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20 locations
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Hike
Last visited on 15 Mar 2017
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Hot Springs
Last visited on 11 Oct 2016
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Sled
Last visited on 10 Sep 2016
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Sled
Last visited on 10 Sep 2016
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Dive, Swim
Last visited on 10 Sep 2016
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Hike
Last visited on 10 Sep 2016
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Camp, Canoe, Dive, Kayak, Sled, Swim
Last visited on 10 Sep 2016
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Sled, Swim
Last visited on 10 Sep 2016
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Camp, Canoe
Last visited on 10 Sep 2016
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Camp, Canoe, Disc Golf, Swim
Last visited on 10 Sep 2016
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Cave
Last visited on 10 Sep 2016
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Dive, Swim
Last visited on 10 Sep 2016
Muir Woods National Monument
Mill Valley, California
1.9 miles W of Mill Valley, CaliforniaMuir Woods National Monument is one of the great natural cathedrals of California, a hushed grove of ancient coast redwoods tucked into a fog-cooled canyon just 12 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge near Mill Valley. Part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, its 554 acres protect 295 acres of old-growth redwood forest, where wooden footpaths wind between towering trees, many of them 600 to 800 years old and soaring up to 250 feet, along the banks of Redwood Creek. It is a genuinely awe-inspiring place, and one of the most beloved parks in the Bay Area.
The forest is the whole experience. Walking beneath these giants, in the cool green light filtering through the canopy with the creek murmuring alongside, is unlike anywhere else so close to a major city. The park offers about six miles of trails, from easy half-hour loops to more challenging routes that climb out of the canyon and connect with Mount Tamalpais State Park. The Main Trail is paved and wheelchair-accessible for its first mile, running level alongside Redwood Creek, which makes the heart of the grove reachable for just about any age or ability.
The single most important thing to know before visiting is that reservations are required. Because parking and the shuttle are limited and the park is enormously popular, you must reserve a parking spot or a shuttle seat in advance; you cannot simply drive up and get in. There is also an entrance fee (children are free), a standard national-park charge. Booking ahead through the official reservation system is non-negotiable, and it's the difference between a magical morning and being turned away at the road.
Muir Woods is open 365 days a year and opens at 8 a.m., and the early birds are rewarded: the first hours bring the best light for photos, the quietest trails, and the classic redwood-forest fog before the crowds arrive. It gets genuinely busy by midday, so an early reservation is the move.
The coastal climate means it's cool and often damp year-round, even when the rest of the Bay Area is warm, so layers and a rain shell are wise in any season. The paved main loop is stroller- and wheelchair-friendly; the connecting trails into the hills are steeper and rougher.
Come with warm layers, comfortable shoes, a camera, and, above all, a reservation made in advance. For a walk among 800-year-old giants in a fog-wrapped canyon minutes from San Francisco, Muir Woods is a bucket-list experience that fully earns its fame.
Spencer Hot Springs
Austin, Nevada
16.0 miles SE of Austin, NevadaHot springs, filled with steaming, soothing mineral water are a popular way to sooth away the aches and pains after a days of hiking, riding, and other activity. Spencer is a cluster of natural springs on unimproved public land. Previous visitors have made some rudimentary improvements to the area to enhance the experience, The largest bathing hole has water of about 140 degrees flowing into a concrete tub. Each of the pools has a feeder pipe with the hotter water so you can temperature control a little bit. The upper pool is a little cooler.
These pools are considered to be clothing optional but there's a good chance you'll have somebody drive by to check out your pool so it's not as private as it might be.
0.1-0.3 mi
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Disc Golf
Last visited on 10 Sep 2016
Rexburg Nature Park
Rexburg, Idaho
0.8 miles NW of Rexburg, IdahoRexburg Nature Park:
Life can be stressful, annoying, or just not good. Sometimes, it takes a moment to simply get away from the non-sense of this world; to gather yourself and seek peace and tranquility. That option is around the corner; you drive and see a trail, so you park and walk on the trail. As you walk, there's trees and sunlight shining on the leaves. You walk further and see a pond with ducks (both green and brown) and families sitting on the green grass with their kids; they watch, feed the ducks and take pictures with a smile on their face.
You go back to your vehicle and reminisce what you saw. Close to the south fork of the Teton River, is a nature park that isn't crowded with college students or infested with incoming traffic but a 15 acre park that was made so you can take your family or acquaintances for a picnic or a social gathering and enjoy; you also have the option to ride your bike or to jog on the trails.
