About Twin Falls<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The city of Twin Falls, located in Southern Idaho, is the largest city in Twin Falls County. Described as a \u201cGateway to the Snake River Canyon,\u201d Twin Falls is also the commercial center of the Magic Valley area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Euro-Americans first visited the region in 1812 but the Native Americans were living there long before that. The Great Basin culture area of Idaho was inhabited by the Shoshoni, Bannock, and Northern Paiute tribes (source<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first permanent European settlement in the area took place in 1864. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Twin Falls was formally founded in 1904 as a planned community, and this planning is reflected in the northwest to southeast street layout in the oldest part of town. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Twin Falls has in recent times become famous for being near the site where Evel Knievel attempted his famous jump across the Snake River Canyon<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are looking for a place to stay we found Fairfield Inn and Suites<\/a> and Town Place Suites by Marriott<\/a> to be excellent for families<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Twin Falls Visitor Center should be your first stop on your visit to Twin Falls. Overlooking the Snake River Canyon, the center\u2019s parking area also provides access to the Snake River Canyon Trail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before entering the building, you can see the Cooper Norman Agricultural Heritage Plaza outside. Inside the center, you will find all the information you need for your visit, along with interactive exhibits on the local history and geography.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The center also has a gift shop that includes sundries as well as souvenirs unique to Idaho. And if you are driving up in a Tesla, there are car charging stations out front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This mound overlooking the Snake River Canyon is the site where daredevil stunt motorcyclist Evel Knievel made his famous 1974 (failed) attempt to jump over the canyon on a specially built rocket motorcycle. For those too young to remember, Robert \u201cEvel\u201d Knievel was a stunt motorcyclist famous for his airborne motorcycle jumps, including one over the Snake River Canyon. Unfortunately, his parachute deployed early, interrupting his momentum, but saving him from a fatal crash into the canyon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Although decades later, another stunt motorcyclist, Eddie Braun, succeeded where Knievel failed, this spot has always been associated with Knievel\u2019s famous attempt. Today, you can see the mound of dirt from where he began the jump, and even climb up it. The location also offers a beautiful view of the canyon<\/p>\n\n\n\n The area is also great area for hiking and is only two miles from Shoshone Falls. Dogs are allowed, but must be kept on a leash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shoshone Falls has been described as \u201cthe Niagara of the West\u201d and the park is considered a \u201cmust-see\u201d for visitors to the region. These falls are even higher than Niagara Falls and are one of the largest falls in the U.S. The best time to see the falls during the spring when the flow is at its peak ( it is partially diverted for agricultural purposes during the summer).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shoshone Falls has been a popular destination to visit since the 19th century. Since 1900, there have been efforts to make it a national park, but they never passed Congress. The park is now owned by the city of Twin Falls<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shoshone Falls Park is stroller and ADA accessible. RV parking is permitted, but overnight camping is not. There is plenty of green grass for a picnic. I recommend you add Dierkes Lake to your day as it is in the same area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Snake River Canyon Rim Trail is an over ten-mile system of hiking and biking trails, that offers great views of the Snake River Canyon. The trail system is also a great place to watch wildlife, and in some places, BASE (Building, Antenna, Span, and Earth Jumping. Some parts of the trail are paved and trail maps can be obtained at the Twin Falls Visitor Center as well as city government offices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Snake River Canyon Rim Trail has three main access points: 1. The Twin Falls Visitor Center, 2. Shoshone Falls Park, and the North Shoshone, North end of Washington Street in Twin Falls. Parking is available at the Washington Street entrance or at Shoshone Falls Park\/Dierkes Lake entrance on the eastern end. Bathrooms are available at the Eastern end of the trail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Perrine Memorial Bridge, the most famous bridge in Idaho, is a popular roadside attraction just outside of Twin Falls. This 1500-foot-long bridge spanning the Snake River Canyon is part of U.S. Highway 94 and connects it with interstate 84.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Bridge includes pedestrian walkways that offers great views of the canyon and river. It is a popular spot for BASE jumpers\u2014and only place where it is legal year-round ( participation for adults only!) <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also view the mound from which Evel Knievel made his famous 1974 attempt to jump the canyon on his rocket-powered motorcycle in 1974. Parking is available at the south end near the Twin Falls Visitor center<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because we were visiting with kids, we had to check out some of the local playgrounds. This playground is large and has an adjacent splash pad. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The park is part of a recreational complex with soccer fields, picnic areas, gathering shelter and plenty of grass for running. Also, bathrooms with running water and water fountain are located at the entrance to the park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dogs not allowed on the splash pad but can walk on the green grass<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Herrett Center for Arts and Science, a popular local museum, is located on the campus of the College of Southern Idaho. It is home to exhibits of natural history and art, as well as the Faulkner Planetarium, which is the largest planetarium in Idaho. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Center\u2019s natural history exhibits range from ancient technology to the simulation of a rain forest, and its Art division includes an outdoor exhibit. The Center is also home to the Centennial Observatory which features one of the largest wheelchair accessible telescopes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Herrett Center is temporarily closed due to the Coronavirus, but you can find virtual tours on its website to get ideas for planning a future visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Harmon Park, a public park in Twin Falls, is a multi-sport recreational facility. The park, which has been around since 1926, is home to Twin Falls\u2019 first public swimming pool. Although the park no longer has a pool there are plenty of other recreational activities to enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Harmon Park\u2019s current facilities range from baseball and softball fields and basketball courts to a horseshoe pit. The park also has a kids\u2019 playground, picnic facilities, and Twin Falls\u2019 only skate park. Picnic shelters are also available, by reservation.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTwin Falls Visitor Center<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Evel Knievel Jump Site<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Shoshone Falls Park <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Shoshone](\"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Shoshone-Falls-Idaho.jpeg\")
Snake River Canyon Rim Trail<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Perrine Memorial Bridge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
First Federal Bank Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Playing](\"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/First-Federal-Park-Twin-Falls-Idaho.jpeg\")
Herrett Center for Arts and Science<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Harmon Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"View](\"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Centennial-Waterfront-Park-Perrine-Bridge.jpeg\")