Here We Have Idaho

Idaho was admitted to the United States in 1890, becoming the 43rd state in the country. While an average American may associate Idaho with potatoes, the state's official nickname is actually The Gem State due to the vast number of rare minerals that have been identified there. And if you're wondering why I've titled this blog "Here We Have Idaho", it's to pay homage to the official state song of Idaho.

I spent 4 days in the Gem State and I wished I had more time to visit other parts of the state like Boise and Coeur d' Alene, but if you are coming from the south like I did, Twin Falls make a great base. Frankly, I did not know much about this state other than the fact that a good friend of mine is from Twin Falls. Coincidentally enough, we were actually there at the same time when I visited, so she was more than happy to provide a few more recommendations to me. My plan was to head to Montana after Idaho, so I will break this Idaho guide into two parts:

1) Things to do in Twin Falls

2) Other Notable Places Worth Exploring in Idaho

Twin Falls, the Gateway to Snake River Canyon

Twin Falls may only have a population of around 50,000 (as of 2020) and most who visit the area may just past through, but the quaint town definitely has the charm and plenty of sightseeing to warrant a stop for few days. Downtown Twin Falls is rather unique in that the streets were purposely laid out diagonally: the roads run northeast-to-southwest and northwest-to-southeast. This design would allow sunlight shine into each building at any given point in the day. If you look on Google Maps, you can see this city plan starting from Addison Ave. from the north, Blue Lakes Blvd. from the east, Minidoka Ave. from the south, and Washington St. from the west. Downtown has the breweries, the food, and coffee shops, but the main outdoor sight sees are further up north near Snake River. If you can spend 2-3 days in Twin Falls, here is what I would recommend you do:

Start your morning off right with a fresh cup of coffee and breakfast at Java Coffee - Pole Line. Java Coffee is a local Idaho chain with several locations spread out across the state, but they open early at 6am or 7am and specifically recommend this location because it is on the way to my next recommendation, which is to explore the Snake River Canyon Rim Trail. This 10+mile trail overlooks Snake River and makes for a good morning walk or biking adventure. There are three entry points I recommend you explore:

1) Small parking lot at the intersection of Federation Rd. and Washington St. N

The first entry point is the most westward of the three, and offers a great view of the river, canyon, and Perrine Bridge. For golf enthusiasts out there, there are two golf courses on opposite sides of the river, so feel free to sneak in a round or two when you're in the area. This entry point is also great for folks that may have brought their bikes with you as you can start from this one end and bike your way towards Shoshone Falls.

2) Twin Falls Visitor Center lot, which is right next to the Perrine Bridge

The second entry point is the visitor center lot, which takes you directly next to the Perrine Bridge. Opened in 1976, the 1,500ft bridge spans over the canyon and is arguably the most famous bridge in the entire state because this is the only bridge in the United States where you can legally BASE jump without a permit. Therefore, the city has become a hot spot for BASE jumpers as it attracts thousands from all over the world. Park at the lot if you prefer not to hike around and want to explore the vicinity or even walk across the bridge.

3) Eastland/Poleline Trailhead to Shoshone Falls and Twin Falls

The Eastland/Poleline trailhead parking lot is located at the very northern part of Eastland Dr. N ( intersection of E 4100 N and N 3100 E). This was actually quite an interesting part of the trail because it goes through some private property and you get to see some cows along the way. If you keep heading east, you will past the famous Evel Knievel Snake River Canyon Jump Site, and this historic site warrants a quick tangent in itself.

For people who are unfamiliar with who Evel Knievel was, he was an American stunt artist who was known for ramp-to-ramp motorcycle jumps. On September 8, 1974, he set out to jump across the Snake River Canyon. With spectators looking on and national media coverage present, Evel tried and failed to jump over the canyon with his specially engineered rocket motorcycle. His parachute had deployed prematurely right before take-off and he survived the fall.

There is a plaque at the site that commemorates this event, but the site itself isn't that spectacular as a giant dirt hill is what remains. You can clearly see the ramp, but one would imagine if Evel would have made it across the canyon had everything went smoothly.

Afterwards, make your way back to downtown for a well-deserved lunch. If you want to have fresh and absolutely delicious sandwiches, check out Twin Falls Sandwich Company. They have a great selection of deli meats and it is also vegan-friendly! If you feel like you deserve a nice brewski after the hike, then make your way to Koto Brewing for burgers and brews. Head over to Twin Beans Coffee for a quick pick-me-up, although they close rather early at 3pm.

There are two waterfalls worth checking out in the area: Perrine Coulee Falls and Shoshone Falls. The former requires a hike into the falls while the latter is known as the "Niagara Falls of the West." Unfortunately I did not get a chance to visit Perrine Coulee, but I did catch the sunset at Shoshone.

At 212 feet, Shoshone Falls is actually higher than New York's Niagara Falls, but no where near as powerful. As you can see in the photos above, I went in the summer so the water flow was very weak. At prime waterfall season, the water flow is much more pronounced. One thing to remember is that the sun sets much later here in Idaho especially during the summer, so if you want to catch the sun set, you can take a quick nap and get here around 8pm and spend the rest of the daylight in the area.

There are several other activities or places you can explore if you can stay in the area for an extra day.

