Discover Idaho: Top 15 Amazing Fun Facts You Probably Didn't Know!

1. Minty Fresh Idaho

If you've ever wondered why your toothpaste tastes surprisingly like an idyllic jaunt through the Idaho countryside, it's because the Gem State is a secret minty haven: Idaho ranks as the third largest mint producer in the nation, boasting over 17,000 acres of peppermint and spearmint plants that churn out more than 2 million pounds of mint oil every year, all while adding a touch of refreshing zest to your oral hygiene routine and favorite treats.
Source => agri.idaho.gov

2. New Year's Potato Drop

In the land of spuds, where potatoes reign supreme, there's no better way to usher in the New Year than with a sky-high spectacle of tater tot proportions: The Idaho® Potato Drop is a charitable extravaganza featuring the #GlowTato, a colossal glowing potato sculpture that ascends to its evening throne at the strike of midnight, while thousands of onlookers enjoy live music, art performances, and an Urban-Air Ski and Snowboard Exhibition in support of local arts, businesses, and charities.
Source => idahopotatodrop.com

Discover the astonishing depths of Crater Lake in Oregon, the United States' reigning champion of depth, and learn what makes it stand out among the world's deepest lakes. Dive into more fun facts now!

=> Fun Facts about Oregon

3. Atomic City

Sometimes, you just can't escape your atomic past: Once called Midway, Atomic City, Idaho changed its name due to its ties with the neighboring Idaho National Laboratory, which served as the National Reactor Testing Station until 1975. Now, this tiny town with a population of 41, as of the 2020 census, is a hotspot for RV hook-ups and summer stock car races—truly a blast from the past!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Adventurous Hells Canyon

Feeling devilish? Time to face the wilderness: Idaho's Hells Canyon, spanning a massive 652,488 acres, was designated a wilderness area by Congress in 1975, encompassing the Payette and Nez Perce National Forests, the Seven Devils Mountain Range, and 65 miles of the Snake River, thanks to its scenic, recreational, geological, wildlife, fisheries, and cultural resources. Visitors can indulge in spectacular views by driving the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway or stopping by the Hells Canyon Overlook for a dose of natural grandeur.
Source => boisedev.com

5. Cattle Overpopulation

Idaho: Where humans are outnumbered by mooing neighbors in an utterly bovine showdown! The serious reveal: With a cattle to human ratio of 1.36, Idaho ranks among the top 10 states for most cattle per person, making the beef industry a major player in its economy, and agriculture one of the state's primary industries.
Source => beef2live.com

6. GMO Sugar Beets

In Idaho, sugar beets have turned over a green leaf by going to the (GMO) dark side, in a Yoda-approved, eco-friendly way: The state now ranks second in sugar beet production, with an 85% reduction in pesticide use and a 60% decrease in fuel consumption, all thanks to the wondrous, glyphosate-resistant GMO seed secretly brewed at Bayer's Soda Springs Hogwarts for plants.
Source => idahofb.org

7. Trout-rific Idaho

If you've ever misheard "trout" as "kraut" and imagined Germans farming in Idaho for a split second, you'll be delightfully surprised with this nibble of trivia: Idaho is the proud producer of 56% of the nation's food-sized trout, dating back to 1909, with 98% of the state's aquaculture thriving in Twin Falls, Gooding, and Jerome counties. So the next time you're relishing a succulent trout dish, tip your hat to Idaho for raising and crafting your tasty meal!
Source => pubs.ext.vt.edu

8. Sky-high Sand Dunes

Whoever said size doesn't matter never took a sandy stroll in Idaho: Bruneau Dunes State Park is home to the tallest single-structured sand dune in North America, soaring an impressive 470 feet above its desolate, desert home. For those craving adventures on these sandy giants, you can hike or snag a sandboard rental at the Visitor Center, but keep those off-road vehicles in check – they're only welcome on the main road.
Source => parksandrecreation.idaho.gov

9. Granite Wonderland

If granite's your flavor of rock, Idaho's the parfait: The Boise National Forest spans over 2 million acres and owes its splendor to the Idaho batholith, a gargantuan geological formation with granite varieties that could make one wonder if nature dabbled in interior design. Formed over 50 million years ago by uprising magma, the batholith dramatically sculpted Idaho's terrain as it outlined impressive peaks and valleys, while also showcasing its chic granitic patterns of varying textures, colors, and mineral compositions.
Source => fs.usda.gov

10. Pioneer Mountain Namesakes

When Idaho's Pioneer Mountains introduced themselves as pioneers, they weren't just flexing their granitic biceps: Many individual peaks within the range bear the names of real-life pioneer settlers, like Hyndman Peak - named after local rancher Fredrick Hyndman who homesteaded in the area in the late 1800s.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

11. Evergreen Paradise

If you thought Idaho was all potatoes and no play, prepare for an evergreen surprise: Approximately 38.2% of its land area is covered by National Forests, making it the state with the highest percentage of land designated in such a way, spanning around 20.4 million acres in 11 different forests.
Source => worldatlas.com

12. Moonwalking in Idaho

If someone told you to moonwalk in Idaho, they might not be referring to the famous Michael Jackson dance move: Idaho is home to the Craters of the Moon National Monument, a 15,000-year-old otherworldly landscape of lava flows and volcanic cones, featuring three main caves – Indian Tunnel, Boy Scout Cave, and Beauty Cave – created by lava tubes that once guided molten magma to the surface.
Source => theoutbound.com

13. Wildlife Wonderland

Birds of a feather flock to Idaho, and with good reason: The state boasts a remarkable variety of wildlife, teeming with over 20 species of game animals and more than 400 species of birds, creating a veritable Animal Kingdom for outdoor enthusiasts seeking sustainable hunting and fishing experiences.
Source => virtual.imnh.iri.isu.edu

14. Giant Freshwater Martinis

If giant freshwater martinis are your thing, grab your fishing rod and oversized olive: Idaho's Lake Pend Oreille is the state's largest lake and the eighth-largest in the US by volume – a whopping 54.2 cubic kilometers of H2O, with a depth of 1,150 feet – perfect for partying with migratory birds and record-breaking 37-pound Gerrard rainbow trout!
Source => a-z-animals.com

15. UFO Spud Sightings

In Idaho, even the potatoes are out of this world: The state boasts the highest number of reported UFO sightings per capita in the U.S., dethroning California as the reigning ET hot spot when adjusted for population size, with an impressive 32% of all reported sightings happening within the last five years.
Source => drgnews.com