SOUTH CENTRAL IDAHO A PERFECT LOCATION FOR THE ADVENTURINGADVENTURING SPIRIT | OFFICIAL IDAHO STATE TRAVEL GUIDE TRAVEL | OFFICIAL STATE IDAHO 48 Snake River Early settlers found the Snake River Plain a bit too dry for their taste, so they set about building a dam and irrigation canals along the Snake River. These structures so dramatically changed the landscape—turning arid, cracked soil into fertile agricultural fields—that the area became known as the “Magic Valley.” Everywhere you look, you’ll see evidence of the earth’s forces at work: deep canyons, high bluffs, unusual rock formations, and even lava flows. Sure, this area is a geologist’s dream, but its terrain also delivers big fun for the adventurer in you. The Snake River is at the heart of the valley’s recreation, inviting you to swim, raft, speedboat, and paddle its waters, and BASE jump and zip-line into its stunning canyon. The river’s reservoirs are pristine destinations for camping, hunting, and fishing—and are home to an abundance of big game and other wildlife. Throughout the region, see springs surge from within cliff walls and thundering waterfalls crash and churn into canyons. Wander through lava tubes, discover world-famous fossil beds, and eat homemade ice cream. Take a relaxing drive through Hagerman’s peaceful country- side and make your way to City of Rocks National Reserve, where granite columns and spires stand guard over a 500-acre windswept valley. Follow Visit Idaho on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and other social media channels. VISITIDAHO.ORG | 49 #VisitIdaho SOUTH CENTRAL IDAHO ‹ ADVENTURES AS DRAMATIC AS THE LANDSCAPE HAGERMAN VALLEY the Hagerman National Fish Hatchery, producer of steelhead and rainbow The valley around Hagerman was trout. While you’re in the area, visit the place to be during the Pliocene Ritter Island, one of the many units of Epoch (that’s about 3.5 million years Thousand Springs State Park. Ritter ago). The area holds the richest fossil Island, which sits along the Snake deposits of the period, including the River between two springs, is a lush oldest fossils anywhere of Equus, the haven for wildlife, especially heron, genus that includes modern horses. golden eagles, and prairie falcon. If You can see a replica of the “Hagerman you continue along the scenic byway, Horse” at the Hagerman Fossil Beds you’ll head into the western Magic National Monument Visitor Center on Valley at Buhl, a charming little town Balanced Rock Main Street downtown and, depending with a thriving arts community. Detour on the season, take a ranger-led tour south past Castleford, and you’ll see of the beds. Ask at the visitor center an awesome sight—Balanced Rock. about hiking, biking, and horseback This giant wind-carved rock is 48 feet riding in the monument. To see the high and weighs 40 tons, and it stands valley’s incredible mix of geological precariously on a tiny rock pedestal. features and rural farmlands, drive the Take a picnic and hike up to the rock Thousand Springs Scenic Byway, which from the nearby Balanced Rock Park. begins in Bliss and drops down into the Snake River Canyon. South of Hager- If you’re driving the Hagerman Valley man, you’ll see the Thousand Springs along I-84, stop at Malad Gorge to see area, where waters from the Snake the Malad River rushing into a steep River Plain aquifer tumble from canyon 250-foot canyon on its way to the Snake walls. The springs’ cool temperatures River. Walk the bridge for a great view are ideal for rearing trout—in fact, most of the Devils Washbowl waterfalls. of the trout eaten in the U.S. come From I-84, access several units of the from this valley. You’re welcome to tour Thousand Springs State Park, including Billingsley Creek (grab your fishing rod), the 350-acre Earl M. Hardy Box | OFFICIAL IDAHO STATE TRAVEL GUIDE TRAVEL | OFFICIAL STATE IDAHO 50 Follow Visit Idaho on all your favorite social media channels. #VisitIdaho City of Rocks Canyon Springs Preserve, with a 20-foot runoff; ask at the visitor center about waterfall and crystal-clear springs, current water flow.) There’s a lot more and Niagara Springs, which offers an to do around here than just look at amazingly rugged drive into the canyon. the canyon, though. Amp up your adventure by rafting or kayaking the In Hagerman, stop for lunch or dinner Snake River’s many rapids, especially in at the Snake River Grill, where inno- the exciting Murtaugh section. Or rent vative chef Kirt Martin and his staff a kayak at Centennial Park and paddle prepare locally grown catfish, alligator, below the Perrine Bridge toward Pillar and trout with fresh, seasonal ingredi- Falls and climb on