Post Summary: 12 Adventurous Things To Do In Twin Falls, Idaho
If you’re looking for fun things to do in Twin Falls, Idaho, you’re in the right place! This part of Southern Idaho is packed with gorgeous waterfalls, mysterious geological formations, hidden gems (literally!) and so much more.
Berty and I last visited in May 2021, and we only scratched the surface of the epic things to do in Twin Falls. We are already planning a return trip ASAP to see more!
This region is an amazing addition to any Idaho road trip, so stick around and we’ll show you all the best stops in Twin Falls county and nearby. Let’s get started!
12 Amazing Things To Do In Twin Falls, Idaho
This post is in partnership with Visit Southern Idaho Tourism. All thoughts and opinions are our own.
1. Watch Sunset At Balanced Rock
One of the coolest things to do in Twin Falls, Idaho is watching the sunset at Balanced Rock! Just a 30-minute drive southwest of Twin Falls near Buhl, Idaho brings you to a unique area with rock formations, deep canyons, and interesting geography to explore.
Wind, weather, and time all carved out Balanced Rock from the rhyolite lava on the canyon cliffside. You can find more examples of this same type of rock in Bruneau Canyon, and all over Jarbridge Canyon.
If you are interested in camping nearby (say, to catch the sunrise), there is Balanced Rock Campground nearby. It is a primitive site though, so come prepared with everything you might need, and pack out everything you brought in.
If you are a photographer coming for the best light (you know, catching the sun right on the horizon), plan to come about an hour before sunset. This will allow you to park, take the short hike up, and spend time finding the right photographic angles for your compositions.
Read More: 52 Unique and Fun Facts About Idaho
2. Hike To Perrine Coulee Falls
Perrine Coulee Falls is conveniently located near town, just below the Snake River Canyon Rim Trail.
Unlike many of the dammed waterfalls along the Snake River, this waterfall runs year-round, for seasonal interest no matter the time of year you visit Twin Falls! Launching itself off the canyon walls, you can actually walk under it on a narrow trail, making it feel like you’ve transported yourself somewhere in Iceland!
The “trailhead” is actually just a pull-off on the side of the road, with the waterfall practically around the corner from the road. Be careful as you park though – there are very specific places to park and parking outside of these parameters will surely give you a ticket.
The trailhead is located along a hairpin turn down into the Snake River Canyon and it can be quite difficult to navigate if cars park in the wrong area.
Any time of day is a great time to visit Perrine Coulee Falls, but you might have the easiest time visiting during the morning hours before the crowds start coming out to explore the Snake River Canyon for the day.
3. Walk The Snake River Canyon Rim Trail
Sitting just above Perrine Coulee Falls is the Snake River Canyon Trail.
This rim trail is biker and pedestrian-friendly, and just a little over 6-miles one way. Along the paved trail, you can find overlooks (including the top of Perrine Coulee Falls!), restaurants, and even nearby hotels if you want convenient access to the rim trail.
We recommend starting at the Twin Falls Visitor Center and choosing which direction to go – west towards Perrine Coulee or east towards Shoshone Falls.
If you wanted to hike the entire route, prepare for an all-day adventure and begin and end at Shoshone Falls State Park.
4. Take Your Pick Of The Many Twin Falls Waterfalls To Explore
Did you know Twin Falls is famous for its waterfalls? Visiting them is one of the most popular things to do in Twin Falls!
The deep canyons and nearby mountains make Twin Falls a unique and beautiful destination for any great west coast adventurer who loves the water. There are plenty of opportunities to see waterfalls in Twin Falls.
Take A Shoshone Falls Park Picnic: Shoshone Falls Park has more than just its commanding waterfall! There’s actually a lot to do here! Spend a few hours reading about the history of the falls, explore the trails nearby, and have a picnic in the lush green lawn near the overlook. If you want to spend the whole day here, pop over the Dierkes Lake Park just next to the park and take a dip in the water!
There are sooo many more to discover if you want a waterfall tour! Here are more waterfalls near Twin Falls, Idaho to check out on your trip:
- Auger Falls
- Pillar Falls
- Devil’s Washbowl – Malad Gorge
- Thousand Springs
- Niagara Springs
- Shoshone Falls
- Twin Falls
- Minnie Miller Springs
- Cauldron Linn
- Box Canyon Springs
5. Relax at Miracle Hot Springs & Banbury Hot Springs
You all know we love our Idaho hot springs, and the ones near Twin Falls were incredible! Closest to Twin Falls are Miracle Hot Springs and Banbury Hot Springs, both with their historic pools and resort-like ambiance.
Miracle Hot Springs provided a spa-like serenity, with tons of private pools to use, massages on-site, and beautiful public pools for general soaking.
Banbury has a much larger public pool with a vintage vibe, and you can hear the sound of the river as you soak.
We were able to stay overnight in Miracle Hot Springs’ unique domes so that we could soak all evening and even in the morning, too.
The domes are beautiful in the evening light and included a cozy bed, electric fireplace, air conditioning, and thoughtful amenities like a fridge, table, and other furniture.
If you are looking for a unique place to stay in southern Idaho, the Miracle Hot Springs domes are quite affordable – their queen domes are $120/night for two people!
For more accommodations, there is also camping on-site, as well as cabins and lodges.
6. Explore Box Canyon
Exploring Box Canyon State Park is one of the coolest things to do in Twin Falls if you’re searching for great hiking, water activities, and beautiful views all in one place.
