Magic Valley local guide
Things to Do in Twin Falls, Idaho
Twin Falls sits on the rim of the Snake River Canyon, about 40 minutes west of our lot in Burley. In one day you can stand above a waterfall taller than Niagara, watch BASE jumpers leap off a highway bridge, and walk a canyon rim trail at sunset. Here is our local list of the best things to do in Twin Falls, plus a few spots closer to Burley that are worth the drive.
40 min
from our lot in Burley
212 ft
drop at Shoshone Falls
486 ft
from the Perrine Bridge to the river
01 · 15 min from downtown
Shoshone Falls
Shoshone Falls is the reason most people come to Twin Falls. The Snake River drops 212 feet over a horseshoe-shaped rim about 900 feet wide, which is why locals call it the Niagara of the West. It is actually taller than Niagara Falls.
The city park has viewing platforms, picnic areas and short trails along the canyon. The main platform is down about a dozen steps, and there are other viewpoints for anyone who needs an easier route.
When is the best time to see Shoshone Falls?
Late April through June, when spring snowmelt sends the most water over the edge. From mid-summer on, much of the river is held back upstream for irrigation, so the flow drops a lot. In fall and winter you may see more rock than water, but you get the park nearly to yourself.
- Best flow: late April to June
- Open dawn to dusk, year-round
- Vehicle fee spring through Sept 30, shared with Dierkes Lake
02 · North edge of Twin Falls
Perrine Bridge and BASE Jumping
The I.B. Perrine Bridge carries US-93 across the Snake River Canyon. It is about 1,500 feet long and 486 feet above the river. It is also one of the few places in the country where BASE jumping is allowed year-round without a permit, so on a calm day there is a good chance you will see a jumper step off the rail and open a parachute over the river.
Park at the Twin Falls Visitor Center at the south end of the bridge, then walk out on the bridge walkway or watch from the overlook on the rim.
- 486 feet from the deck to the river
- BASE jumping allowed year-round
- Free parking at the Twin Falls Visitor Center
03 · Starts at the visitor center
Canyon Rim Trail and Centennial Waterfront Park
The Canyon Rim Trail is a paved path along the south rim, starting near the visitor center. It is flat, easy for all ages and best in the early morning or around sunset, when the basalt walls light up.
For a different angle, drive down into the canyon to Centennial Waterfront Park. It sits on the river below the Perrine Bridge, with a boat launch, picnic spots and access for kayaks and paddleboards. Looking up at the bridge from the water is something most visitors miss.
- Paved, flat and stroller friendly
- Best at sunrise or sunset
- Kayak and paddleboard launch at Centennial Park
04 · Next door to Shoshone Falls
Dierkes Lake
Just up the road from Shoshone Falls, Dierkes Lake is the local summer spot. The 191-acre city park has a swimming area, a dirt trail around the lake, fishing, rock climbing on the basalt walls, and room for kayaks, canoes and other non-motorized boats. Bring a cooler and plan to stay a while.
- Summer hours 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- 1.7-mile trail around the lake
- Same vehicle fee as Shoshone Falls, spring through September
05 · 35 min west, near Hagerman
Thousand Springs State Park
West of Twin Falls, water from the Snake River Plain aquifer pours straight out of the canyon walls in white ribbons. The state park is split into six units close to each other. Malad Gorge has a short walk to a footbridge over a deep, narrow gorge. Box Canyon Nature Preserve has a spring-fed creek and eagle watching. Niagara Springs is a good picnic and fishing stop for kids.
Some units close to vehicles in winter, so check current conditions with Idaho State Parks before you go.
- Six park units within a short drive
- Winter visitor center hours: Friday to Sunday
- Idaho State Parks day-use fee applies
06 · About 45 min southwest, near Buhl
Balanced Rock
South of Buhl in Salmon Falls Creek Canyon, a wind-carved rock more than 48 feet tall and about 40 tons sits on a base roughly 3 feet by 17 inches. Follow the signs from Buhl to Castleford, then drive about six miles through farmland. Balanced Rock Park below it is a nice place for a picnic.
