Idaho is a state that is often overlooked by travellers, and being honest, we hadn’t planned to come here for anything more than a layover. We were aiming to travel from California to Montana via Nevada and Utah with only a brief drive through Idaho.
But, as is always the case, we got chatting to some people who said Idaho was worth a longer look. And I’m so glad we listened. The gem state is full of natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and charming small towns. One of those places that has you looking up property prices a few hours after arriving.
We started with Twin Falls in the Magic Valley region of the state, and we weren’t disappointed. It’s home to some of the most spectacular wonders in Idaho, including Shoshone Falls, the Perrine Bridge, and the Snake River Canyon.
Shoshone Falls is known as the “Niagara of the West”, and it definitely lives up to this. And is taller than Niagara Falls. As an added bonus it’s right next to Dierkes lake park where we spent a few hours playing and swimming to cool off. Some of the braver teenagers were trying cliff jumping there but that was one adventure too much for us.
But in true not your average adventure style we also found Perrine Coulee Falls and went for a walk behind them. Not for the faint hearted and I turned back the first time I tried before going again. Lots of fun and worth being brave for, although when the wind changed, we got soaked!
The Perrine Bridge is another great spot and popular for BASE jumping and offering stunning views of the canyon. Unfortunately, it was too windy for us to try >wink< so we settled for ziplining instead.
We choose AWOL adventures zip tour to celebrate Daniels 10th birthday. Our tour was led by two experienced and fun instructors, Kaitlyn and Chase (AKA ‘Catch‘ as he was the one saving us all at the bottom of each zip!). They were both very friendly and helpful, and they made sure that Daniel had a great time. In total we did 4 zips, and these were some of the longest in the area offering stunning views of the Snake River Canyon. Daniel had a blast zipping through the air, although being so light both him and Rory got stuck on one of the flatter lines. It all added to the adventure.
Alongside its natural beauty, Twin Falls also has a number of unique attractions that are worth visiting. One we’d recommend is Craters of the Moon National Monument, a lava field that is home to a variety of volcanic features and is truly an otherworldly place. The lava fields are a stark contrast to the surrounding landscape, and the colours are simply stunning…in fact parts of it seemed Martian with the red hue to the rocks. If you’re looking for a unique and unforgettable experience, then the Craters of the Moon National Monument is a must-visit.
Some tips for Idaho:
* The best time to visit Twin Falls is during the spring or fall, when the weather is mild, but we found it perfect in Summer once we had plenty of water and sunscreen.
* When visiting the Craters of the Moon National Monument wear sturdy shoes and again lots of water. While you can drive round the park, the most interesting features and caves are best seen on foot.
* If you are traveling with kids, be sure to check out the Yellowstone Gemstone Mining Company near Rexburg. This is a great place for kids to learn about geology and to have some real-world mining experience (especially if they are Minecraft enthusiasts like ours).
We had a fantastic time on our trip to Idaho, and we would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and adventurous vacation.
We’re off to Montana next so would love any recommendations you have. Drop a comment below or use the contact us button
