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Idaho has plenty of beautiful waterfalls, but none so spectacular as Shoshone Falls. It's often call the Niagara of the West, and rightly so. At 212 feet, Shoshone is higher than Niagara Falls by 36 feet. The rim is more than 900 feet wide.
Situated east of Twin Falls along the Snake River, Shoshone Falls is most impressive in the spring and early summer. You can feel the spray on your face from the observation points. By summer, water has been diverted for irrigation; even so, the falls are still magnificent no matter what time of year you go.
There are plenty of activities for everyone at Shoshone Falls. The developed visitor area includes:
- Picnic areas
- Hiking trails
- Boat ramp
- Playgrounds
- Scenic overlooks
- Swimming area
- Visitor information
- ADA accessible restrooms
If you want a little more excitement and have some time, consider seeing the falls from the Snake River viewpoint. You can take a half-day or full-day trip from Centennial Park to the base of Shoshone Falls. Meals, guides, and transportation are included in the $75/person fee. Contact Idaho Guide Service at (208) 734-4998.
Neysa CM Jensen is a Boise writer, mother, musician, and teacher. Her favorite trips always involve waterfalls.
For more information:
Twin Falls Chamber of Commerce
858 Blue Lakes Blvd N.
Twin Falls, ID 83301
(208) 733-3974
twinfallschamber.com
Getting to Shoshone Falls from the Boise area: Head east on I-84 (about 118 miles). Merge onto US-93 S Exit 173 toward Twin Falls (about 3.5 miles). Turn east (left) onto Falls Ave. and follow it about 3 miles to Champlin Rd. (there is a Shoshone Falls sign). Turn left (north) and follow Champlin Rd. to Shoshone Falls Park (about 2 miles).
To add even more scenic beauty into the trip, take the Thousand Springs Scenic Byway. Exit the interstate at Bliss and take US 30 into Twin Falls. It's gorgeous, and if you like to see water falling from cliffs, you'll find plenty of it just coming out of the side of the hills.
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