With a five-mile River Walk along both banks of the Snake River, Idaho Falls combines outdoor activity with places that tell the city’s history. The attractions also range from the Japanese Friendship Garden and art along the Greenbelt Trail to the zoo, Aquatic Center, and rodeo. When planning your trip, it’s worth considering the different highlights: river trails, culture, wildlife, and recreational activities.
On the Snake River: Trails and Garden History
The Idaho Falls River Walk can be enjoyed on foot or by bike. The full route is listed as five miles along both banks of the Snake River. If you’d like to include a shorter section in your plans, a one-mile stretch is marked around Freeman Park. This gives you a choice of routes of different lengths.
The Japanese Friendship Garden sits on a rocky island in the Snake River, in the center of Idaho Falls. Its distinctive features include a traditional Japanese garden gate and numerous water features. The island marks the site of the first bridge across the Snake River in eastern Idaho. The garden was created to mark 30 years of friendship with the Japanese sister city of Tokai-Mura. Its garden design and the history of this connection between the cities offer two different ways to appreciate the site.
Art, Exhibits, and City History
The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho is located along the Greenbelt Trail and overlooks the Snake River. The Museum of Idaho offers a different way to engage with its exhibits: For the exhibit Way Out West, six adventure backpacks are available, with themes such as Time Traveler and Storyteller. They help visitors explore the exhibit. If you’d like to include art and museum visits in your trip, you’ll find a range of thematic highlights.
The city’s name also reflects its history. On August 26, 1891, the community was renamed from Eagle Rock to Idaho Falls. This specific date adds another aspect of the city’s history to the historical references at the River Walk and Japanese Friendship Garden.
Zoo, Swimming, and Sports
The Idaho Falls Zoo in Tautphaus Park is home to around 130 animal species and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Another recreation option is the Wes Deist Aquatic Center: its heated indoor pool is 25 yards long and has eight lanes. The facility also has three slides and a hot tub. Idaho Falls offers options for a variety of interests, from visiting a zoo to swimming and water sports.
Idaho Falls also has three championship golf courses with certified PGA staff. The War Bonnet Round Up adds a rodeo to the mix: It takes place every year on the first weekend in August in Idaho Falls and is sanctioned by the PRCA. Its connection to the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of Fort Hall, Idaho, makes it an important part of the culture and traditions of eastern Idaho. The first event officially called the War Bonnet Round Up took place in 1912 at Reno Park in Idaho Falls. If you’re planning your trip around the rodeo, check the dates for the year you’re visiting.
Destinations in the Wider Region
For trips beyond Idaho Falls, routes to Yellowstone and Grand Teton provide helpful directions. Yellowstone National Park is about two hours from Idaho Falls; Highway 20 North leads to the west entrance. Grand Teton National Park is also about two hours away. Possible routes include taking Highway 26 through Alpine, Wyoming, or Highway 22 through Victor, Idaho, to Jackson, then heading north on Highway 89. This lets you distinguish between the two national park destinations and the access routes mentioned for each as you plan your trip.
Discover more destinations: Swan Valley.
Return to the main travel overview: Bonneville.