The park is next to the Claire Boyle skate park, a beautiful golf course next to the fairgrounds and a 9 hole Frisbee golf course.
Features:
-Playground for the kids
-Fishing ponds ( A valid fishing license is required); fishing ponds for children as well.
-Wildlife and wildflowers
For more information and questions:
| Phone | 208-359-3020 Ext. 0 |
|
customerservices@rexburg.org |
Smith Park
Rexburg, Idaho
1.0 miles E of Rexburg, IdahoWhen the snow piles up in the streets, the wonderful city of Rexburg moves the snow to the park. It gets piled on the side of the road on top of what is a small sledding hill to start with. The hill is probably about a 30-40 foot drop. It's great for kids and there's a utility box often used to build a jump. Because it's such a great hill with such a convenient location, it can get a bit crowded at peak sledding times.
I don't believe the added height from the city snow removal doesn't usually occur until the winter celebration in January. There's still a smaller hill there before that though.
St. Anthony Sand Dunes
Saint Anthony, Idaho
6.0 miles NW of Saint Anthony, IdahoThe St. Anthony Sand Dunes are one of Idaho's great natural playgrounds, a vast sea of white quartz sand stretching some 20 miles long and 5 miles wide across the high desert northwest of St. Anthony in eastern Idaho. This 10,600-acre BLM Special Recreation Management Area holds dunes ranging from 50 to a towering 400 feet high, and it draws off-road riders, sandboarders, hikers and equestrians from across the region to a landscape that feels genuinely otherworldly against the backdrop of the Teton skyline.
Off-highway riding is the headline activity, and the dunes are built for it. The signature feature is Deadhorse Bowl, a famous OHV sand bowl a mile in circumference and 400 feet deep in the western part of the complex, where riders carve the steep faces from spring through fall. The BLM requires that off-road vehicles be registered in the owner's home state and fly a safety flag, a red or orange flag at least 6 by 12 inches, mounted 8 feet above the ground so machines are visible over the dune crests. Beyond the motors, the dunes are superb for sandboarding and sand sledding down the big faces, and for hiking and horseback riding in the quieter stretches.
Camping centers on Egin Lakes, about 8 miles west of St. Anthony, with 48 improved sites including some with electrical hookups, potable water, and an RV dump station; 26 sites are reservable on Recreation.gov and the rest are first come, first served. The area has a beach popular for swimming, though the lake does hold leeches, so staying near the shore's edge helps; in town, the St. Anthony Sandbar is a beloved local river swimming hole for a family picnic.
The dunes are exposed and can be punishing: summer sun bakes the open sand with no shade, wind kicks up quickly, and the soft, steep faces are genuinely strenuous to climb on foot. Riders should treat Deadhorse Bowl and the big faces with respect, and everyone needs far more water than the desert setting suggests. The sand also gets scorching underfoot at midday.
Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons for riding and hiking, while summer draws the biggest weekend crowds and the swimming at Egin Lakes. Bring plenty of water, sun protection, eye protection against blowing sand, a properly flagged and registered machine if you're riding, and everything you need to be self-sufficient in open desert. For OHV thrills on 400-foot faces, a sandboard run, or just a walk across a genuine dune sea with the Tetons on the horizon, the St. Anthony Sand Dunes are a one-of-a-kind Idaho destination.
Fun Farm Bridge
Saint Anthony, Idaho
3.1 miles E of Saint Anthony, IdahoThe Fun Farm Bridge is a well-known bridge-jumping spot on the Henry's Fork of the Snake River just outside St. Anthony, in eastern Idaho, long popular with local teens and college students looking for a summer adrenaline rush. Also called the Funny Farm Bridge, it sits on the river northeast of town, where jumpers leap from the roadway or climb higher on the structure, and an old abandoned bridge next to the one in use offers deeper water and two distinct levels to jump from. It is genuinely popular, and it is also genuinely dangerous, which is the most important thing to understand before going anywhere near it.
Authorities warn strongly against swimming or jumping here. A diversion dam near the bridge creates powerful undercurrents in the river, and it is easy for swimmers to get caught in them; the water is considered especially dangerous before June, when spring runoff runs high, cold and fast. In 2019, a 23-year-old man drowned near the Fun Farm Bridge after jumping from it, and the Henry's Fork has claimed other lives in this area. This is not a gentle swimming hole; it is fast, cold, powerful water with a man-made hazard beneath the surface, and local officials discourage people from entering the water here at all.
