# Snake River Canyon: Bruneau Dunes to Shoshone Falls and City of Rocks

> 3-day road trip of about 396 km (246 mi) with 9 stops, from Boise to Almo. About 4 h 23 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b18-snake-river-canyon/

**At a glance:** 3-day road trip of about 396 km (246 mi) with 9 stops, from Boise to Almo. About 4 h 23 min of driving in total. Tall dunes, a gorge, a balanced rock, a high bridge and a waterfall bigger than Niagara in southern Idaho, finishing among the granite spires of City of Rocks.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 396 km (246 mi) |
| Driving | 4 h 23 min |
| Suggested days | 3 |
| Stops | 9 |
| Route | Boise → Almo |
| States | ID |
| Updated | May 17, 2026 |

## Route description

Leave Boise southeast on I-84 to Mountain Home, then take ID-51 south across the Snake River to Bruneau Dunes State Park, about 100 km in all. The main dune rises about 140 m above a small lake, and the climb in loose sand is hard work. The park has a campground and a public observatory open on weekend evenings in season.

Take ID-78 east to Hammett and rejoin I-84 to exit 147 for Malad Gorge State Park, where a footbridge crosses a deep gorge. From there, US-30 follows the Snake River through Hagerman as the Thousand Springs Scenic Byway, where springs pour out of the canyon walls. Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument has a visitor center in town.

Continue on US-30 to Buhl, then take a side road south to Castleford and Balanced Rock, a rock perched on a narrow pedestal above a canyon. The last section of road winds steeply into the canyon. Return to US-30 and continue east to Twin Falls, a farming town on the rim of the Snake River Canyon with fuel and supplies.

The Perrine Bridge is on the north side of town, next to the visitor center and a rim trail. Shoshone Falls is 8 km east of the bridge. The flow is best in spring before irrigation takes much of the water. From Twin Falls, take I-84 east to exit 216 and ID-77 south through Albion and Elba to Almo, the gateway to City of Rocks National Reserve and Castle Rocks State Park, which have campgrounds.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Boise** (ID)
2. **Bruneau Dunes State Park** (Mountain Home, ID): Home to the tallest single-structured sand dune in North America, about 140 m high, beside small lakes. The park has a campground and a public observatory that opens on weekend evenings in the warmer months.
3. **Malad Gorge State Park** (Hagerman, ID): A 76 m deep gorge where the Malad River drops into a pool called the Devil’s Washbowl just before joining the Snake River. A footbridge crosses right above it; the park is off I-84 exit 147.
4. **Balanced Rock** (Castleford, ID): A 15 m rock that balances on a narrow pedestal above Salmon Falls Creek Canyon, south of Buhl. The last stretch of road winds steeply into the canyon; there is a small park with picnic tables below.
5. **Twin Falls** (ID)
6. **Perrine Bridge** (Twin Falls, ID): A bridge carrying US-93 148 m above the Snake River Canyon, one of the few places where BASE jumping is allowed year-round. The Twin Falls visitor center has a rim trail and viewpoints right beside it.
7. **Shoshone Falls** (Twin Falls, ID): A 65 m waterfall on the Snake River, higher than Niagara, in a city park east of Twin Falls. Flow is best from April to June before irrigation takes much of the water; a vehicle day fee applies.
8. **City of Rocks National Reserve** (Almo, ID): Granite spires and domes, popular with climbers, where California Trail emigrants wrote their names in axle grease. The reserve is reached on gravel roads from Almo; campsites can be reserved in season.
9. **Almo** (ID)

## FAQs

**How long is Snake River Canyon: Bruneau Dunes to Shoshone Falls and City of Rocks?**
3-day road trip of about 396 km (246 mi) with 9 stops, from Boise to Almo. About 4 h 23 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Snake River Canyon: Bruneau Dunes to Shoshone Falls and City of Rocks?**
We suggest 3 days: about 4 h 23 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Snake River Canyon: Bruneau Dunes to Shoshone Falls and City of Rocks start and end?**
It starts in Boise and ends in Almo.

**Which states does Snake River Canyon: Bruneau Dunes to Shoshone Falls and City of Rocks pass through?**
Idaho.