Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Jerome, Idaho

The second-largest city in Idaho’s Magic Valley region is an agriculturally-oriented community resting amidst vast flat farmlands.

Until the 20th century, much of Jerome County was arid until a large irrigation initiative transformed the landscape into fertile lands that generate an abundance of fruits and vegetables.

Despite the tranquility of Jerome’s surroundings, the majestic Snake River flows around to the south and west, carving out a 500-foot canyon from the basalt bedrock.

The awe-inspiring Snake River Canyon can be appreciated just ten minutes away in Twin Falls, along with the exhilarating waterfalls on the river, the lofty Perrine Bridge spanning the gorge, and the intrepid BASE jumpers who leap from this remarkable structure.

1. Jerome County Historical Museum

Located in the heart of downtown Jerome, the Jerome County Historical Society operates within an Oregon Short Line Railroad Depot that dates back to 1910.

This facility was relocated to its current charming site in Russell Shepard Park just over 40 years ago, originally serving as a Senior Citizen Center before being transformed into a museum in 2010. Here, guests can explore a wealth of artifacts that represent over 100 years of Jerome’s history.

Notably, the museum provides extensive information regarding the monumental irrigation project along the Snake River in the early 20th century, which initiated agricultural development in this semi-arid region, as well as the poignant narrative of Japanese internment during World War II, detailed further in the following section.

2. Minidoka National Historic Site

The attacks on Pearl Harbor resulted in a surge of anti-Japanese sentiment in 1941, leading to the forced relocation of over 120,000 individuals of Japanese ancestry residing on the West Coast into internment camps.

One of these ten camps was established in Jerome County and is now preserved as the Minidoka National Historic Site, situated a few miles east of downtown Jerome. Approximately 10,000 individuals were interned here, with many contributing to agricultural labor or irrigation projects.

The camp remains largely intact, featuring a guard tower, mess hall, and barracks, and visitors can traverse a 1.6-mile interpretive trail that articulately recounts the history of Japanese internment and daily life within the Minidoka camp.

3. North Park

Situated just a couple of blocks from downtown Jerome along East Main Street, North Park has undergone recent renovations, with an upgrade completed in 2019.

The park is positioned across Main Street from the monument-laden Veterans Memorial Park, providing an ideal locale for relaxation on a sunny day. Among its tall, mature trees that provide abundant shade, visitors can enjoy a splash pad, an expanded skatepark, and an amphitheater.

This space also features newly renovated benches, shelters, and picnic tables, along with ten electric outlets and a water faucet to facilitate gatherings.

4. Jerome Country Club

Contrary to what its name may suggest, this highly-rated private golf course is open to the public. The Jerome Country Club ranks among the oldest courses in Southern Idaho, having first opened in 1926 along the picturesque northern edge of the Snake River Canyon.

To highlight its historical significance, sheep were initially employed to maintain the grass in its early years.

The 18-hole par 72 course features fairways lined with mature trees, and ancient lava flows present unique challenges for golfers, with a moderate slope rating of 106.

Following a round of golf, visitors can unwind at the Caddy Shack Restaurant & Bar, which offers a diverse menu including sandwiches, salads, wraps, baskets, burgers, and pizzas.

5. Jerome Farmers’ Market

Throughout the summer months, the community unites for the Jerome Farmers’ Market, held on Saturdays at the County View Barn located southeast of the city.

This market showcases a delightful assortment of produce cultivated in the immediate vicinity of Jerome, with monthly offerings including raspberries, peaches, apples, cherries, grapes, blackberries, pears, strawberries, asparagus, squashes, zucchini, and herbs such as lavender.

Additionally, the market features special culinary items, artisanal breads, syrups, and delectable homemade cakes.

6. Idaho Farm and Ranch Museum

Conveniently situated at the intersection of Interstate 84 and U.S. Highway 93 in the southeast area of Jerome, this museum is also managed by the Jerome County Historical Society, focusing on the agricultural heritage of Southern Idaho.

The museum encompasses a cluster of rustic structures from the early 20th century, including a barn, church, and windmill.

Furthermore, it displays an extensive collection of historical farming equipment, illustrating the evolution of technology and the range of agricultural activities in the region.

An open day event is organized on the second Saturday of June, offering engaging live history demonstrations and an array of traditional activities for visitors to participate in.

7. Shoshone Falls

Although Jerome is nestled in gentle farmland, a remarkable basalt canyon exists along the Snake River, just a short ten-minute drive to the south.

To experience the canyon’s most breathtaking viewpoints, one must cross the impressive Perrine Bridge to reach the south bank in Twin Falls.

A prime location to begin your exploration is at Shoshone Falls, located upriver from the bridge and known as the “Niagara of the West.”