the basalt pillars. ents. Continue the culinary adventure BASE Jumping with a tasting at the organic Holesinsky There’s also indoor adventure here. Vineyard and Winery in Buhl. Treat Kids will enjoy the fossils and Native the kids to homemade ice cream at American artifacts—and the 50-foot Cloverleaf Creamery, where you can planetarium dome—at the Herrett get huge scoops in unusual flavors like Center on the College of Southern black licorice and vanilla cloverleaf. Idaho campus. Downtown, view works by local artists at Full Moon Gallery, TWIN FALLS browse Rudy’s–A Cook’s Paradise, or On the south rim of the Snake River grab a drink at Annie’s Lavender and Canyon sits Twin Falls, the Magic Coffee, where you’ll find lavender Valley’s largest city. You might remem- essential oils, soaps, and culinary ber that Evel Knievel tried to jump the ingredients. See what it was like to Snake River Canyon in 1974 on his live in the Magic Valley long ago at the special “rocket” motorcycle; he didn’t Twin Falls County Historical Museum, make it very far, but the attempt was and, in nearby Jerome, at the Idaho impressive nonetheless, considering Farm & Ranch Museum and Jerome the canyon is a mile wide and 500 feet County Historical Museum. In Hansen, deep in that spot. You’ll find awesome take a self-guided tour of Rock Creek views of the canyon at the visitor center Station, a preserved settlement that on the southwest side of the Perrine once served as a transportation center Bridge, where you’ll also likely see for the Oregon Trail. Twin Falls’ culinary BASE jumpers in action, free-falling options range from the down-home, into the canyon. Stroll to the east side always-bustling Buffalo Café to the of the bridge to admire a sculpture more upscale Canyon Crest and City of Rocks called The Twins by Coeur d’Alene artist Elevation 486—both on the canyon David Clemons. If you look down, you’ll rim, where stunning views complement see two golf courses and Centennial outstanding menus. Park, a great spot for taking photos If you’re near Shoshone between May of the bridge, picnicking, boating, and September, cool off underground and fishing. At Shoshone Falls Park, at the Shoshone Ice Caves. The “cave” catch an amazing view of waterfalls is actually a lava tube with a year-round cascading 212 feet down from the rim ice floor. Bring a sweater; even in of the canyon; the falls are actually summer, the 45-minute tour can be slightly taller than Niagara Falls—so a selfie is probably in order here. (The falls are most stunning during spring Snake River REGIONAL INFO ‹ LARGEST CITY TWIN FALLS Population – 45,158 ‹ REGIONAL CLIMATE Summer Average High – 88° Winter Average High – 35° Annual Precipitation – 8" ‹ ELEVATION Highest – 10,339' (Cache Peak) Lowest – 2,575' (Snake River) Perrine Bridge SOUTH CENTRAL IDAHO REGIONAL MAP ‹ ENJOY OUR ROADSIDE DISTRACTIONS 75 Sawtooth 93 Scenic 46 Byway A Shoshone 84 26 24 Minidoka Wendell 71 Lake 86 Hagerman Walcott Jerome Rupert Thousand Lake Walcott Thousand State Park Springs Snake River Heyburn Scenic B Springs State Byway Park Buhl 30 81 Filer Twin Falls Hansen 30 Burley Albion 93 27 B 77 City of Rocks Hollister Backcountry Oakley Byway C 84 A Castle Rocks Almo State Park Rogerson City of Rocks National Reserve 93 SCENIC DRIVES Jackpot ‹ Sawtooth Scenic Byway A 208-774-3411 ‹ Thousand Springs Scenic Byway B 800-255-8946 ‹ City of Rocks Backcountry Byway C 208-824-5519 For video, itineraries, and a state byway guide, go to visitidaho.org/scenic-byways. SKI AREAS A ‹ Magic Mountain Ski & Summer Resort magicmountainresort.com B ‹ Pomerelle Mountain Resort pomerelle.com skiidaho.us | OFFICIAL IDAHO STATE TRAVEL GUIDE TRAVEL | OFFICIAL STATE IDAHO 52 chilly. You can take a self-guided tour Craters of the Moon area. Whether you of another lava tube at the nearby like geology or just being in a majestic ‹ ENJOY OUR ROADSIDE DISTRACTIONS Mammoth Cave; it’s not icy but it shares place, take a drive south of Burley to a location with the very unusual Castle Rocks State Park and City of Shoshone Bird Museum. Rocks National Reserve. Here, granite spires and columns 60 stories high cre- BURLEY/RUPERT ate one of the most dramatic skylines When you’re ready to play, head to you’ll ever see. More than 700 charted routes await rock climbers—this is 75 Burley, where locals enjoy access to 20- Oakley plus miles of Snake River shoreline. You renown granite-crag territory—and can swim, fish, water-ski, wakeboard, the unusual landscape just begs to be Sawtooth 93 explored on foot, mountain bike, or Scenic and windsurf here; a lot of the action 46 Byway A starts at the public docks and ramps at horseback.