Southern Idaho Is a Nature Lover’s Dream Come True
Southern Idaho is a nature lover’s dream come true! Fire and rain literally forged the geography of Southern Idaho, as the combination of ancient volcanic lava flows and a significant flood created a visually vibrant landscape that is also home to a wide variety of plants and wildlife. As a result, the region offers a diverse landscape of mountains, canyons, rivers and unique geological formations
In This Article
1. Balanced Rock Park
This is a natural phenomenon you have to see for yourself in person! Balanced Rock is an incredible 48-foot-tall boulder balanced on a very small 3-foot base, shaped by wind and volcanic activity. Take a quick, albeit steep, hike to get the best views of the rock and the entire park beyond.
Pro tip: It’s especially gorgeous at sunrise or sunset! Pack a picnic, bring your camera, and find your own inner peace and balance in this serene setting.
2. Soldier Mountain Ski Area
This multiseasonal ski area offers adventures year-round, with skiing in the winter and mountain biking in the warmer months. Soldier Mountain contains 2,000 acres of backcountry terrain, best experienced via cat skiing, trax skiing or ski touring. With three lifts, 3,000 feet of vertical (up to 10,000 feet) and multiple trails of varying difficulty levels, it’s a skier’s dream locale. Bring your own equipment or rent on-site.
3. Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge
Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge spans over 20,000 acres, many of which are open water or wetlands. The refuge is in Lake Walcott State Park and includes multiple paved trails (many with educational plaques along the way), perfect for viewing the surrounding wildlife. There are, of course, designated viewing areas, but half the fun of hiking here is keeping an eye out for wildlife as you roam!
4. Heyburn Riverside RV Park
Enjoy incredible access to the Snake River at Heyburn Riverside RV Park, which offers not only proximity to the water but a slew of amenities to make your stay even more convenient. These full-service sites also have clean bathrooms, plus incredible views of the river and Mount Harrison. It’s also ideally located next to the Heyburn Arboretum, riverfront walking trail, and numerous boat docks and slips.
5. Albion Mountains
Attention rock climbers, mountaineers and hikers: The Albion Mountains are calling, and you should probably go. This mountain range includes Cache Peak, one of the highest peaks in Idaho at 10,339 feet. It’s also home to the City of Rocks, a collection of granite domes that has become a go-to destination for rock climbers, especially for friction and technical climbing. There’s a huge variety of differently shaped rocks, providing a nearly endless supply of thrilling climbing challenges.
6. Gooding County Snow Park
When winter hits, be sure to take a trip to Gooding County Snow Park, a snowmobile trail along the Gooding-Camas County line. With over 150 square miles of both private and federal Bureau of Land Management acreage, it’s an ideal location for fun winter activities beyond snowmobiling, including sledding and cross-country skiing. It’s more of a gentle path, with easy rolling hills that make for a fun, easygoing experience.
7. Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument
Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument is a government-protected land that serves as a resting place for countless fossils from the Pliocene epoch, including those of many extinct animals like the saber-toothed cat and ground sloth. Many of these fossils are over 3 million years old and can be viewed at the Thousand Springs Visitor Center. There are also multiple scenic overlooks for visitors to enjoy, with gorgeous Idaho views that stretch for miles.
8. Shoshone Ice Caves
Channel your inner spelunker and take a tour of the Shoshone Ice Caves, a geological phenomenon that will ignite your sense of wonder. Tour guides will lead you through the 1,700-foot enclosure and down 100 feet to view the incredible rock formations shaped by volcanic activity and time. It is extremely chilly down there, even in the warmer months, so be sure to bundle up!
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