Idaho Vacation: Jump Creek Canyon and Waterfall

Where is a beautiful 60 foot waterfall in a rugged canyon only 24 miles from Nampa?  Jump Creek canyon is located southwest of Marsing.  The road is paved except for the last 1.4 miles which is a good graded gravel road.  This nearby destination makes a good short and quick Idaho vacation.



Looking at the mouth of Jump
 Creek Canyon



Jump Creek canyon is a relatively short rugged canyon with spectacular rock formations and a beautiful waterfall.  The falls is located about a quarter mile from the spacious parking lot at the trailhead.  The trail is well marked but not suitable for wheelchairs and those who have trouble walking on uneven ground. 

The one-way drive from Nampa to the trailhead takes approximately 35-40 minutes.  The entire trip can be made in an easy half day or can be combined with another destination for a great all day family vacation.  Be sure to take your camera for this rugged canyon, towering cliffs and beautiful waterfall.



Path in Jump Creek Canyon leading to
Jump Creek Falls



These driving directions start at the intersection of Highway 55 and

Nampa-Caldwell Boulevard

.  If coming from east of Nampa on I84, take exit 34.  Cross to the south side of the overpass and pick up the route as described above.  If coming from Caldwell, take

10^th Avenue south

through town and turn right at the intersection of Highway 55.    Follow Highway 55 through Marsing and continue west four miles.  Where Hwy 55 turns north, turn left onto

Cemetery Road

and continue west another 1.5 miles.

 Turn left onto South Jump Creek road and travel 3.5 miles to the end of pavement.  Turn right, cross a cattle guard, and continue on the gravel road the final 1.4 miles to the trailhead.  There are several branch roads in this area, stay on the road which leads toward the canyon mouth which is clearly visible. 



Colorful Rock Formations in Jump Creek Canyon



This area is fragile so please protect the environment and stay on marked roads.  If coming from Homedale, go south on Hwy 55 and turn right onto

South Jump Creek Road

and continue as above. 

Jump Creek Recreational Area is administered by the Bureau of Land Management and is open from sunrise to sunset year-round.  In addition to a spacious parking lot, there is a pit toilet, picnic tables, and fire ring at the trailhead.  Potable water is not available at the trailhead.  Be sure to bring adequate supplies, especially in hot weather.   The elevation is approximately 2600 feet.  Please carry out trash and report vandalism to the BLM at 384-3300.



Colorful Rock Formations in Jump Creek Canyon



 The well marked trail follows Jump Creek up the floor of the canyon.  The trail starts out relatively smooth and very easy walking.  Before reaching the waterfall, the trail becomes quite rocky and has one creek crossing.  Rocks have been strategically placed across the creek so you can cross without getting wet feet, if you have good balance.  The creek is less than a foot deep but a walking stick for balance is useful.  I extended the legs on my camera tripod and used that for balance. 

Poison Ivy is abundant along the trail so learn to identify this bright green, shiny leafed plant.  Later in the season, the plants have whitish berries.  The canyon flora changes rapidly from bunchgrass and sage at the desert mouth of the canyon to the moister canyon interior with Syringa, the Idaho state flower, red osier dogwood, and white birch abundant along the creek. 



Jump Creek Falls in Jump Creek Canyon



Lizards and snakes are common in the canyon.  Crevices in the rocky canyon walls host bats, cliff swallows, hawks and other winged wildlife.  The volcanic rock canyon walls rise a towering 600 feet above the canyon floor and offer spectacular rock formations and colors. 

The beautiful waterfall cascades about sixty feet and has created a large lagoon pool at the base of the falls.  Wading and swimming are popular summer activities.  The pool bottom is rocky so take water shoes.  A huge boulder blocks access to the far side of the lagoon pool.  You can wade to get to the far side. 

A second and more interesting way is to go up a natural chute and crawl through a hole in the rocks.  This route is quite easy to navigate.  The ground on the upper side is steep so be careful of your footing.  For adventurous souls, short paths lead to different observation points to view the falls.



