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/