Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway
Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway is a State Scenic Byway in Idaho. Within Idaho it covers roughly 130 miles. The map below shows its route. Use “Plan a drive” to open it in the Road Sorties route planner — already routing along Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway with scenic roads turned on, ready to add your own stops.
State Route 21 climbs northeast from Boise through tall ponderosa pine forest toward Stanley and the Sawtooths, passing the historic gold-rush town of Idaho City along the way. The route is dotted with natural hot springs, some right beside the road, and tops out over Banner Summit. It links the high desert near Boise with the alpine country of central Idaho.
- ponderosa pine forest
- Idaho City gold town
- roadside hot springs
- Banner Summit
- SR-21
Plan a drive on Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway →
What is a State Scenic Byway?
State Scenic Byways are roads a state has formally recognized for their scenic, natural, historic or cultural value — each state's own curated collection of drives worth taking slowly.