Twin Falls, Idaho

Twin Falls, Idaho is located in southern Idaho 2 hours from Boise, Idaho, 2.5 hours from Idaho Falls, Idaho and 1 hour from Hammett, Idaho. Twin Falls is best know for Shoshane Falls which is located a few minutes out of town. It is a mid-sized town of 49,200 people and was named after a nearby waterfall on the Snake River with the same name.

The Twin Falls Dam built in 1905, controls water flow and is used hydroelectric power generation and irrigation. Before the dam was built in 1905, water would flow over third fall, but the dam now diverts it to one waterfall. Idaho Power Company purchased the dam in 1916 and rebuilt it in 1921. In an attempt to harness the Snake River, it has provided more than 200,000 acres on the south side of the Snake River.

Twin Falls surrounding area is rich in agricultural with potatoes (which is the biggest and what Idaho is known for) along with wheat, barley, sugar beets and hay. Cattle (both livestock and dairy) are also a large contributor to the economy.

Shoshane Falls – natural wonder

Shoshane Falls is a natural wonder on the Snake River, located just outside of Twin Falls a few miles. Higher than Niagara Falls in Canada at approximately 212 feet, the peak time to see them is in the Spring months after winter thaw. However, even in the summer they put on a show for visitors.

Perrine Bridge – 4th largest in North America

Perrine Bridge located at Twin Falls, Idaho is the 4th largest bridge in the North America at 1,500 feet long, 486 feet high and 993 feet wide. (Check out this link for more photos to make you appreciate how large it is). Built in 1976, it carries U.S. Highway 93 over the deep canyon of the majestic Snake River Canyon, connecting to Interstate 84. On each side of the bridge there are sidewalks offering views of the river and waterfalls or walking paths below under the spans. BASE jumpers can use the bridge for parachuting to the canyon below.

Craters of the Moon

At the north edge of the eastern Snake River Plain halfway between Idaho Falls and Twin Falls is Craters of the Moon National Park. Located between the small towns of Arco and Carey along US 20, the area was a result of basaltic volcanic activity that happened 15,000 and 2,100 years ago. The elevation is approximately 5,900 feet above seal level.