Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Mountain Home, Idaho

Nestled within the sagebrush-covered desert, Mountain Home emerged as a supply station along the Oregon Trail during the mid-19th century.

Visitors can traverse the trail, observe where it intersected the Snake River, and explore various locations that exhibit the permanent marks left by wagon wheels nearly 200 years ago.

Furthermore, Mountain Home serves as a gateway to remarkable natural landmarks, such as the expansive Bruneau Canyon and the notable sandy formations of the Bruneau Dunes.

Adjacent to the city is an Air Combat Command facility, and the longstanding 80-year relationship with the United States Air Force is epitomized by an F-111 Aardvark displayed prominently in Carl Miller Park.

1. Bruneau Dunes State Park

Located on the opposite side of the Snake River, just south of Mountain Home, lies a dune system that contains the largest single-structured dune in North America.

This monumental formation rises 470 feet above the surrounding terrain, and the 4,800-acre park attracts a multitude of outdoor recreational activities.

To preserve this fragile environment, motorized vehicles are prohibited on the dunes; however, visitors can enjoy camping, climbing, sandboarding, sledding, hiking, and horseback riding around the area.

The primary dune is bordered by a lake, abundant with bluegill, so remember to bring your fishing rod.

Moreover, the night sky presents a stunning view in this remote part of Idaho. From mid-March to mid-October, on Fridays and Saturdays, an astronomical observatory provides public access to telescopes.

2. Bruneau Canyon Overlook

Referred to as the “Grand Canyon of Southwest Idaho,” the 60-mile-long Bruneau Canyon is an impressive natural feature sculpted from basalt and rhyolite by the Bruneau River.

This canyon is situated in a notably remote region, with Mountain Home being the nearest significant city to the only easily accessible viewpoint along the canyon rim.

The viewpoint is located approximately 30 minutes south of the city and justifies every minute of travel, as visitors can walk right to the edge of the rim for a breathtaking vista of the canyon’s expansive and rugged walls.

At the Bruneau Canyon Overlook, this monumental fissure in the earth reaches a remarkable depth of 1,300 feet to the opposite rim and 900 feet to the canyon floor.

3. Main Oregon Trail Back Country Byway

The desert landscape surrounding Mountain Home represented one of the most formidable segments along the entire Oregon Trail.

Today, you can appreciate the scenery without experiencing the associated challenges on this 102-mile backcountry drive, which closely follows the original route for much of its distance.

The byway commences at the historic fording location at Glenns Ferry, navigating through stark yet picturesque sagebrush desert towards Bonneville Point, near Boise.

The route detours slightly to Mountain Home along the way, enabling travelers to select which portions of the byway they wish to explore.

All byway roads are either paved or covered with gravel, and a detailed itinerary including authentic diary entries from the 19th century can be obtained from the U.S. Forest Service website.

4. Mountain Home Museum

The stately building adjoining the City Hall of Mountain Home was originally a Carnegie Library, established in 1908 through a grant from the renowned philanthropist.

Exhibiting overhanging eaves and a commanding porch, the Mountain Home Museum is an exemplary representation of the Western Colonial Revival architectural style and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The museum offers extensive insights into the city’s connections with the Oregon Trail, recounting the history of Rattlesnake Station, a crucial waystation for emigrants, and also a stage stop for the Atlanta and Rocky Bar goldmines located high in the Sawtooth Range.

The exhibits portray the rich historical tapestry of Mountain Home, encompassing the long-term presence of Native American populations, Chinese miners, and 19th-century Basque immigrants.

Additionally, military collections document the 80-year relationship between Mountain Home and the United States Air Force.

5. Richard Aguirre Park

There are few better locations to enjoy a sunny day in Mountain Home than Richard Aguirre Park.

This sentiment is particularly true for families, as the park features numerous amenities, including age-designated playgrounds, a new skatepark, and expansive areas for recreation and picnics.

This site also houses the city pool, which will be discussed in further detail next. For various events and celebrations, two gazebos are available, and sports enthusiasts will appreciate the tennis courts and horseshoe pits located within the park.

6. Mountain Home City Pool

During the summer months, the city swimming pool at Richard Aguirre Park is a favored establishment, operating from June through August. The admission for lap swimming is very reasonable, with a set fee applicable to all ages.

Throughout the season, a comprehensive schedule of classes and activities is available at the pool, including water aerobics, paddleboard yoga, swimming lessons, and designated times for private pool events.

A shallow wading pool for infants and toddlers is located adjacent to the main pool. Should you desire a refreshing treat, the nearby Sno Palace snow cone stand is conveniently located next to the pool house.

7. Carl Miller Park

In the event of outdoor gatherings in Mountain Home, it is highly likely that Carl Miller Park will serve as the venue.

This picturesque park, shaded by majestic old trees, honors a local WWI hero and serves as the enchanting backdrop for the city’s Christmas lights, along with the lively Air Force Appreciation Day event in September.

