Idaho Gem to Visit: Shoshone Falls
My Idaho Gem series highlights destinations around my home state of Idaho that I personally love and recommend visiting! Idaho is full of natural beauty and fun attractions, and I use this series to showcase those places in case you ever find yourself planning a trip to the Gem State.
I’m thrilled to introduce you to Shoshone Falls in today’s installment! This is one of the most popular gems in southern Idaho, and for good reason. Shoshone Falls is actually higher than Niagara Falls (if you can believe it!), and it’s the perfect stop if you’re on a road trip through Twin Falls.
Want more? Check out my other posts in the Idaho Gem series:
This post was updated and recirculated on June 6, 2025.
Idaho Gem to Visit: Shoshone Falls
Shoshone Falls is located in the Magic Valley, near the city of Twin Falls in the heart of southern Idaho. It is known as the “Niagara of the West” and is actually taller than Niagara Falls at 212 feet!
The Snake River carves through the basalt canyon and over the falls, and the flow of the river varies wildly depending on time of year, how much snow the mountains got over the winter, and how much water the farmers in the Magic Valley are using to irrigate their crops (which also is related to how dry it is that year).
20 miles upstream of Shoshone Falls, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation manages Milner Dam, which determines the flow over the falls (as much of the water that flows through the Upper Snake River Basin is diverted for irrigation).
If you drive into Twin Falls to access the falls, you’ll pass over the Perrine Bridge—the canyon below seems to come out of nowhere!
Best Time to Visit Shoshone Falls
The best time to view Shoshone Falls is in the spring when the river is at its highest flow due to snowmelt (up to 20,000 cfs—cubic feet per second—after a very wet winter, but typically around 10,000 cfs).
Once summer and fall hits, especially during a dry year, the river flow can become very low to practically nonexistent because the river is diverted upstream of the falls for irrigation purposes.
When we visited the falls back in March 2019, the central Idaho mountains had received some incredible snow amounts over that winter, so the falls were roaring—and we were sprayed by it! Before you go, you can check the current streamflow via USGS (expressed as discharge in cfs).
Korri and I stopped by Shoshone Falls on our way home from our big Utah and Colorado road trip in early May 2021 and caught it at sunset. The river wasn’t raging like we saw two years prior, but it was still quite beautiful! I love all of the natural rock formations.
Things to Do Around Shoshone Falls
Shoshone Falls is accessible by car and a short walk down some stairs to an overlook. This is a popular spot for photographers catching the sunrise or sunset (or the fun optical illusion that appears in the morning when the sun angle is just right—the falls appear to fill up the river like a bathtub!).
There are a few other random waterfalls coming out of the basalt canyon walls in the area, so be sure to wander around and find those! Walk along the Canyon Rim Trail to view Shoshone Falls from other vantage points.
If you want to relax, let the kids run around, and/or enjoy a meal, there are picnic areas at Shoshone Falls Park as well as shaded grassy areas so you can escape the sun and cool off.
Near Shoshone Falls is Dierkes Lake, where you can swim, boat, and hike around on the many trails around the lake and basalt rock formations. Overnight camping is unfortunately not offered at Shoshone Falls or Dierkes Lake.
Shoshone Falls Hike
There is no dedicated hike to Shoshone Falls; there are paved sidewalks and an observation deck where you can get close to the falls.
As mentioned above, the paved Snake River Canyon Rim Trail follows the canyon rim (as the name suggests), and it’s easily accessible and open to multiple uses (walking, jogging, biking). If you head west towards Twin Falls, you’ll pass by the site where Evil Knievel attempted to jump the canyon (and failed because his parachute opened).
Shoshone Falls Kayaking
You can rent a kayak to the falls by starting downstream at AWOL Adventure Sports. The trip takes multiple hours to complete, passes under the Perrine Bridge (Highway 93), and requires you to hoist your kayak out of the river and carry it over Pillar Falls (called a portage).
I totally want to do this someday! (Be careful if storms are in the forecast, though. You don’t wanna be caught out there!)
Looking for more things to do around the Snake River and Twin Falls? Check out the Perrine Bridge and visitor center, walk along the Snake River Canyon Rim trail, grab a drink at Elevation 486 overlooking the river, visit Centennial Park, or golf at Canyon Springs.
Or, head to the Murtaugh area and check out Cauldron Linn, an extremely narrow area of the Snake River with rushing rapids!
How to Get to Shoshone Falls
Click here to open Shoshone Falls Park in Google Maps!
If you’re traveling eastbound on I-84, take Exit 173 for Twin Falls. Turn right (south) on US Highway 93. Turn left (east) on 4100 N. Turn left (east) on Falls Ave. Turn left (north) on Champlin Rd/3300 E and follow the road to the falls.
If you’re traveling westbound on I-84, take Exit 182 for Kimberly/Twin Falls. Turn left (south) onto Highway 50. Turn right (west) on 3900 N. Turn right (north) on Champlin Rd/3300 E and follow the road to the falls.
PARK ENTRY FEE:
$5 per vehicle (from the end of March through September)
Park hours (year-round): Dawn to dusk
LODGING/RESTAURANTS/GAS:
Twin Falls, Idaho (west of the falls) is the closest city with lodging and restaurants as well as a regional airport. Gas is available near the interstate and in Twin Falls. Browse accommodations in and around Twin Falls using the map below!