⛰️ Idaho's Extremes: A Journey Through the Gem State's Highs, Lows, and Wild Temperatures
- idavibe
- Dec 11, 2025
- 4 min read
Idaho, the Gem State, is often overlooked, but beneath its famous potatoes and rugged mountains lies a landscape of staggering extremes. From sky-piercing peaks to the deepest river canyons, and temperatures that swing wildly from scorching to chilling, Idaho holds records that tell a story of incredible natural diversity.
Join me as we explore the four cardinal points of extremity in Idaho: the highest peak, the lowest point, the hottest recorded temperature, and the coldest.
1. The Apex: Borah Peak (12,662 feet)
If you want to look down on the rest of Idaho, you must stand on Borah Peak.
Rising to a formidable height of 12,662 feet (3,859 meters), Borah Peak is not just the tallest place in Idaho; it's a true alpine monarch. Located in the Lost River Range within the Challis National Forest, its ascent is a grueling yet rewarding challenge for mountaineers. In fact, it is classified as one of the most challenging state high points in the contiguous United States.
Known locally as Mount Borah, the peak is a dramatic testament to the powerful forces that shaped Idaho, including the devastating 1983 Borah Peak earthquake that caused a section of the mountain to drop several feet, yet still leaving it the undisputed king.
🏔️ The Tallest Place: Borah Peak
Field | Content (Pre-filled) | Notes / Draft Content |
Headline | The Apex: Borah Peak (12,662 feet) | |
Location | Lost River Range, Challis National Forest | |
Elevation | 12,662 feet (3,859 meters) | |
Boise Distance | 262 miles / 5 hr, 18 min driving | A key takeaway for local readers. |
Key Detail | Classified as one of the most challenging state high points in the contiguous U.S. |
2. The Nadir: The Snake River in Lewiston (710 feet)
From the sky to the sea level, our journey takes us all the way down to the state's lowest point: the Snake River in Lewiston.
Here, the majestic Snake River, which carves Hells Canyon (the deepest river gorge in North America), flows at a mere 710 feet (216 meters) above sea level. This low-lying area, near the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers, holds a unique distinction: it is the most inland port on the West Coast.
Standing here, in the heart of the Palouse country, you feel the contrast of the landscape—a warm, fertile river valley, a world away from the frigid, high-altitude peaks of the Lost River Range.
🌊 The Lowest Place: Lewiston
Field | Content (Pre-filled) | Notes / Draft Content |
Headline | The Nadir: The Snake River in Lewiston (710 feet) | |
Location | Snake River near the confluence with the Clearwater River | |
Elevation | 710 feet (216 meters) above sea level | |
Boise Distance | 272 miles / 5 hr, 25 min driving | |
Key Detail | Site of the most inland port on the West Coast. |
3. The Inferno: Orofino's Scorcher (118°F)
Idaho is known for its cold winters, but don't let that fool you.
The summers can be brutal, and one day in the small town of Orofino will forever hold the record for the state's highest temperature.
On July 28, 1934, the thermometer in Orofino climbed to a sweltering 118°F (48°C). Imagine the heat in the deep canyons carved by the Clearwater River, where Orofino sits. This kind of intense, dry heat is a characteristic of Idaho's basin and valley regions during the peak of summer, turning the arid landscapes into an oven.
🔥 The Hottest Place: Orofino
Field | Content (Pre-filled) | Notes / Draft Content |
Headline | The Inferno: Orofino's Scorcher (118°F) | |
Location | Orofino, Idaho | |
Record Temp. & Date | 118°F (48°C), recorded July 28, 1934 | |
Boise Distance | 256 miles / 5 hr, 16 min driving | |
Key Detail | Located in the deep canyons of the Clearwater River, prone to intense, trapped summer heat. |
4. The Deep Freeze: Island Park Dam's Chill (-60°F)
Now, brace yourself for the other end of the thermometer!
Idaho can be an icebox, and nowhere was this more apparent than at Island Park Dam.
On January 16, 1943, a bone-chilling temperature of -60°F (-51°C) was officially recorded. Located in the eastern part of the state, near the border with Montana and Wyoming, Island Park is situated on a high plateau. This region is notorious for its severe cold, often trapping frigid arctic air masses, especially in the deep, snow-covered valleys near the mountains.
🥶 The Coldest Place: Island Park Dam
Field | Content (Pre-filled) | Notes / Draft Content |
Headline | The Deep Freeze: Island Park Dam's Chill (-60°F) | |
Location | Island Park Dam, Eastern Idaho | |
Record Temp. & Date | -60°F (-51°C), recorded January 16, 1943 | |
Boise Distance | 360 miles / 5 hr, 10 min driving | |
Key Detail | Situated on a high plateau, notorious for trapping frigid arctic air masses. |
❄️ Conclusion
Idaho is a land defined by its dramatic contours and climatic extremes. In a single state, you can find the high-altitude, sub-arctic cold of the Island Park region and the sun-baked heat of Orofino, all while crossing from the low, navigable waters of Lewiston to the dizzying heights of Borah Peak.
It's a testament to the raw, untamed nature of the American West—a place that pushes boundaries and rewards those who venture to its extremes. Dont forget to Subscribe to IdaVibe Newsletter! and Follow us on Facebook! Follow on Facebook!
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