We list the spot honestly rather than pretending it isn't used: people do jump here every summer. But anyone considering it should weigh the plain facts above first, understand that undercurrents from the diversion dam are invisible from the surface, never jump into water whose depth and hazards they haven't verified, and recognize that early-season conditions are the most lethal. Alcohol, cold shock and moving water are a deadly combination that has repeatedly turned tragic here.
For families and visitors simply wanting to cool off in the St. Anthony area, there are far safer options nearby, including the popular St. Anthony Sandbar in town, a mellow river swimming spot with amenities for a family picnic, and the swim beach at Egin Lakes out by the Sand Dunes. Choosing one of those over the Fun Farm Bridge is, bluntly, the difference that matters.
The setting itself is pretty, farm country along a classic Henry's Fork stretch of the Snake River Plain, and late summer brings the warmest, lowest water. But the honest bottom line is the one the authorities keep repeating: the diversion dam and its undercurrents make this a place to be extremely cautious about, and the safest way to enjoy the Henry's Fork here is from the bank.
Henry's Fork Green Way (St. Anthony Green Belt)
Saint Anthony, Idaho
0.6 miles SW of Saint Anthony, IdahoThis is a great walk along the river. While it is nestled right next to the highway, the closeness and beauty of the river flowing on the other side of the trail more than make up for it. Halfway along the trail, there's a statue of Andrew Henry and a loop that will take you right back for an easy 1 mile. The full length is a mile itself making a full 2 mile round trip.
Pet Friendly: Yes
Difficulty: Easy
Trail: Paved
Length:
- Statue Loop: 1 mile
- Full Round Trip: 2 miles
0.2-0.5 mi
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Camp, Hike, Mountain Bike, Sled
Last visited on 10 Sep 2016
Eagle Park
Rexburg, Idaho
0.9 miles N of Rexburg, IdahoEagle Park is a little urban oasis. Once you drive in to this cottonwood forest along the river, you may forget that you're still inside Rexburg city limits. You can camp, picnic, throw rocks in the river, fish, mountain bike, or just go for a walk along the trail or road. All sites have picnic tables, fire rings, and tent pads. Just off the main parking lot is a nicely mowed grassy area that is a popular dog park. On the West end of the parking lot, you'll find a multi-use trail that will take you almost the entire length of the park.
Mountain Biking/Hiking/Walking
The trail system at Eagle Park is maintained in part by Free Arenas. If you have any would like to get involved or just want to share your thoughts on how to improve it, email trailbuilding@freearenas.com.
Tenderfoot is primarily a mountain bike trail. The trail runs back behind most of the campsites. While it's built for mountain bikes, it's usually great for a nice quiet walk as well, and arguably the best way to see the park. This 0.5 mile trail is rated Easy but is about as tough as an easy trail can get. It's pretty mellow but does have a couple of very short ups.
Taut-line is cut into the slope along the fence line. It begins on the embankment at the West end of the campground and goes for 0.4 miles before meeting back up with Tenderfoot. The Northwest section is the longest section of trail in Eagle Park and is cut into a steep slope above marsh and ponds. It is generally downhill from the West end but has plenty of up and down. Towards the middle of the trail, there is a berm and a couple of table top jumps. The section South of the Tenderfoot junction was an Eagle Project completed by Ian Hoffman and his volunteer crew. The trail continues to cut up and down the side hill with a fun rock berm and a rock garden. The end drops in to connect back to Tenderfoot right near the junction with Bugler. The trail is a one-way trail from West to East and has short climbs and fun decents. Because it's much higher than the Tenderfoot Trail it parallels, Taut-line does not flood and actually bypasses the flood areas of Tenderfoot. Because the trail does go along a steep slope on the West end, remember to fall uphill. This trail is rated Intermediate.
Bugler drops off the Tenderfoot Trail and runs down and around a small pond just off the main lawn. There's a few decents, climbs, and berms adding a little bit of speed and a little more difficulty.
Jamboree drops off the Eagle Park Road near campsite 19 and continues down along the river to the old campsite 14 that's now a disc golf basket. This trail rolls back and forth through a trough of sorts with some jumps along the edges and potential for many more. It seeps ground water when the water is higher and is completely flooded in May/June when the river is really high. When it's dry though, it rides decently fast and is a lot of fun!
