If there is one thing that is not lacking in the West of the USA, it is natural beauty. For me, organizing a tour to discover these places is always a pleasure, but on the other hand, I also feel that sort of turmoil that occurs when faced with the immense list of places that remain off the itinerary due to a lack of time. One thing we must say, however: the East Coast still holds the record when it comes to waterfalls. The scepter remains firmly in the hands of Niagara Falls, the mighty waterfalls of New York State that each day attract droves of tourists wanting to see this symbol of the power of nature on Earth with their own eyes.
But as you know, the U.S. is a land of surprises, so I invite all lovers of waterfalls listening to prick up their ears: in Idaho there are the so-called Niagara Falls of the West that, hear hear – albeit of a smaller width and scope – are instead 45 ft higher than the falls in the State of New York! This illustrious unknown spectacle is called Shoshone Falls. The falls are located near the town of Twin Falls, named after another nearby waterfall that I will mention later. In this article, I would like to provide some information on how to see the Shoshone Falls and the best time to visit, as well as some tips on the itinerary that you can include them in as a stop-off.
Contents
Directions to Shoshone Falls
Shoshone Falls are located in Idaho, north of Twin Falls, on the Snake River, which at 1078 miles is the longest river in the Pacific Northwest. This legendary river – which flows through Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington State – rises from the Rocky Mountains and flows out of Jackson Lake, in the heart of Grand Teton National Park. Its long journey ends in Burbank, Walla Walla County (Washington), when its waters flow into the Columbia River, of which it is the main tributary.
How to include Shoshone Falls in your itinerary
This area of Idaho is off the beaten West Coast tour circuit, so – unless you’re doing a specific tour of this state – it’s not easy to fit Shoshone Falls in as a stop-ff point between two destinations. Here are a couple of possibilities:
- One possible itinerary on a route less traveled by tourists is the one we have illustrated here: if you have decided to follow this one, you can include Shoshone Falls as a stop-off between Boise and the Craters of the Moon
- Otherwise, Twin Falls and its waterfalls can be a good stopping point to break up the trip from northern Nevada to Wyoming. For example: those traveling from San Francisco to Yellowstone will find Twin Falls on their route between Winniemucca/Elko and Pocatello (towards Salt Lake City).
How to see Shoshone Falls: the observation points
After paying for your ticket, follow the signs for the “Scenic overlook” and drive to the main parking lot. While you will already hear the roar of the falls, you will soon realize that you are on the southern edge of a real canyon carved out by the Snake River.
The 3 main observation points are very easy to locate and reach, along a short paved path that starts right from the parking lot. The central, and lowest, one is down a few steps to a small observation platform located under the ridge just over 650 feet as the crow flies from the falls. The other two are located at the top of the canyon rim, respectively east and west of the central one: they allow you to see the falls from two different perspectives. While the one to the east is at a similar distance to the central one, the one to the west is further away from the falls, at a distance of about 980 feet.
If you like what you see, don’t stop here! Take the car, go back from the parking lot and, if the barrier is open, at the first intersection take the narrow uphill road that runs along the ridge. Along the short drive, you’ll get a chance to see the falls from a wider perspective and enjoy other views of the canyon and the Snake River.
Here is some additional information.
- How close can you get to the falls? Unfortunately not as close as the observation platforms on the American side and Canadian side of Niagara Falls allow. The closest distance is as we stated in the paragraph above.
- Can the falls be seen from the north ridge? No. The park only extends along the southern slope.
- Does the falls area include other areas to see? Yes. At a fork in the road after the ranger station, you’ll see signs for Dierkes Lake, a small body of water lying to the side of the ridge, just a few minutes’ drive from the falls. This area is ideal for picnicking while the kids can play in the playground adjacent to the shore.
Best time to visit Shoshone Falls
Visiting the falls is subject to a seasonality that you must pay close attention to: the flow rate of the Shoshone Falls depends on the Milner Dam, the most important dam in the area. Especially in those years with a lot of snowfall, spring is the best time to visit the falls. In the summer, the flow decreases a bit as the dam distributes the water elsewhere for agricultural purposes. Visiting Shoshone Falls in the fall can come as an unpleasant surprise, as the flow is at its lowest and they may even be dry.
Opening hours and prices
The park that includes Shoshone Falls and Dierkes Lake is open year-round, but admission is only charged from March 1 to September 30, which should coincide with the time of year when the waterfall’s flow is at its greatest. Opening hours are from sunrise to sunset. The entrance fee is $5 per car. Season passes are available for purchase for $25.00.
What to do near Shoshone Falls
The Twin Falls area is rich in waterfalls. Here are two that are worth a visit:
Twin Falls
Although nowadays the most visited is Shoshone Falls, the name of the city comes from another waterfall: Twin Falls. As the name suggests, there used to be two waterfalls, but one was diverted to make room for a hydroelectric power plant. During the period March through June, the remaining waterfall still offers a remarkable sight, which you can see by going to Twin Falls Park. Viewing points are well marked in the park. Admission is free.
Perrine Coulee Falls
The Perrine Coulee is a small river that, before flowing into the Snake River, drops from a rise north of Twin Falls. To see this small but scenic waterfall you need to drive on N 3000 E Rd to the intersection with Canyon Springs Road, a road that leads to Centennial Waterfront Park, a park with a golf course, and a boat dock. As you drive down the downhill hairpin bends, you can see the Perrine Coulee Falls by stopping at the edge of the road, but there is also a way to get right under the waterfall: the path is not well marked, but if you want to see the exact point that you can join it from, click here (you’ll have to leave behind the turn to Centennial Waterfront Park).
Where to stay
If you’ve decided to devote a half-day or more to Shoshone Falls and the other waterfalls in the area, my advice is to find lodgings in Twin Falls, which is conveniently located for visiting all the Snake River sights mentioned in this article.
Really it is a useful article. I got excellent information and you have described properly, Thank you for this article