4 Ways to Experience the North Rim at Idaho’s Snake River Canyons Park 

©Journal Communications/Jeff Adkins

Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or an adrenaline-filled adventure, Snake River Canyons Park in Jerome County, Idaho, offers the just-right blend of natural beauty and outdoor excitement. Steep canyon walls and a winding river below provide the scenic backdrop of the park that spans roughly 7,000 acres and offers all kinds of outdoor activities. 

There’s a little something for everyone here, from dog-friendly hiking trails to picnic tables for a lunch in the great outdoors to kayaking opportunities in the river below and rock-climbing routes near the park. 

Snake River Canyons Park keeps getting better, too. In 2023, Rickett’s RV Camp opened, making it easy to turn your day trip into an overnight stay. Next up, the park is planning to build a new overlook on the north side of the Snake River Canyon that’s designed to show off views of Shoshone Falls, famously known as the “Niagara of the West.” 

Here are four unique ways to explore and enjoy the public park.

Hit the Trails 

Hike amid the desert sagebrush that comes in shades of green, blue and purple. The park’s 50 miles of trails allow for short circuits or longer treks. Keep your eyes peeled for elk, deer and birds of prey. For those exploring on two wheels, the park features a mountain bike course. 

©Journal Communications/Jeff Adkins

Play Disc or Foot Golf 

Test your aim at the Bridger Baxter Disc and Foot Golf Course, a free 18-hole course designed with elevation changes and natural obstacles, with some Idaho wind thrown in to keep things interesting. Each green features both a disc golf basket and a foot golf target, so whether you’re slinging discs or kicking soccer balls, you’re in for a challenge. 

Go Off-Roading or Rock Crawling 

Snake River Canyons Park features miles of rugged trails, lava rock outcroppings and desert terrain perfect for off-highway-vehicle adventures and rock crawling. Whether you’re a beginner looking for a scenic drive or an experienced off-roader seeking a challenge, the park offers diverse landscapes to test your skills. The unique volcanic topography provides a thrilling and memorable experience for enthusiasts of all levels. 

Enjoy Bird-Watching 

Pack your binoculars and see how many birds you can spot on your birding life list. More than 140 bird species can be spotted throughout the year at Snake River Canyons Park. Raptors soar along the canyon walls and skim the edges of the Snake River, while ducks paddle around Vineyard Lake. Robins love to gather near the waterfalls along the Nellis-Irwin Trail, and the park’s open grassy areas attract meadowlarks and bright yellow goldfinches. The park also has 50 different species of plants. 

Explore everything the park has to offer at snakerivercanyonspark.com.