Skills Park Along the Tenderfoot Trail and just off the lawn is a skills park built as an Eagle Scout project by Erik Hurst and other volunteers. It features a large wrap-around berm on the north end, raised skinnies made of 2x8, 2x6, and 2x4 treated lumber, a ladder a-frame, a rock garden, and a see-saw.
While not all trails are intended to bi-directional and multi-use, they are all used as such so please be aware of others on the trail.
Looking for a little longer hike or ride? Go to the Northwest end of the park and you'll find an old embankment road that follows the airport fence line to the Nature Park. It's pretty popular to loop both parks together.
Sledding
There's some mounds above a bench that can be used as a sledding hill area just off the main grassy area. It's a terraced hill with a couple set runs and then quite a bit of open hill as well. Elevation is only about 20 feet from top to bottom but there's plenty to keep kids busy for awhile. There's even a more difficult run that includes jumps and drops for snowboards. The terrace trails are better when the snow's a little bit icier but the small hills are great for little kids that wnat to avoid the more popular hill at Smith Park
Camping
Picnicking is free but there is a fee for camping. Overnight camping fee is $10.00 per space paid via rexburg.org. All fees are used for future picnic tables, restrooms and other park improvements. The camp fee for boy scout troops may be waived as long as they perform an approved 1 hour service project to the park while camped here. Picking up garbage and pulling weeds are always approved. Weeds that need pulled include hounds tongue, cocklebur, bull thistle, and the occasional stinging nettle.
Posted Eagle Park Rules
- No RVs in park
- No motorcycles, scooters, or ATVs on park roads
- 7 day camping limit
- Tents only on designated tenting pads
- Fires in designated fire pits only. No non-burnable items in firepits.
- No smoking, tobacco, or alcoholic beverages
- Pets on leashes only. (All pet droppings to be put in bags for droppings)
- All garbage to be put in garbage cans. Pack it in - Pack it out.
- No firearms, firecrackers, or explosives
- Avoid loud music and noises — Be respectful of other campers
To reserve an entire shelter, call City Hall at 359-3020. Reservation fee is $25 per half day.
This is a community service project of Free Arenas, the Madison Lions Club, Trails of Madison County, the City of Rexburg, and numerous Eagle Scouts in the Yellowstone District of the Grand Teton Council, BSA. Constructed 2001-2005.
Please respect the flora and fauna and practice the Outdoor Code. This park only exists because of volunteer service from many in the community. Please, don't be afraid to help out by collecting some hounds tongue, cocklebur, and bull thistle. If you're looking for ideas for a bigger service project, contact trailbuilding@freearenas.com
St. Anthony Sandbar
Saint Anthony, Idaho
0.2 miles SE of Saint Anthony, IdahoCLOSED. //// Sand Bar Update ////
***As of 27 June 2019 *** The Sand Bar is still closed to ALL swimming, please do not cross the boundary line. We are closely monitoring the river flows (currently at 2100 CFS) we typically like to see the levels at approximately 1200 CFS before swimmers are allowed in the water.
We are anticipating opening the Sand Bar to swimmers very soon, we ask that you be patient and respect the closure until then.
SAPD.
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Dive, Swim
Last visited on 10 Sep 2016
The Sand Bar is located on the Henry's Fork of the Snake River.. It has been the local swimming hole for more than 60 years and features a shelter, picnic tables, a water slide, a playground, sand boxes, a roped area for swimming and a diving board. A popular place for families, and visitors to cool off in the heat of the summer. There is no charge to use the Sand Bar, but the park cannot be reserved. It has a shallow, bordered swimming area for novice or non-swimmers, and a diving board and floating platform area for better swimmers.
The park has sandboxes on the sides of the steps down to the water and a small water slide which ends in the novice swimming area.
Swim at your own risk. The Sandbar is a popular place. No dogs are allowed in the park.
Take precautions when swimming in rivers with fast currents like this one.
The diving board is safe as long as you:
1. Don't use it when the river is running high, fast and cold.
2. Jump or dive off the front, not to the sides. There are huge rocks to the sides. Stick to the front to avoid getting hurt.
Don't swim in the "safe area" if the buoys aren't up. It is not safe until the City of St. Anthony puts them up.