- 48+ feet tall, about 40 tons
- Picnic area at Balanced Rock Park
- Pair it with Thousand Springs for a west-side loop
Local legend
Evel Knievel’s Canyon Jump Site
On September 8, 1974, Evel Knievel tried to rocket across the Snake River Canyon in his Skycycle X-2. The parachute opened early and he drifted down to the riverbank, but he walked away, and the attempt became part of Twin Falls lore. The dirt ramp mound is still there on the north rim, east of the Perrine Bridge, and you can spot it from the canyon rim. Stuntman Eddie Braun finally completed the jump in 2016.
Food and shopping
Downtown Twin Falls
Main Avenue is the heart of the old downtown, with locally owned shops, coffee, restaurants and a few breweries within a few walkable blocks. It is a good stop for lunch between the falls and the bridge, or dinner after a day in the canyon. Blue Lakes Boulevard, which runs from the Perrine Bridge into town, is where you will find most of the chain restaurants and shopping.
Mini-Cassia
Closer to Burley
Picking up your rental in Burley? These spots are closer than Twin Falls and just as good.
City of Rocks National Reserve
Granite spires up to 300 feet tall near Almo, with world-class rock climbing, hiking and wagon ruts from the California Trail.
Castle Rocks State Park
More granite, quieter trails and a historic ranch. An easy add-on to a City of Rocks day.
Lake Walcott State Park
Camping, fishing, windsurfing and bird watching at the edge of the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge.
Pomerelle Mountain Resort
Family-friendly skiing on Mount Harrison from mid-November to mid-April, with summer chairlift rides on weekends.
Milner Historic Recreation Area
Visible Oregon Trail ruts, picnic shelters and river access just down the road from Burley.
Make a day of it
Day Trips from Twin Falls
Twin Falls is a good base for bigger drives across southern Idaho.
Boise
The capital city, the Boise River Greenbelt and a bigger dining scene, straight down I-84.
Sun Valley and Ketchum
Skiing in winter and mountain trails in summer, up US-93 and ID-75.
Craters of the Moon
Lava fields and caves you can walk through at the national monument.
Hagerman Fossil Beds
Fossils more than 3 million years old at the national monument visitor center.
Cassia Car Rental · Burley, Idaho
Getting Around: Rent a Car in Burley
Twin Falls attractions are spread across the canyon and the farm country around it, and there is not much public transit between them. The easiest way to see it all is your own set of wheels.
We are a locally owned rental agency at 1001 E Main St in Burley, right off I-84. Choose from mid-size cars, SUVs that seat 5 to 8, crew-cab pickups and a 15-passenger van for reunions and group trips. Pick up in Burley and you are in Twin Falls in about 40 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to see Shoshone Falls?
Late April through June. That is when snowmelt pushes the most water over the falls. By late summer and fall, much of the Snake River is diverted upstream for irrigation, so the falls can drop to a trickle.
Does it cost anything to visit Shoshone Falls?
The City of Twin Falls charges a per-vehicle entry fee from spring through September 30. The same gate covers Shoshone Falls and Dierkes Lake. The park is open dawn to dusk all year, and entry is free in the off-season.
Can you watch BASE jumpers at the Perrine Bridge?
Yes. BASE jumping is allowed off the Perrine Bridge year-round without a permit, which is rare in the United States. Your best view is from the walkway on the bridge or the canyon rim near the Twin Falls Visitor Center, especially on calm, clear days.
How far is Twin Falls from Burley?
About 40 miles, or roughly 40 to 45 minutes west on I-84 and US-93. That makes Twin Falls an easy day trip from Burley.
What can you do in Twin Falls in the winter?
Walk the Canyon Rim Trail, watch for BASE jumpers at the Perrine Bridge, and see Shoshone Falls without the summer crowds or the entry fee. Thousand Springs State Park keeps its visitor center open Friday through Sunday in winter, and Pomerelle Mountain Resort near Albion opens for skiing in mid-November.
Do you need a car to see Twin Falls attractions?
Yes. Shoshone Falls, the Perrine Bridge, Thousand Springs and Balanced Rock are spread out over 50-plus miles of canyon and farm country with little public transit. A rental car lets you see several in one day.