Few can resist the sight and sound of a raging waterfall. You could make the long drive to well-known Shoshone Falls or Mesa Falls and battle the hordes of visitors to get your fix or you can get a little adventurous and try to find the hidden waterfalls that are right outside the doorstep of Boise.
1. Box Canyon State Park
Located near the town of Wendall, lies Box Canyon State Park. The waterfall at Box Canyon is beneath a few layers of hidden mystery. First, you must find the canyon that is located in an unsuspecting patch of farmland. Once you find the canyon, you must follow the sloping trail to the bed of the canyon. Follow the single track trail down to a wooden platform where the waterfall flows with crystal blue spring water.
Click here for a helpful guide to finding the hidden waterfall at Box Canyon
2. The Devil’s Washbowl at Malad Gorge State Park
If you have ever made the drive from Boise to Twin Falls you have actually driven right over this hidden waterfall. Next time you make the drive take a rest stop at Malad Gorge State Park. A steel bridge connects the parking lot to the best views of the waterfall. Cross this bridge and carefully venture onto the rocky cliff and see the hidden waterfall located 150 feet directly underneath you.
For more information on Malad Gorge State Park click here.
3. Danskin Mountains Waterfalls
A short drive from Boise on a long dirt road will take you on a hunt for multiple unnamed waterfalls, most of which you will only be able to see after a harsh winter. After leaving Boise heading towards Mountain Home, exit at Blacks Creek Road and head east until the pavement ends. In Early spring, after the snow packs in the Danskins begin to melt, waterfalls emerge all over this valley. You may find as many as 7 waterfalls along this drive. The biggest waterfall is located just 1 mile from passing a big ranch.
For more details on finding these hidden waterfalls click here.
4. Waterfall in Eagle Canyon
The closest to Boise but the most secluded is the waterfall hidden in Eagle Canyon. You’re going to have to work to get to this one. A 9-mile out and back trail will test your navigation skills. You may find it useful to bring along a GPS because there are no markers or signs on this trail.
For help on finding the canyon and the falls click here
If you know of more hidden waterfalls in Boise let us know in the comments below!
Chad can be summed up by his idea of a perfect day: Waking up early to watch the sunrise over the mountains, warm cup of coffee in hand then grabbing his camera and fly rod, hitting the trail to explore some uncharted territory followed by cold beers and campfire steaks. Chad is often joined on his adventures by his wife, Tori, and their dog, Kona.
Not too far past the Danskin mountain waterfalls, and on the same road you can find Smith Creek falls. Locating it isn’t that easy as it is deep in the smith creek canyon and not visible from the road. However if you have used the satellite views on google maps and coordinate that information with a regular map, you’ll have a good idea where to stop your car along the road. This requires crossing an irrigation ditch and then walking through the sage brush until you get to the edge of the canyon and look down. It’s a pretty impressive waterfall. The creek seems to run all year long as I’ve seen it in late September and in March.
Thank you for sharing! I’d love to go check this out, any chance you have some coordinates for the falls? Would love to be able to pinpoint this on a backcountry GPS.
43.521080,-115.680275