Monkey Rock
Saint Anthony, Idaho
4.1 miles SE of Saint Anthony, IdahoCLOSED. PSA: Monkey Rock is no longer open to the public. The owner has posted "No Trespassing" signs and is asking the Fremont County Sheriff's Office to assist with keeping people out of their private property. We would like to remind those who may choose to ignore the "No Trespassing" signs that trespassing is a misdemeanor and will not be tolerated.
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Swim
Last visited on 10 Sep 2016
Monkey Rock features a beautiful waterfall you can wade right up to during the summer. Just under the waterfall is a great spot to wade around in or even some shallow swimming pretty good for small children. Maybe you just want to take advantage of the great bank to bask in the summer sun. The water temperature is fairly cool, which by no means is unwelcomed during the hot summer months. You'll get used to the water fairly quickly once you're in. The waterfall is a fun feature at Monkey Rock, not to mention a popular engagement photo backdrop. The name "Monkey Rock" is derived from the "monkeys" who jump off the rocks at the top of the falls to the pool below. Though not a great height, it's important to be careful and only jump into areas clear of rocks and other hazards and where the water is deep enough that you won't hit bottom when you jump. There really isn't a safe spot to jump from the falls as it doesn't usually get more than 5 feet deep.
The real jumping location is off the Hog Hollow Bridge up the road from the waterfall.
PLEASE NOTE: On the roads leading to Monkey Rock, the speed limit is 35 mph for the last mile. There are kids, cows, horses, and dogs along that road and many people tend to speed going to and from Monkey Rock. Please slow down and stay safe.
Jefferson County Lake (AKA Rigby Lake)
Rigby, Idaho
2.0 miles N of Rigby, IdahoJefferson County Lake — known to everyone in the area simply as Rigby Lake — is a beloved man-made swimming lake and county park just outside Rigby, Idaho, about a 20-minute drive from Idaho Falls or Rexburg. In a landlocked stretch of eastern Idaho, it's the closest thing to a day at the beach: a broad sandy shoreline, warm-but-refreshing water, floating docks, and a summer crowd of families making the most of the season.
Jefferson County has invested heavily in the park over the years, and it shows. A wide sandy beach runs along much of the south shore — perfect for sandcastles and burying kids up to their necks — and a line of buoys separates the shallow, protected swimming area from the open water beyond. Out on the west end sit two floating docks, the big draw for many visitors: they're anchored over deep water that's great for jumping and diving, and one dock has a slide that launches you out over the lake. Beyond the buoys, the open water fills with canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards, and rentals are often available on site if you didn't bring your own.
The amenities round out a full family day: two playgrounds, sand volleyball courts, large and small covered pavilions, restrooms, a seasonal food truck, and a campground on the north end for those who want to stay the night. It's well maintained and genuinely set up for a crowd, yet regulars note that even on a packed weekend the water itself rarely feels crowded — you can usually walk right up to the dock slide without much of a wait.
A few practical details. The park charges a modest day-use fee — currently around $5 per vehicle (walk-in or bike-in about $3), or a $30 season pass (not valid for camping) — and it's generally open daily from about 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Because the lake is filled with irrigation water, the season is weather- and water-dependent: it typically fills enough for swimming around June 1 and stays good through about the end of September before it's drawn down for the year.
Come summer, bring what makes a beach day: sunscreen, chairs or a canopy for the grassy area above the sand, and floats or inner tubes, which reviewers say really add to the fun. The water tends to run cool but comfortable — refreshing without being shivery. And the lake has a fun second life in the cold months: once it's drawn down and frozen, the basin becomes a popular local sledding spot, with no fee to park in winter. However you catch it, Rigby Lake is a genuine eastern-Idaho institution — a little slice of the beach in the middle of the high desert.
0.6-2.0 mi
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Camp, Cave, Hike
Last visited on 10 Sep 2016
North Menan Butte ('R' Mountain)
Menan, Idaho
4.5 miles N of Menan, IdahoThe North Menan Butte is more commonly known to the locals and college students as R Mountain. Many kids know it better as Ou'R' Mountain. The butte is a rare and unique geological area and provides a great volcanic hike.
