Via Oregon - September/October 2021 - 21

DAY IN THE PARK
Undiscovered
natural bounty
↘ Explore the rich history of Idaho's
Thousand Springs State Park.
Visitors to Thousand
Springs State Park will find
much to see in this 2,000acre
area near Twin Falls,
Idaho. From dipping into
Box Canyon to hiking the
Kelton Road unit, it's easy to
explore this quiet park.
1 In August, Thousand
Springs opened a new
shared visitors center with
neighboring Hagerman
Fossil Beds National
Monument. The center
provides information
about the area's history
through interpretive displays
discussing the fossil
beds and human settlement.
It will also help people
navigate both parks.
2 The walls of the Box
Canyon Springs Natural
Preserve drop 200 feet
to the canyon floor, with
a meandering creek and
spring-fed pool you can
take a dip in. A 4.2-mile
trail that begins in the parking
lot takes visitors inside
the slice in the earth and to
a stunning waterfall.
3 At 212 feet, the Niagara
Springs waterfall in the
eponymous section of the
park is taller than its
famous namesake, and just
as stunning. After gazing at
the waterfall, head over to
nearby Crystal Springs
Lake, a perfect spot to try
to hook a trout.
4 Ritter Island is an ideal
spot for canoers, wildlife
watchers, and history buffs.
The land mass is best
known as the home of
Minnie Miller, who ran a
dairy farm there. Several of
left: Paddleboard from Ritter
Island. right: Dip in Box Canyon.
her barns and homes were
converted to interpretive
centers or vacation rentals.
Miller was famous for her
annual ice cream socials,
and, in the spirit of her hospitality,
the Magic Valley
Arts Council organizes the
Thousand Springs Festival
of the Arts on the island
every September.
5 Oregon Trail buffs may
feel most drawn to the
Malad Gorge unit, which is
home to the Kelton Trail.
In the 1800s, thousands of
covered wagons bumped
along the isolated route.
The ruts made by their
wheels are still visible in the
rock, as are the abutments
of a bridge that carried travelers
over the Malad River.
-sophia bennett
AAA | VIA 21
LEFT: JOHN WEBSTER / IDAHO STOCK IMAGES; RIGHT: PATRICK STOLL / ALAMY
Via Oregon - September/October 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Via Oregon - September/October 2021
