Last Updated on: 6th November 2024, 08:45 am
Southern Idaho is often overlooked in favor of neighboring states. But Twin Falls and its surroundings – particularly the stunning Shoshone Falls and Box Canyon – make for the perfect stopover when traveling between Yellowstone and Salt Lake City.
Not being a local, there are surely plenty more hidden gems around Twin Falls that I missed. But if you only have one full day in town, visiting the locations featured below would be a great way to spend it.
Also be sure to set aside extra time for the unique Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve, just under two hours from Twin Falls.
For more information on reaching Twin Falls and the best places to stay, check the end of the article.
Box Canyon
Even if your main goal for visiting Twin Falls is seeing Shoshone Falls, don’t pass up on the opportunity to visit Box Canyon.
Located about 40 minutes west of the city, it’s officially known as the Earl M. Hardy Box Canyon Unit which is part of the larger Thousand Springs State Park. (Confusingly, it was formerly just known as Box Canyon State Park.)
Entrance costs $7, which you’ll have to pay by putting cash into an envelope at the unmanned pay station. Oddly, the hiking map for Box Canyon on the AllTrails app has the hike starting at this pay station, though most people are going to drive right up to the canyon itself.
Next to the main parking lot, a short trail takes visitors to a viewing platform. Even if you’re not a hiker, it’s arguably worth the drive just to admire the view from this platform!
From the overlook, look to your right to see the end of the canyon. Canyons that abruptly stop like this are known as ‘amphitheater-headed canyons,’ and they’re similar to those found on Mars!
Scientists now believe that Box Canyon was formed by a ‘megaflood’ some 45,000 years ago.
While unlikely the cause of the erosion, the pools of water in this area are considered the 11th largest natural spring in North America, releasing 180,000 gallons of water per minute into the Snake River!
Next, it’s time to head down into the canyon itself. Heading west along the canyon rim, you’ll eventually encounter a descending dirt trail. While it’s a little rocky and slippery at points, you’ll find some chains to hold on to.
But if you’re short on time, you could also simply enjoy a short and easy walk along the canyon rim.
Coming straight from a trip across Utah, I’d just seen my fair share of sandstone canyons. But seeing this dark basalt canyon filled with clear pools of water was not something I’d expected to encounter during my road trip.
As far as I can tell, not many people outside of Idaho have heard of Box Canyon, and it wasn’t until doing some deep research that I learned of its existence.
But on this warm summer day, there were dozens of other people there, and I’d frequently have to step aside to let others pass on the narrow trail.
Many locals come here to swim. And as you continue west, you’ll encounter a body of water that seems to serve as the canyon’s ‘pool.’
In contrast to the rushing rapids further east, the water at the end is calm and still. And it’s so transparent that you can clearly see the rocks at the bottom.
As tempting as it was, with a few more stops on my itinerary for the day, I opted not to hop in the water. Instead, I decided to follow the trail and complete the full loop as depicted on the AllTrails app.
Now having done so, I would actually recommend most people just do this as an out-and-back hike, as the second half of the loop isn’t nearly as scenic.
Aside from some views of what appears to be a reservoir, there’s really not much to see during the ascent.
Things then get interesting again once you reach the top, as you can overlook the canyon once again. The main swimming area looks especially pretty from above.
Eventually, you’ll make it back to where you started. Without stopping for a swim, the full hike only took me about an hour and twenty minutes in total. If you’ll be passing through the Twin Falls region, be sure not to skip Box Canyon.
Balanced Rock
My next destination was Balanced Rock, a 40-minute drive southwest from Box Canyon. While certainly an interesting stop, those short on time should focus on Box Canyon (and of course, Shoshone Falls) instead.
While just one of many balanced rocks to be found throughout the western United States, this particular rock is about 48 ft tall while weighing over 40 tons. Incredibly, it stands atop a pedestal that’s just that’s just 3 feet by 17 inches!
