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Other North
Idaho Area Waterfalls
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Things to Do & Places to See
Austin Butte Falls, Camel Falls, The Falls (Sugarloaf), Sheepshead Draw
Falls
Austin Butte Falls is found near Scenic Route 51 as it flows into Bruneau
Canyon. Visitors can create their own trail to the falls using back roads.
Camel Falls, The Falls (Sugarloaf), and Sheepshead Draw Falls are also
located in the same vicinity. However, topographic maps suggest that these
Idaho cataracts are inaccessible.
Benton Creek Falls, Rush Falls, and Lower Rush Falls
These three waterfalls are located at different points all within the
Payette National Forest and Washington County. Benton Creek Falls cascades
down Benton Creek and topographic maps pinpoint the cataract alongside an
unnamed trail. Both Rush Falls and Lower Rush Falls are mapped away from any
developed trail, and access to both falls is uncertain.
Big Fiddler Creek Falls and Long Gulch Falls
Exit I-84 at Mountain Home; continue 20 miles north on US Highway 20; merge
onto Road #134 and drive for 5 miles; turn left onto Road #113 and continue
2 miles to Prairie; at the junction, turn left (west) and drive 2.4 miles to
the Road #189 junction; turn west onto Road #189 and proceed into South Fork
Canyon for approximately 5.7 miles
At an elevation of 4,000 feet within the Mountain Home Ranger District of
Boise National Forest, Big Fiddler Creek Falls claims the title of Idaho’s
highest officially measured waterfall. Descending 252 feet, this waterfall
can be impressive if viewed during early and late spring before Big Fiddler
Creek dries up in the summer’s heat.
The 100 to 125 foot plunge of Long Gulch Falls is also viewable from the
same area. At an elevation of 3,600 feet, this waterfall has a medium
watershed and descends into the South Fork Boise River. After driving 2
miles into South Fork Canyon and locating the viewing area for Big Fiddler
Creek Falls, gaze toward the near side of the canyon to find this cataract.
Clover Creek Falls
Found near Deadman Canyon southwest of Glenns Ferry, ID, Clover Creek Falls
is a small, segmented cataract. For adventurers willing to take time to
locate the waterfall, Clover Creek Falls can be viewed after following an
old four-wheel drive trail to this destination.
Deadman Falls
I-84 to Glenns Ferry; merge onto Frontage Road and follow 1.7 miles west to
Sailor Creek Road; turn left (south) and proceed 5.8 miles to Deadman Canyon
The seasonal eroding force of Deadman Creek and Deadman Falls formed the
gorge now known as Deadman Canyon on land overseen by the Bureau of Land
Management. Visitors expecting to see a powerful cataract, however, will
likely be disappointed. Although a 125 to 175 foot rocky ridge characterizes
the canyon, a small dam prohibits Deadman Creek from dropping down this
ledge most of the year. However, visitors lucky enough to visit after a
severe thunderstorm may catch a glimpse of the falls.
Falls Creek Falls
Before slipping into the Little Salmon River under US Highway 95, Fall Creek
plunges 15 to 25 feet at an elevation of 2,920 feet. Falls Creek Falls
plunges in Boise National Forest’s Mountain Home Ranger District near the
South Fork Canyon. Located north of the Anderson Ranch Reservoir and Dam,
the cataract is shown falling near Forest Road #123. US Highway 95; 18 miles
north of New Meadows near an unmarked highway turnout
Gold Fork Falls, Sixmile Creek Falls, and Upper Sixmile Creek Falls
Found in the Boise National Forest under the Garden Valley Ranger Station’s
jurisdiction, all three of these cataracts lie within Idaho’s Valley County.
Topographic maps illustrate Gold Fork Falls tumbling next to a gravel road.
However, little information exists about the exact location of this road.
Both Sixmile Creek Falls and Upper Sixmile Creek Falls can likely be seen
from a distance. Maps illustrate a gravel road winding near the Middle Fork
Payette River with views of the falls gained by gazing across the river from
this road.
Indian Bathtub Falls
Take Scenic Route 51 to Bruneau; merge onto Hot Springs Road; after 7.2
miles, turn right onto Indian Bathtub Road and follow 0.7 mile to Sugar
Creek Road; turn left and proceed 2.9 miles to a nameless dirt road;
continue 0.9 mile to a parking area
Found on land that the Bureau of Land Management administers, Indian Bathtub
Falls drips 7 to 12 feet into a small hot springs pool. Many find the
waterfall uninspiring, but the thermal springs surrounding the cataract
draws several visitors eager to soak in the warm water. Visitors are
cautioned to bring appropriate footwear as the hot springs basin may contain
broken glass from previous users.
