11 Of The Best Things To Do On A Scenic Road Trip Between Boise And Salt Lake City, According To Research

If you're from Boise, Idaho, you've probably already suffered through one-too-many seemingly endless drives to Salt Lake City, Utah. Although the big Utah city is home to the closest international airport to Boise residents — as well as tons of major concerts and events — it takes nearly five hours to get there. To make matters worse, the route is mostly along I-84 which is less than thrilling to stare at.

However, you don't have to trudge through another long drive just to get to your next vacation. Instead, you can get off the beaten path (literally) and check out everything from working historic steam trains to waterfalls so magnificent they're nicknamed the "Niagara of the West." To create this list, we evaluated which sites near the Boise to Salt Lake City route have the best and most reviews on sites such as Tripadvisor and Google. We also determined which were the most unique and interesting destinations, making for a brag-worthy detour, according to information and first-hand accounts we researched on blogs and travel guides.

With stops like these, you won't need to count down the minutes until you're in Salt Lake City. Reluctant road trippers know that finding fun stops to look forward to make a sigh-worthy trek into an adventure, so you can pick and choose which detours you take from this list. If you're continuing your trip from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park, you'll find even more to see on this scenic road trip.

If you're sick of looking at cars chugging along I-84, swap your viewpoint at Antelope Island State Park in Syracuse, Utah. This island, the entirety of which is a park, features show-stopping scenes of Salt Lake City, the Great Salt Lake, the Rocky Mountains, and wildlife. Located about an hour and 15 minutes off the main route — and 45 minutes from Salt Lake City – you'll see the park's namesake antelope here and more. This more-than 28,000-acre island, the biggest on Great Salt Lake, is also home to about 600 bison, bighorn sheep, bobcats, coyotes, shorebirds, and mule deer.

"Great state park, the bison are so cool!" wrote one past visitor on Tripadvisor. "Very well laid out park, great trails. Absolutely would recommend! Was able to see chukar and pronghorn as well! Very cool! Visitor center staff was very nice and welcoming." Antelope Island State Park has earned 4.4 stars from more than 1,300 reviews on Tripadvisor.

With no people living here, the island is a natural paradise that can be explored by hiking trails stretching up to nearly a dozen miles. For access, pay a $15 per car fee and make your way down the 7-mile causeway entrance. You can also extend your trip here by camping overnight, which starts at $20 per night. No matter how long you plan to stay, don't forget to pack your swimsuit, since it's always worth it to take a dip into the scenic Great Salt Lake waters.

Whether you're a serious birder or just ready to see anything else but more highway, you'll revel in gazing at more than 200 types of migratory birds in the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Center. This refuge in Brigham City, Utah is just a quarter-mile off your route to Salt Lake City on I-15. That will be even harder to believe once you see its 74,000 acres of wetlands in person. An imperative respite for migratory birds, its where birds traveling both the Central and Pacific flyways can nest or find food. It's one of the best spots for birding on the planet.

To see the birds in their natural habitats, drive the 12-mile self-guided auto tour or traverse it on bike. By winding throughout the marsh — the biggest freshwater component of the Great Salt Lake ecosystem — you can expect to see tundra swans, American white pelicans, and rough-legged hawks.

"This is the great place to take a nice drive and see a lot of birds," wrote one past visitor on Tripadvisor. "I went in June and there was one spot that had so many bugs that we had to roll up the windows. For the most part we had the windows down, I got some great photos of birds and it was a fun place to play with my camera." The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Center has garnered 4.6 stars from more than 150 reviews on Tripadvisor.

Your drive from Boise to Salt Lake City will remind you how desolate parts of Idaho are. But a visit to Bruneau Dunes State Park in Bruneau, Idaho showcases that desolation — in a good way. This desert park boasts the tallest sand dune on the continent, stretching 470 feet tall, which you can climb on a difficult yet rewarding trek. "The tallest dune in the park is 470 [feet]! It's really beautiful out there," wrote one past visitor on Tripadvisor. "Be sure to bring some water with you as the dunes are steeper than they look. You get a nice view of the surrounding area from the top of the dunes so it's definitely worth the hike." The park has netted four stars from more than 120 reviews on Tripadvisor.

For a more unique way to explore the dunes, rent a sand board and surf your way to the bottom. If you time your visit correctly, you might even be able to stargaze here with an ultramodern telescope. "Tours" of the sky's constellations and planets are available on Friday and Saturday nights from April through October.

To reach this 4,800-acre park formed a flood 15,000 years ago, drive about 30 minutes off I-84. Just 24 minutes from Mountain Home, Utah, it's a park worth visiting even if you only have a few hours. Admission is $7 to $14 per car and you're welcome to bring your dog. Camping and cabin stays are also available.