Hole in the Rock Leads to Another View of Jump Creek Falls
and the Lagoon Pool



Protect Yourself

Several trails ascend the steep canyon walls to access the canyon above the falls.  These trails are not safe and should be avoided.  Although the area is close to populated areas, Jump Creek Recreation Area is isolated, rugged, and steep.  If you give proper respect to the area and use caution on trails and roads, you will help preserve the natural beauty of the area and be safe. 

Idaho Vacation: Murphy Outpost Days

Here is a great suggestion for an Idaho vacation that is close to southwest Idaho population centers and a really fun experience.  Murphy Outpost Days, June 3-5, 2011 is a celebration of western heritage in Idaho's oldest county.  Outpost days are held in Murphy, the county seat of Owyhee County. 



Antique cars at Murphy Outpost
Days 2010



The outpost days venue is adjacent to the Owyhee County Historical Museum and residents of this sparsely populated county go all out to celebrate.  Visitors are definitely welcome! 



4-H Youth moving the herd to the
corrals, Murphy Outpost Days, 2010



The colorful weekend starts at 7:00pm Friday June 3 with an evening of entertainment by Cowboy Poet Art Honey.  Admission is just $10. 






Panning for gold, Murphy Outpost
 Days, 2010



Saturday events officially get under  way at 10:00am with food & craft vendors, antique car show, lost art demonstrations in the museum, and events such as gold panning, fast draw contests, and other activities to keep you moving and entertained.  Live music is provided throughout the day.  For me the highlight of Saturday comes at noon when a small herd of longhorn cattle arrive at the corrals, herded by local 4-H'ers and their leaders.  More on this later.  Be sure to enter the raffle for a quilt and for a rifle.  A live auction begins about 3:00pm.  Face painting and kids activities help keep everyone involved.



4-H Youth moving Longhorn cattle to the corrals, Murphy
Outpost Days, 2010



Back to the cattle drive.  After the cattle are penned, the 4-H youth put on a demonstration of cattle handling without use of modern chutes.  They are guided by leaders to separate calves from the mother cows (not an easy task), then the calves are roped and heeled and paint branded.  I was extremely intrigued by watching this activity. 



4-H Youth working calves, Murphy Outpost Days, 2010

 The leaders had great patience as they taught the "next generation" how to properly work cattle.  The skills and patience of both leaders and youth give me great confidence in the future.  I doubt that any of these youth will ever be found on the pages of police reports.

Sunday events also begin at 10:00am and run until about 4:00pm when the World Championship Horny Toad Race take the spotlight. 



Spinning wheel demonstration,
Murphy Outpost Days, 2010

 The Owyhee County Museum needs to be visited during this weekend.  It is full of local historical displays as well as having large exhibits of western memorabilia such as a huge collection of bridle bits, types of barbed wire, etc.  Antique agricultural, mining, and railroad machinery is also on exhibit along with an old schoolhouse.

For more information call the museum at 208-495-2319 or visit their website at:
 http://owyheemuseum.org/default.asp?pageName=Events



Part of the kids activities, Murphy Outpost Days, 2010



Due to the diversity and type of activities, this event is one of the more interesting festivals celebrating the western way of life and the settling of southwest Idaho.  It is a super Idaho vacation and a great thing to do.

Murphy is located about midway between Marsing and Grandview on highway 78 on the south side of the Snake River.  It is best approached by going south of Mountain Home to Grandview and highway 78 or by going south of Nampa, cross the Snake River and to highway 78.  From Nampa, it takes about 40 minutes to reach Murphy. 

If you want to add other activities to this trip, a visit to Cleo's Ferry Museum is on the route just north of the Snake River crossing as you head to Nampa.  More information on this eclectic museum is found here.  If traveling from Meridian, Kuna, or Boise your route of travel can also take you on the Western Heritage Historical Byway.  These byways are described here and here.  Both of these byways take you through the Morley Nelson Birds of Prey Conservation Area described here. 

Idaho Vacation: Western Heritage Historical Byway-Idaho Section

Indian petroglyphs, Snake River ferry, atlatl instruction, historic railroad bridge, melon gravel?  What do these things have in common?   All these features and more are found along the Idaho designated section of the Western Heritage Scenic Byway. 

