Last Updated on 7 January, 2026 by Robyn Dockendorf

There are many amazing sites to see in Twin Falls, Idaho, with Shoshone Falls usually being the star of the show. However, if you’re ready for a quieter adventure that’s just as beautiful, check out Dierkes Lake Park, just a mile down the road!

Dierkes Lake Park is nestled near the Snake River and offers a beautiful dog-friendly hiking trail to explore with your canine companion. Enjoy over two miles featuring grand views of Snake River Canyon, Dierkes Lake, and even a hidden lake where you might spot some cliff divers!

Below, I’ll review all the details you need to know about visiting Dierkes Lake Park with your dog, including hiking trails, regulations, and doggy no-go zones. Let’s get started!

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Where To Hike With Your Dog At Dierkes Lake Park

When we visited Dierkes Lake Park, we had just visited Shoshone Falls and were looking for a longer hike to do with our dog. Dierkes Lake was super close, so we decided to go. We immediately saw a ‘No Dogs Allowed’ sign near the concrete walkway and thought we would have to find another park.

We researched the dog policy at the park, but it was super challenging to find any information online regarding whether dogs were allowed at Dierkes Lake Park. 

Rest assured, dogs are allowed on the hiking trail at Dierkes Lake Park. However, they are not permitted in the park itself, meaning anywhere beyond the parking lot that isn’t a hiking trail, such as the pavilions, playground area, volleyball court, concrete walking paths, and bathroom area.

There is technically only one trail at this park: the Dierkes Lake Park Trail. It winds around the lake, offering spectacular views of Snake River Canyon, Dierkes Lake, and a few smaller lakes tucked away in their own little canyons.

Now, let’s check out where to park and how to navigate this phenomenal trail nestled in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Getting To Dierkes Lake Park

Dierkes Lake Park is in Twin Falls County in southern Idaho and is part of the Shoshone Falls Park Area. It requires a $5 entrance fee from March through September. 

To get to Dierkes Lake Park, you’ll enter the same fee area as Shoshone Falls. The road to Dierkes Lake Park splits to the right about 500 feet after the fee station.

Take the right-hand road and continue following it until you reach a large paved parking lot. GPS: N42.5936, W114.3923. Park the car, grab your gear and pooch, and prepare for a gorgeous hike!

Hiking The Dierkes Lake Trail

The Dierkes Lake Trail is a loop, which is my favorite type of hike! If you do the loop in its entirety, plus take the spur trail to Hidden Lake, you’re looking at a 2.3-mile hike, give or take a tenth of a mile. We did the hike clockwise, but you can go counterclockwise if it strikes your fancy!

While this trail isn’t super challenging, ensure you have all the gear you need for yourself and your pup before venturing onto the Dierkes Lake Trail.

Check out our day hiking gear checklist for all human-hiking essentials and our dog hiking gear checklist for dog-hiking essentials! Now, let’s break down this hiking trail so you know exactly where to go and the best stops along the way!

1. To start, head towards the northwest corner of the parking lot. This will be the corner opposite the concrete walkway. You’ll pass the boat ramp and see a sign that says, “No motorized vehicles beyond this point. No paintballing.”

2. One-tenth of a mile later, you’ll come to a Recreation Trail Map sign. This lets you know you’re on the right trail!

3. The trail is mainly packed sand and dirt, with a section of metal and wooden stairs towards the back of the lake.

4. Throughout the beginning of the hike, you’ll run into multiple forks with arrows and signs. Keep following the signs for “Lake Trail.” The other trails go to rock climbing areas.

5. Around the 0.5-mile mark, you’ll get the first view of Snake River, its steep canyon walls creating fantastic photo opportunities!

6. At the 0.7-mile mark, you’ll come to a ‘Y’ intersection without signs marking which way to go. You can go either way. The left path is more of a spur trail, while the right path is a more direct route. When we hiked here, we took the right path.

7. A tenth of a mile later, you’ll come to another intersection with more arrows and signs. Here, you can go straight on a bit of a spur trail adventure to a scenic overlook of Dierkes Lake (it’s worth it!)

8. Head back to the main trail and follow the wide path. At the 1-mile mark, you’ll get another spectacular view of Snake River Canyon from a slightly more elevated position.

9. Continue on the path, walking towards a house. At this point, you’ll gain some elevation until you are near the top of the canyon. From here, you can see the many stairs that await you below!

10. Go ahead and follow the stairs downward to the shores of Dierkes Lake. The path will widen here, and around the 1.5-mile mark, you’ll see a trail veer off to the left. Turn left here to check out Hidden Lake and get a chance to see cliff divers jumping into the water!

