Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Blackfoot, Idaho

The agricultural city of Blackfoot is strategically located halfway between Idaho Falls and Pocatello on the Snake River Plain.

This fertile region is abundant with potato fields, establishing Blackfoot as the leading potato-producing area in the United States and earning it the designation of “Potato Capital of the World.”

Whether you are exploring charming local attractions or adventuring into the Eastern Idaho wilderness, there are numerous activities to engage in both within the city and its surrounding areas.

Additionally, Blackfoot hosts the Eastern Idaho State Fair, which starts on Labor Day weekend and provides ten days of exciting events, delectable food, entertainment, and traditional displays and activities.

1. Idaho Potato Museum

It is appropriate that the Potato Capital of the World features a museum dedicated to potatoes and their agricultural history in Idaho. The museum itself is situated in a beautifully preserved old railroad depot from 1913.

The exhibits include a hall of fame for potatoes, pre-Columbian storage vessels from Peru, an extensive examination of the various potato types cultivated in Idaho, a timeline highlighting potato consumption in the United States, and the world’s largest potato chip, measuring an impressive 25 by 14 inches.

Moreover, the museum showcases a variety of vintage agricultural machinery, alongside numerous interactive exhibits designed to engage younger visitors.

A visit to the café is also recommended, where you can savor potato salad, fries, baked potatoes, potato bread, as well as unique offerings such as potato cupcakes and potato ice cream.

2. Experimental Breeder Reactor

Blackfoot is located on the eastern edge of a significant nuclear research complex spanning the high desert of Eastern Idaho, covering nearly 900 square miles.

This complex is the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), established in the late 1940s, which employs approximately 4,000 individuals.

This facility has been at the forefront of advancements in the peaceful utilization of nuclear energy, contributing significantly to our understanding of nuclear reactors.

The INL was responsible for constructing the power plant for the world’s first nuclear submarine and developed the reactor that generated the first usable amount of electricity.

From May through September, visitors can tour the Experimental Breeder Reactor I (EBR-I), which made history in 1951 as one of the world’s first nuclear power plants by generating sufficient electricity to power four 200-watt light bulbs.

Now recognized as a National Historic Landmark, EBR-I was decommissioned in 1964 and currently serves as a captivating museum.

3. Eastern Idaho State Fair

Idaho’s third state fair commences on Labor Day weekend at the fairgrounds located just off Main Street in Blackfoot.

The fair opens with a parade along Shilling Avenue, involving local clubs, organizations, businesses, as well as representatives from the police and fire departments.

While it would be possible to write extensively about the numerous events occurring over the next ten days at the Eastern Idaho State Fair, notable activities include horse racing, tractor pulls, bull riding, a demolition derby, and concerts featuring prominent artists.

Additional smaller performances include talent shows, arm wrestling competitions, and a variety of presentations by local musicians and dancers.

Animal competitions and exhibits are a significant feature of the fair, encompassing a variety of breeds.

Lastly, a wide selection of food options is available, whether you crave an old-fashioned turkey leg or wish to enjoy tiger ears, tacos, or teriyaki bowls.

While in Blackfoot, do not miss the opportunity to taste an “ice cream potato,” a creative frozen dessert designed to resemble a baked potato.

4. Blackfoot Movie Mill

A historic light industrial building in the heart of Blackfoot has recently undergone a transformation into a multiplex theater.

This initiative was spearheaded by Kent and Ingrid Lott, an entrepreneurial couple who also manage the Centre Twin Theatre and Paramount Triplex in Idaho Falls.

The venue, formerly known as Blackfoot Motors, dates back to 1932 and features seven screens with a total of 1,035 stadium seats, utilizing materials repurposed from the previous interior, including 23,000 pounds of sawdust for insulation and wood for cabinetry.

The Blackfoot Movie Mill officially opened its doors in November 2018, offering all the latest film releases.

5. The Butterfly Haven

The largest butterfly house in Idaho is situated a short distance west of Blackfoot. This seasonal attraction, the Butterfly Haven, is located on a picturesque farm featuring an apiary, and includes a large greenhouse filled with vibrant butterflies and flourishing flowers.

Visitors can observe over 30 delightful butterfly species, including monarchs, mourning cloaks, buckeyes, red admirals, Wiedemeyer’s admirals, painted ladies, spicebush swallowtails, and white peacocks.

This venue offers a rare opportunity to study these magnificent insects closely, alongside their caterpillars and chrysalises.

6. Blackfoot Green Belt

Located on the northwest side of the city, there exists a 6.5-mile multi-use paved trail that runs alongside the Snake River.

This project began in the 2000s and connects various public parks, recreational areas, and a series of scenic spots.

The southern endpoint is Jensen Grove Park, a favored location in Blackfoot for outdoor activities, equipped with a skate park, disc golf course, basketball courts, playgrounds for children, and picnic areas.

As you move along the trail, you will encounter the expansive Jensen’s Lake, Airport Park with its mature landscaping and six baseball fields, and the charming Cannon Bridge, constructed from reclaimed materials sourced from dismantled bridges across Idaho and Utah.

7. Bingham County Historical Museum

The museum operated by the Bingham County Historical Society is housed within an exquisite 15-room mansion near downtown Blackfoot.

Constructed from local lava rock in 1905, this property possesses an ambiance reminiscent of the antebellum South, reflecting the origins of its founder in Tennessee.

Inside the museum, visitors can explore a variety of historical furnishings and decorations while artifacts showcase various facets of Bingham County’s heritage.