There's a paved parking lot and a vault toilet at the West trailhead. The first few hundred yards are well-maintained gravel and sand paths and the further you get, the less defined the trail gets, though it is relatively easy to find and follow. The switchback trails (South and West) are marked by sections of log fences. Towards the top of the West switchbacks, there's a chain handrail. It gets a little steep so you'll want some shoes with some grip. The sand on the rock makes it pretty slippery in the steeper parts. You'll get better grip after a good rain. Once you get up to the top, there's an informational placard. From there, it's easy to hike the rim and get an awesome view of the valley including Rexburg, Henry's Fork, and the Snake River.
It's a great hike for a small family or just a quick hike for a date. Even going up the West switchbacks and around rim, including the 'R', and back down the same way is only 3.5 miles (longest route) so you can do it pretty quick if you want. There's so much to look at that you could also spend hours climbing rocks, exploring caves, and playing around "The Ampitheater". If you just want to get to the 'R' as quickly as possible, you can do the hike in as little as 2 miles roundtrip.
Distances:
- West trailhead up the face to the rim: 0.5 miles
- West trailhead up the switchbacks to the rim: 0.75 miles
- West trailhead, from reaching the rim to 'R': 1 mile
- South trailhead to the rim: 0.3 miles
- South trailhead, from reaching the rim to 'R': 0.75 mile
- Through the caldera: 0.6 miles
- Around the rim: 2 miles
- Rim to 'R': 500 feet
There are no fees. Camping is allowed up to 5 nights but fires must be in an elevated fire pan and all the ash must be packed out.
Posted regulations:
- No motorized vehicle use
- Discharging of weapons or fireworks is prohibited
- Open fires are permitted only with an approved elevated fire pan and ash removal
- Burning pallets, tires, wire, plastic, glass, metal, magnesium, or hazardous material is prohibited
- Cutting or damaging vegitation is prohibited
- 5-day camping limit
Egin Lakes
Saint Anthony, Idaho
8.9 miles W of Saint Anthony, IdahoEgin Lakes is one of the favorite gateways to the St. Anthony Sand Dunes. The lakes themselves are unusually shallow and where you'll actually find a lake depends greatly on what time of the summer you go. The earlier in the year, the larger the lake. If you do find a lake, you'll find plenty of shallow areas for water games. The 2-3 feet deep areas are great for tackle football, ultimate frisbee, volleyball, or any other running game you want to take to the water. If you come early in the summer you'll find the lake extended pretty far east into the sandiest parts. It's the closest you'll find to a real beach in Southeast Idaho.
There is a $5 per vehicle access fee which gets you into a great parking lot, parts store, showers. The Egin Lakes Campground also offers a potable water system, RV dump station and 48 improved camp units, including electrical service. If you do ride ATVs at the dunes, be sure to take all proper precautions, including a flag for visibility.
Twin Bridges Park
Rexburg, Idaho
10.5 miles S of Rexburg, IdahoTwin Bridges is a campground 12 miles South East of Rexburg on S. 600 E. It is maintained by Madison County Parks Department. It is a 27 acre park of pristine land rich with wildlife on the Snake River. The park is located between two bridges (from which it gets its name) has two entrances and has the rules that are posted at both the entrances. There are abundant camping spots with large trees for shade. The North, West, and East sides are surrounded by BLM ground that offers hunting, hiking, and site seeing. Camping is $10/night or $40/night for 5 sites. Camping is limited to 5 days in a 30 day period. The park is a dry park so pack plenty of water. Any camp or vehicles left unattended for more then 48 hours will be towed or taken down at owner's expense.
Beaver Dick Park
Rexburg, Idaho
5.7 miles W of Rexburg, IdahoBeaver Dick is a park 4.5 miles west of Rexburg, Idaho on Hwy 33. It's a 9.5 acre park that passes next to the west bank of the Henry Fork of the Snake River; it's a popular place for swimming, fishing and other water activities such as boating and canoeing.
Within the campgrounds, there are fire pits, pavilions for social events and gatherings, bathrooms and a playground for the kids. It almost makes for good rounds of walks around the outskirts of the Snake River while enjoying the scenery.
