Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Twin Falls, Idaho

Situated in Southern Idaho, the city of Twin Falls boasts a splendid setting along the southern rim of the formidable Snake River Canyon.

This magnificent gorge, with its rugged rhyolite and basalt cliffs, stretches for 50 miles and descends to depths of 500 feet. The canyon floor became arable in the late 19th century, leading to the establishment of parks and golf courses on both sides, enhancing the area’s greenery.

Walking trails meander along the canyon’s edge, linking waterfront parks with breathtaking sights such as Shoshone Falls, often referred to as the “Niagara of the West,” attracting visitors for more than 160 years.

The Perrine Bridge, a key structure crossing the canyon into Twin Falls, ranks as one of the tallest bridges in the U.S. and a favored spot for BASE jumpers, whose parachutes frequently grace the canyon throughout the year.

1. Shoshone Falls

A short distance east of Twin Falls, the Snake River tumbles over a series of rapids, separated by islands, before descending 212 feet over a horseshoe-shaped rhyolite cliff.

During higher water levels, typically occurring after the spring snowmelt, Shoshone Falls appears as a continuous cascade. However, during dry summer and winter months, visitors can observe distinct drops between the exposed rock.

While the falls are at their most magnificent from March to May, they present an enchanting sight throughout the year and can be accessed via the Snake River Canyon Rim Trail or through kayaking and paddleboarding.

The park located on the southern bank features a scenic overlook, a boat ramp, children’s playgrounds, and a spacious grassy area with shaded picnic facilities.

2. Perrine Bridge

Named after the founder of Twin Falls, businessman I. B. Perrine (1861-1943), this impressive truss arch bridge spans the canyon.

The Perrine Bridge was inaugurated in 1976, replacing a cantilever bridge constructed in 1927. Spanning 1,500 feet and rising 486 feet above the river, it is the eighth-highest bridge in the United States.

Those fascinated by monumental engineering will consider it a must-visit; however, there are additional attractions to appreciate.

The stunning scenery from the walkways allows for glimpses of kayakers navigating the river while showcasing the lush valley floor below.

This bridge may uniquely allow year-round BASE jumping without a permit in the United States. The initial recorded jumps date back to 1987, with several jumpers frequently parachuting to the canyon floor on summer days.

3. Snake River Canyon Rim Trail

Twin Falls features ten miles of picturesque trails along the edge of the Snake River Canyon, offering breathtaking vistas 500 feet above the river.

Access to the path is available from Shoshone Falls Park or the Twin Falls Visitor Center, allowing for an easy and memorable hike.

The trail showcases numerous highlights on this list, including the Perrine Bridge, Centennial Waterfront Park, Auger Falls Heritage Park, Pillar Falls, and Dierkes Lake.

Shortly after crossing the bridge, visitors will encounter the site of Evel Knievel’s ill-fated jump across the canyon on a rocket-powered motorcycle.

The stunt ultimately failed when Knievel’s parachute deployed prematurely, sending him drifting into the canyon and narrowly avoiding the water. Remarkably, he emerged from the incident with no severe injuries.

4. Centennial Waterfront Park

This park, located along the riverside, provides a scenic viewpoint to appreciate the grandeur of the canyon and Perrine Bridge.

Additionally, Centennial Waterfront Park serves as a launch point for those seeking adventure within the canyon.

Visitors can rent kayaks and paddleboards for a journey upriver under the bridge to Shoshone Falls. Moreover, Zip the Snake, located within the park, offers exciting zipline rides across the canyon via four lines.

While enjoying breathtaking views, visitors also learn intriguing details about the canyon’s geology, history, and wildlife from knowledgeable guides.

If relaxation is preferred, the park features ample seating and a playground for younger visitors.

5. Twin Falls Visitor Center

Overlooking the canyon and Perrine Bridge, the Twin Falls Visitor Center serves as an excellent introduction, not only to this city but to the entire Southern Idaho region.

This modern facility, surrounded by well-maintained lawns, features expansive glass exteriors, making it hard to overlook those stunning views, especially when BASE jumpers are active.

The center itself is an attraction, highlighted by the Cooper Norman Agriculture Heritage Plaza, showcasing how the arid Magic Valley transformed into one of the nation’s most diverse agricultural regions.

Upon entering, visitors will find a plethora of informative materials and intriguing exhibits, including the historic Perrine Stagecoach.

This vehicle, in use during the late 19th century, transported individuals from Shoshone to the Stricker Ranch in what is now Twin Falls. After decades of abandonment amidst the canyon’s greenery, it was rediscovered in the 1960s and restored for the nominal fee of $1.

6. Herrett Center for Arts and Science

The College of Southern Idaho hosts an exceptional museum within its main campus, located centrally in Twin Falls.

This center emphasizes natural history, showcasing a significant collection of anthropological artifacts from prehistoric America.

During a typical visit, attendees may explore fascinating geological specimens, learn about the migrations of our ancient ancestors, gain insights into the material culture of the Buffalo Nation, and examine captivating objects from the pre-Incan civilizations of Peru.

A standout exhibit is the Huntington Canyon Mammoth, featured alongside an impressive array of minerals and fossils in the Grace & Kenneth Keveren Gallery.

The Faulkner Planetarium, the largest of its kind in the state, seats 144 under a 50-foot dome and offers a gallery filled with the latest mesmerizing images of the cosmos, along with the Centennial Observatory that houses one of the world’s largest wheelchair-accessible telescopes.

