Snake River Canyon: Bruneau Dunes to Shoshone Falls and City of Rocks
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
- States
- ID
- Updated
- July 5, 2026
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.
More road trips in Idaho
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
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Boise
ID - 2106 km
Bruneau Dunes State Park
NatureMountain Home, IDHome 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.
- 382 km
Malad Gorge State Park
ViewsHagerman, IDA 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.
- 443 km
Balanced Rock
OdditiesCastleford, IDA 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.
- 549 km
Twin Falls
ID - 65 km
Perrine Bridge
ViewsTwin Falls, IDA 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.
- 75 km
Shoshone Falls
NatureTwin Falls, IDA 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.
- 897 km
City of Rocks National Reserve
NatureAlmo, IDGranite 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.
- 98 km
Almo
ID
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Boise → Bruneau Dunes State Park · 66 mi · 1 h 11 minOvernight nearby, for example: Broken Wheel Campground (1 mi); Eagle Cove Campground (1 mi).
- Day 2: Bruneau Dunes State Park → Twin Falls · 108 mi · 1 h 56 minOn the way: Malad Gorge State Park, Balanced Rock.Overnight nearby, for example: Rock Creek RV Park (2 mi); Twin Falls 93 RV Park (6 mi).
- Day 3: Twin Falls → Almo · 72 mi · 1 h 17 minOn the way: Perrine Bridge, Shoshone Falls, City of Rocks National Reserve.Overnight nearby, for example: Smoky Mountain Campground (2 mi); City of Rocks Campsites (4 mi).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. Hot in July. Cold, short days in December–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
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.
Where can you camp along Snake River Canyon: Bruneau Dunes to Shoshone Falls and City of Rocks?
OpenStreetMap lists 43 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Mountain View RV Park, Boise RV Travel Park and Boise Riverside RV Park.
When is the best time for Snake River Canyon: Bruneau Dunes to Shoshone Falls and City of Rocks?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
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