Shoshone Falls

Once you enter the park, the road winds down a hill towards the overlooks. There are several small waterfalls along here. I was there in winter once which made for lots of cool ice. In spring and summer it's like a small green oasis. Shoshone falls is a huge waterfall sometimes called Niagara of the west. There are several different overlooks at the park to view the falls. None are more than a few hundred feet from the parking lot. The water from the Snake River is always fluctuating depending on the time of year and how much they are letting through the dam above the falls. The gorge below the falls is very beautiful. This is the spot where Evel Knievel tried (and failed) to jump the canyon in a steam powered rocket. If you park near the small gift shop, this is where the easiest and most popular viewpoints are just above the brink of the falls. I have visited here 3 different times with VERY different results in water flow. In late summer the water can actually completely dry up as the nearby farmers use most of the incoming river water. It is a very serious debate whether or not the series of dams has ruined not only Shoshone Falls, but nearby Twin Falls which is permanently cut in half by dams. I can see both sides of this argument. I would love to see the falls in its 100 percent natural state but on the other hand I eat a LOT of potatoes. In March 2017, the falls were at 18,000 cfs due to recent floods and no need yet for farm water. It was really an amazing thing to see. Pictures do no justice of the power and volume of water at this time! There was so much mist that it made it hard to actually see part of the falls. There is another upper parking area that you can either walk to or park at with several picnic tables. The canyon rim trail starts here. If you walk a little ways down this paved trail you get a great full view of the falls and great views of the canyon. Keep your eyes open. There are several other falls that can be seen from here in the spring. Also keep your eyes open for the small arch in the cliffs. If you hike a short way beyond the view platform you will see the beautiful Bridal Veil Falls. I swear every state has one by this name.