7. Mogensen Trail

To view the Snake River Canyon from an alternative vantage point, visitors can access this trail starting from Centennial Waterfront Park.

This route traverses the canyon and leads directly beneath the impressive Perrine Bridge. On days when BASE jumpers are active, spectators may find themselves captivated by the aerial displays.

Moreover, the trail offers diverse experiences, including a lower fork that takes hikers across bridges, down steep staircases, and past small waterfalls that provide a refreshing mist on hot days.

8. Rock Creek Park

Located on the southwestern edge of the city, this park runs along the lush corridor formed by the winding Rock Creek. Established in 1973, Rock Creek Park encompasses 12 acres tracing the canyon carved by the creek.

Visitors can traverse the paved Old Towne Parkway Trail, which leads from downtown Twin Falls and meanders through the park.

Rock Creek Park is well-equipped, featuring a 25-berth RV park, a disc golf course, two playgrounds, volleyball courts, fishing spots, horseshoe pits, shelters, and numerous picnic tables dispersed throughout the area.

9. Perrine Coulee Falls

Just west of downtown Twin Falls, the Snake River Canyon Rim Trail features another impressive waterfall. Here, the Perrine Coulee cascades northward through the city, dropping nearly 200 feet over the southern wall of the Snake River Canyon.

While viewing the falls from above along the Canyon Rim Trail is possible, there is also a path at the base, located in front of Centennial Waterfront, that leads visitors behind the waterfall.

Expect to get wet on this journey, especially during summer months when the waterfall flows at its fullest, but this should not discourage exploration.

10. Dierkes Lake

Nestled in the same rugged landscape just upstream from Shoshone Falls Park is Dierkes Lake, a long-established area for swimming and fishing.

Encompassing 191 acres, Dierkes Lake was acquired by Twin Falls in 1969. It serves as a splendid retreat from the summer heat, with lifeguards present from June through August, along with a concession stand.

Non-motorized vessels are allowed on the lake, and on land, there are facilities including a children’s playground, picnic tables, and two large shelters equipped with grills.

Dierkes Lake is also emerging as a unique destination for landlocked scuba diving enthusiasts, with intriguing submerged objects to discover, such as rowboats, a treasure chest, and a metal shark cutout.

11. Pillar Falls

Moving east, before reaching Shoshone Falls, visitors will encounter Pillar Falls, smaller yet equally impressive in its own right.

The drop at Pillar Falls is limited to a few feet, but the river is divided by an intriguing arrangement of giant rhyolite boulders. To approach Pillar Falls closely, a 1.1-mile access trail winds down the southern canyon wall.

Although the hike is challenging, the views are well worth the effort. Alternatively, visitors may kayak from Centennial Waterfront Park, which offers a distinctive perspective of these towering stone pillars.

12. Auger Falls

In 2002, the city purchased a picturesque expanse of the canyon floor located on the southern bank of the Snake River, approximately five miles downriver from the Perrine Bridge.

Covering over 680 acres, Auger Falls Heritage Park features stunning, rugged landscapes, where the vibrant greenery contrasts against the stark canyon walls.

The park is interwoven with trails suitable for hiking and mountain biking, with a prominent four-mile loop marked by informative signs highlighting intriguing geological features, a historic homestead, and placer gold mining remnants.

Auger Falls presents a stretch of turbulent rapids, while Mermaid Falls, also within the park, cascades down the northern canyon face.

13. Minidoka National Historic Site

For a unique experience, visitors can explore a significant chapter of 20th-century history located approximately 20 minutes northeast of Twin Falls.

The Minidoka National Historic Site preserves the history of a former internment camp that housed around 10,000 Japanese American citizens.

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, 120,000 individuals were forcibly removed from their homes, jobs, and lives, spending the remainder of WWII in camps like this one. This event constitutes the largest forced relocation in American history.

Minidoka was one of ten similar camps and serves as a memorial to a controversial chapter in history.

The site is open year-round, and visitors can explore a 1.6-mile self-guided trail. A visitor center provides exhibits and a film about the site’s history, although it was reported to be closed at the time of writing.

14. Orton Botanical Garden

After exploring the canyon and observing the rich diversity of life in Twin Falls’ desert landscape, you may be intrigued to learn about the plants that thrive in such drought-resistant conditions.

The Orton Botanical Garden, located on the south side of the city near Rock Creek Park, features an impressive array of desert flora, including yuccas and a variety of cacti.

Spring is an exceptional time to visit when the cacti bloom, creating a stunning contrast against the arid backdrop.

During this season, the garden is alive with bees and butterflies, while winter brings dazzling displays of multicolored lights throughout the grounds.

The knowledgeable owner is eager to share insights about Idaho’s native plants; thus, the garden also operates as a nursery for those interested in acquiring particular varieties.

15. Twin Falls County Fair

The premier county fair in Southern Idaho takes place in the western suburb of Filer over five days at the beginning of September.

The inaugural county fair at this location dates back to 1916, and it remains a significant event on the Twin Falls calendar.

Highlights include carnival rides, a variety of vendors, livestock competitions, showcases of antique agricultural machinery, live country music performances, monster truck shows, and a demolition derby.

The County Fair coincides with the Magic Valley Stampede PRCA Rodeo, ranking among the top 60 PRCA rodeos in the United States, featuring three full days of exciting events.