100 Dumb US Laws (With Proof They Exist)
Idaho (ID) is located in the northwestern United States, and the state is known for its diverse nature that includes mountains, forests, and lakes. A popular attraction is Yellowstone National Park, and potato farming is important to the state economy, with Idaho as the nation’s leading producer. The capital and largest city in Idaho is Boise. A curious fact about Idaho is that it is the only state where all 72 known types of gemstones have been mined.
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Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Name Idaho Abbreviation ID Capital Boise Largest city Boise (Population: 235 421) Current time 21:51 Time zone MST (UTC-7) is in effect in most of the state, PST (UTC-8) is in effect in areas to the west and northwest. The state observes daylight saving time MDT (UTC-6) and PDT (UTC-7) Population 1,839,117 (#38 most populous US state) Area 83,745 sqmi (#14 largest US state) Admitted to the Union July 3, 1890 (#43 state to join) ⭐ Capital of Idaho
The capital of Idaho is Boise, whose founding in 1863 was tied to the gold rush and the conflicts then unfolding in the territory. The origin of the name Boise is still not entirely clear. It became the state capital after Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890. Before that, Boise had already served as the capital of the Idaho Territory.
🏙️ Largest City in Idaho
The largest city in Idaho is Boise, which had 235,421 residents in 2023. The second largest city is Meridian with 134,801 residents, and the third is Nampa with a population of 114,268.
🕒 Time in Idaho
The current time in Boise, Idaho is 21:51. Most of the state observes Mountain Standard Time (MST, UTC-7), switching during the year to MDT (UTC-6). Only a smaller area in northern Idaho observes Pacific Standard Time (PST, UTC-8) and switches in summer to PDT (UTC-7).
🧑🤝🧑 Population of Idaho
In 2023 Idaho had 1,839,117 residents, which placed it 38th among the most populous U.S. states.
📍 Area of Idaho
The total area of Idaho is 83,745 sqmi, of which 82,908 sqmi is land and 837 sqmi is water. Idaho is the 14th largest state in the United States.
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Fun Facts About the State of Idaho
🧩 Which States Border Idaho
Idaho borders six U.S. states. To the west is Oregon, to the northwest Washington, to the east Montana and Wyoming, to the southeast Utah, and to the southwest Nevada. In addition, it shares a 45 mi border to the north with the Canadian province of British Columbia.
📅 Date of Idaho Statehood
Idaho joined the Union on July 3, 1890 as the 43rd state, formed from part of the original Idaho Territory.
📛 Idaho State Nickname
The official nickname of Idaho is “The Gem State”, since more than 70 gemstones and semi-precious stones and over 280 other minerals can be found here. The best-known star garnet occurs only in Idaho and in India, nowhere else in the world.
The second nickname, “The Potato State”, refers to the fact that roughly one third of all potatoes grown in the United States come from Idaho.
⛰️ Highest Mountain in Idaho
The highest mountain in Idaho is Borah Peak at 12,668 ft in the Lost River Range.
🏞️ Rivers in Idaho
The longest river in Idaho is the Snake River with a total length of 1,078 mi. Next are the Kootenai River (485 mi), the Salmon River (425 mi), the Bear River (348 mi), and the Owyhee River (346 mi).
🎓 Universities in Idaho
The largest university in Idaho is Brigham Young University–Idaho, founded in 1888 in the city of Rexburg and attended by about 43,000 students. The second largest is Boise State University with 24,000 students, and in third place is Idaho State University, attended by around 12,000 students.
✉️ ZIP Codes in Idaho
Idaho uses the ZIP code range 832xx–838xx. A clear map is available in the article ZIP Codes in the USA, and you can look up a ZIP code for a specific address on the USPS website.
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Weather in Idaho
The best time to visit Idaho is summer, with pleasant temperatures and minimal rainfall. The weather favors outdoor activities such as hiking or camping.
Spring in Idaho runs from March to May, and the weather is highly changeable. While March temperatures hover around 36 °F to 54 °F, by May some days already exceed 68 °F. The difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures is often large. Rain is common at lower elevations, and it can snow in the mountains.
Summer in Idaho is warm. From June to August, temperatures range between 68 °F and 90 °F. It is hotter in the lowlands, and cooler in the mountains, which creates favorable conditions for outdoor activities. Most summer days are sunny, rainfall is minimal, and occasional storms can be brief but intense.
Fall in Idaho begins in earnest in October, when the air gradually cools to November readings of 32 °F to 48 °F. Rain is more frequent, and by October it can already snow in the mountains.
Winter in Idaho is cold. From December to February, temperatures usually range between 23 °F and 37 °F. At higher elevations, freezes are more common and more severe, and snowfall can reach up to 30 cm per month.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Idaho
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What to See in Idaho
1️⃣ Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
In southern Idaho, more than 1,178 sqmi of lava fields, craters, and lava tubes spread across the landscape, which really does look like the surface of the moon. Visitors to Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve can walk across it by following one of the hiking trails that wind over the volcanic formations.
2️⃣ Shoshone Falls
Shoshone Falls are known as the Niagara Falls of the West, and they lie on the Snake River in southern Idaho. Interestingly, Shoshone Falls, at 212.0 ft high, are even taller than the American side of Niagara Falls, where the drop is 167.0 ft. Visitors can view the falls from several overlooks, and conditions are best in spring when the Snake River carries the most water.
