Official Government Website
Thousand Springs State Park
PARK UPDATE
Campground: Water is on. Upper Loop is open year-round, lower loop will be closed December 1st through February 28th.
Thousand Springs State Park Visitor Center Hours:
Fall Hours: September 4–October 31
Sunday and Monday: 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
Tuesday and Wednesday: Closed
Thursday-Saturday: 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
The fall season is the day after Labor Day through October 31. During the fall, the visitor center is open five days per week, Thursday through Monday from 9 am to 3 pm. The visitor center is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Winter Hours November 1–February 28
Sunday: 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
Monday-Thursday: Closed
Friday and Saturday: 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
The winter season is November 1 through February 28. During the winter months, the Thousand Springs Visitor Center is open three days per week, Friday through Sunday from 9 am to 3 pm.
Our Park units:
Billingsley Creek, Kelton Trail, Box Canyon, and Crystal Springs are open year-round for day-use from 7am to 10pm.
Malad Gorge day use is open. The back gate is closed to motor vehicles, walk-ins are welcome.
Niagara Springs day use area is closed for the season to motor vehicles, walk-ins are welcome.
Ritter Island is closed for the season.
Park Reservations
Additional Links
Follow Thousand Springs State Park on Facebook.
For more information about Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, please visit: www.nps.gov/hafo and follow on Facebook www.facebook.com/HagermanFossilBedsNPS.
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Contact the Park
Street Address:
Hagerman, ID 83332
Mailing Address:
Hagerman, ID 83332
Phone:
Hours of Operation:
Upcoming Events
Thousand Springs State Park is a testament to why this rugged area of southern Idaho is called the Magic Valley. The park is divided into six units that are all within short driving distance of each other. Each unit offers a unique experience.
Visitors can explore the Oregon Trail at the Kelton Trail; hike and picnic at magnificent Malad Gorge; fish, view wildlife or ride horses in the indoor arena at Billingsley Creek; step back in time and tour historic agricultural structures at Ritter Island; hike in Box Canyon Nature Preserve and watch bald eagles; picnic or teach the kids to fish at Niagara Springs.
- Hike
- Bike
- Horse
- ADA Campsite
- Auto Touring/Scenic Routes
- Charcoal Grills
- Fire Rings
- