Skip the international flights – keep your travels stateside and visit a hidden gem; Southern Idaho.

Everything you want and need to see is listed below, including tips and tricks on how to make it the best vacation yet. There are no travel bans in Idaho, so relax, keep those travel plans and explore a different kind of exotic! Find larger than life waterfalls, plus Caribbean blue waters, and have an unforgettable time. 

Box Canyon

Tropical blue waters are here! We get it, you want to chase waterfalls in Bali, but what if we told you how to find them only 45 minutes from Twin Falls, and just over an hour from Boise?

Box Canyon State Park also costs $5 to get in, but allows you to park right next to the first lookout of the gorgeous canyon. Hike through the park to find a blue waterfall rushing into another giant Caribbean colored pool of water.

Snake River Canyon 

This giant canyon is The Snake River Canyon of Twin Falls and Jerome County. The canyon is about 500 ft deep, and incredible features are hidden within. Some of these features include waterfalls like Perrine Coulee and Shoshone Falls. Explore the top with a 7 mile long trail called the Canyon Rim Trail that gives you incredible views the entire walk.

To travel with ease, we always recommend stopping in at the Twin Falls Visitors Center. It is located right on the canyon and is a perfect place to start your trip. You’ll get to see the Perrine Bridge a, stock up on souvenirs and watch the BASE Jumpers pack their chutes. The center has every travel resource you could need including contact cards, guides, and magazines.

Perrine Coulee 

The powerful Perrine Coulee is a short drive from the Visitors Center. Set direction on your map to ‘Centennial Waterfront Park,’ and head down the canyon. Look to your left to see the giant waterfall at the first switch-back (turn) of the grade. There is a small pull-off area to climb over and walk up to and behind the waterfall. There is also parking at the base of the waterfall and an easier access to the same trail. 

Perrine Coulee Falls can be seen from above the canyon, on the Canyon Rim Trail too! We recommend grabbing dinner at Elevation 486 with a table on the patio. Outside you will see the gorgeous Snake River Canyon and Canyon Rim Trail. It is a quick walk from Elevation 486 to the viewpoint of Perrine Coulee.

City of Rocks

The City of Rocks National Reserve is just one of those places you have to see at least once in your life time. The crazy sized boulders scattered around the base of a mountain provide some of the most epic views in the Unites States. Find hiking trails all around the park. Window Arch is a great place to take photos as well as the hiking around it. There is signage all throughout the City of Rocks for easy exploring.

Almo has a Visitors Center and a historic gas station called Tracy’s General Store. Tracy’s has delicious food to order and is the longest continuously operating mercantile in Idaho. When you’re done with lunch go for a dip at Durfee Hot Springs, just down the road. There are lots of great things to do in Almo and the Visitors Center has all the information you need to have a stress free trip to the City of Rocks. They also have extremely cool graphic t-shirts! 

Shoshone Falls

Our favorite place to visit is Shoshone Falls! Rent kayaks from AWOL Adventure Sports at Centennial Waterfront Park (where you found Perrine Coulee!) The paddle is 4 miles each way, but allows you to get out of the water after about 2 miles at Pillar Falls to have a picnic and break. 

Visit Shoshone Falls City Park above the water for a $5 vehicle fee. There is a concession stand and public restrooms as well as goodies for purchase. Hiking trails are also located all over the park with the addition of four waterfalls.