Last Updated on 26 January, 2026 by Robyn Dockendorf

There’s something awe-inspiring about standing before running water. Whether 20 or 200 feet, waterfalls have attracted visitors, outdoor enthusiasts, and hikers for time immemorial. One of the best waterfalls to visit in southcentral Idaho is the mighty Shoshone Falls in Twin Falls County.

Shoshone Falls Park is home to the mighty Shoshone Falls, whose waters cascade 212 feet before plunging into the roaring Snake River. The waterfall’s location in the Snake River Canyon adds to its beauty, and it is a must-see when visiting Idaho!

Below, I’ll go over everything you need to know about visiting Shoshone Falls Park, from entrance fees and park hours to seeing the falls and nearby attractions. Let’s chase a waterfall!

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Shoshone Falls Park: Everything You Need To Know

Shoshone Falls Park wasn’t always a tourist attraction open to the public. It only remains so thanks to the gift of land in 1932 by F.J. and Martha Adams. They wished the land “be forever held for park purposes only for the beneficial use and enjoyment of all the people.” 

This waterfall, hailed as the “Niagara of the West,” actually stands 45 feet taller than Niagara Falls. However, the Universities Space Research Association tells us that Niagara Falls has a higher overall flow, with around 6 million cubic feet of water flowing over the crest every minute. Shoshone only produces around 900,000 cubic feet per minute at peak flow.

If you want to visit Shoshone Falls Park, I have all the details for you!

Location and Parking

Shoshone Falls Park is located northeast of Twin Falls, Idaho. It’s a 10-15 minute drive from downtown Twin Falls, making it a popular attraction, especially in the Spring and summer. The road to the park is paved but includes windy, sharp turns that may be difficult (but doable) in large RVs.

• Address: 4155 Shoshone Falls Grade Rd, Twin Falls, ID 83301

Five parking areas are available onsite, including five pull-through RV spots at the park’s beginning. A short distance from the RV parking is another sizable paved lot with parking on either side of the road. A smaller paved lot is available right near the overlook. One more paved lot is available near the boat ramp on the northeastern side of the park. 

Additional parking is available around the Shoshone picnic area, but it is either parking alongside the road or in a dirt pull-off. 

Entrance Fees and Passes

Entrance fees are typically charged at Shoshone Falls Park from March through September, but the dates aren’t exact. We visited Shoshone Falls at the end of August without an entrance fee. Some online sources say they start charging on March 1, and others say March 30.

If you visit the falls in March or September, there is a chance you will avoid the fee. However, you will likely be charged an entrance fee during the summer peak tourist season.

• Per vehicle: $5
• Tour bus: $20
• School bus (with children): $5
• Season Pass: $25
• 20-pass coupon book: $30

The fee station is a booth you drive by on your way to the park. It is located on Champlin Road and accepts cash or cards. If someone is attending the booth, you can ask for a Shoshone Falls Park map to familiarize yourself with the area.

Hours and Seasons

Shoshone Falls Park is open every day of the year from dawn until dusk. That said, certain times of the year are better to view this roaring waterfall.

• Spring (best season): Late Spring is the best time to visit Shoshone Falls. The snowmelt adds water to the Snake River, creating a roaring waterfall that flows around 10,000-12,000 cubic feet per second (CFS).
• Summer (low flow): During summer, approximately 500,000 acres of farmland are irrigated by the Snake River via the Twin Falls Canal Company and North Side Canal Company. This massive diversion of water means the falls will look nearly dry. Flow rates drop to a required ‘scenic’ 200 CFS.
• Fall (low flow): After the irrigation season, the depleted reservoir system used in the irrigation process is recharged, decreasing flow rates similar to summer. Again, the falls may appear nearly dry at this time.
• Winter (low to mild flow): If you get a warm spell during winter, you may see Shoshone Falls flowing high. However, most of the winter season sees minimal flow rates. Additionally, the road to the park will close when conditions are bad.

Your best bet is to visit Shoshone Falls Park from around March through May to see it at its peak flow.

We didn’t do enough research before visiting the falls ourselves and assumed it flowed heavily year-round. We visited at the end of August and were disappointed. The Canyon was impressive, but we thought nearby waterfalls like Perrine Coulee were more impressive than Shoshone in the summer.

