Last Updated: May 28, 2026
From Bruneau Dunes we headed east to Picabo, Idaho — a tiny agricultural community that serves as the base for visiting Silver Creek and Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. From there we drove north to Ketchum to explore Sun Valley and make a day trip to Stanley through the Sawtooth Mountains. On our way out of Idaho we stopped in Twin Falls to restock at Costco and see Shoshone Falls.
Picabo, Idaho
Picabo sits in a broad agricultural valley where Silver Creek — one of the most famous spring-fed trout streams in North America — flows through a Nature Conservancy preserve. The water is so clear that Jake could see the massive fish from the bank without any trouble.
The surrounding valley is a working agricultural landscape — hay fields, cattle, sheep, and horses in every direction.
Picabo Angler RV Park
RV options near Craters of the Moon are limited, and the Picabo Angler turned out to be a fine choice. The park had 50-amp service, good water pressure, huge sites, and very good internet — the only drawback was a dump station rather than individual sewer hookups. We had nobody parked next to us on either side.
Other than some road noise from the nearby highway, the setting was peaceful — sunflowers, wildflowers, and mushrooms growing around the property, and the park less than half full throughout our stay.
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
Craters of the Moon is one of the most otherworldly landscapes in America — a vast field of black basalt lava flows covering nearly 750,000 acres across the Snake River Plain. The lava flowed as recently as 2,000 years ago and the National Park Service considers the volcanic field still geologically active. The monument offers numerous short hiking trails and lava tube caves to explore. One word of advice: do not wear black while hiking a lava field in the sun.
What struck us most was how little vegetation has reclaimed these flows even thousands of years on — the rabbitbrush blooming golden against the black rock is a stunning contrast. It reminded us we are well overdue for a Big Island trip.
Visitor Information — Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve: Address: 1266 Craters Loop Rd, Arco, ID 83213. Hours: Park open year-round; visitor center daily 8 a.m.–6 p.m. in summer, reduced hours in winter. Admission: $25 per vehicle (America the Beautiful pass accepted). Phone: (208) 527-1300. Website: nps.gov/crmo.
Ketchum, Idaho
Ketchum sits at the base of Bald Mountain adjacent to the world-famous Sun Valley Resort — America’s first destination ski resort, opened in 1936. We arrived in peak fall color, the aspen stands turning brilliant gold throughout the mountains. We had been hoping to catch the elk rut, but a warm September had kept the elk at higher elevations — a fact confirmed by several frustrated bow hunters we spoke with on the trail.
The Meadows RV Park
The Meadows RV Park, just outside of town, was a comfortable base with full hookups, 50-amp service, and very good internet. The park was less than half full throughout our stay.
The Adams Gulch trail was a beautiful, easy hike through the aspens at the height of fall color — highly recommended when the timing is right.
Ketchum’s ski culture is woven into everything — including the property fences.
Hot Springs near Stanley
The drive north from Ketchum to Stanley winds through the Sawtooth Mountains along Highway 75 — one of Idaho’s finest scenic byways — and leads to a string of natural hot springs along the Salmon River. The soaking tub at Boat Box Hot Springs was running far too hot, even after we added 40 gallons of cold stream water, so we settled into the cooler shallow pools alongside it instead.
Sunbeam Hot Springs, a few miles further up the river, were larger and at a perfect temperature and depth. Highly recommended.
Frenchman’s Hot Springs were more crowded, so we waded across the cold river to find a quieter spot — perfect pools on the other side, but Sandy deeply regretted the return crossing. Numb feet all the way back to the car.
Ketchum had plenty of bars, restaurants, and shopping to keep almost anyone entertained. Sun Valley’s real estate is some of the most expensive in Idaho — the homes on the hillsides are extraordinary. Sandy scored a Hurley flannel at the thrift store for $9. The town has miles of paved bike and walking trails connecting to the surrounding valley.
Visitor Information — Visit Sun Valley: Address: 491 Sun Valley Rd, Sun Valley, ID 83353. Hours: Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Phone: (208) 726-3423. Website: visitsunvalley.com.
Twin Falls, Idaho
We stopped in Twin Falls on our way to Nevada — primarily for the Costco, but also to see Shoshone Falls on the Snake River. At 212 feet, Shoshone Falls is actually taller than Niagara Falls and is known as the “Niagara of the West.” By late September the flow was little more than a trickle; spring snowmelt is when this waterfall truly earns its reputation.
