For waterfall-chasers, it often comes as a surprise that Idaho is home to such an abundance of scenic cascades across the state – some that even top Niagara Falls in height! But while many of these spectacular falls are tucked away in the untamed corners of our stunning mountain ranges and require determined hikes to reach, others are renowned landmarks that draw thousands of visitors and photographers every year to be enchanted by their roaring, magnificent beauty. Fortunately, Idaho’s picturesque beauty doesn’t stop as the temperature drops; Idaho’s plummeting natural wonders often transform into glittering, icy spectacles during the winter and offer surprisingly unique photo ops and recreation opportunities for those willing to brave the chill. Here are eight waterfalls in the Gem State that are just as mesmerizing in the winter as they are during the spring.
- Ross Falls
Blair Praser/CC0 This overlooked gem in southern Idaho is definitely worth a second look as it plunges down the canyon in this sparkling winter spectacle.
- Thousand Springs
Cathy Nash Wilson One of southern Idaho’s most uniquely lush and scenic state parks still offers the same stunning views during the winter, but with an icy twist. The underground rivers that meander beneath most of the Snake River Plain come pouring out from the rocky cliffs, only to find themselves met with biting cold.
- Jump Creek Falls
rjcox/Flickr This narrow canyon waterfall is always a unique sight as it plunges gloriously into a magnificent desert watershed, but during the frozen chill of winter, it’s much easier to see its sister falls dripping from the canyon wall. The photographer’s own words describe this shot as an “icy maw.”
- Twin Falls
Pamela K. Astley Only one of Twin Falls’ “twins” is still in existence today, but there are plenty of falls around the city that make lovely and unexpected sights encased in the season’s frost.
- Bridal Veil Falls
skeeze/CC0 The hike through Central Idaho to get here will be chilly and challenging, but the crisp, icy view will be worth it to see this winter waterfall.
- Shoshone Falls
Elijah Weber Towering at over 212 feet, Shoshone Falls is a true Idaho treasure that is beautiful no matter when you visit. But come winter, you’ll want to bring along a camera to capture the beauty of this icy wonderland and its neighboring cascades.
- Centennial Park
Cathy Nash Wilson Without a doubt one of the best places to drink in the natural wonders of the Snake River Canyon, a trip here offers a panoramic view of multiple frozen falls.
- Idaho Falls
Brian/Flickr Up close, the colors of Idaho Falls’ waterfalls on the Snake River are crisp, colorful, and form a perfect winter backdrop. These falls, along with the city’s central waterfall statue, both tend to freeze over during extreme cold snaps.
Pretty spectacular, right? These glittering cascades are well worth the trip to see! While we can’t guarantee which of Idaho’s majestic falls will be frozen at any given time, taking one of our waterfall road trips is always worth it.
Blair Praser/CC0
This overlooked gem in southern Idaho is definitely worth a second look as it plunges down the canyon in this sparkling winter spectacle.
Cathy Nash Wilson
One of southern Idaho’s most uniquely lush and scenic state parks still offers the same stunning views during the winter, but with an icy twist. The underground rivers that meander beneath most of the Snake River Plain come pouring out from the rocky cliffs, only to find themselves met with biting cold.
rjcox/Flickr
This narrow canyon waterfall is always a unique sight as it plunges gloriously into a magnificent desert watershed, but during the frozen chill of winter, it’s much easier to see its sister falls dripping from the canyon wall. The photographer’s own words describe this shot as an “icy maw.”
Pamela K. Astley
Only one of Twin Falls’ “twins” is still in existence today, but there are plenty of falls around the city that make lovely and unexpected sights encased in the season’s frost.
skeeze/CC0
The hike through Central Idaho to get here will be chilly and challenging, but the crisp, icy view will be worth it to see this winter waterfall.
Elijah Weber
Towering at over 212 feet, Shoshone Falls is a true Idaho treasure that is beautiful no matter when you visit. But come winter, you’ll want to bring along a camera to capture the beauty of this icy wonderland and its neighboring cascades.
Without a doubt one of the best places to drink in the natural wonders of the Snake River Canyon, a trip here offers a panoramic view of multiple frozen falls.
Brian/Flickr
Up close, the colors of Idaho Falls’ waterfalls on the Snake River are crisp, colorful, and form a perfect winter backdrop. These falls, along with the city’s central waterfall statue, both tend to freeze over during extreme cold snaps.
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