Seeing the Falls

Shoshone Falls is visible from several different places within the park. The main place to see the falls is from the observatory deck, which is located a short walk from the main overlook parking lot. Here, you’ll also find informational signs that tell you about the park’s history, the falls, Snake River Canyon, and the Magic Valley.

You can also spot Shoshone Falls from anywhere along the Snake Rim Canyon near the overlook parking lot. Below the parking lot, there is an additional observatory deck that offers a different perspective of the falls, with views closer to the top of the falls.

At 925 feet wide and 212 feet high, Shoshone Falls is certainly an impressive sight, no matter where you stand in the park!

Other Ways To See Shoshone Falls

There are a few other ways to view the mighty Shoshone Falls besides inside the park. However, seeing the falls without entering the park is no easy feat! You’ll have to either hike the Canyon Rim trail or take to the river.

Canyon Rim Trail

The Canyon Rim Trail is slightly over 12 miles long and stretches from Shoshone Falls Park to Augur Falls Park. Overlooks and viewpoints dot the trail in multiple areas, offering breathtaking views of the Snake River Canyon.

For the shortest hike, hop on the Canyon Rim Trail at the Trail to Shoshone Falls near Tule Drive. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, complete the entire trail to view all that Twin Falls has to offer!

You can read a more in-depth travel guide on the Canyon Rim Trail in our article Things To Do In Twin Falls, Idaho.

By Kayak or Paddle Board

There’s no better way to see Shoshone Falls than by being in the water below the falls and viewing the grandeur up close! You can kayak or paddleboard to Shoshone Falls via Centennial Waterfront Park.

Start at the park and paddle for approximately two miles to Pillar Falls. At this point, you’ll have to get out and carry your vessel over the hiking area before putting it back in. Then, enjoy another 1.5 miles of paddling before reaching Shoshone Falls.

Occasionally, kayaking beyond Pillar Falls is prohibited due to unsafe conditions or water levels. It’s always a good idea to check in with local authorities to see if the path to Shoshone Falls is open. You can also find information like this at the Twin Falls Visitor Center!

Kayak rentals are available at Centennial Waterfront Park, but it’s always nice when you have your own! Check out REI’s selection of Kayaks and Paddle Boards to find one that suits you! This way, you don’t have to wait in line at the rental stand or deal with paperwork.

Shoshone Falls: A Short History

Like much of the Western United States, Shoshone Falls and the Snake River Canyon were shaped by volcanic activity millions of years ago. However, the most recent lava flow in the Snake River Canyon occurred only 2,000 years ago – a blink of the eye in geologic terms!

Shaping of the Snake River Canyon

Over the past 17 million years, hundreds of shield volcanoes have erupted in the area, and highly fluid lava flowed from cracks in the earth. As the lava cooled, it cracked further, leaving holes and small canyons in its wake. Over time, these cracks widened to create the initial form of the Snake River Canyon.

The plain on which Snake River Canyon resides is one of the most immense volcanic plains in the world. It’s over 400 miles long and shaped like a crescent, stretching from southwestern Idaho to the Idaho-Wyoming border. 

The layers of rock formed by molten lava and volcanic activity are over 5,000 feet thick!

The Bonneville Flood Deepens the Canyon

About 11,000 years ago, a lake covering approximately 20,000 square miles of northern Utah flooded. The flood lasted six weeks, and the initial flood sent a 350-foot-high wall of water speeding 70 miles per hour through the Snake River Canyon!

The flood both widened and deepened the Canyon. For perspective, the Perrine Bridge stands about 480 feet above the bottom of Snake River Canyon. During the Bonneville Flood, the bridge would have been under approximately 10 feet of water!

Today, Utah’s Great Salt Lake is all that remains of Lake Bonneville.

Discovery of Shoshone Falls

A traditional Shoshone-Bannock story discusses the creation of Snake River Canyon by Ejupa, the Coyote. It’s said that the Coyote carried a basket of water to bring fish home from Yellowstone. However, the basket, water, and fish spilled while Coyote trotted home.

Ejupa, not wanting to lose his fish, tried to stop the spilled water from flowing by running ahead and digging dams by piling up dirt. However, the water just flowed over the dams, creating large waterfalls. 

