Labor Day weekend is the perfect time to partake on the last summer adventure! Take a trip to Southern Idaho to fully maximize on your long weekend vacation. We’ve hand selected our three favorite places to visit that are sure to make everyone jealous of your travels! These locations are doable over the Labor Day Holiday.
Start in Twin Falls
Twin Falls is an incredible town with tons of hidden gems to discover. One of those is Perrine Coulee, a gorgeous waterfall you can walk under and behind! This is located in the Snake River Canyon on the way down to Centennial Waterfront Park. At this park you can rent kayaks and paddle boards, plus book a zip-line trip! Twin Falls stays warm all through the fall because of it’s high-desert climate. Shoshone Falls is an incredible 212 foot waterfall that is running calmly this time of year. There is a wonderful lake above Shoshone Falls called Dierkes Lake where you can hike all around and see gorgeous views!
Don’t forget to visit Downtown Twin Falls to shop at local businesses and see awesome historic buildings. Milner’s Gate is one of those beautiful restaurants, and its a brewery too! Try their delicious variety of foods and drink locally sourced craft beer. On Main Street there are lots of gift shops to visit including the Brass Monkey, Unique Twist Jewelry and Rudy’s A Cook’s Paradise. Labor Day is the also the last day of the Downtown Farmer’s Market, so if you’re around on Saturday – check the vendors out!
Next, head to the Hagerman Valley
Stay at the Hagerman Valley Inn or Thousand Springs Resort for views of the river and fossil beds. Take a day to visit the Hagerman Fish Hatchery, and go fishing in one of the many ponds they have. Hike around the Hagerman Fossil Beds to discover history on the Oregon Trail! Watch the sunset from the fossil beds to see the river shine orange, and the rolling hills light up gold. A great place for dinner is the Snake River Grill.
From Hagerman, head across the river to discover aqua blue waters! Ritter Island and Box Canyon show off some of the most stunning waters and waterfalls in Southern Idaho. Both parks have giant pools of the clearest, bluest water you have ever seen! Box Canyon is a 3 mile round trip hike that passes blue pools and a waterfall. Ritter Island is a park area to kayak or have a picnic near the water. Ritter Island has great history and also has gorgeous waterfalls running into the clear water. Ready for a relaxing night? Miracle and Banbury Hot Springs offer accommodations, hot spring soaking, and massages.
Lastly, visit Shoshone
The perfect way to beat the late summer heat is by entering an ice cave. This cave descends below the surface of the earth, into a lava tube. Shockingly, the entire cave is filled with ice! The Shoshone Ice Caves require a tour guide, because of this, tours run every 30 minutes. The guides are full of knowledge and history of the location. Be sure to pack a jacket, even on a hot day! September 30th is the last day they are open, so Labor Day weekend is the perfect time to go. When you’re back in the heat, above the ground, stop at Shoshone Snack Shack in town for awesome food, and amazing ice cream!
Stay at the Jerome KOA if you’re headed south for Twin Falls. The KOA provides a pool, play set, and offers meals! The Jerome side of the Snake River Canyon has beautiful waterfalls and lookouts. Mermaid Cove is located on Yingst Grade. It is a short walk down the canyon to the first waterfall cove, called Mermaid Cove. Continue down the canyon to see a larger waterfall below, glowing against the sun. The path leads all the way down to the river, and is a great place to view the canyon.
We hope you enjoy the last true weekend of summer by capitalizing on epic adventures in Southern Idaho!