Within the park, an iconic symbol of the city’s association with the Air Force is on display, as a General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark stands proudly on a pedestal.

A variety of amenities are available at Carl Miller Park, including a children’s playground, a large gazebo, and a fireplace adjacent to picnic areas.

8. Crater Rings

Additionally, one remarkable site within a short drive from Mountain Home is a pair of spectacular volcanic pits positioned a few miles to the northwest.

The Crater Rings are located at the summit of a shield volcano that dates back 2 million years, and it is considered one of the youngest volcanoes in the Mountain Home vicinity.

The two circular depressions are remnants of former volcanic conduits, formed by explosive activity followed by a collapse.

The western crater spans 2,500 feet across and reaches a depth of 300 feet, while the eastern crater is slightly larger, measuring 3,000 feet across and 350 feet deep.

9. Three Island Crossing State Park

For an enlightening experience, you may wish to visit the site where the Oregon Trail intersected the Snake River, conveniently located in Glenns Ferry.

For many years, wagons crossed the Snake River at this point until 1869, when Gus Glenn established a ferry two miles upstream, giving the town its name.

By following a self-guided trail across more than 600 acres, visitors can observe wagon ruts nearly 200 years old, as well as explore an interpretive center dedicated to the pioneers, early settlers, and Native American heritage of the area.

Three Island Crossing encompasses a campground and cabins, alongside a disc golf course, allowing visitors to dip their feet or cast a fishing line where emigrants once crossed en route to their new lives.

10. Anderson Ranch Reservoir

Mountain Home is the closest significant community to the isolated Anderson Ranch Dam, situated on the South Fork of the Boise River.

This earth rockfill dam, constructed throughout the 1940s for the purposes of irrigation and hydroelectric energy generation, has created a reservoir that encompasses nearly 5,000 acres.

To access the reservoir, travelers must follow US 20, which winds through an arid desert landscape. Upon arrival, the lush slopes surrounding the lake may come as a surprise, particularly at the ten campgrounds available.

The reservoir is renowned for its thriving kokanee fishery, with a daily catch limit of 25.

11. C. J. Strike Reservoir

Constructed in the early 1950s by the Idaho Power Company, the C. J. Strike Dam captures the Snake River immediately below where it converges with the Bruneau River, resulting in the formation of a 7,500-acre reservoir.

This location is situated approximately 20 miles southwest of Mountain Home, serving as a popular destination for recreational activities, enhanced by hiking trails, campgrounds, boat launches, and docks.

The C. J. Strike Reservoir is particularly sought after for both cold and warm-water fishing, hosting a wide variety of fish species, including bluegill, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, crappie, yellow perch, sunfish, and white sturgeon.

Furthermore, you will discover historical wagon wheel ruts dating back to the Oregon Trail days along designated paths near the reservoir.

12. Desert Canyon Golf Course

Conveniently located near downtown Mountain Home is a well-maintained 18-hole public golf course. The front nine holes were established as early as 1963 along the banks of a creek.

This section features gentle terrain with tree-lined fairways, while the back nine, completed in 1998, presents a unique challenge.

In this latter half of the course, the layout interacts with the contours of a canyon, providing picturesque views and challenging water hazards on five holes.

For practice, Desert Canyon offers a driving range, chipping green, practice bunker, and putting green.

13. Legacy Park

On the northern edge of town lies a newly established park, developed in part through community contributions.

It may be hard to believe, but the 40 acres of lush green space and family-oriented facilities at Legacy Park were previously the site of an extensive gravel pit.

Today, the park serves as a delightful asset for the community, featuring two gazebos, a wedding chapel, a fishing pond, a children’s playground, soccer fields, a basketball court, a softball field, and ample areas for both passive and active recreation.

For individuals planning events, the lower gazebo is equipped with a BBQ grill and electrical outlets, and the park includes portable restrooms.

14. Prince Albert Hot Springs

Situated high above Glenns Ferry in the Bennett Mountain Hills, a secluded natural site beckons prepared adventurers.

This location features one of Idaho’s many hot springs, with clear water bubbling at a temperature of approximately 100 °F.

A small dam has been constructed to form a pool, and there is a fire ring nearby for those wishing to enjoy a traditional Cowboy Camp experience.

Access to this site is recommended only during the summer months and requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle due to road deterioration in winter. If you make the journey, the views of the Snake River Valley will be spectacular.

15. Fresh Friday Farmers’ Market

Mountain Home hosts a farmers’ market on the first and third Fridays of the month from early June through mid-September.

This event takes place at El Rancho Park, opposite the historic Mellon Hotel. The market provides an excellent opportunity to purchase local specialties and organic produce sourced from nearby farms, alongside jams, jellies, breads, pastries, and even grass-fed meat.

Visitors can engage with growers and producers for advice on storage and recipes.

Moreover, local artistic talents are on display, offering handmade items that you may find irresistible.