Fall in Love With Outdoor Activities in Idaho Falls, ID
Eastern Idaho is filled with fabulous vistas and equally fantastic outdoor adventures. Here is a look at some of the best outdoor activities in Idaho Falls and the stunning Eastern Idaho region.
In This Article
Chasing Waterfalls
Fall Creek Falls is literally just off the road, making it easy to enjoy the sight of the waterfall’s 60-foot descent into the Snake River.
It takes barely 15 minutes of an easy hike along a well-maintained trail to reach Sheep Falls. For a longer hike with an even bigger payoff, take the 2-mile round trip to the Upper Mesa Falls, clocking in at 110 feet high and 300 feet wide.
Boating, Swimming and Fishing
The Snake River might be the most famous water feature in Eastern Idaho, but it is merely a drop in the bucket when it comes to places for boating, swimming and fishing throughout the region.
Bear Lake sprawls for more than 160 square miles, providing plenty of room for water-skiing, while Rigby Lake is a popular swimming destination for families. Anglers flock to Henrys Lake, considered to be one of the finest trout fisheries in the Western U.S.
The Teton River has serene stretches for floating as well as some challenging whitewater. Meanwhile, American Falls Reservoir offers a bit of it all: boating, canoeing, fishing and swimming.
Horseback Riding
One of the best ways to experience the West is by horseback. Ranches across Eastern Idaho provide trail excursions, including Yellowstone Horses at Eagle Ridge Ranch in Island Park and Granite Creek Ranch in Ririe. All skill levels, from beginner to experienced, can take in the views and enjoy the ride.
Rock Climbing
For those who are ready to graduate from the climbing gym and onto some real rocks, crags offer one of the best ways to make the transition.
Typically, a crag consists of a smaller cliff face, making it ideal for newer climbers who are not yet ready to tackle a major mountain. Beginners can safely test their limits on these rocks. Among the best places for crag climbing in Eastern Idaho are near the city of Pocatello and in the Swan Valley area between Idaho Falls and the Wyoming border.
Skiing, Snowshoeing and Snowmobiling
Outdoor activities in Idaho Falls and Eastern Idaho are unforgettable in all four seasons. Located 20 miles from Pocatello, the Pebble Creek Ski Area atop Mount Bonneville has been welcoming beginner and expert skiers alike for 75 years.
Skiing, tubing and snowboarding are all available at Kelly Canyon Resort in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. And close by, the Big Hole Mountains are another snow sport destination known for its snowmobiling opportunities.
Just across the border in Wyoming, the Grand Targhee Resort has the perfect trails for skiing, snowshoeing and even dogsledding.
Caving
Not all the great scenery is found above ground. Caves also can provide a dazzling visual display. More than 40,000 visitors each year venture underground at Minnetonka Cave in the Cache National Forest. Put a dent in your daily steps (888 each way) in order to witness some remarkable limestone-rock drip formations. Though the attraction is open to the public only during the warmer months of late May through early September, the cave remains a brisk 40 degrees year-round.
For a trip worthy of its spacy name, Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve features more than 700 documented caves within the park.
Mountain Biking
You can see much of the same glorious scenery, but at a quicker pace, by hitting the mountain bike trails.
Harriman State Park, located within a 16,000-acre wildlife refuge in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, has more than 20 miles of trails, highlighted by a loop around Silver Lake. The views don’t get much better than those available along the trails at Henrys Lake State Park, located just 15 miles from the edge of Yellowstone and surrounded on three sides by the Continental Divide. And for a true sense of adventure, tackle the numerous options available in the Teton Pass trail network.
Backpacking
To truly delve into the Eastern Idaho scenery, strap on a backpack and start hiking. There are nearly 350 miles of trails weaving through the 217,000-acre Sawtooth Wilderness. The area is particularly popular in July and August, when colorful wildflowers are in bloom.
In addition, the Eastern Idaho portion of the massive Caribou-Targhee National Forest (over 3 million acres total) has numerous backpacking options for all levels of ability and experience.
Now that you’ve checked out a sampling of great outdoor activities in Idaho Falls and Eastern Idaho, it’s time to get exploring!
Bonus: Amazing National Parks Nearby!
There are places that are in the middle of nowhere. And then there is Eastern Idaho, which is in the middle of something special. Both Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park are an easy drive from the Eastern Idaho region.
Technically, Eastern Idaho is close to the entrance of Yellowstone, which then spreads out over 2.2 million acres and can take weeks to fully explore. But even driving to the western edge of the park is a trip well worth making for the spectacular scenery and the opportunities to view wildlife.
At 310,000 acres, Grand Teton National Park is more compact but no less enjoyable. It has many of the same attributes as Yellowstone National Park. When visiting, take in the majesty of the namesake Grand Teton, which reaches over 13,000 feet in elevation.
Get to Know Eastern Idaho
Want to learn more about living and working in Idaho Falls and Eastern Idaho? Check out the latest edition of Livability Eastern Idaho.