Central and southern Idaho have stunning scenery and the most beautiful and unique waterfalls.
There are so many waterfalls in Idaho and we were only able to visit a few of them. Here are the ones we visited. I noticed it could be tricky to find some of these falls and there were not a lot of signs or any signs really. So make sure you do your research on how to find them before you go and plan out your route.
Falls Creek Falls
You never would have known this magnificent falls existed from the road. GPS will take you to the general area and there is a little bridge you go over and then some parking along the side of the dirt road. Take the trail down a bit and you can see the falls. You can explore a couple paths to get the best view. We did not climb down to the falls because we didn’t have the appropriate footwear. You can also take a boat to the base of the falls and climb on the rocks at the falls.
The views of the surrounding area really add to the beauty of the falls as you see the snake river winding through the landscape. At the right time of day you could really capture the lighting hitting it perfectly. The falls are located near Idaho Falls and there is no fee. There were only a couple cars when we got there so it is not too busy.
Perrine Coulee Falls
GPS will take you to the top of the falls where you can hike in the area. If you follow the road down to the Centennial Waterfront Park there is a hairpin curve that has parking for about 4-5 cars and you can access the falls more easily. Once you are there you can take the path around and behind the falls. It falls 200 feet and you can feel the spray and mist as you walk behind it. It overlooks a golf course that would be fun to play as it has views of the falls. It is located in Twin Falls and there are a lot of other things to do in the area. Definitely worth visiting this area for at least 1-2 days. There is no fee but it can be tricky to find. Here is a great article on how to find it https://twooutliers.com/perrine-coulee-falls-idaho/
Shoshone Falls
Located in the Twin Falls area and it costs $5 to enter March 1st - September 30th which is worth the views. We visited at the end of July so the falls weren’t flowing as much as they do in the Spring but still beautiful. There are a few viewing areas and it wasn’t too crowded when we went, which was around 5-6 pm. I would visit in the evening when the sun is shining on the falls with more of a golden light. They have a gift shop there as well. It just closed as we got there. You can also take a paddleboard or kayak up to the falls. We didn’t see anyone doing this at the time we were there but it is an option. Shoshone falls is one of the largest waterfalls in the United States at 212 feet tall and 900 feet wide. They call it the Niagara of the West.
Thousand Springs State Park - Lemmon and Minnie Miller
Thousand Springs Park is made up of several areas to explore. We were on a mission to see the waterfalls so we visited Lemmon and Minnie Miller falls at the Ritter Island section of the park. GPS will take you through private property so be aware of this as you navigate your way. There are small signs signaling where to go but they are not at all obvious. We were not there at an ideal time of day to photograph the falls in all their beauty but they were still beautiful. Ritter Island has odd hours to get on the island so make sure you look them up before planning to go.
There's a cool barn that you can go to on the island and then take a short hike to Minnie Miller Falls. It was extremely hot when we were there at the end of July and it was the afternoon so I would highly recommend bringing water. Wear closed toe shoes as the ground is very dry and will poke into you if you have sandals. The water there is crystal clear and cold and the vegetation is bright green. There were a ton of people paddleboarding and kayaking in the river which you could paddle to Minnie Miller falls too.
Some other falls that we did not explore are Twin Falls, Pillar Falls, Auger Falls, Caldron Linn, Niagara Springs, Malad Gorge and Devil’s Washbowl, and many more. For more information on these falls you can visit https://visitsouthidaho.com/waterfalls/
There are so many beautiful waterfalls and landscapes in southern Idaho that it is definitely worth a trip! If you love adventure, scenic views, and hiking you need to plan a trip to Idaho.