Idaho’s waterfalls and blue water pools aka Thousand Springs State Parks are absolutely beautiful! There is a scenic byway that leads you through the Hagerman Valley in Southern Idaho to see them all! Find vibrant blue water, stunning waterfalls, and gorgeous high desert views all around. Some road side stops include Malad Gorge, Lemmon Falls, Miracle Hot Springs, Holesinsky Vineyard. Quick drives off of Thousand Springs Scenic Byway are Box Canyon State Park, Ritter Island, Blue Heart Springs and more!
Riverfront Airbnb I loved! (affiliate link)
Thousand Springs Scenic Byway Begins at Bliss
1. Malad Gorge State Park
If you’re driving on Interstate 84 from Boise get off the interstate at Bliss to get onto Highway 30. The first stop you can make is nearby! Malad Gorge State Park is a great place to begin the road trip. The gorge is a massive canyon that has water at the bottom! You can hike to another canyon to see an aquifer too.
*Malad Gorge State Park is one unit of Thousand Springs State Park. Each unit costs $7.00 to enter, or a $10.00 state parks pass. If you visit them all in one day you only have to pay for one entrance fee.
Hagerman Valley
Hagerman is an adorable town I highly recommend spending some time in. The Thousand Springs State Park Visitors Center is in Hagerman. There is a bike path that leads from the VC to downtown as well.
Stay at the Hagerman Valley Inn for a cozy hotel with multiple fire pit on the patio options. Right next door is the Snake River Grill which has amazing breakfast. Fire Pie Pizza has amazing pizza and salads. Support the local businesses in town!!
Box Canyon State Park & Ritter Island
The bluest water in Idaho! Box Canyon and Ritter Island have vibrant blue water pools that you can swim in, but the catch? They are very cold! Blue Heart Springs is another similar pool, and all three of these are aquifers. The water comes from underground and stays cold year round. Even if it’s hot out, even if its cold out – the water will remain around 54 degrees.
I have a full Box Canyon State Park Hiking Guide here for you! Hiking to Box Canyon’s Blue Water Pools
Here is how you can find Lemmon Falls at Ritter Island Visiting Ritter Island (during open season and not)
Miracle Hot Springs
If you continue to drive towards Buhl on the Thousand Springs Scenic Byway you will come upon a hot spring! This locally owned business and hot spring is amazing.
Miracle Hot Springs is a commercial but natural hot spring. The water is all geothermal and gives you all the benefits, but it is not a “natural pool.” They made it into individual rooms and also 3 large community pools. There are cute domes here you can stay in as well as a spa opportunity for massages. Miracle Hot Springs also owns Banbury Hot Springs across the road (currently closed,) but they have kayak rentals in the summer – I’ll get to that soon!)
VIP Room
Private Room
HoleSinsky Vinyard
There is also a winery and vineyard on the drive right by Miracle Hot Springs! Holesinsky is amazing. They are locally owned and operated by amazing women and have delicious wine. I love the IdaPeach Sangria!
Paddling to More Blue Water
Blue Heart Springs is another iconic place to see when cruising the Thousand Springs Scenic Byway! The ONLY way to see Blue Heart is by water: you must paddle or boat! Banbury Adventures has kayak rentals (Banbury Hot Springs location!) Blue Heart Kayaking also does. I have a full paddle guide here for you: How to get to Blue Heart Springs
Buhl to Twin Falls
Buhl
Buhl is a small town you will drive through (or bypass,) when on the scenic byway. I do recommend stopping if you love ice cream and thrift shopping. There are so many antique shops Downtown Buhl to explore. They are locally owned and very cute. Cloverleaf Creamery is also in town and has the BEST ice cream in all of Idaho (my humble opinion!!!)
Twin Falls
Twin Falls is the biggest city in Southern Idaho, and where the Thousand Springs Scenic Byway will bring you. There are many waterfalls to visit in Twin Falls too, like the iconic Shoshone Falls that roars every spring.
When should you visit?
The most iconic time to drive the Thousand Springs Scenic Byway is summer. Then you can kayak to Blue Heart, swim at Box Canyon, and feel the mist from the cold waterfall at Ritter Island. Summer his HOT. Autumn is a lovely time to do this road trip because the fall foliage is great. The trees all along the road change color! The temps are nicer as well for hiking. Winter is great for the hot springs, and Hagerman Valley doesn’t get much snow. Spring is great for cooler temps than summer as well.
Let me know if you have any questions about driving the Thousand Springs Scenic Byway by commenting below, or come message me on Instagram and let’s connect!
Check out some visuals of this gorgeous blue water road trip otherwise known as Thousand Springs Scenic Byway!!!
Earth to Sarah 