942 Hidden Gems of Southeastern Idaho by smbrady17
first prev 1 next lastEvery BYU-Idaho student has heard the all too common complaint that there is "nothing to do in Rexburg." But how true is it?
This is a collection of the best places for college students to hang out in or around Rexburg. While some may be more popular, you might find some new places to adventure during study breaks.
Plus check out https://www.freearenas.com/things-to-do-near-byu-idaho
Fall Creek Falls
Swan Valley, Idaho
2.1 miles SW of Swan Valley, IdahoFall Creek Falls is one of eastern Idaho's most beloved and photographed waterfalls — a broad, 60-to-70-foot curtain of water that spills over mossy travertine ledges directly into the Snake River near Swan Valley. It's a genuinely unusual sight: most waterfalls tumble into a creek or pool, but this one pours straight into a major river, framed by the cottonwoods and canyon walls of the beautiful Swan Valley. It's especially glorious in autumn, when the riverside trees blaze gold and the whole scene lights up.
The best part for most visitors is how easy it is to reach. From Highway 26 just west of Swan Valley, turn onto gravel Fall Creek Road (Forest Road 058) and follow it along the Snake River to a small pull-out near the falls. From there it's more of a short walk than a hike — cross a small stream and stroll a couple of minutes to a flat perch right at the top of the falls, with sweeping views over the waterfall and the river beyond.
Adventurous visitors can scramble down for a closer look. A steep, sandy slide and a set of natural rock steps lead down toward the base, where you'll find a mossy grotto tucked behind and beneath the falls — a magical little chamber where you can stand in the cool mist and shade with the water curtaining down in front of you. The ceiling is low, so watch your head, and the rock steps kick up far less dust than the loose slide.
Be careful near the edges. The viewpoints at the top sit right above the falls, with abrupt, unrailed cliff drops of 10 to 15 feet in places, so keep well back from the lip and hold onto children — the rock can be slick near the water. The short scramble to the bottom is steep and can be slippery too.
The falls are a favorite of paddlers, too: because the water spills right into the Snake, kayakers and rafters floating this stretch below Palisades Dam can pull up close to the base for a view you can't get any other way. In winter the falls partially freeze into curtains and columns of ice, drawing photographers to the snowy canyon. However you come at it — on foot from the road above or by boat from the river below — it's a quick, high-reward stop between Idaho Falls and the Wyoming line.
The falls run year-round and reward a stop in any season, though flows are fullest with spring snowmelt and the color is best in fall. For photographers, midday sun is harsh out here; early morning or evening light is far kinder. Keep an eye on the river, too — boaters and rafters drift past below, and the area teems with wildlife, including the American white pelicans that cruise this stretch of the Snake. A Forest Service campground and public boat ramps sit nearby, making it easy to turn a quick stop into a longer stay. Bring water and sturdy shoes, and enjoy one of those “how have I never seen this before?” Idaho gems.
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.
Warm Slough Campground
Rexburg, Idaho
5.0 miles NW of Rexburg, IdahoThis is a pretty popular campsite that fills up pretty quick on busy weekends. Campsites are fairly spread out and there is no official donation box (as of July 2015). A couple of the campsites have picnic tables and there are several rock fire rings. There's also a restroom next to each boat ramp.
It's a popular put in and takeout spot on the river with two boat ramps, one on the creek and one on the river. There's also a pretty good spot to take out innertubes just under a mile downstream from the boatramp that's on the river, yet the boat ramp and takeout are only about 1000 feet away from each other which makes it really easy to do over and over again. There's another put-in further upstream that will almost double your float but also significantly increase your walk back. It's a pretty slow easy float and the water isn't super cold.
This used to be a popular spot for paintball which is now prohibited. Please take better care of the paintball fields we are permitted to use.
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.
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.
Founder's Square Hill (Under the Water Tower)
Rexburg, Idaho
1.8 miles SE of Rexburg, IdahoThis is a great sledding hill. It's about the perfect steepness and really wide. It's also big enough to make it worth a little run on a snowboard or an inner tube. While this is a pretty popular hill, it's pretty hard for it to get overcrowded.
In 2017, some houses were built at the bottom of the hill that make it a little less perfect but there's still plenty of hill for a good time. You just need to be respectful of the people's homes and the end of the slope. There's also a little winding rutted dirt road that comes down to the left of the hill that sometimes is a pretty great little run if the snow's just right.
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.
Hog Hollow Bridge
Saint Anthony, Idaho
4.3 miles SE of Saint Anthony, IdahoLess than 1/2 a mile down the road from the Monkey Rock waterfall, Hog Hollow Bridge is a favorite spot for adrenaline junkies to cool off. The place to jump is off the East side of the bridge where it's deeper. It's about a 25 foot jump, depending on the water level. Always be careful of fast moving water, as well as rocks and debris below the surface.
CAUTION: This jump is from an active roadway so please be careful and considerate of drivers. They do have the right of way on the bridge and the road is often traveled by large trucks who will have difficulty stopping for a swimmer that decides to run out in front of them while they're crossing a bridge.
PLEASE NOTE: Ton the roads leading to the Hog Hollow Bridge, 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. Slow down and stay safe.
Fun Farm Bridge
Saint Anthony, Idaho
3.1 miles E of Saint Anthony, IdahoAlso known as the Funny Farm Bridge, this is an excellent place for bridge jumping. You can jump from the road level, the top of the bridge, or swing from the bars below. Just be watchful of cars as this bridge is still in use. It just downstream from a boat launch which has parking and a restroom.
St. Anthony Sandbar
Saint Anthony, Idaho
0.2 miles SE of Saint Anthony, IdahoThe 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.
