A former 1913 railroad depot houses the Idaho Potato Museum, where the history of the potato and the architectural history of a historic building come together. There are also museums with very different focuses, lava flows for hiking and recreational activities around Blackfoot. This makes it possible to discover Bingham County from several perspectives: through its cultural history, regional potato tradition and outdoor experiences.
Potato History in a Historic Depot
The Idaho Potato Museum is housed in the former Oregon Short Line Railroad Depot, built in 1913. Its exhibits cover the history of the potato, its cultivation and harvest, nutrition, interesting facts and educational information about the tuber. The subject matter ranges from the work involved in growing potatoes to questions of nutrition and an assortment of facts for the curious.
The culinary side is part of the experience, too: the Potato Station Café serves potatoes baked, fried, in cupcakes, coated in chocolate or made into bread. Anyone interested in the many ways a single food can be enjoyed will find different perspectives here at the museum and café, from historical developments to unusual preparations.
Architecture, Collections and Regional History
The Bingham County Historical Society Museum brings architecture and exhibits together. Its 15 rooms, large white porch columns and conservatory reflect a Southern style also found in the Browns’ home state of Tennessee. The exhibits include Native American artifacts alongside historical clothing and furnishings from bygone eras. They also feature musical instruments, military uniforms, a doll collection and numerous historical photographs. Each collection offers a different perspective on everyday life, design and history.
In Fort Hall, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Museum is located along the Oregon Trail. Its exhibits feature traditional clothing and crafts, as well as changes in the lives of Indigenous communities after outsiders arrived. Another historic site is the Kirkpatrick Cabin at the Snake River Historical Homestead. This historic cabin is considered the oldest still standing in Bingham County. While the museums bring together different subjects and collections, the cabin draws attention to a single building of particular historical significance.
In addition to visiting the Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Museum, visitors can see a live buffalo from the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes’ herd during the summer months. The seasonal timing makes summer particularly relevant for this encounter, so plan your visit within this period.
Lava Flows and Outdoor Activities
Hell's Half Acre is an area of lava flows suitable for hiking. Wolverine Canyon offers a different range of options: northeast of Blackfoot, along Wolverine Canyon Road, visitors can enjoy dispersed camping, snowmobiling, rock climbing, mountain biking and hiking. These activities include pursuits on foot and by bike, as well as winter and climbing options. Which ones appeal to you will depend on whether you want to explore the landscape on foot, ride a mountain bike or choose another of the activities listed.
Trails and Recreation Around Blackfoot
The Greater Blackfoot Area Greenbelt is a 6.5-mile paved multi-use trail. Viewpoints, seating and informative signs line the route. The Greenbelt combines exercise with opportunities to pause along the way or use the signs for information.
Jensen Grove Park offers picnic tables, restrooms, playground equipment, disc golf, open spaces, an amphitheater, basketball courts and parking. The park also has a fully equipped skatepark and borders Jensen’s Lake, which has a beach. For planning, it’s worth checking the current park facilities, as individual amenities may change.
In summer, Jensen Grove Lake is Blackfoot’s main recreation hub. Activities listed there include boating, waterskiing, swimming and picnicking; the Greenbelt also offers opportunities for walking and jogging. The lake and the paved multi-use trail offer different focuses: water activities are the main draw at the lake, while the Greenbelt route follows the trail.
The Eastern Idaho State Fair also features rides and food vendors. Tee times at the Blackfoot Golf Course can be booked online around the clock. Together with the museums, Greenbelt and lava-flow landscapes, these attractions offer a wide range of things to discover, without requiring visitors to focus on any single interest.
Discover more destinations: Blackfoot, Fort Hall, Oneida County, Valley, Bear Lake County, Jerome, Jefferson, Canyon.
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