Some people (especially the Salt Lake types
who travel the freeway) know Twin Falls as "that place
just north of Jackpot, Nevada." The people who live in
Twin Falls know it as the center of the Magic Valley, a
fertile agricultural area -- which used to be sagebrush
desert -- in south-central Idaho, and the gateway to the
Sawtooth Mountains vacation area which lies two hours'
drive north of the city. A feature of the valley is the
collection of lava flows and spatter cones which provide
a sharp contrast to the farmlands.
What to See & Do
Twin Falls' greatest asset for visitors is the
Snake River Canyon, a deep and open canyon which
provides parks and recreation areas along the river, west
from Twin Falls to Bliss. The Perrine Bridge,
north of town, crosses the canyon (486 feet deep). There
are two sets of waterfalls in the canyon. Shoshone
Falls are closest to the city. They are the more
dramatic of the falls -- higher than Niagara, with a fall
of 212 feet.
The best time to see the falls is October through
April, for much of the water which would go over the
precipice is diverted during the growing season. The
parks in the Shoshone Falls area are fine places to visit
any time of year. To get there, drive along Blue Lakes
Blvd. to Falls Ave. and go three miles east and two miles
north to Shoshone Falls/Dierkes Lake Park. The
falls which bear the name of the city are located two
miles to the east of Shoshone Falls via Falls Blvd. Here
too, water is diverted for agricultural purposes.
The Snake River is a popular rafting stream,
with several long and short runs available to rafters.
Guiding services are available in
Twin Falls
Day Trip to Hagerman Valley
For a scenic day-trip, the Thousand Springs route
through the Hagerman Valley is highly recommended.
This drive takes Highway 30 beginning just south of Twin
Falls (or at the Interstate 84 exit near Bliss). The
route leads through the canyon valley of the Snake River
past farmland, old houses and barns and then the
Thousand Springs area, where the Snake River Plain
Aquifer flows out in hundreds of torrents through the
black cliffs of the canyon. Near the river are picnic
areas, RV parks, hot spring pools and lodges.
There is fine fishing in the five Oster Lakes
(with an early start to the season in March) and in the
nearby Anderson West Ponds (rainbow, bluegill & bass
after July lst). Near the west end of the valley are the
Hagerman Fossil Beds, a national landmark where
more than 125 skeletons of zebra like horses have been
uncovered. To see a full sized replica of the prehistoric
horse, visit the Hagerman Horse Fossil Museum on State
St. in Hagerman.
In Twin Falls, the Historical Museum has
displays on the transformation of desert into "Magic
Valley" farmland together with pioneer relics. The
Herrett Museum, on the campus of the College of
Southern Idaho, has an excellent North and Central
American Indian collection, with more than 3,000
artifacts and other items.
Camping
The city has a selection of moderately priced motels
and several RV parks, including a campground with hookups
at Nat See Pah Hot Springs, 16 miles south of town.
Twin Falls/Jerome KOA
(208) 324-4169
Near Jerome off 1nterstate 84 (exit 173 and along Hwy.
93). Full hookups, tent sites, swimming, mini golf,
store.
Nat Soo Pah Hot Springs & RV Park
(208) 655-4337
On Hwy. 1, off Highway 93, southeast of Hollister, with
75 sites, full hookups, tent sites, hot pool.
Anderson's Best Holiday Trav L Park
(208) 733-6756
This is a huge and busy RV park (150 sites) with full
hookups and propane, mini golf and waterslide, on
Tipperary Rd. near exit 182 on 1 84.