History:
The park was named after an English-American named Richard Leigh. He was reportedly given the moniker "Beaver Dick" by LDS president Brigham Young for his beaver trapping abilities. As a young boy, he left England and moved to the United States to make a living as a fur trapper and eventually, fought in the Mexican war at 17 years old. He traveled throughout the Teton laying traps for beavers for fur, hunting and mapping out the Fire-Hole [Yellowstone Park], Jackson Hole and west of the Tetons in his journal. He became a fluent speaker of the Bannock and Shoshone language, met and married a native American woman named Jenny and had 6 children. The family adopted a child that contracted smallpox; the family of the child died. The family, including the adopted child, died of smallpox and Beaver Dick survived. He later remarried to a Bannock Indian named Susan Tadpole in 1979 and had 3 children. He lived the rest of his life as a mountain man but in 1899, he passed away of a serious illness and was buried beside his family overlooking his ranch in Rexburg, Idaho. He will be remembered as a skilled hunter, trapper and an expert in exploration and settlement of the Tetons, guiding travelers and explorers throughout the mountain west.
Tips:
-Bring water; there are no water fountains
-Bring life jackets in case of strong water currents during swimming
-Beaver Dick is open 7 days a week
-Make camping reservations in advance; first come, first serve
Camping Fees:
- $5 a night or $15 for all 5 day/night stays
For reservations, information, questions or concerns:
-Phone number: (208)-356-3139
-Website: https://www.co.madison.id.us/departments/parks-recreation/30-beaver-dick-park
The use of this field for playing paintball is now prohibited. Please take better care of the fields we are permitted to use.
Civil Defense Caves
Rexburg, Idaho
23.0 miles N of Rexburg, IdahoThe caves are large lava tubes. The name comes from the cold war era when they were anticipated as a safe area in the case of an attack. The entrance is pretty bouldery and does require a small amount of agility. Once in, it's easy enough for even little kids. Off the entrance, there are two main tubes. The right is pretty easy, the left is a little more difficult but does have bats. The right tube is mostly a flat gravely floor with a very large arched ceiling with rocks and boulders here and there. There's plenty of room to run around. College kids often play glow in the dark tag and other similar night games out here. It's pretty well patroled due to the high interest. At the end is a little more like caverns that you can crawl around through.
The caves are pretty cold year round. You're even likely to find some ice near the entrance. You'll want to bring jackets, lights, and good footwear. Sadly there is quite a bit of broken glass throughout the caves.
The dirt road up to the caves is very rocky and often washed out. You probably want to drive something with pretty good clearance.
The caves are closed October through April to protect the bat habitat.
0.3-0.6 mi
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Last visited on 10 Sep 2016
Cress Creek Nature Trail
Rexburg, Idaho
11.9 miles S of Rexburg, IdahoMeandering along the scenic South Fork of the Snake River, the beautiful 1¼ mile Cress Creek Nature Trail will lead you on a journey through sagebrush-grass communities, over juniper covered slopes, and along a lush perennial creek. Cress Creek derives its name from the watercress plant, a favorite food of the moose that live in this area. With clear skies, prepare for an expansive view of the Snake River, volcanoes and farmland. The site offers ample parking, restrooms and trail accessibility, which attract a wide spectrum of trail users to the area. You will become familiar with life in the Cress Creek area as it is now and as it was long ago. If you hike quietly you may see deer, rabbits, small lizards, or possibly an eagle or a moose. The nature trail is self-guided with many beautiful interpretive signs posted along the way to assist you. The first half-mile of the trail is accessible by wheelchair.
On the northeastern corner of the trail, there's an overlook trail. Parts of it are pretty nice like the rest of the loop but some is barely recognizable as a trail. Parts of the trail are steep and parts of it go over some pretty loose rock. It goes for about a ½ mile all the way to the top of the hill. Just below the rim, there are several really cool caves. From the top, you can see from Rexburg to Idaho Falls.
Twin Bridges
St. Anthony, Idaho
6.6 miles NE of St. Anthony, IdahoTwin Bridges is a beloved bridge-jumping and swimming spot on the river near St. Anthony, Idaho — a summer institution for families, teens, and college students across the upper Snake River Valley. The name comes from the setup: an old abandoned bridge stands right beside the one still in use, and the deep, slow water beneath the old span makes for about the best bridge jumping around, with no traffic to dodge and easy parking nearby.
The jumping is the main event, and it's well suited to a range of nerve. There are two distinct levels to leap from — a lower point around 11 feet and a higher one around 17 feet — so you can start small and work your way up, and the water below is plenty deep for cannonballs, flips, and gainers. Locals consider it about as good and as “reasonably safe” as bridge jumping gets, with one firm caveat: keep clear of the rocks along the sides, which can be exposed depending on the water level.
