Palisades Creek Trail / Lakes and Waterfall Canyon
Irwin, Idaho
| Address: | 173 Palisades Creek Rd, Irwin, ID 83428, USA |
| GPS: |
43°23'52.9"N 111°12'44.8"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Idaho |
| MTB Difficulty: | Advanced |
| Trail Type: | Out & Back |
| MTB Trail Type: | Singletrack |
| Trails/Routes: | 5.6-8.3 mi |
Lakes Rivers Waterfalls Fall Colors
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Horseback, and Mountain Bike
Palisades Creek Trail is located about 50 miles southeast of Idaho Falls and about 60 miles west of Jackson Hole WY in Swan Valley Idaho. The four mile hike up to lower Palisades Lake or the 6.2 mile hike to Upper Palisades Lake (elevation 6800 feet) provide some of the best mountain views in the Swan Valley region. Palisades Creek Trail is well maintained and can be used only by hikers, backpackers or horses as it is in the Palisades Wilderness Study area. If you choose to hike up to Upper Palisades Lake, two miles above Lower Palisades Lake you have to leave Palisades Creek trail and turn up Waterfall Canyon Trail and it is just a short distance up Waterfall Canyon. The upper lake typically has better camping because sites at the lower lake fill up sooner.
Both lakes were formed ages ago when giant landslides came down the canyon and blocked the creek. If you scan the mountain walls you may see mountain goats. It is 4 miles to the lower end of the lower lake.
Trail Map courtesy of SnakeRiverMountainBikeClub.com
Mapped Route/Trail Distances
| To Bridge at Lower Palisades (one-way) | 8.3 miles Round Trip |
| Lower Bridge to Upper Palisades (one-way) | 5.6 miles Round Trip |
More Information
Never modify trail features. Ride trails when they're dry enough that you won't leave ruts. Speak up when you see others on the trail and always yield to hikers, horses, and others coming uphill. Always ride on the established trail.
Read MoreBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Irwin, Idaho
- Head southeast toward Old Irwin Rd (161 ft)
- Turn left onto Old Irwin Rd (0.1 mi)
- Turn right onto US-26 E (3.4 mi)
- Turn left onto Old Irwin Rd (0.1 mi)
- Continue straight onto Palisades Cr Rd (0.2 mi)
- Continue onto Pausades Rd (0.3 mi)
- Continue straight onto Palisades Creek Rd (1.5 mi)
The old trail used to go from the campground. The new trail is further down the road with its own bathrooms. The parking area is a hundred feet from the trailhead.
Trails
Distance ?
8.3 miles Round TripElevation Gain ?
574 feetReal Ascent ?
1,445 feetReal Descent ?
871 feetAvg Grade (2°)
3%Grade (-26° to 35°)
-49% to 71%Distance ?
5.6 miles Round TripElevation Gain ?
486 feetReal Ascent ?
981 feetReal Descent ?
495 feetAvg Grade (2°)
3%Grade (-25° to 23°)
-46% to 42%Elevation differences are scaled for emphasis. While the numbers are accurate, the cut-away shown here is not to scale.