Jump Creek Falls
Drive south along US Highway 95 2.5 miles past the junction for Scenic Route
55; merge onto Poison Creek Road and follow for 3.5 miles; as the paved road
sharply turns right, bear south (left) onto a nameless gravel road; proceed
0.5 mile before heading west (right) onto a dirt road marked “No
Trespassing; “ disregard this warning as the road is the designated public
access to Jump Creek Canyon; after driving 0.4 mile, visitors will reach a
fork in the road; stay on the upper road at the right of the fork as this
will lead to the mouth of the canyon in approximately 1 mile (the lower road
leads to a private home); at the upper road’s end, park your vehicle and
follow the trail into the canyon.
Descending vertically for 40 to 60 feet along Jump Creek, Jump Creek Falls
is found at an elevation of 2,640 feet on land governed by the Bureau of
Land Management. Visitors who take a fairly easy hike will discover this
cataract falling amidst unusual rock formations. Upon locating the
trailhead, follow the 0.2-mile path leading to the canyon floor. Viewers
will climb over and under massive boulders and jump across a small creek
before reaching the cataract.
Little Falls and Big Falls
Exit Scenic Route 55 at Banks, ID onto South Fork Road; continue 21.7 miles
to Little Falls and 23.9 miles to Big Falls
Little Falls drops along the South Fork Payette River within Boise National
Forest’s Lowman Ranger District. At an elevation of 3,350 feet, Little Falls
descends 5 to 10 feet as a wide band from the broad river. For more
waterfall scenery, continue past Little Falls 2.2 miles until reaching Big
Falls’ 25 to 40 foot drop into a pool below. This cataract is best viewed
from a slight distance, so park where the gravel road broadens and gaze
upstream. Big Falls may then be found 100 to 150 feet below on the canyon
floor.
Little Salmon Falls
US Highway 95; 11 miles north of New Meadows; park at the unmarked turnout
directly next to the falls
Located at an elevation of 3,640 feet near the Payette National Forest’s New
Meadows Ranger District, this waterfall offers visitors scenery and easy
accessibility. Following the Salmon River, these falls cascade 10 to 15 feet
with a large watershed.
Lower Little Salmon Falls
US Highway 95; 10.3 miles north of New Meadows.
The Little Salmon River descends rapidly for 5 to 10 feet to form Lower
Little Salmon Falls near the Payette National Forest. Immediately north of
the Smoky Boulder Road junction, park at the turnout and walk to the falls.
Lost Creek Falls
US Highway 95 south; turn west onto Lost Valley Valley Reservoir Road #089
and follow 5.3 miles; continue south for 2.7 miles on Road #154
Found within the Payette National Forest’s Council Ranger District, Lost
Creek Falls is situated at an elevation of 4,380 feet and is easily
accessible. Dropping 5 to 10 feet from Lost Creek into a pool below, these
falls provide visitors with a peaceful picnic backdrop in the wooded
surroundings. While Lost Creek Falls is visible from the roadside, visitors
will find up-close views by taking one of the various fishermen’s trails
leading to the cataract.
Smith Creek Falls
Exit Interstate 84 at Mountain Home and drive north on US Highway 20 for 20
miles; at Road #134 (marked Anderson Ranch Dam/Prairie), proceed 5 miles to
the dam and then turn west (left) onto Road #113; continue 2 miles to
Prairie, and at the junction, bear westward for 2.4 miles; upon reaching the
junction with Road #189, turn left onto Road #189 and drive toward South
Fork Canyon for approximately 3.7 miles; locate the cattle guard in the road
about 0.1 mile before entering the canyon and continue forward approximately
200 feet; at the wide spot in the road, park your vehicle
Since no developed trail leads to Smith Creek Falls, access is limited and
recommended only to adults with no physical limitations. For those willing
to take a difficult day hike, however, Smith Creek Falls provides
outstanding scenery with its 80 to 120 foot plunge into a cavern formed by
Smith Creek. At an elevation of 3,700 feet, this cataract is located within
the Boise National Forest’s Mountain Home Ranger District and is rarely
visited.
After parking your vehicle, begin your trek by crossing the 5 to 10 foot
wide irrigation canal that may be knee or waist deep. Next, cross through
the sagebrush toward Smith Creek. After walking approximately 100 feet, you
will reach views of the cataract from South Fork Canyon’s rim. Visitors are
urged to use caution while hiking near these unfenced cliffs.
Swan Falls
Located on Bureau of Land Management land within Jump Creek Canyon, Swan
Falls is found near US Highway 95. On the Snake River, a small dam creates
Swan Falls and the cataract is shown on maps as a point of interest.
Wildhorse Falls and Bear Creek Falls
Both Wildhorse and Bear Creek Falls lie within Adams County in the Payette
National Forest. Wildhorse Falls is shown cascading near an unnamed 4-wheel
drive road on topographic maps while Bear Creek Falls appears to have
access.
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