Throughout Southern Idaho, into Northern Utah and even farther down the latter state, the lifestyle is often a rural one. It’s one defined by country living, hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreation. Many people own horses, and agriculture is well represented on farms and ranches of all sizes, from large commercial operations to small hobby farms..
Nonetheless, there are just as many people seeking homes in town on only an acre or two, and those who work among the same variety of industries you’ll find in more urban areas. And the opportunities to enjoy the arts, music and various cultural experiences are as widespread as you’ll see elsewhere in the country.
Let’s take a closer look at what attracts visitors and new residents alike to Southern Idaho and Utah.
Natural Beauty and Excellent Outdoor Recreation Everywhere
United Country Real Estate | Southern Idaho Land & Auction is our original office in Burley, Idaho, and we later established United Country Real Estate | Northern Utah Land & Auction in Ogden, Utah. Both regions feature some incredible state and national parks and are filled with the natural beauty of mountains, canyons, rivers and lakes.
Excellent outdoor recreation is one of the biggest draws within Cassia, Minidoka and Ada Counties and surrounding areas in Idaho, as well as in Uintah, Weber and Rich Counties in Northern Utah and other areas headed south in the state.
In Idaho, you can brave the Snake River rapids, go trout fishing among the hundreds of lakes in the Sawtooth National Forest, or surf the Bruneau Sand Dunes. There are also experiences unique to the state, such as year-round base jumping without a permit from the Perrine Bridge in Twin Falls; visiting Shoshone Falls (It’s 45 feet higher than Niagara Falls!); and rock climbing in the City of Rocks National Reserve.
Utah offers hiking, mountain biking, snow skiing and many other adventures outdoors. Ogden is located at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains, and the Ogden and Weber Rivers both run through the city. Less than two hours south, Wasatch Mountain State Park is popular for camping and horseback riding, while Bear Lake State Park farther north in Garden City is called the "Caribbean of the Rockies.” Willard Bay and the Strawberry Reservoir are both fishing hot spots for anglers.
Arts, Culture, History and Other Attractions in Idaho and Utah
While we’ve only touched on the endless outdoor recreation available in Southern Idaho and Utah, less intense suburban and urban activities also provide plenty of enjoyment. All that farmland we mentioned earlier yields fresh local produce you can often pick yourself, as well as find at farmers markets and excellent area restaurants in Idaho’s Magic Valley. The arts and culture scene is also vibrant, with live theater, art displays, symphonies, museums and more.
Sometimes, the best way to start or end a day in Idaho is at one of the state’s many hot springs. Among the top-rated destinations for soaking in these mineral-laden pools are Miracle Hot Springs in Buhl, and Kirkham Hot Springs and Lava Hot Springs, both in Lowman.
In Northern Utah, historic Ogden has great nightlife spots downtown, as does the equally picturesque mountain town of Park City. There’s also a lot to see and do in places such as Provo and Salt Lake City; the latter has become quite socially diverse and it touts an emerging alternative art and music subculture, and fantastic shopping.
Ten miles east of Ogden is the Great Salt Lake, which attracts tourists with its massive size and higher salinity than ocean water. There are even areas where you can relax on white sand beaches, swim or sail. Other fun outings include exploring Utah’s dinosaur history at museums and dig sites; discovering historic trails; and learning about the state’s Native Nations.
Welcome to Southern Idaho and Northern Utah! If you’re considering buying or selling a home, land acreage, a commercial business or another property in these areas, you can count on the real estate experts at United Country Real Estate | Southern Idaho Land & Auction / Northern Utah Land & Auction to meet all your needs.
Sources: southernidaho.org, visitsouthidaho.com, parksandrecreation.idaho.gov, visitutah.com, utah.com, utahoutdooractivities.com, en.wikipedia.org, fs.usda.gov, tfid.org