Since Golden Spike National Historical Park in Corinne, Utah, is isolated and in the middle of the desert, there's no better time to visit it than on your way to Salt Lake City. Located about a half-hour from I-84, this park was the 1869 home of the first transcontinental railway in the country. To celebrate the accomplishment and the transformation of the transportation industry, the final spikes used in the railway were made of 17.6-karat gold. Unfortunately, though, you'll only see replicas of the spike, as the originals are displayed in California.

But there's plenty more to see at Golden Spike National Historical Park, which costs $10 to $20 per person to visit and is 32 minutes from Blue Creek, Utah. Inside is a museum and information about the construction of the railway, all inside the building where people celebrated the completion of the railway more than 150 years ago. The highlight is seeing the real trains that first rode the rails, as well as watching replicas of them cruise along the rails, which only occurs during warmer weather.

"Great historical place!" wrote one past visitor on Tripadvisor. "They do a historical presentation where a narrator tells you about the history behind it. They also bring out to steam engines and reenact the ceremony where the trains come together at the golden spike. This was pretty neat." Golden Spike National Historical Park has 4.5 stars on Tripadvisor, garnered from more than 400 reviews.

Whether you've got a car of full of kids, or adults who appreciate everything old-school, you'll find tons of rides and other fun at Lagoon Amusement Park in Farmington, Utah. This theme park, the only family-owned theme park in the country, has at least 20 rides for young kids as well as throwback thrills, since it dates back to 1886.

"Always enjoyable. They are often adding new rides and Changing things for the better We go at least once a year," wrote one past visitor on Google. "They have a nice variety. From really extreme rides for adults and teens to easy yet very fun rides for even tiny toddlers and everything in between. They've got something for every age and size!" Lagoon Amusement Park has earned 4.4 stars from more than 22,500 reviews on Google.

Here, historic rides such as the carousel with hand-painted and hand-carved animals, as well as a wood roller coaster that's one of the oldest in the country, are still in use today. The park also has more than 42 buildings from the 1800s in the Pioneer Village that show what life was like in Utah two centuries ago. Lagoon Amusement Park, which is just eight minutes off your drive to Salt Lake City on I-15 and 21 minutes from Salt Lake City itself, also has a big perk for budget-conscious travelers. It's the only theme park in America where guests can bring their own food and drinks — and that includes alcohol.

If your back is starting to ache from that long drive to Salt Lake City, take a pit stop at Miracle Hot Springs in Buhl, Ohio. The freshwater geothermal waters here, which are full of minerals that are good for the body, are about a 20-minute drive from your route. You'll be able to relax from your trek thanks to the 96- to 106-degree Fahrenheit water at the springs, which is cleaned every day without chemicals. Plus, you can book a massage here, ranging from an hour-long $95 massage to an hour-and-a-half-long $125 massage. Couples' massages are also available.

If you want to stick to the star of the show — the geothermal waters — head to the springs' four pools surrounded by all of the amenities you will need, like changing rooms, storage cubbies, and showers. Admission is charged by the day of the week and time you plan to soak, starting at $10 per hour. This makes for an affordable pitstop that's just a 30-minute drive from popular outdoor spots like Niagara Springs State Park. Keep in mind, though, that since the hot springs seek to rejuvenate, there is no Wi-Fi available.

"Hidden gem!" wrote one past visitor on Tripadvisor. "Loved the private spa room: basic, but incredible. Privacy was nice, even better was ability to adjust to desired temperature. Worth every penny." Miracle Hot Springs has earned 4.3 stars from more than 160 reviews on Tripadvisor.

Two hundred years ago, even pioneers on the Oregon Trail would stop at what's now Shoshone Falls Park in Twin Falls, Idaho for a respite. Today, travelers can do just the same by driving 20 minutes off of I-84. And is it ever a site worth stopping for. Shoshone Falls has been nicknamed the "Niagara of the West," but it's even bigger than Niagara Falls. The best time to see this 212-foot-tall, 900-foot-wide waterfall is in the spring, when the waters are at their most impressive and can reach 20,000 cubic feet per second.

"We just visited Shoshone Falls and loved the power of the falls," wrote one past visitor on Tripadvisor. "Standing over 200 feet tall, the falls are truly awe-inspiring. The road down is very narrow, but the stunning views make it worth the trip. The surrounding park offers great spots for picnics and walks, and the dramatic Snake River Canyon adds to the experience. Shoshone Falls is a must-see destination in Idaho." The falls has earned 4.6 stars on Tripadvisor from more than 2,000 reviews.

If visiting from May through September, guests will need to pay $5 per car via cash or credit card to visit Shoshone Falls State Park. Then, they'll need to walk as little as 75 feet to reach the falls, which are wheelchair accessible. That makes a visit here a quick one, all the better for getting to Salt Lake City within a reasonable time.

