Here we are in the first week of August, and summer
vacation is almost over! Oh my!
Many kids will have to return to school in mid-August or soon thereafter. The good news is you still have two weekends to maximize the fun with your kids. In the spirit of Visit Idaho’s “18 Summers” campaign, in which we all try to cram in as much fun with our kids as possible to make memories for a lifetime, let’s make a plan to get outside!
Here are five suggestions for the final two weeks of summer:
Number 1 – Go camping at Lake Cleveland near Pomerelle Ski Area. Check on Recreation.gov for campground availability and to make reservations. A quick glance shows there are sites available in the next two weeks! Enjoy the cool air at 8,300 feet! Go fishing, SUP’ing, canoeing or kayaking on the lake, or go hiking while you’re in the ‘hood. There’s a lookout tower nearby. Take I-84 to Exit 216 and follow State Highway 77 south through Declo about 18 miles to Howell Canyon Road. Turn west at the Pomerelle Ski Area sign and drive up-canyon another 7 miles to Lake Cleveland.
Number 2 – Take the family to the Gooding Pro Rodeo or the Twin Falls County Fair and Magic Valley Stampede. The Gooding Pro Rodeo, one of the most exciting rodeos in the Southern Idaho region with a deep pool of talent, runs Aug. 17-19. The Twin Falls County Fair, celebrating 101 years this year, runs Aug. 30-Sept. 4. The Gooding rodeo will feature bareback riding, bull riding, saddle bronc, tie down, team roping, steer wrestling and barrel racing. The Twin Falls County Fair will have a carnival, food vendors, music and entertainment as well as the All-Star Monster Truck tour, Magic Valley Stampede and PRCA Rodeo. (photo courtesy Gooding Pro Rodeo)
Number 3 – Go for hike in the South Hills! We recommend the Harrington Fork trail, the first trailhead in Rock Creek Canyon, south of Kimberly, or the Hummingbird Trail near Magic Mountain. The Harrington Fork of Rock Creek is a sweet hiking trail that leads into aspen forests along the creek. The trail goes for many miles, so bring a lunch and hike a couple of hours uphill and return to the trailhead. The Hummingbird Trail is accessed from Rock Creek Road and Magic Mountain Ski area. Once you reach Magic Mountain, take Rogerson Road to the west for nine miles. Look for a wooden sign that says “Home of the Hummingbirds.” Thanks to the Twin Falls Times-News for this tip. Numerous hummingbird feeders have been placed along the trail. They’re maintained by volunteers. The birds will be in the area until mid-September, when they migrate south to warmer climes.
Number 4 – Go whitewater rafting in the Hagerman reach of the Snake River in the Thousand Springs region. The Hagerman freeflowing reach of the Snake River features an 8-mile whitewater trip with multiple Class 2 and 3 rapids, meaning it’s great for families. Idaho Guide Service offers guided whitewater trips on the Hagerman reach on a daily basis for $50 to $70. It’s a perfect day trip that you’ll want to do over and over again. The Hagerman reach also can be run by folks with their own rafts, kayaks, SUPs and whitewater gear. Make sure you wear a life jacket and enjoy the scenery of the Snake River.
Number 5 – Go boating on the Snake River near Burley and go waterskiing, sailing, wake-boarding, Stand Up Paddle-Boarding or whatever you like to do! Need a boat or a kayak? Go to Idaho Water Sports in Burley to rent a power boat, wake board, water skis, sit-on-top kayak or SUP.
Have fun and be sure to capture the memories with your family by shooting photos and video of your adventures. Eighteen summers might seem like a long time, but the kids grow up fast, and suddenly they’re heading off to college before you know it!