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.