Nothing beats a weekend adventure to an amazing place for a recharge! Pick the Southern region of Idaho for your next quick getaway. Follow our suggestions for the perfect 2 day travel itinerary that will take you to:
- Craters of the Moon
- Mammoth Cave
- Perrine Bridge
- Shoshone Falls
- Auger Falls
Day #1) Start your morning at Craters of the Moon National Monument
Craters of the Moon transports you out of this world and lands you on the moon. More technically speaking, you are on top of a volcano and hardened lava when exploring the national monument! Stop at the Visitors Center to get a map and a cave permit, then drive the 8 mile loop road. Hike the inferno cone (pictured above) to see 360 views of the park.
With your cave permits you can also explore beneath the surface. Indian Tunnel is a popular cave to enter because you can stand in the middle of the cave and see the sky through a giant hole! This is a collapsed lava tunnel, but is totally safe to explore. Wear sturdy shoes! Craters of the Moon is just less than a 2 hour drive to Shoshone, Idaho. It is a great place for the kids to learn about geology, and for everyone to enjoy views of the moon.
Unique Stay Opportunity
The Governor’s Mansion in Shoshone. It is a highly rated bed and breakfast and doubles as a historic site. The home has been restored, and is an exquisite stay! It is one of the several original Gooding family homes in Shoshone, a great unique place to stay the night before you explore Craters of the Moon to get there for sunrise.
Explore more caves in Shoshone, Idaho
Tour a hidden underground world at Idaho’s Mammoth Cave near Shoshone, where visitors can walk through one of the largest volcanic caves open to the public in Southern Idaho. While exploring the property, guests can also experience the Shoshone Bird Museum and the Richard Arthur Olsen Museum of Natural History, both filled with fascinating collections of fossils, wildlife displays, cultural artifacts, gemstones, and natural history exhibits from around the world.
After you’ve explored the cave you MUST go to the Shoshone Snack Bar. They have ice cream cones bigger than your head, and a menu with a variety of foods we all crave. Delicious burritos, chicken strips, burgers, wraps, salads, hot dogs, chili cheese fries, and lots of other options.
Another fun place to check out in Shoshone is the 2nd Time Around Antique Mall! If you love thrift shopping/antiquing and browsing unique items we highly recommend this shop. Its easy to get lost in the plethora of historic items they have!
Day #2) Chase waterfalls in Twin Falls
Entering the city of Twin Falls after driving from Shoshone means driving over the Perrine Bridge that towers almost 500 ft above the Snake River (pictured above.) Stop at the Twin Falls Visitor Center just south of the bridge to get information and watch the BASE jumpers leap from the Perrine Bridge daily (pending good weather).
Shoshone Falls
Visit Shoshone Falls, the Niagara of the West, for a view of lifetime. Even in the parking lot at Shoshone Falls you can feel the power of the 212 ft falls! The water is generally most powerful in spring, and calmer in the summer/fall. *It is possible there will be no water when you visit.* Rain and snowfall feed the Snake River and flows can be reduced during drought years. The views are good regardless. (Pictured below)
Auger Falls
Another great waterfall to visit is Auger Falls (pictured below.) This is a 4 mile hike is perfect for all ages. There is no incline on most of the trail, and it is well taken care of. This isn’t your typical waterfall. It surges through smooth lava rock and is at the base of the tall Snake River Canyon. Similar to Shoshone Falls, Auger Falls is more powerful in the spring. However, if you visit Auger Falls in late summer or fall you’ll be able to explore further out on the river where there is no longer water. Catch glimpses of several other waterfalls along the way and near Auger Falls as well.
*Tip* You can find all of these exact locations on our Visit Southern Idaho App!
After hiking Auger Falls you’re sure to have worked up an appetite. Dine on top of the Snake River, where you were just hiking through, at the fancy Elevation 486 to enjoy views of the canyon. If you’re looking for something more casual like a brewery, go Downtown Twin Falls for many choices between breweries, pizza joints, and cafes. There are also dozens of local shops Downtown Twin that showcase the talent of local creators. We recommend visiting the Downtown Commons Splash pad, then walking up and down Main Street to see all the amazing stores!
That wraps up the perfect quick weekend getaway in Southern Idaho. A 2 day travel itinerary feels quick, so if you need to extend your trip we have you covered. Enjoy exploring Craters of the Moon, Shoshone Ice Caves, Shoshone Falls and all around Twin Falls.