3️⃣ Old Idaho Penitentiary
In Boise you can visit the historic Old Idaho Penitentiary, which operated from 1872 to 1973 and today functions as a museum. Visitors can see the cellblocks and the execution chamber with their own eyes and learn details about the lives of well-known inmates. The museum also displays historic weapons and other artifacts from the prison’s operating years.
🗺️ Boise, Idaho
4️⃣ Yellowstone National Park
A small portion of Yellowstone National Park lies within Idaho and serves as a gateway to its western side. This area sees fewer visitors, which makes it ideal for quieter exploration of geysers, hot springs, and other spectacular park scenery. Those who want to dive deeper can use campgrounds and set out on foot along several hiking trails.
5️⃣ Silverwood Theme Park
Silverwood is the largest theme park in the Northwestern United States, located northeast of Spokane. The park operates more than 70 attractions, and the most popular are the wooden and steel roller coasters that deliver an adrenaline rush. During hot summer months, the adjacent Boulder Beach water park offers a welcome cool down.
🗺️ Athol, Idaho
6️⃣ Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument
Hagerman Fossil Beds is one of the richest mammal fossil sites in North America, which earned it federal protection as a national monument.
At its heart is a visitor center with interactive displays and exhibits that bring to life the remains of prehistoric animals more than 3 million years old. Several hiking trails loop around the monument with beautiful views of the surrounding landscape.
7️⃣ Salmon River
The Salmon River is one of the major free-flowing rivers in North America, its course unregulated by dams. That makes it popular with kayakers, rafters, and anglers. Several campgrounds operate along the river, giving visitors a unique chance to experience Idaho’s wild nature. The camps also serve as trailheads for hiking and exploring nearby forests and canyons.
8️⃣ Kirkham Hot Springs
Idaho is known for its many hot springs scattered across the state. The best known are the Kirkham Hot Springs northeast of Boise. They are accessible year-round and let visitors relax in natural pools of hot water while taking in views of the surrounding landscape, mostly mountains and rivers.
9️⃣ Lake Coeur d’Alene
Picturesque Lake Coeur d’Alene lies in northern Idaho, ringed by forests and mountains. Visitors will find great conditions for paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing, and other water sports. Anyone who prefers solid ground can choose from a number of hiking trails in the nearby hills.
🔟 Boise River Greenbelt Trail
The Boise River Greenbelt is a trail about 30.0 mi long that follows the Boise River through the city of the same name. The green corridor suits cyclists and hikers alike, and several notable parks and cultural sites sit along the route. The parks make great stops for families with children.
🗺️ Boise, Idaho
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Largest Cities in Idaho
The table lists the ten largest cities in Idaho in 2023. The data source is the federal agency United States Census Bureau, whose primary mission is to conduct the census.
City County Population 1 Boise Ada 235,421 Map of Boise 2 Meridian Ada 134,801 Map of Meridian 3 Nampa Canyon 114,268 Map of Nampa 4 Caldwell Canyon 68,336 Map of Caldwell 5 Idaho Falls Bonneville 68,001 Map of Idaho Falls 6 Pocatello Bannock, Power 58,064 Map of Pocatello 7 Coeur d’Alene Kootenai 56,894 Map of Coeur d’Alene 8 Twin Falls Twin Falls 54,943 Map of Twin Falls 9 Post Falls Kootenai 44,798 Map of Post Falls 10 Rexburg Madison 39,975 Map of Rexburg -
Sports Teams in Idaho
🏒 Hockey (NHL)
There is no NHL team based in Idaho.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
There is no NFL team from Idaho.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
No team from Idaho plays in the NBA.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
There is no MLB team from Idaho.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
Idaho has no team in Major League Soccer.
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Idaho State Symbols
Idaho’s state symbols honor the state’s heritage and culture. A selection of them appears below.
Flag of Idaho
The first version of Idaho’s flag was adopted in 1907. It features the state seal on a blue field, complemented by a red and gold decorative ribbon with the words “State of Idaho”. The flag was modified in 1927 and 1957, when the appearance of the state seal was slightly changed.
Seal of Idaho
Idaho’s state seal was adopted in 1863, and it was redrawn several times even before statehood in 1890. The central figures are a miner and a woman, representing equality, liberty, and justice. They are accompanied by natural resources, mines, forests, farmland, and wildlife.
State Vegetable
Idaho ranks among the nation’s largest potato producers. Since 2002 the potato has been one of the state’s officially recognized symbols, thanks to the efforts of fourth graders from the elementary school in Grand View.
State Flower
Idaho’s official flower is the Lewis mock orange (Philadelphus lewisii). This shrub, up to 10 ft tall, typically grows in full sun along forest edges and bears white blossoms.
State Fish
Since 1990 the state fish has been the cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii), which inhabits several regions across Idaho.
State Bird
As early as 1931 Idaho designated the mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides) as the state bird. It lives in higher-elevation areas.
State Amphibian
In 2015 Idaho added the Idaho giant salamander (Dicamptodon aterrimus) to its official symbols. It grows up to 33 cm and typically lives in moist coniferous forests.
State Tree
Since 1935 the state tree has been the western white pine (Pinus monticola), which grows in northern Idaho.
State Gemstone
Idaho’s official gemstone since 1967 has been the dark red to purple garnet with a white star, usually with four or six rays. Known as the “Star Garnet”, it occurs only in Idaho and in India, nowhere else in the world.
State Horse Breed
Idaho is among the states that also designate an official horse breed. Since 1975 it has been the Appaloosa, whose breeding in North America began in the 16th century after the Spanish brought the breed across the ocean.
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