Area map of Morely Nelson Birds of Prey
National Conservation Area and Western
HeritageNational Historic Byway

There are really two separate sections of roadway designated as Western Heritage Scenic Byway; a federally designated section running from Meridian to Swan Falls Dam and an Idaho designated section that overlays the federal route plus an additional seventeen  miles going basically west to Celebration Park and Walters Ferry.  Click here to access the travel guide for the Meridian to Swan Falls route. 

The East/West portion of the byway is the Idaho designated section of the Western Heritage Historical Byway.  For this travel guide, we will be traveling east to west.  This route starts at the intersection of Swan Falls road and Victory Lane, 8.5 miles north of Swan Falls Dam or about 11.5 miles south of the Kuna Visitor Center. 

Raptor nest, Morely Nelson Birds of Prey National
Conservation Area, viewed from Western Heritage
Historical Byway

Follow this paved road west through the Morley Nelson Birds of Prey National Conservation Area which is interspersed with agricultural fields.  Watch for raptor nests atop power poles along this route.  Raptors are easily seen gliding through the sky as they search for prey.  Travel west on Victory Lane, north on McDermott Road, west on Warren Spur Road , and south on Sinker Road to Celebration Park. 

Celebration Park, located on the edge of the Snake River at the western boundary of the Birds of Prey Area, is Idaho’s first archeological park and boasts numerous Indian petroglyphs – artwork carved or etched into stone.  Estimates are that the petroglyphs were etched some 7,500 to 12,000 years ago. 

Indian Petroglyphs, Celebration Park, Canyon County  Idaho

Melon gravel is what is left from the historic Bonneville flood some 15,000 years ago.  The raging waters of this flood carved the Snake River canyon and tumbled millions of tons of rock into rounded boulders.  These rounded boulders are called melon gravel and huge beds are found in and around the park. 

The park has a small visitor center with historic displays, and is staffed by naturalists.  Guided tours are generally available from 10-2 daily.  Because many of the petroglyphs are difficult to locate among  the melon gravel, making use of the guided tours can be very helpful. 

Melon rock left from the great Bonneville Flood, Celebration
Park, Idaho

Atlatl is the name of an ancient weapon, often called the first weapon machine.  The atlatl, thrown by hand, propels a dart towards the target or prey.  Celebration Park has a competitive atlatl range.  Instruction and equipment is available from the park staff. 

The park has camping for a minimal fee.  The park is popular for hiking, fishing, camping, boating, horseback riding, picnicking, bird watching and other outdoor activities.  Halverson Lake, located two miles upstream, is accessed from a trail that begins at the park. 

Guffy Bridge over the Snake River at Celebration Park

Celebration Park is also the location of the historic Guffy Railroad Bridge.  This double arch steel bridge was built in 1897 to carry the Boise, Nampa, and Owyhee Railroad across the Snake River to the mines at Silver City.  The railroad tracks were never completed past Murphy.  Today the bridge is open to foot, horse, and bicycle traffic to access the south side of the river. 

If your Idaho mini vacation time is gone, head towards Melba by traveling north on Can-Ada road after leaving the park area.  Melba is only a mile west of Can-Ada Road and has food, fuel, and other traveler services.  Continue north and east on any of several county roads to return to Kuna or north and west to arrive at Nampa.  Any of these routes take you back to I-84.

To complete the Western Heritage Historical Byway route, turn left on Warren Spur Road , right on Hill Road, and left on Ferry Road to ID-45, and south on ID45 to the Snake River.  Prior to the river bridge is the old Walter’s Ferry crossing.  Food and fuel is available at Dan’s Ferry Crossing service station. 

Just down the hill is Cleo’s Ferry Museum. A guide detailing this eclectic museum is  here.  I think it is a “must visit.”

Across the river and on the right is a nice boat launch area.  Airboat rides to Swan Falls Dam, fourteen miles upstream, are available from Swan Falls Excursions.  They also offer raft and kayak floats from Swan Falls Dam to Walters Ferry.  Call 1-800-422-3568 for reservations and information or visit their website here.   