Ejupa created four ‘dams,’ which are today known as Idaho Falls, American Falls, Twin Falls, and Shoshone Falls (the largest of the dams).

Native Americans have inhabited southern Idaho for thousands of years and were the first to inform a military expedition guide of the presence of Shoshone Falls (then named Canadian Falls). The military expedition quickly changed the name to Shoshone, finding it more appropriate.

The Creation of Shoshone Falls Park

Locals called for the creation of a National Park surrounding Shoshone Falls as early as 1900. However, Congress never approved the proposition. Thankfully, someone had the vision to preserve this land and avoid commercial buildup. 

In 1932, Frederick and Martha Adams donated the land surrounding Shoshone Falls to Twin Falls City. Before selling, they had but one stipulation: for the land to be preserved for the people’s enjoyment.

One year later, the state of Idaho donated more land to the west of the original park site, expanding it. Today, Twin Falls owns and operates the park complex.

Other Things To Do At Shoshone Falls Park

While the waterfalls are the main attraction at the park, there are plenty of other things to see and do there.

• Have a picnic: Shoshone Falls Park features a picnic area on the southern side of the park near the entrance to the Canyon Rim Trail. Don’t forget your Outdoors Gourmet Kitchen Set to make sure you have everything you need to cook on a charcoal grill at Shoshone Falls Park!
• Take a hike: There are a few hiking trails in the park, but the most popular is the Canyon Rim Trail, which stretches 12 miles west to Augur Falls Park. Check out our day hiking gear checklist to ensure you have everything you need for your hike!
• Fly a drone: If you have a drone, you’ll be happy to know that drones are allowed in Shoshone Falls Park.
• Dierkes Lake Park: Within the Shoshone Falls fee-use area is Dierkes Lake Park, a beautiful park centered around a lake open to boating and fishing. This is a great place to hike as well, and you can read about hiking with your dog here in our article on Dog-Friendly Hiking at Dierkes Lake Park, Idaho. Just be sure to keep pups off the grassy areas in Dierkes Lake, as they are not permitted there.
• Go for a swim: Swimming is permitted in Dierkes Lake, just east of Shoshone Falls Park.

Unfortunately, camping is not permitted at Shoshone Falls Park or Dierkes Lake Park. However, there are many campgrounds around the Twin Falls Area.

Shoshone Falls Park FAQ

If you still have questions about Shoshone Falls Park, I’ve answered some of the most common questions below!

Can you see Shoshone Falls without hiking? Absolutely. Park at the overlook parking lot inside Shoshone Falls Park. You can see Shoshone Falls just a few feet from the parking lot along the canyon rim. You can also walk down to the observation deck, approximately 75 feet from the parking lot.

How much does it cost to get in Shoshone Falls? There is a $5 fee per vehicle to enter Shoshone Falls Park from March through September (approximately). There is no fee during the winter.

Is Shoshone Falls worth visiting? Shoshone Falls is worth visiting if you go in the Spring when the water is really flowing. To us, it was not worth it in the off-season (summer through winter).

What is the best month to see Shoshone Falls? April and May are typically the best times to visit Shoshone Falls. The snowmelt adds water to the Snake River, increasing the flow of the falls up to 32,000 CFS at its peak. This is also before the river is diverted for summer irrigation, and it is your best chance to see the falls at their peak.

Before heading to Shoshone Falls, you can check their live feed camera to get an idea of what the falls look like.

Are dogs allowed at Shoshone Falls Park? Yes! Bring your pup along for the adventure!

Mission Accomplished: Shoshone Falls Park

As we wrap up our Shoshone Falls Park adventure, let’s recap the most important things to know about it.

• Address: 4155 Shoshone Falls Grade Rd, Twin Falls, ID 83301
• Hours: Dawn to dusk
• Fees: $5 per vehicle
• Parking: multiple paved parking lots, RV parking
• Dog-friendly: Yes
• Drones allowed: Yes
• Restrooms: Yes

Let us know how your Shoshone Falls adventure goes in the comments below! We love hearing from our fellow nomads, travelers, and adventurers. And if you enjoyed this travel guide, check out our Dirtbags with Furbags blog for more!

Until next time, give your furbag an extra pet from us, and keep exploring this beautiful world!