11. Less than a tenth of a mile later, you’ll arrive at Hidden Lake. Steep cliffs line the eastern and southern sides of the lake, and on warm summer days, you’ll often see cliff divers doing aerial stunts into the water.

12. When you’re done enjoying Hidden Lake, head back the way you came to jump back on the main trail. Now, you’re walking along the southern side of Dierkes Lake. A few driveways and paths will veer off to the left, but these simply lead to houses or the road and can be ignored. Keep staying straight to remain on the path.

13. As we come to the end of the hike, you’ll finish at the southeastern corner of the parking lot. Nice work!

Special Considerations For Hiking At Dierkes Lake Park With Your Dog

Any hiker can tell you that each hike is unique. Even if you do the same hike, each time you trek down the trail, you’re going to experience something new. There are a few things to consider if you decide to hike with your dog at Dierkes Lake Park, no matter how many times you hike around the lake.

• Stairs: If your pup has arthritis or is on the older side, this may not be the best trail as you’ll have to climb many stairs down (or up, depending on which way you go). If your dog has joint problems, I highly recommend a joint supplement like Cosequin Hip & Joint’s Soft Chews that will keep them pain-free and mobile on hikes like this!
• Cliff edges: The northern side of the trail will have you close to the Snake River Canyon, which is a cliffside. Keep your pup on a leash at all times on the hike to avoid accidents.
• Water hazards: The southern side of the trail takes you along the shores of Dierkes Lake. If your dog isn’t a strong swimmer, be sure to keep them away from the edge.
• Wildlife: Dierkes Lake Park is located within Twin Falls, so you’re unlikely to run into large predators like bears or mountain lions, but rattlesnakes are present in Idaho. Watch your step during the summer and avoid letting your dog investigate tall grass or bushes. We have an excellent article on what to do if your dog is bitten by a snake in case of an emergency.
• Leash laws: Dogs must always be on a leash while in Dierkes Lake Park. Make sure you bring a leash if you intend to hike with your dog. Check out our article on the top hiking dog leashes for inspiration!
• Heat: July and August are typically the hottest months of the year in Twin Falls, with high temperatures averaging in the high 80s. If you hike with your dog at the height of summer, remember to bring plenty of water in the form of a dog water bottle or portable dog dish.

Kansas State University states that some of the signs to look for in an overheated dog include excessive panting, dark red or purple gums, thick saliva, excessive drooling, disorientation, restlessness, and a rapid heart rate. If you notice any of these signs in your adventure pup, it’s time to get back to the car or find some shade.

Conversely, if you hike with your canine pal in the winter, make sure to dress them appropriately to fend off the cold, such as a jacket and boots. We have an excellent guide on hiking with dogs in winter, including tips and guidance on keeping our pups warm in cold weather.

Dierkes Lake Park FAQ

Below, I’ll answer some of the most common questions about Dierkes Lake Park. If you’re anything like me, you want all the answers before you head out on a hike!

How much does it cost to go to Dierkes Lake Park?

An entrance fee of $5 is required to enter Dierkes Lake Park from March through September. Outside of this time, the entrance is free.

What fish are in Dierkes Lake, Idaho?

• Bluegill
• Largemouth bass
• Rainbow trout
• Brown bullhead
• Channel catfish
• Common carp
• Crappie
• Green sunfish
• Utah sucker
• Yellow perch
• Black crappie

What is the history of Dierkes Lake?

Dierkes Lake was originally an orchard planted by German immigrant John Dierke. Around 1907, he planted apple, cherry, and peach trees where Dierkes Lake now sits. Unfortunately, as he continued to irrigate his orchard, the water table rose and grew until Dierkes Lake formed.

It’s said that he had to gather the last batch of fruit from a rowboat!

In 1969, the city of Twin Falls purchased Dierkes Lake. The 191-acre park is an excellent destination for fishing, family picnics, and hiking. It also features picnic tables, swimming holes, and a boat launch.

That’s A Wrap On Dierkes Lake Park!

Hiking with our dog, Pawdrick, is one of our favorite things to do when we travel. He loved walking around Dierkes Lake Park and smelling all the new scents of an unknown place. Dierkes Lake is a fantastic place to take your canine companion for a short but beautiful adventure.

To recap, the hike around Dierkes Lake Park involves:

• 2.3 miles
• Loop trail
• Plenty of stairs on the back side
• Packed dirt/sand trail

Until next time, give your furbag an extra pet from us, and enjoy this beautiful hike at Dierkes Lake Park in Twin Falls, Idaho! For more guides like this, check out our hiking blog!