Major city · United States
Mountain HomeMountain Home, Idaho
Skip unless you need a cheap bed between Boise and Twin Falls, or are visiting the Air Force base. Half a day is enough for the golf course or motocross track.
Mountain Home is a small city on I-84 in Southwestern Idaho, about 45 minutes east of Boise. It has a cheap golf course, a summer motocross track, and not much else for tourists. Most travellers use it as an overnight stop or a quick lunch break on the way to Craters of the Moon or Sun Valley.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, some businesses close)
- Airport
- BOI
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Mountain Home911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Mountain Home Police (non-emergency)208-587-2100
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Mountain Home, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 208-587-2100 Mountain Home Police (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBOI Boise Airport (About 45 min west on I-84; rental cars and Salt Lake Express bus available.).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (diner)$2–3
- BeerBeer (domestic, bar)$4–6
- Budget bedBudget motel room (e.g. Super 8, Motel 6), a night, per roomUS$60
- Mid-range bedBudget motel room (e.g. Super 8, Motel 6), a night, per roomUS$80
- High-end bedBudget motel room (e.g. Super 8, Motel 6), a night, per roomUS$120
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BOI Boise Airport (About 45 min west on I-84; rental cars and Salt Lake Express bus available.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C) low), wettest Jan (8 rain days), driest Jul (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Mountain Home: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
8 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
7 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
8 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
7 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
6 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
8 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. I-84 runs east–west; local streets are easy to navigate. No public transit worth mentioning.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Craters of the Moon National Monument
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
I-84 east to US-20 east, about 1 h 15 min
Volcanic landscape with lava tubes and cinder cones; a full day trip from Mountain Home.
Boise
goDoor to door: About 1 h
I-84 west, about 45 min
State capital with museums, restaurants and the Boise River Greenbelt.
Sun Valley / Ketchum
overnightDoor to door: About 2.5 h
US-20 east then north on ID-75, about 2 h
Ski resort in winter, hiking and mountain biking in summer; too far for a day return.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
I-84 corridor (east side)
Chain motels near the freeway; cheapest rates in the region.
Downtown
A few independent motels and a historic inn; quieter but fewer options.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–140 excl. bed
- High
- $140+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range chain (e.g. Best Western, Holiday Inn Express)1 × 1 night × US$120 | US$120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Gas for a day of driving (approx. 100 km)1 × US$15 · check | US$15 |
| Desert Canyon Golf (18 holes, weekday)2 × US$18 · check | US$36 |
| Supercross Track practice fee2 × US$20 · check | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$45 |
| Trip total≈ US$248 per person per day, bed included | US$496 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights and car rental excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (diner) | $2–3 |
| Burger and fries | $10–14 |
| Beer (domestic, bar) | $4–6 |
| Gas (per gallon) | $3.50–4.50 (check) |
| Motel room (budget chain) | $60–90 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Gas stations and restaurants thin out after 9 PM on weekdays.
- Desert Canyon Golf Course has no sand bunkers — fine for beginners, but experienced golfers may be bored.
- Supercross Track is open June–September only; check their Facebook page for race schedules.
- Winter storms can close I-84 between Boise and Mountain Home; carry chains or delay travel.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Mountain Home Police (non-emergency)
- 208-587-2100
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Mountain HomeMountain Home, Idaho
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this address, pleaseTake me to this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Mountain Home Police (non-emergency)208-587-2100
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Boise Airport → Mountain Home (taxi or rideshare): about $60–80, 45 min (check)
- Salt Lake Express bus (Boise → Mountain Home): about $15–25, 1 h (check)
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much? — How much? (how much)
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the bathroom? (where is the restroom)
English is universal; no local phrases needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Mountain Home. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, some businesses close) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Desert Canyon Golf Course and Supercross Track with seasonal hours and prices.
- Eat pages for the 3–4 reliable diners and drive-ins.
- Sleep pages for the top-rated chain motel and the historic inn.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for I-84 eastbound and westbound.
Sources
Ask about Mountain Home
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