Highway 78 on the south side of the river goes northwest toward Marsing and the Oregon border and southeast towards Murphy and Grandview.  Both of these loop tours are rich with nice scenery and historic sites to visit.  Include them on your Idaho vacation and travels. 

Additional information:

Kuna Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center 208-922-9254,   http://www.kunachamber.com/ 

Bureau of Land Management: 208-334-3300, http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/content/id/en/prog/blm_special_areas/birds_of_prey_nca.html

Western Heritage Historic Byway: www.byways.org/explore/byways/2593

Celebration Park:

5000 Victory Ln, Melba, ID 83641

, 208-495-2745, http://www.canyonco.org/parks.aspx?id=846

Idaho Travel: 1-800-VISITID, www.visitidaho.org/

Idaho Vacation: The Western Heritage Historical Byway

The Western Heritage Historic Byway is one of the shorter scenic byways in Idaho.  This tour makes an easy Idaho vacation with a chance to view beautiful raptors and awe inspiring views of the Snake River canyon.

This historic byway leads into the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, home of the largest concentration of nesting raptors in North America.  Some 24 species of raptors inhabit this area.  The weekend of May 13-15, Kuna hosts the Birds of Prey Festival.  More information is here.

This byway begins on the south side of I-84 exit 44 as ID-69 begins its journey towards Kuna.  Coming from the east or west, take exit 44 and head south on the five lane highway that traverses the eight miles to Kuna.  The road takes you past subdivisions, agricultural fields and a hint of the vast sagebrush plains to come. 

In Kuna, turn onto East Avalon Ave, heading west, to Swan Falls Road .  Turn south on Swan Falls Road.


Boundary of Birds of Prey Area with Kuna
 Butte on right background



Almost immediately on the right is the Kuna Visitors Center.  The center is staffed seasonally by the Kuna Chamber of Commerce and happily provides information and orientation on the attractions of this byway and the surrounding area.

Located near the visitors center is the Pioneer Cemetery which holds about twelve graves.  Also in this area are remnants of Silver Trail, the stage and freight route linking Idaho City to the NE and Silver City to the SW with the newly established town of Boise. 

Swan Falls dam and powerhouse is located about twenty-one miles south of Kuna and is the termination of the byway.  Heading south from Kuna, Swan Falls Road is a good two lane highway and is paved all the way to the dam. 

About three miles south of Kuna is the boundary of the Birds of Prey Conservation Area.  There is a pullout with signs and information about recreation in the area.  Not far to the west, Kuna Butte rises from the plains and provides a good overview of the sagebrush plains to the south and the agricultural area to the north.  A 2-track dirt road leads onto the butte.

Slightly over another mile south is Kuna Cave Road .  Kuna Caves is an underground lava tube that the Bureau of Land Management recommends not be visited by the general public.  The area has no maintenance and is reportedly quite trashy, dusty, and smoke stained from repeated bonfires and irresponsible littering.  Because it is not recommended I will not give additional information except to provide a web address.



Initial Point



Initial Point Road is on the left, another 3.5 miles south.  Initial Point is located one mile east on a dirt road.  A short hike to the top of the hill gives an unrestricted commanding view of the Owyhee Mountains to the south and of the vast plains of the 482,000 acre Birds of Prey area in all directions.  The towns of the Treasure Valley are visible as are areas of eastern Oregon. 



Mores Mountain behind Bogus Basin,
view from top of Initial Point



Initial Point is significant as it is the starting point for Idaho’s first land survey, begun in 1867.  Map coordinates in Idaho all take reference from this point.  A brass survey cap set in concrete marks the spot.  A rudimentary 2-track 4-wheel drive road is accessible all the way to the top.  This is a great spot to have a picnic lunch but there are no tables or restrooms.  The walk from the bottom to the top is only about 1/4 mile.

Return to Swan Falls Road and continue south another 7.5 miles to a pullout with restrooms.  Dedication Point is a short ¼ mile walk to the rim of the Snake River Canyon.  The nature trail is packed gravel and  wheelchair accessible.  Picnic tables and rest benches are located along the trail along with interpretive signs. 