• Bruneau Dunes - Home to the tallest freestanding dunes in all of North America; you can make reservations to camp at their campgrounds for $7/night. It is an 1h 20minute drive west from Twin Falls.

• Kayak / Stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) - If you're a water sport person, then you can rent kayaks at Centennial Park, which is just west of the Perrine Bridge. You can go up the Snake River and go up to Pillar Falls, which is 2 miles upstream from the park. Rentals start at $20 for 2 hours or $30 for 4 hours depending on how much you want to explore.

• Craters of the Moon - this was one of my favorite sight sees in Idaho because nothing screams spooky than descending into pitch-black caves and walking on lava fields. It is an US national monument, so entry is included if you show your National Parks pass. It is a 1h 30minute drive from Twin Falls, and I would say you can spend 2-3 hours here. You will see that traffic flows one way so you can stop at each of the viewpoint, but the caves are towards the end of the Loop Road. Keep in mind that automobiles are prohibited on this road during the winter as it is only for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Other Notable Places Worth Exploring in Idaho

“There is no friend as loyal as a book.”

- Ernest Hemingway

When people hear Sun Valley, the first thing that comes to mind would be skiing, and that is warranted because it is one of the best ski resorts in all of the United States. However, if you visit the area during the warmer months, there are still plenty to see, notably in the Sawtooth National Forest area. If you are making your way up from the Twin Falls area or the Craters of the Moon, make a quick pit stop in Ketchum.

What's in Ketchum?!

Actually, the question should be: Who's in Ketchum?

Ernest Hemingway, a renowned 20th century American novelist famous for the pieces The Sun Also Rises, The Old Man and the Sea, and For Whom the Bell Tolls, is buried in Ketchum, Idaho, and you can quickly stop by the cemetery and pay homage. To this day, people would leave money, alcohol, and other items on his tombstone. Sad ending to his story but still a classical literary figure in American history.

As you continue north on the highway 75, you will eventually see the majestic peaks of the Sawtooth National Forest.

Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast or simply looking for a peaceful retreat, the Sawtooth National Forest is a must-see destination in Idaho. The forest is named after the jagged Sawtooth Mountains, which are known for the sharp peaks and breathtaking views. Camping in the Sawtooth National Forest can be a fantastic way to experience the beauty and solitude of the wilderness. I knew that I would spend the night here in my tent, so here are some key things you should be aware of if you decide to go the affordable route:

1. Campsite reservations: Some of the more developed campgrounds offer picnic tables, fire pits, and vault toilets. They also require reservations, so check ahead of time and make one if necessary.

2. Backcountry camping/ dispersed camping: Because it is a forest, there are some areas where you are permitted to pitch your tent without having to make a reservation. I encountered some man-made signs that informed you whether dispersed camping is allowed, and these are usually at least 0.5 miles away from the main road. You will not have the luxury of a picnic table or fire pits, so it is truly on your own.

3. First-come, first-serve campgrounds: There are campgrounds that are first-come, first-serve only. This is where you have to physically get to the campsite, write your name on a piece of paper, and pay the camping fee in-person. I stayed at the Sunny Gulch Campground , which was the perfect place for me because it was central to a few of the sightsees like Redfish Lake, Stanley Lake. In addition, it was a short drive away from the town of Stanley. There is a part of the drive where I just stopped on the side and took a photo behind me because the morning fog made the view extra spooky.

I suggest you take a look at the map of the national forest and identify which hikes or lakes you would like to explore so you can limit the number of times you have to drive up and down the Sawtooth Scenic Byway (highway 75).

The icing on the cake of this trip would be Stanley, a former mining town now home to roughly 110 people. I spent the night at the campground, so it was truly refreshing to wake up and drive to Stanley Baking Company & Café to get a delicious pastries, sandwiches, and a cup of coffee. You can even take it away and drive a bit south to Sawtooth Valley Pioneer Park to enjoy your food while you admire the Sawtooth peaks in front of you.

Note: The cafe is closed during the winter and usually re-opens around May!

If you explore this area when it's not middle of the summer, then you should definitely think about stopping by some of the hot springs the state offers.

Boat Box Hot Springs

1. Kirkham Hot Springs: This hot springs is actually situated closer to the Boise National Forest, but is one of the highly rated ones according to the internet.

2. Sunbeam Hot Springs: located about 13 miles northeast of Stanley along the Salmon River. You can just park your car and go directly to the hot springs.

3. Boat Box Hot Springs: Boat Box Hot Springs is located about 10 miles north of Stanley along the Salmon River. This one is of the more unique ones I've seen because it is essentially a tub situated right on the river and alongside the road. I had a hard time finding it, and there isn't much room to park your car on the side of the road. It was scalding hot so I did not bother jumping in, but definitely a great way to relax if you visit during the winter.

I was driving from the Sawtooths to Missoula, Montana, and I must conclude this blog post by saying that this journey from Idaho to Montana is one of the most scenic drives in the I have experienced in the US, and I highly recommend it for those looking to experience the beauty of the American West. I had my windows down most of the drive just to hear the Salmon River rushing alongside me as I made my way up. You will also be accompanied by mountains on both sides of the road, so it really did make the Salmon River Scenic Byway extremely enjoyable.

There you have it! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions on my time in Idaho!