The waterfall is magnificent, measuring 900 feet wide and 212 feet tall, and its appearance varies with the seasons. During spring, particularly following a snowy winter, one can witness an unbroken curtain of roaring water. At other times, the waterfall presents a segmented visual, flowing through channels that remain stunningly beautiful yet less forceful.

8. Snake River Canyon Rim Trail

The impressive views from the southern rim of the canyon are connected by a 10-mile network of hiking trails.

This path offers near-constant panoramas of the canyon, guiding hikers from the river access point at Centennial Waterfront Park in the west to Dierkes Lake Park, which is nestled within a rocky desert landscape in the east.

Along the trail, you will encounter many notable sights including the ramp where the renowned daredevil Evel Knievel attempted his infamous “Skycycle” jump across the canyon in 1974, pillar falls where the Snake River cascades between formidable rhyolite boulders, and the Twin Falls Visitor Center, which is rich with historical artifacts and interactive displays.

9. Perrine Bridge

Located ten miles south of downtown Jerome, the Snake River Canyon is spanned by the impressive truss arch, Perrine Bridge.

Completed in 1976, this bridge ranks as the eighth-highest in the United States, featuring a deck height of 486 feet above the river.

This notable structure entices a different type of adventure seeker, as it is regarded as the only man-made structure in the country where BASE jumping is permitted year-round without a permit.

During the summer months, one can observe small figures leaping from the pedestrian walkway, with parachutes unfurling gracefully deep within the canyon.

The bridge boasts walkways on both sides, providing some of the most rewarding views of the canyon.

10. Centennial Waterfront Park

For those wishing to explore the canyon from the water, the principal entry point is Centennial Waterfront Park, conveniently located just downstream from the Perrine Bridge.

This area presents another stunning landscape at the base of the canyon. Visitors can rent paddleboards, kayaks, or canoes for a paddling excursion that can extend as far as Shoshone Falls, while “Zip the Snake” on the park’s northwest side features exhilarating zip-line rides across the canyon.

The park also accommodates both motorized and non-motorized boat launches. Should you prefer to simply revel in the views, numerous trails, picnic tables, and shelters equipped with BBQ grills are available.

11. Thousand Springs State Park

The breathtaking scenery continues at Thousand Springs State Park, which is dispersed across several units located just west of Jerome.

Within this park, one can discover gorge-cut streams, sparkling pools, and small yet exquisite waterfalls. One notable area to explore is Malad Gorge, which is somewhat easy to overlook while traveling along Interstate 84.

However, merely one mile off the highway lies a spectacular 250-foot gorge sculpted by the Malad River as it flows toward the Snake River. The views are particularly impressive from a bridge crossing the gorge, and various trails allow access to serene offshoots featuring crystalline ponds and streams nourished by springs.

12. Box Canyon Springs Preserve

Another component of Thousand Springs State Park, this preserve is characterized by stunning beauty where one of the largest springs in the United States courses through a canyon en route to the Snake River.

From the parking area, visitors can embark on a 4.3-mile looping trail that leads along the ridge and descends via staircases into the lush canyon, where the crystal-clear aqua-blue waters invite exploration.

It is an irresistible temptation to dip your toes in the water or even take a swim. At the base of one of the stairways, a charming 20-foot waterfall flows continuously throughout the year.

13. Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument

Located to the west, this 4,351-acre national monument protects a landscape renowned globally for its rich fossil deposits from the late Pliocene epoch, spanning three to four million years ago.

The Hagerman Horse Quarry, situated in the northern section of the monument, harbors the largest concentration of Hagerman horse fossils on the planet.

This unique one-toed species is closely related to modern horses, and its significant presence in this area is likely attributed to a popular waterhole or mass casualties resulting from a flooded river.

Although access to the fossil sites is restricted due to the delicate nature of the excavations, visitors are encouraged to explore the visitor center located in the town of Hagerman, which features fascinating fossil exhibits from the monument.

In addition to the Hagerman horses, displays include saber-toothed cats, mastodons, bone-crushing dogs, and an extinct genus of camel.

14. Craters of the Moon National Monument

Jerome’s advantageous location makes it easy to access an extraordinary yet remote volcanic landscape, protected as a National Monument.

At Craters of the Moon, visitors can observe one of the best-preserved flood basalt regions in the Continental United States, comprised of three expansive lava fields.

In this unique setting, lava emerged from deep underground over a span of 15 million years, continuing until approximately 2,100 years ago.

Being on Idaho’s Great Rift, the lava fields showcase some of the most remarkable examples of open rift cracks on the planet, including the deepest cracks recorded, descending 800 feet.

Other fascinating features include lava tubes, the prominent Inferno Cone, and various spatter cones that rise like giant mounds in the basalt landscape.

Visitors can navigate the area easily thanks to an excellent visitor center, from which all major trailheads can be accessed via a scenic seven-mile loop road.