Eastern Idaho

The best place to visit in Eastern Idaho is Idaho Falls, a ruggedly beautiful area of untamed rivers, alpine meadows, and fish-filled lakes boasting ample wildlife. Movie buffs might recognize it as the backdrop of the 2004 Indie flick, Napoleon Dynamite. Eastern Idaho broadly includes areas lying east of the Magic Valley region. As a result of its closeness to Utah and sizable Mormon population, the area aligns itself culturally and economically more with Utah than the Pacific Northwest. Idahoans often jokingly brand the region as "northern Utah." The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the most active religious organization in ...

The best place to visit in Eastern Idaho is Idaho Falls, a ruggedly beautiful area of untamed rivers, alpine meadows, and fish-filled lakes boasting ample wildlife. Movie buffs might recognize it as the backdrop of the 2004 Indie flick, Napoleon Dynamite. Eastern Idaho broadly includes areas lying east of the Magic Valley region. As a result of its closeness to Utah and sizable Mormon population, the area aligns itself culturally and economically more with Utah than the Pacific Northwest. Idahoans often jokingly brand the region as "northern Utah." The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the most active religious organization in the vicinity. Idaho Falls and Pocatello are the largest cities, containing a third of the state's total population. Eastern Idaho is home to Idaho State University, Eastern Idaho Technical College, and Brigham Young University-Idaho with cultural events regularly taking place at the universities. Most of Idaho's potato crop is grown here, making it one of the most productive places in the world for spuds.

About the Expert

Aaron Anderson is coauthor of Lonely Planet's Washington, D.C. City Guide, a contributor on western states to Lonely Planet USA, and he wrote the Austria chapters for Lonely Planet's Western Europe and Europe on a Shoestring.