Snake River Canyon, view from Dedication Point

Dedication Point overlook gives spectacular views of the huge Snake River canyon.  Raptors are easily seen from this point as they glide on thermal updrafts looking for prey.  Interpretative signs provide information on the geology, flora and fauna of the area.  It is impossible to not be impressed with the majestic power of the great Lake Bonneville flood that shaped and contoured the canyon.  Binoculars are recommended as the raptors nest in the crevices of the rock walls and are particularly active from early-March to late-June. 

Swan Falls Dam and Power House, view from Three Pole Overlook
Sinker Creek Butte is in background

Continue in a southeasterly direction for another 3.5 miles to another smaller pullout for another overview of the canyon and Swan Falls Dam and powerhouse.  Three Pole overlook is aptly named as you will see from the power poles adjacent to the overlook.  There are no guard rails at this location.  Be careful of the canyon edge. 

The road quickly makes a sharp right turn and starts down the canyon toward Swan Falls Dam.  Although the road is paved and 2-lane, it is steep and has several sharp turns.  Use caution especially in cold weather when ice can be on the roadway. 

In about one mile the paved road ends at Swan Falls Dam.  The original powerhouse, constructed in 1901, was decommissioned in the mid-1990s after a new powerhouse was constructed.  The old powerhouse in now a historical display and tours can be arranged through Idaho Power.  Tours must be arranged in advance due to security reasons. 

Park at Swan Falls Power Plant and Dam, maintained
by Idaho Power

Idaho Power  maintains a nice shady park with ADA accessible restrooms adjacent to the dam.  There is no overnight camping at the dam but there are numerous camp areas along the river both upstream and downstream from the dam.  A dirt road follows the river downstream approximately four miles.  The area is  popular with outdoor enthusiasts for fishing, boating, rafting, mountain biking, and upland and waterfowl hunting.  The dock area below the dam is a popular put in for watercraft.  Beautiful views of the canyon walls and impressive and unique rock formations are found in the canyon bottom. 

A 17 mile state designated scenic byway extension of this route leads to Celebration Park, Idaho’s first archeological park, and further west to highway 45 and Walters Ferry.  Loop tours can be incorporated with this trip. The Idaho designated extension of the Western Heritage Historical Byway is covered in a separate Idaho vacation guide here.

Contact and additional information:

Kuna Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center – (208) 922-9254, http://www.kunachamber.com/

Bureau of Land Management – (208) 384-3300, http://www.blm.gov/id/st/en/fo/four_rivers/Snake-River_birds_NCA.html

Western Heritage Historic Byway: www.byways.org/explore/byways/2593

Idaho Power- (208) 736-3458, 
http://www.idahopower.com/OurEnvironment/Recreation/swanfalls/default.cfm
Idaho Tourism: 1-800-VISITID, www.visitidaho.org/

Idaho Vacation: Idaho Peace Officers Memorial

The Idaho Peace Officers' Memorial is a great place to visit while on an Idaho vacation.  The memorial is on the grounds of the Idaho State police headquarters in Meridian, Idaho. 



Bench at the Idaho Peace Officers Memorial

 This stop is a wonderful way to help teach our children to honor and respect those who help protect our freedoms and way of life.  Unfortunately, some have had to give their life so that we might enjoy our freedoms. 

The memorial was dedicated on May 15, 1998.  Each year, after the week of May 15, which is National Police Week, ceremonies are conducted at the memorial.  This years activities are scheduled for May 18-20.  Additional information is found on the Idaho Peace Officers website here. 



Idaho Peace Officers Memorial

 The memorial is designed as a 5-point badge with three large sandstone boulders near the center of the red bricked walkway. 



Sandstone Memorials, Idaho Peace Officers Memorial



To get to the memorial from I-84, take exit 44 and go north approximately 1/2 mile to E Watertower Lane, turn right and go about 1/2 mile to Strattford Dr, turn right and go a block or so to the memorial at 700 S Strattford Dr.  The memorial will be on your left.  The memorial is outdoors.  Additional information is found on the memorial website http://www.idahopeaceofficersmemorial.com/.