Sara Sheehy worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip.
Twin Falls, situated on the edge of the jaw-dropping Snake River Canyon, is a popular stopping point for travelers along Interstate 84 and Highway 93. While Twin Falls can certainly satisfy your hunger and give you a spot to supercharge your Tesla, it is so much more. After spending 36 hours experiencing the diverse recreation and stunning scenery that Twin Falls has to offer, you may not want to leave.
Getting There
Twin Falls is located at the crossroads of Interstate 84 and Highway 93. By car, you can reach Twin Falls within two hours of Boise, Sun Valley, Pocatello, and Jackpot, Nevada.
Flights are available daily to the Magic Valley Regional Airport on Delta Airlines.
Day 1: Soak and Dine
Evening: Travel to Twin Falls and check into your accommodations. Hotels are plentiful along Blue Lakes Drive, the commercial hub of the region. For a bit of luxury, book a stay in the soaking suite at the newly renovated, boutique Blue Lakes Inn. Take a soak in the spacious tub before heading to dinner at Elevation 486. Perched on the rim of the Snake River Canyon, Elevation 486 has one of the best views in town and the food to match (and the pan-roasted quail is out of this world).
Day 2: Explore the Snake River Canyon
Morning: Get a caffeine kick at Java, a local coffee shop famous for its mocha-based Bowl of Soul. Stop by the Twin Falls Visitor Center to check out the panoramic view of the Snake River Canyon, see the site where Evel Knievel tried to span the canyon in a rocket-powered motorcycle, and view the historic Perrine Stage Coach. From the Visitor Center, take a walk along the paved Snake River Canyon Trail and take pictures of the magnificent Perrine Bridge. If you’re feeling daring, tandem BASE jumping is available!
Afternoon: Take a picnic lunch to one of the many riverside picnic tables at Centennial Waterfront Park. After eating, hop in a rental kayak from AWOL Adventure Sports. Two hours is enough time to paddle underneath Perrine Bridge and back and there is plenty to explore along the shore. A longer paddle will pass by waterfalls as they cascade down the steep canyon walls. Rental includes the kayak, lifejacket, paddle, and a whistle.
Evening: Before the sun sets, make your way to Shoshone Falls Park. Shoshone Falls, called the “Niagara of the West,” cascades 212 feet down a horseshoe-shaped cliff. The water is dam-controlled, and when it is at its peak flow a mist will rise from the crashing water and engulf the two viewing platforms. Shoshone Falls is a must-do activity in Twin Falls and is one of the most popular attractions in Idaho.
Day 3: Hike Around
Morning: Have you ever walked behind a waterfall? There’s no better place to try it out than at Perrine Coulee Falls. Park at the first steep switchback on Canyon Springs Road and take the short hike behind the falls. The hiking path is wide; though expect to get a bit wet from the waterfall’s spray.
Afternoon: Spend your last afternoon chasing waterfalls or zipping across the canyon. Explore Auger Falls, a churning, cascading waterfall, by foot or mountain bike. If you’ve had your fill of waterfalls book a ziplining adventure with AWOL Adventure Sports and zip across the bottom of the Snake River Canyon. Grab a sandwich from Twin Falls Sandwich Company before making your way toward home.
Travel Tips
- Shoshone Falls is most spectacular when it runs high in the spring, but regular dam releases ensure there is always water flowing over the falls.
- For a day trip from Twin Falls, check out Massacre Rocks State Park. This one-time stage stop has excellent camping, bird watching, kayaking, and hiking. Look outside the women’s bathroom at the Visitor Center to see if the bats are using the wire hung above the door as a roost.
- For a fun indoor activity try the Earl & Hazel Faulkner Planetarium at the College of Southern Idaho. The shows change regularly and are all projected via a state-of-the-art Digitstar 5 full-dome system.
Sara Sheehy seeks adventure in the mountains of Idaho and beyond. She is the founder of Camp Academy, an online beginners guide to camping and hiking.
Published on July 12, 2018
