Camping Along the Snake River in Idaho Last Fall

After a good day’s drive from northern Utah to western Idaho, I found a really nice spot to spend the night along the snake river, about 45 minutes outside Boise, and one of the most scenic places I think I’ve ever camped at!

I arrived just before dark, so even got a glimpse of the scenery before morning.

It’s a really cool area, in the snake river canyon and also in one of the largest birds of prey habitats in the entire country, so it’s a birds of prey conservation area. There’s a good 20 or so campsites scattered along the river, so it was easy to find a free spot, and they’re all downriver from a big electric dam, which made for some nice sunset pictures.

I’ve never been to this part of Idaho before, and it was my first time camping in Idaho, and also my first time camping along a river, so a lot of firsts all in one night. Another funny thing was that I’ve got these dog treats for Dakota, her favorite, called snake river stix, and I never imagined I’d actually find myself at the actual snake river after which they are named, so I just had to dig them out of my car and give her one after getting my camp all set up. I just couldn’t resist giving her a snake river stick at the snake river.

The are made with trout, venison and rabbit, all of which are apparently quite common along the snake river. I have no doubt the river is full of trout, and there are rabbits everywhere, but Dakota never did find any deer to chase, although there were tons of ducks...

I got up bright and early, and the sunrise was particularly stunning, although the pictures don’t really quite do it justice.

Dakota was enjoying herself, exploring the new area...

She had her breakfast before me, bright and early at dawn.

After some coffee and oatmeal for my own breakfast, I took Dakota for a nice bike ride up the river, which was fun and scenic, before hitting the road again.

The only downside really was that the steep canyon walls blocked the cell signal, but the it was well worth it to be in such a beautiful area for the night. There is a nice lookout on the drive out with spectacular view of the river below, and I also saw some hawks soaring above.

The time passed quickly, and then it was back on the road for another long day in the car, to continue the journey towards my destination in Washington.