still vibrant, San Inazio keeps the spirit alive and is held the last weekend of July.
Step back in time to Idaho’s pioneer era
A time capsule of Idaho’s frontier mining history, Land of the Yankee Fork State Park near Challis in central Idaho tells the story of the land’s early inhabitants and gold seekers. The park includes the ghost towns of Custer, Bayhorse, and Bonanza, plus an interpretive center showcasing the area’s gold rush era.
Dig into Idaho’s silver mining past in the historic Silver Valley in northern Idaho. Founded in 1884, this area near Wallace remains the richest silver mining district in the world, earning it the nickname of “Silver Capital of the World.” Tour the Sierra Silver Mine, or try to pan for gold at the Crystal Gold Mine.
In southeastern Idaho, the restored pioneer town of Chesterfield offers a glimpse of 1880s Mormon settler life. Free tours are available from late May through early September.
Saddle up for Idaho’s rodeo season
Ranked among the top 10 pro rodeos in the U.S., the Snake River Stampede is a high-energy event packed into five nights of high-energy, professional competition. Held annually the third week of June.
Founded in 1911, the War Bonnet Round Up is Idaho’s oldest rodeo. More than 450 cowboys and cowgirls compete in front of a crowd of 15,000 rodeo fans. Held annually the first weekend in August.
That Famous Preston Night Rodeo claims the title of the world’s first nighttime rodeo. This community celebration includes a nightly parade, carnival, and amateur golf tournament, all held during the first weekend of August.
The Caldwell Night Rodeo, held the third weekend of August, was the first rodeo in the Pacific Northwest to be held under the lights. Today, it continues to showcase over 600 top-tier contestants.
For more information: https://visitidaho.org/
