Fifteen EPIC Places to Add to Your Southern Idaho Bucket List!

When thinking about planning an amazing hiking trip, Idaho often doesn’t come to mind for most. People typically assume that Idaho is flat, boring and full of corn and potato fields; however that couldn’t be further from the truth! Known as the “Gem State”, Idaho is full of natural wonders from majestic waterfalls to volcanic lava caves and unique rock formations. There is no shortage of rolling green hills, mountain views and hot springs. It is basically a nature lovers’ paradise, and luckily for you not a lot of people are hip to the secret yet. Once you are done checking out these fifteen epic places, I have no doubt that Idaho will be added your adventure bucket list!

1. Pine Flats Hot Springs, Lowman Idaho

If hot springs are your thing then this first place is going to blow your mind, because not only is it chock full of geothermal pools to relax in, but there are several hot spring waterfalls here as well! Located approximately 69 miles from Boise in Lowman, Idaho sits this natural beauty. Considered to be part of the Boise National Forest, this little “hot spot” is located right off the side of the road, with amazing views of the Payette River while you soak. The trail is about 0.6 miles out and back down to the river where the first pools lay.

Here is the tricky part, because if you want to get to the best pool with the waterfall shown above, you do need to brace the cold river water for a short bit and hike upstream and around the corner of the cliffside. This may be more difficult at times when the water levels are high, so caution is advised. The few moments of cold are easily rewarded as you turn the corner and warm up under the hot waterfall trickling overhead. If you are lucky, you might just see some river otters floating by like I did! There is also a campground on site if you wish to stay the night. Reservations can be made here.

2. Jump Creek Falls, Marsing Idaho

This next spot is very reminiscent of a high desert climate and has plenty of scenery to take in as you make your way through the canyon towards Jump Creek Falls. Although this waterfall is usually lower flow, the surrounding area is full of nooks and crannies to explore, including several small recess caves. The trail itself is a short and sweet 0.6 miles round trip, but you could easily spend hours here checking out the different viewpoints. This trail is kid and dog friendly as well, making it a local favorite! I visited here in the fall, and the vibrant yellow leaves on the trees really popped against the blue sky, creating a spectacular visual effect.

3. Lemmon Falls, Ritter Island

If you’ve ever wished you could visit the land pictured on the Hidden Valley Ranch bottle, this next place will take you there (metaphorically speaking of course)! Located in Thousand Springs State Park, Ritter Island is a special treasure in the state of Idaho and the scenery will truly take your breath away. The first waterfall you will come to is called Lemmon Falls (pictured above) and I think of all the waterfalls I have visited in Idaho, this one is my absolute favorite. This gorgeous cascade is surrounded by lush mosses, as it flows down the hillside and into the vibrant waters of the Snake River. The walk down to the waterfall viewpoint is very short from the parking lot, however there is a $7.00 fee to enter the state park. This is a wonderful place to launch a kayak or SUP board if you wish to explore the river after your short hike.

4. Minnie Miller Falls, Ritter Island

While you are visiting Ritter Island, this next waterfall is within a short walking distance from the parking area and is a true representation of why this area is referred to as Thousand Springs State Park. Due to its unique formation of multiple individual springs welling from the hillside above, Minnie Miller Falls is surely a sight to behold. The bridge crossing into Ritter Island is only open Thursday through Monday (closed Tuesday and Wednesday), from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, so plan your visit here accordingly if you wish to view these springs for yourself.

5. Box Canyon, Wendell Idaho

Located nearby in the Hagerman Valley is our next stop, which is called Box Canyon. This is one of the many units located in Thousand Springs State Park, and a hike that will take you down into a gorgeous canyon with a stop at a whimsical 20-foot waterfall along the turquoise blue waters of the Snake River. This easy to moderate trail is 4.3 miles roundtrip with about 400 feet of elevation gain. Parking here is $7.00, but if you’re visiting other units within Thousand Springs State Park, you can use the same parking pass.

6. Balanced Rock, Buhl Idaho

This next stop is one of my favorites because it is so unique and to be frank, kind of strange! I don’t think I’ve encountered many places like it in all my years of traveling. This interesting geological formation is literally what the name describes… a huge rock, playing a dangerous balancing act on the cliffside above. While the imposing monolith appears fragile, it is actually quite sturdy. The hike to get there is somewhat steep, although short, and if you do want that classic Instagram shot with the rock in the background, it does require some scrambling. This place is perfect at sunrise or sunset with the golden light highlighting the stunning views all around.

7. Pillar Falls, Twin Falls Idaho

As we make our way past Boise going towards Twin Falls, this next stop is another distinctive area with interesting rock formations. There are several ways to access it, including renting a kayak or SUP board and traveling upstream, however I am going to focus on the hike, as that is the only way I’ve visited it in the past. The hike itself is only 1 mile roundtrip; however, it is almost 400 feet of elevation gain, and as you know what goes down must eventually come back up! Once you reach the bottom of the canyon you can explore the area around the rocks at your own pace. This place is best visited when the water level is lower, as you can more easily access the giant rocks (pictured above) that are synonymous with this trail. In my opinion, they kind of look like giant potatoes. What do you think?