The Snake River canyon here is dramatic in its own right. In September 1974, Evel Knievel attempted to jump the canyon in his steam-powered Skycycle X-2 rocket. The parachute deployed at launch, gently carrying him down to the canyon wall rather than across it. The canyon survived with its dignity fully intact.
Visitor Information — Shoshone Falls Park: Address: Shoshone Falls Rd, Twin Falls, ID 83301. Hours: Daily 7 a.m.–10 p.m. (seasonal). Admission: $5 per vehicle (city park). Phone: (208) 736-2265. Website: tfid.org/169/shoshone-falls.
Practical Tips
Do not wear dark or black clothing when visiting Craters of the Moon in summer. The black basalt lava absorbs and radiates heat intensely. Wear light-colored, breathable clothing and a hat, bring plenty of water, and start hiking early before the lava heats up.
Silver Creek is a catch-and-release fly-fishing preserve managed by The Nature Conservancy. The water is famously clear and the fish are large — it is considered one of the finest spring-creek trout fisheries in North America. Fishing access and regulations are managed through the Nature Conservancy’s Silver Creek Preserve.
For hot springs along the Salmon River near Stanley, Sunbeam Hot Springs is the most reliably comfortable. Boat Box can run extremely hot — bring extra cold water to cool it down, or plan to use the shallow side pools. Go on a weekday morning for fewer crowds at all three springs.
Ketchum has miles of paved multi-use trails connecting town, Sun Valley Resort, and the surrounding valley. The Adams Gulch trail system above town offers excellent fall hiking through aspen groves — peak color typically falls in mid-to-late September at this elevation.
Shoshone Falls is best visited in spring (April–May) when Snake River snowmelt is running high. By late summer and fall, upstream irrigation diversions reduce the river dramatically and the falls can run nearly dry. Check the flow forecast before making a special trip.
For elk rut viewing near Ketchum, plan for mid-to-late September and target higher elevations. In warm years the elk stay on higher ground well into October. Local outfitters and hunting guide services can often point you toward active rut areas — even non-hunters can observe from a respectful distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Craters of the Moon National Monument, and why is it so unusual? Craters of the Moon covers nearly 750,000 acres of volcanic landscape across the Snake River Plain of Idaho. The lava flows here occurred as recently as 2,000 years ago from a rift zone still considered geologically active. The monument includes lava tubes, cinder cones, and vast basalt fields so distinctive that NASA selected it as a training site for Apollo astronauts preparing for the lunar surface.
What makes Silver Creek such a famous fishing destination? Silver Creek near Picabo is a spring-fed stream managed by The Nature Conservancy as a fly-fishing preserve. The water maintains a near-constant temperature year-round, remains exceptionally clear, and supports trophy-sized rainbow and brown trout. Strictly catch-and-release, it is widely regarded as one of the most challenging and rewarding spring-creek fisheries in North America.
What is the history of Sun Valley Resort? Sun Valley, adjacent to Ketchum, opened in 1936 as the first destination ski resort in the United States, developed by Union Pacific Railroad to attract passengers to Idaho. It quickly became a celebrity destination — Ernest Hemingway spent his final years in Ketchum and is buried there. The resort remains one of the premier ski destinations in North America, with Bald Mountain offering more than 3,000 feet of vertical drop.
Is Shoshone Falls really taller than Niagara Falls? Yes — Shoshone Falls drops 212 feet, compared to Niagara’s 167-foot American Falls. However, the flow at Shoshone Falls is dramatically affected by upstream irrigation diversions, so the experience varies enormously by season. Spring visits after snowmelt are far more impressive than late-summer or fall.
What was Evel Knievel’s Snake River Canyon jump? On September 8, 1974, Evel Knievel attempted to rocket across the Snake River Canyon at Twin Falls in a steam-powered vehicle called the Skycycle X-2. The parachute deployed prematurely at launch and the craft drifted down to the canyon wall rather than clearing it. Knievel was uninjured. The attempt remains one of the most famous failed stunts in American entertainment history.
What are the best hot springs near Ketchum and Stanley? The Salmon River corridor between Ketchum and Challis offers several excellent natural hot springs. Sunbeam Hot Springs on the Salmon River near Sunbeam are typically the most comfortable — easy to access and naturally regulated to a pleasant soaking temperature. Boat Box Hot Springs can run very hot; the shallow side pools are usually more manageable. Frenchman’s Hot Springs require a cold-water crossing to reach the best pools. All are free, dispersed-use sites managed by the Challis-Salmon National Forest.