Hidden 100 feet under lava is a freezing, 1,000-foot-long tunnel that is the Shoshone Ice Caves, one of the biggest ice caves in Idaho. Travelers can visit this ying-and-yang wonder in Shoshone, which is 50 minutes from Twin Falls and 45 minutes from I-84 to Salt Lake City. But since the Shoshone Ice Caves are only open during warmer weather, you won't be able to visit them on every trek to the Crossroads of the West. If you do visit them during their open season from May to September, don't forget your coat despite the outdoor heat. The caves are always 23 to 29 degrees Fahrenheit.

Travelers can explore Mother Nature's fridge for themselves by booking a guided, one-hour walking tour. These tours have earned the Shoshone Ice Caves 4.5 stars from more than 1,400 reviews on Google. "This is a best kept secret. I almost don't want to give it a review for fear that it will get too touristy," wrote one past visitor on Google. "The cave was spectacular. We went from 95 degree heat to 24 degrees in seconds. We took several of our grandkids and they loved it!"

Tourists are lucky that they can see the Shoshone Ice Caves today. After Shoshone utilized the caves' ice for decades, the town's growth caused the ice to melt. Finally, the Robinson family stepped in and reinstated them to their natural splendor.

With the nickname of Ski City, you might be headed to Salt Lake City's best ski resorts. However, you can catch a few before you're even in Salt Lake City — and without the crowds. Snowbasin Resort in Huntsville, Utah is 24 minutes off your route and 43 minutes from Salt Lake City. It's one of the 30 popular ski resorts to visit in the West. 

It's been a staple in the Wasatch Mountains since 1940 and receives 300 inches of snowfall every year. But without some of the frills that other resorts have like an onsite hotel, this diverse ski area attracts less riders which means you have more space to ski throughout its 2,950 acres. Plus, it's cheaper than other big-name resorts, even with more than 100 runs for skiers of all abilities and nearly a dozen lifts.

"Great resort and a such a great place for the price," wrote one past visitor on Tripadvisor. "We love this place and it is so nice what they are charging. Way better deal than Park City." Snowbasin Resort has earned 4.6 stars from more than 380 reviews on Tripadvisor.

With so many natural wonders like Bruneau Dunes State Park, the Shoshone Ice Caves, and Shoshone Falls, the road from Boise to Salt Lake City is a haven for artists. One artist made the landscape into art. In 1970, Robert Smithson made "Spiral Jetty" with 6,000 tons of black basalt rock into what's now the Great Salt Lake shoreline — Utah's breathtaking pink lake and hidden gem — in Corinne.

On the National Register of Historic Places, this 1,500-foot-long earthen sculpture on Rozel Point peninsula is one of the most renowned piece of land art on the planet. It's also Utah's official artwork. Travelers can see it by driving 54 minutes off I-84 to Salt Lake City. To see the spiral in all its glory, walk to the top of the hill above it.

It's worth the trek, according to Google users. Spiral Jetty has 4.5 stars on Google from more than 1,300 reviews. "I would highly recommend coming at least once," wrote one past visitor on Google. "The Spiral was cool to see in person. The pink water will leave you in awe."

Whether you're a history buff, you just need to stretch your legs, or you need a snack on your drive to Salt Lake City, you'll find the right rest stop in Union Station in Ogden, Utah. Located just five minutes off I-15, this former train station is home to four museums, two galleries, and a restaurant — all about 40 minutes from Salt Lake City. The station was built in the late 1800s and once welcomed 100 trains per day. Later, it was turned into the Utah State Railroad Museum with a steam engine outside that kids can explore.

Throughout the Spanish Colonial Revival-style building is also the Utah Cowboy Western Heritage Museum, the John M. Browning Firearms Museum, and the Browning Kimball Classic Car Museum — making for a unique, multi-use structure. Plus, the two gallery spaces in Union Station host rotating artists. Admission is $3 to $7 per person.

"This was a pretty neat place to visit if you have time in Ogden," wrote one past visitor on Tripadvisor. "There is actually a bunch of different museums in the building that you can visit and it doesn't cost much. The volunteers/staff were very friendly and knowledgeable. We had fun and would definitely recommend." Union Station has 4.5 stars from more than 300 reviews on Tripadvisor. Continue your journey through Ogden at the Treehouse Museum, which is known as the best indoor attraction in Utah. 

Interstate 84 and I-15 may look desolate when you're cruising along with hours to go until you reach Salt Lake City from Boise, but right off the highway are tons of wild attractions. Ranging from ice caves to the tallest sand dune in North America, a short stint will bring you to a pitstop that will keep you talking until you reach your hotel, hopefully in this vibrant neighborhood known as "the Manhattan of Salt Lake City."

We rounded up the best things to do on this popular road trip based on research we conducted on travel guides and blogs. We determined which destinations were the most eye-popping for travelers of all ages and interests, and also which were the most distinctive and unique. We also considered reviews, as all spots on this list have at least four stars and hundreds of reviews on sites such as Tripadvisor and Google.