There's more to it than jumping. A little rope swing often hangs under the bridge — a favorite of the little kids — and a path up the river makes a good put-in for a short, mellow float back down. For families with young children, there's a sandbar on the north side just upstream of the action, perfect for wading and splashing away from the jumpers. The slow current is ideal for simply hanging out in the water while you watch your friends show off.
A fun local curiosity: downstream of the little rock dam on the north side lie the sunken remains of an old car, washed here after an accident years ago. When the water is low and clear you can spot its chrome bumper from the rocks and swim down for a look — a quirky bit of underwater sightseeing that regulars love.
Part of the appeal is how welcoming and community-minded the spot is. Generations of upper-valley families and Rexburg-area college students have made Twin Bridges their go-to summer swimming hole, and there's a friendly, everybody-shares-the-water vibe on a busy afternoon. It's the kind of simple, free, small-town summer pleasure that keeps people coming back week after week.
A few practical notes: it's a popular place, so expect a crowd on hot, sunny days and holidays — though it handles a lot of people well, and you rarely wait long to jump. Bring water shoes for the rocky spots, sun protection, and drinking water, always check the water depth and clear your landing before jumping (levels change through the season), keep an eye on kids near the current, and pack out all your trash. For a classic, easygoing eastern-Idaho swimming hole, Twin Bridges is hard to beat.
12.1 mi
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Hike, Horseback
Last visited on 16 Jun 2016
Escalante River
Escalante, Utah
1.2 miles E of Escalante, UtahThe Escalante River is the wild green thread running through the heart of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and hiking it is one of the signature experiences of southern Utah's slickrock country. Rather than following a trail beside the water, here the river largely is the trail: you wade, splash and hike in and out of the water through a stunning sandstone canyon near the towns of Escalante and Boulder, in a landscape of towering walls, hanging gardens and desert solitude.
The most popular introduction is the day hike to Escalante Natural Bridge, a moderate walk of about 4.4 miles round trip with only modest elevation gain. It's an easy, family-friendly sampler of the canyon that packs in a remarkable amount: the impressive 130-foot-high Escalante Natural Bridge, a skyline arch, Ancestral Puebloan (Anasazi) ruins, a petroglyph panel, and the mouth of a narrow tributary canyon. The trail crosses the Escalante River four times, and most of the year the water is only ankle-deep at the crossings.
For those wanting more, the full Escalante River Trail is a roughly 15-mile point-to-point backpacking route, a genuine canyon immersion where the river is your path for miles, wading through pools and around cottonwood groves deep in the monument's backcountry. It's a classic Colorado Plateau backpack for those prepared for wet feet and route-finding.
The river crossings are the thing to respect: while usually shallow, the Escalante can run much deeper and faster during spring runoff and after summer thunderstorms, when flash flooding is a genuine danger in these narrow canyons, so checking the weather and flow before entering the canyon is essential. April through November is the practical season, with spring and fall the most pleasant and summer bringing heat and monsoon storms.
This is remote desert canyon country with little shade and no services once you leave the trailhead, so ample water and sun protection matter. Between wading a living river through Ancestral Puebloan history to a 130-foot natural bridge, the Escalante River offers one of the most distinctive and rewarding hikes on the entire Colorado Plateau.
1.0-1.3 mi
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Airsoft, Hike, Paintball
Last visited on 22 Apr 2016
Lorenzo Bridge
Rexburg, Idaho
7.2 miles SW of Rexburg, IdahoThis is the old site of the Lorenzo Boat Launch, which has moved to the other side of the river a little further downstream. This spot sees very little traffic. There are beautiful, yet primitive trails along the river and a well hidden lake. There is a lot of marsh ground and the falls colors are amazing. The trails drawn on the map here are partial. They can be followed further and likely connect to form a loop. If you know the rest of the trail, please let us know.
Paintball Field
Great natural boundaries; There's a river on one side and a dry bed on the other. On one end, it drops down and then becomes sparse. On the other end, there's a fence with nice walk-in gates. There's a dry creek bed that runs through it to one side that gives it a good amount of variety. There's quite a bit of undergrowth and even a couple of nice big man-made stick barriers toward the middle of the field.
When the construction started on the Thornton exit, they blocked off the parking lot on the West side. They built a new parking lot on the East side across the tracks and a trail underneath the bridge and road. You have to haul your stuff now but there is still access to an awesome field.
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