8. Perrine Coulee Falls, Twin Falls Idaho

This next natural wonder is Perrine Coulee Falls and is another roadside attraction that can be easily accessed with little effort. This 200-foot beauty provides jaw dropping views of the Snake River Canyon below, and you can actually walk behind this waterfall if you choose to get a closer look. The directions to this place are tricky, as you can’t park on the road that it sits on unfortunately. If you just want a quick view you can drive down Canyon Springs Road and you will see the waterfall to the left of the hairpin turn. If you are planning to stay for a bit, then you do need to hike up to the waterfall. You can do so by traveling down the road and parking at the Mogensen Trail parking lot.

9. Snake River Canyon, Twin Falls Idaho

The Snake River Canyon is truly the crown jewel of Idaho and the Twin Falls area. Known for its colorful turquoise waters and the imposing Perrine Bridge, it is easy to see why it is one of the most beautiful natural areas in the state. It can be viewed and accessed from many different trailheads. Some of these include:

• Pillar Falls Trail.
• Snake River Canyon Rim Trail.
• Mogensen Trail.
• Centennial Waterfront Park.

If you are feeling extra adventurous, you can even book a bungee or base jump off the Perrine Bridge for extra thrills!

10. Black Magic Canyon, Shoshone Idaho

Our next stop is going to take us on a little detour away from the city and into lava country. This unique slot canyon was formed as the Big Wood River forged a path through volcanic lava fields, creating an otherworldly maze of smooth black stone deep within. This strange place is not always accessible, as it is used for irrigation purposes and can be filled with water during certain parts of the year. Always call the Big Wood Canal Company (208-886-2331) first to check the water levels in the canyon. This place is off the beaten path and somewhat of a long drive, so you don’t want to get all the way out here only to find it’s closed. There is no maintained trail here, so you can make your own adventure by climbing and exploring the nooks and crannies of these twisted rock walls.

11. Teepee Rocks, Oakley Idaho

This next place is probably the most difficult to get to, as even though it is only 61 miles from Twin Falls, it takes almost 2 hours to get there. Nestled in the Sawtooth National Forest, the Teepee Rocks are located at the end of the very rough and bumpy 11-mile Trapper Creek Road. This road is best done in a high clearance vehicle due to the large ruts and potholes, making it a long and slow journey. Along the way, you will also pass several open range cattle farms, so be prepared to wait for several cows to move as you drive along.

Despite the effort it takes to get here, as you can see right away, this place is special! The Teepee Rocks seem to be from a different world, as their unusual conical shape is unlike any you’ve probably ever seen before. That seems to be the trend out here, huh? This place is popular amongst photographers during golden hour, and especially if you are interested in astrophotography.

12. Tea Kettle Cave, Bliss Idaho

Another tough place to get to, yet an amazing reward at the end of your journey, lays Tea Kettle Cave. This place is only for the most serious adventurers, as there is no trail and you must descend down into the cave system through a small opening in the ground. This place is only accessible in a high clearance/AWD vehicle, and even then must take extreme caution due to the deeply rugged terrain. Typically, people rent ATVs and drive them out here due to the road conditions. This place is very difficult to find (as it is essentially a hole in the ground), so it is highly recommended to download a map prior to making the trip out here, as there’s no cell phone reception.

This cave is best visited mid-day if you are looking to see the impressive beam of light entering the top of the cave. One thing of importance to note is that the center of the cave floor is home to ancient ferns that have grown under very unique conditions down here, that are encircled by stone cairns. You MUST NOT cross this rock barrier and trample the protected ferns. Conserving the fragile ecosystem of this site ensures it will be around for many years to come (and stay accessible to visitors)!

13. Little City of Rocks, Gooding Idaho

Not to be confused with the City of Rocks in Almo Idaho, the Little City of Rocks is a playground for children and adults of all ages to explore and admire. Home to many interesting rock formations, you will see hoodoos and natural arches galore in this area, some of which you can even walk through. There is not really a specific trail to follow, but more of a choose your own adventure, as you walk along and discover new things around each corner. You can also find petroglyphs carved into some of the rock walls if you’re lucky. Rattlesnakes are abundant in this area so be mindful of where you step or place your hands, as they are often hiding underneath the rocks or laying out in the sun. Little City of Rocks is located about 49 miles from Twin Falls.

14. Craters of the Moon National Monument, Arco Idaho

Craters of the Moon is the only National Monument on this list and its own park where you can take many different paths to explore the underground lava tube caves and cinder cones that you will see along your drive. The entrance fee is $20 per car, but they do accept the America the Beautiful National Parks Pass here as well.

Starting at the Visitors Center, you will pass along many stops on the Loop Road including:

• Spatter Cones and Big Craters Trail (pictured above).
• The Inferno Cone viewpoint.
• The Devil’s Orchard.
• The Cave’s Trail (this is the highlight of the park, and I will go into more detail about below).

15. Mermaid Cove, Jerome Idaho

The last stop is, you guessed it, another waterfall. After trekking back to the Twin Falls area, you will wander to the small town of Jerome. Mermaid Cove is accessed from Yingst Road off of Golf Course Road. After a short downhill stroll from the parking area, you will hear the rush off water and come across this hidden oasis straight out of a fairy tale. A dip in this lovely watering hole is the perfect end to a long day of hiking in the Idaho sun.

I hope you found this Southern Idaho Blog helpful when planning your next big adventure. Idaho is so full of beauty, and I’m so happy I took a chance to explore it, because now it is one of my favorite places I’ve traveled to. If you are a fan of epic landscapes, dazzling scenery and unique experiences, then I am positive Southern Idaho will win your heart over as well!

Happy Wandering!