1: Kelly’s Whitewater Park/Cascade Lake
Kelly’s Whitewater Park is less than a decade old. Still, it’s already considered one of the best destinations in the entire United States for paddlers who want to challenge themselves at whitewater paddling.
Kelly’s Whitewater Park has five different courses of varying difficulties, along with multiple challenges and competitions for those who make it to an extreme level. If you want something calmer and more spacious to explore, though, just up the road is Lake Cascade, one of the largest lakes in Idaho. With 620 square miles of crystal blue water, Lake Cascade is perfect for families, yoga enthusiasts, or those who want to get in touch with nature.
So, no matter if you’re an adrenaline junkie or someone who wants to relax on their next SUP vacation, be sure to visit Kelly’s Whitewater Park and Cascade Lake for an unforgettable experience.
Average Clear Weather Days per Year: 206
Distance to Major Cities: 2 Hours to Boise
Motor Vehicles Allowed: No at Whitewater Park, Yes at Cascade Lake
Paddleboard Rentals Available: Yes
2: Bear Lake
Situated on Utah and Idaho’s border, Bear Lake is a large 109 square mile lake, with 48 miles of shore to explore, lay out on, or make camp. Fishing is very popular at Bear Lake, especially due to more than six different fish species endemic to Bear Lake alone.
If fishing isn’t your speed, you might want to visit during the annual Raspberry Days festival. Typically held during the first week of August, watch as seas of raspberries are harvested or listen to concerts and watch fireworks go off as you paddle along the shore.
No matter what time of year you visit, there’s a lot of memorable sights to see if you want to make a trip to Bear Lake.
Average Clear Weather Days per Year: 213
Distance to Major Cities: 2 hours to Pocatello
Motor Vehicles Allowed: Yes
Paddleboard Rentals Available: Yes
3: Payette Lake
Many visitors come to Payette Lake due to the popular breweries that litter the area. Still, paddlers will want to get out on the water and explore the over 5,000 square acres of glacial waters while they’re there. While cool, these waters are very calm most of the year, making it a trendy spot for those just starting to learn how to paddleboard and get used to being on the water.
Plus, over three hundred species of wildlife live on or near the shores of Payette Lake, and that’s not counting the fishing you can do here, with Bass, Trout, and Salmon being a few of the species you can catch here.
If you’re into superstitions, local legends say that a great sea serpent (affectionately named Sharlie) also lives within these waters, hiding somewhere in its 120-foot depths. So, bring a camera and keep an eye out for this mythical creature, or capture the beauty of the area as you explore Payette Lake in Idaho.
Average Clear Weather Days per Year: 212
Distance to Major Cities: 2 Hours to Boise
Motor Vehicles Allowed: Yes
Paddleboard Rentals Available: Yes
4: Palisades Reservoir
Heading from Idaho Falls towards Wyoming, the Palisades Reservoir is another worthwhile paddleboarding destination. Sitting at the base of and providing a majestic view of the Black and Big Elk Mountains, the Palisades Reservoir offers more than 70 miles of shoreline to explore, with much of it consisting of campgrounds.
Several racing and windsurfing clubs exist in the area, so for those trying to challenge or improve their SUPing talents, the Palisades Reservoir is a great place to do it. As for fishing, Cutthroat Trout is stocked here annually, while Brown Trout and Kokanee naturally populate the area and are easy to catch.
So, if you’re heading east, take some time and hit the Palisades Reservoir before leaving the state.
Average Clear Weather Days per Year: 201
Distance to Major Cities: 1 Hour and 30 Minutes to Idaho Falls
Motor Vehicles Allowed: Yes
Paddleboard Rentals Available: Yes
5: Lake Coeur d’Alene
If you visit the frigid northern section of Idaho, you’ll have plenty of fun exploring Lake Coeur d’Alene. This nearly 50 square mile lake has plenty of water to explore, and it stays surprisingly warm despite its location, with an average water temperature of 68 degrees for most of the year outside of winter.
Controlled in part by the Post Falls Dam, this lake also offers different sights throughout the year, with the water level dropping over 7’ in the winter compared to the summer. Chinook Salmon, Bass, Kokanee, and Northern Pike are popular fishes to catch not just by tourists but also by the bald eagles that live in the area and make some fantastic pictures.
Outside of the many recreational activities on the shoreline, you can watch the Hydroplane races held in the area throughout the year. It’s a bit out of the way, but if you make the journey, there’s a ton to see and do while paddling on Lake Coeur d’Alene in Northern Idaho.
Average Clear Weather Days per Year: 169
Distance to Major Cities: 1 Hour and 30 Minutes to Moscow
Motor Vehicles Allowed: Yes
Paddleboard Rentals Available: Yes
Conclusion: Plan Your Paddle Board Trip and Have Fun!
Thank you so much for reading out the top paddleboarding destinations for the state of Idaho! We hope you’ve enjoyed our article and have a new travel destination to go to on your next SUP vacation. If you have a place in Idaho you feel we should include, or have a recommendation for other states as we develop our series, be sure to let us know by sending us an email or leaving a comment below!
While you’re here, you can also visit our top 15 SUPing destinations in the United States or see our reviews, guides, and videos we’ve posted to educate our readers about paddleboards in general. Be sure to let us know how we’re doing as we try to make SUPBoardGuide.com the ultimate paddleboarding resource on the internet!
Thank you again for reading, and we hope that you’ll have a great time paddleboarding in Idaho!
SupBoardGuide
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