Exhibits feature Native American artifacts, military uniforms, musical instruments, a doll collection, a collection of historic photographs, and an extensive range of antique clothing. The museum is open during the summer, from early June through late August.

8. Hell’s Half Acre

To the north of Blackfoot, situated on the Snake River Plain, lies an extraordinary basaltic lava field extending across approximately 150 square miles.

This natural formation is believed to have formed around 3250 BCE, as lava erupted from depths of 30 to 50 miles beneath the earth’s surface and subsequently cooled.

Ongoing subsurface pressure led to the formation of the minacious cracks and crevices that characterize Hell’s Half Acre.

A picnic area is available at the entrance, and visitors can navigate the site via a lower loop (1/4 mile) or the more challenging upper loop (1/2 mile), taking approximately 25 minutes and 45 minutes, respectively.

9. Wolverine Canyon

For those seeking more rugged outdoor experiences, the foothills of the Caribou Range, located just east of Blackfoot, provide an ideal backdrop.

Wolverine Canyon is a cherished yet relatively less-traveled destination for hiking, dispersed camping, mountain biking, rock climbing, and various winter activities such as snowmobiling.

From October to January, the area serves as a traditional wintering ground for bald eagles, and it is not uncommon to observe these majestic birds soaring above the canyon.

In warmer months, visitors may also encounter mountain lions, black bears, grizzly bears, and red deer.

Above the Snake River Plain, the night skies offer a breathtaking spectacle that should not be missed.

10. Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Museum

Situated between Blackfoot and Pocatello is the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, home to the Shoshone-Bannock tribes—one of the five federally recognized tribes in Idaho.

A worthwhile short drive south takes you to the Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Museum, which showcases an extensive collection of artifacts, including stone tools, beadwork, jewelry, and textiles.

This museum is complemented by informative descriptions that delve into the tribes’ cultural heritage. Historical black and white photographs depict significant figures from the 19th century, such as Chief Pocatello (1815-1884).

The narrative extends to his interactions with early European settlers, the expansion of the Oregon Trail, and ultimately, his efforts to negotiate peace with the U.S. Government, facilitating the relocation of the Shoshone people to their current reservation.

A visit to the gift shop is also recommended, featuring authentic handmade products crafted by Shoshone-Bannock artisans.

11. Pocatello

Travel 25 miles south to the city of Pocatello, where you can immerse yourself in the history of 19th-century pioneers, fur traders, trappers, and weary travelers along the Oregon Trail.

Here, you can explore a precise replica of Fort Hall, a trading post established in the 1830s near the banks of the Snake River. Pocatello features a well-preserved historic district characterized by charming brick buildings.

One notable industrial building from 1916 houses the Museum of Clean, a fascinating institution devoted to hygiene and cleaning technology, founded by entrepreneur Don Aslett.

Pocatello is also home to the main campus of Idaho State University, which features a notable natural history museum and a spectacular multimillion-dollar performing arts center.

12. Pindale Lanes

Traveling west from Blackfoot along U.S. Route 26 will lead you to Pindale Lanes, a welcoming bowling alley operated by a couple, offering ten well-maintained lanes.

This establishment is the only bowling facility for considerable distance, featuring designated time slots for seniors, women’s teams, and three or four-person teams.

The owners are more than willing to provide helpful advice, and every aspect of the facility, from the surface to the shoes and balls, is exceptionally well-maintained.

The Saturday evening cosmic bowling sessions, enhanced with black lights, are particularly popular among younger bowlers, and the on-site restaurant serves hearty comfort food such as burgers, wings, chicken strips, taquitos, pizzas, and milkshakes.

13. Idaho Falls

By traveling along the Snake River and within a twenty-minute drive, you will arrive at Idaho’s largest city outside Boise.

Idaho Falls possesses the culture, amenities, and attractions fitting for a large city, while also presenting an abundance of natural beauty.

A tranquil greenbelt accompanies the river bank, meandering through picturesque parks and past the man-made waterfall that gives the city its name.

Idaho Falls is home to the Museum of Idaho, two outstanding art museums, a zoo, the impressive Willard Performing Arts Complex, and the Idaho Falls Chukars, Eastern Idaho’s only professional sports team.

14. Blackfoot Golf Course

Golf enthusiasts in Blackfoot will be pleased to find that the city is home to one of the highest-rated municipal golf courses in Idaho, managed by seasoned professional Mike Daley.

This course is situated near the Snake River, at the northern end of Blackfoot’s greenbelt, and features a front nine that was landscaped in the late 1950s and a back nine completed in 1980.

Key characteristics of the course include a consistent breeze across the river plain, swift, smaller greens, shallow bunkers, and perfectly maintained fairways.

Should you find yourself in need of any equipment, the pro shop is well-stocked, and the clubhouse is renowned for the warmth and assistance of its staff.

15. Shoshone-Bannock Casino & Hotel

The Shoshone-Bannock tribes operate three casinos within the Fort Hall Reservation, with the Shoshone Bannock Casino Hotel serving as their flagship establishment. This venue, which opened in 2012, underwent an extensive renovation in 2019 to unveil an impressive new facility.

The design of the sprawling complex creatively incorporates Shoshone-Bannock culture and artistry. In terms of gaming, the casino features 900 slot machines, 40 high-limit gaming machines, a video craps table with eight stations, and a bingo hall accommodating 248 guests.

Open 24 hours, this casino also hosts live entertainment, offers five restaurants, and includes a 156-room hotel equipped with a fitness center and indoor pool.