Aside from admiring the rock from below, it’s also possible to hike right up to it. The hike up, while short, was very slippery – even more so than anything I encountered at Box Canyon. Needless to say, the walk down was no easy journey, either.
But the short trek was worth it for the chance to see the rock up close, along with views of the surrounding landscape in the background.
Shoshone Falls
After Balanced Rock, I drove east to Twin Falls to check into my accommodation before heading straight to the region’s most famous landmark, Shoshone Falls. To my relief, the late afternoon lighting was perfect.
At the time of writing, Shoshone Falls costs $5 per vehicle to enter.
Often dubbed ‘The Niagara of The West,’ Shoshone Falls is 212 feet high (65 m), making it 45 feet (14 m) higher than the actual Niagara Falls. It’s more narrow, however, at only 950 ft wide (300 m).
While long known about by natives, no non-native had laid eyes on them until the 19th century. They were first mentioned in the travel journal of a Canadian priest in 1847 and then observed in 1849 by Major Osborne Cross during his travels along the Oregon Trail.
Shoshone Falls’ tourism potential was already being considered from 1875 when 19-year-old Charles Walgamott acquired the adjacent land to establish a hotel.
Thankfully, land for the current public park was donated in 1932, meaning the falls are now accessible to everyone (for a small fee).
Visitors to Shoshone Falls can enjoy the views from a few different viewing platforms. Supposedly, during times of high water, the falls can appear as a single wide white rapid.
Despite visiting in summer, I was relieved to see that the falls had plenty of water. While I’d read complaints of people disappointed by the lack of flowing water at this time of year, I happened to be visiting after a higher-than-average snowfall the previous winter.
Admittedly, I’m not such a big waterfall person, but I’d still consider Shoshone Falls worth the detour for those traveling between Utah and western Wyoming.
But as impressive as they are, there’s only so much time one can spend standing and admiring the falls from the same few platforms.
If you didn’t get the chance to swim at Box Canyon, behind the falls, you can drive up to a lake which serves as a very popular place to swim for locals.
Perrine Coulee Falls
After a night in Twin Falls, I was headed to the Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve on my way to the Jackson, Wyoming area. But before leaving town, there was one more natural landmark I wanted to check out.
The 200 ft-high Perrine Coulee Falls is a picturesque waterfall that’s bafflingly difficult to reach. Located in the northern part of town, the waterfall is situated above a local golf course. But how, exactly, does one reach it?
Coming from the city center, the road will lead you down a series of downhill switchbacks. Passing the waterfall, the only place to park will be at the small lot at the bottom of the canyon near the spot marked ‘Mogensen Trail’ on Google Maps.
If you end up driving into the golf course area, you’ve gone too far. After parking, you’ll have to walk back up the hill along the side of the road.
There’s just barely enough room to avoid oncoming traffic. You’ll then have to hop over the concrete barrier, after which you’ll find a trail leading you down to the waterfall.
The trail takes you right behind the falls, and it’s pretty cool to watch the water come crashing down from this angle. Just expect to get wet! It’s a mystery why such a beautiful site has been made so hard to reach.
Back at your car, you can also enjoy a view of Perrine Memorial Bridge, which you’ll soon want to drive across if you’re heading further north.
Additional Info
Twin Falls is a small city of just 40,000 residents, though considering how many people come here for tourism, there are plenty of accommodation options.
Some of the highest-rated hotels online are La Quinta by Wyndham Twin Falls and TownePlace Suites by Marriott Twin Falls. Another popular budget option, meanwhile, is Quality Inn & Suites Twin Falls.
You’ll also find plenty of reasonably-priced Airbnbs to choose from.
Twin Falls is best reached by car. From Salt Lake City, the journey takes a little over three hours.
From Jackson, Wyoming, the journey is 4 hours, while it’s 3.5 hours from Victor, Idaho (a cheaper alternative to Jackson for those visiting Grand Teton National Park). You don’t want to miss a visit to Craters of the Moon along the way,
From the state capital of Boise, meanwhile, the journey is just two hours.