The most common way to explore this canyon is by hiking down to the bottom. At the bottom, you can hike to a few waterfalls and swim in crystal-clear blue water.
This is a great destination for families because you can easily set up a spot by the water and spend time splashing in the pools.
If you’re feeling extra adventurous and love the water, consider boating to Blue Heart Springs!
This section of Box Canyon is only accessible by water vessel (kayak, canoe, paddleboard), and you must launch from either Banbury Hot Springs or Ritter Island State Park.
7. Go Spelunking At Tea Kettle Caves
With all the lava activity in the area, it’s no surprise that there are a TON of caves in Southern Idaho to explore! One of the most iconic caves to see is called Tea Kettle Cave right outside of Gooding, Idaho, an hour north of Twin Falls.
Getting there requires a high-clearance vehicle, ideally with 4-wheel or all-wheel drive. From Gooding, you’ll spend 20-30 minutes driving on a backcountry road, around rocks, rough terrain, and high desert brush.
Our car couldn’t reach all the way to the entrance of the cave, so we ended up hiking about a mile to the cave’s entrance. Plan to drive as far as you can, then pull your car off the road and then hike the rest of the way in.
That means bringing plenty of water, sun protection, and good walking shoes to follow the road!
Once at the cave, you can enter through “the spout” and crawl to the base of the “tea kettle.” We recommend coming during mid-day to get the strongest sun rays shining through the cave’s opening!
LNT Note: The ferns in the center of the cave are extremely fragile! Don’t enter or step into the rock circle in the middle to protect the plants (if you’re coming in the winter, they are dormant and you won’t see them, but they are still very much alive!).
8. Wander in Awe At The Little City of Rocks
If you are in Gooding, Idaho to explore the Tea Kettle Cave, it makes sense to add on a quick trip to the Little City of Rocks. This geological area is an active study site, filled with natural rock arches, hoodoos, spires, and mushroom caps all in one place!
It’s quite a marvelous sight – especially in the springtime when the blooming flowers mix with the orange/red rock landscape. The most popular activities to do here are going mountain biking, hiking the loop trail, and sightseeing. Follow the clear paths around the area to lead you to the most iconic spots in the park.
Explore a similar area in Eastern Oregon: Leslie Gulch in the Owyhee Canyon
9. Soak In These Natural South Idaho Hot Springs
Tucked away in the Sawtooth National Forest are even more natural Idaho hot springs! These hot springs in southern Idaho are less-visited than other popular areas (like the ones in Stanley, McCall, and Lowman, Idaho) because they take a little more effort to reach!
The easiest ones to reach are Worswick Hot Springs and Preis Hot Springs. You can pull your car right up to the pool’s edge! Another hot spring nearby is Skillern Hot Springs, which requires a 3-mile hike along the river to reach the cliffside pools. Skillern reminds us of Pine Flats Hot Springs, and it’s a great option if you love a little more privacy!
10. Play At Centennial Waterfront Park
If you are looking for things to do in Twin Falls that involve water, Centennial Waterfront Park is the place to be! This easy-to-reach park is just north of downtown Twin Falls, with plenty of boating opportunities, picnicking spots, hiking, fishing, and even some rock climbing! Down in the canyon is also Canyon Springs Golf Course and Mogensen Trail parking.
After Memorial Day weekend, you can come to the park and rent kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes from AWOL Adventure Sports for convenient access to the river. On the water, consider paddling upstream to see the Perrine Memorial Bridge, Pillar Falls, and the base of Shoshone Falls!
11. Watch Base Jumpers at The Perrine Memorial Bridge
Towering 486 feet above the canyon stands Perrine Memorial Bridge, a surprising and popular place for base jumpers all over the world! Base jumping is one of the most adventurous things to do in Twin Falls.
Test your bravery at Tandem BASE Jumping, Twin Falls BASE, and the Snake River BASE Academy. These companies have been running base jumping trips for years and can provide a fun and safe experience for all.
Not ready to try it out for yourself? There are plenty of places to watch jumpers from the safety of the side of the canyon! You can view jumpers from either side of the bridge, but the most common place to see them is on the east (sunny) side, on a clear day, generally in the morning.
Park at the Twin Falls Visitors Center and follow the Canyon Rim Trail path to find the best viewpoints to watch! Inside, you can discover even more things to do in Twin Falls!
12. More Things To Do In Southern Idaho
While we had a full weekend of fun on our latest trip to Twin Falls, it seems that our list of places to see only got longer! On our next trip to Southern Idaho, here’s what’s on our Idaho bucket list to explore!
- Hagerman Fossil Beds
- Minidoka National Historic Site
- Twin Falls County Fair (Annually in Early Fall)
- Clear Lake Country Club (Golfing)
- All Units of Thousand Springs State Park
- Camas Prairie Centennial Marsh
- City of Rocks National Reserve
- Watch sunrise or sunset at Malad Canyon
Ready Plan Your Own Trip to Twin Falls Idaho?
There are so many things to do in Twin Falls, Idaho – where do you even start planning your own trip? Well, we made it easy for you and put together a free downloadable itinerary to Twin Falls! We’re sharing a long weekend itinerary to fill your days with incredible outdoor adventures. Sign up for our email list below and receive your free itinerary today!
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Have you ever been to Southern Idaho? What are your favorite things to do in Twin Falls, Idaho? Share them in the comments below!
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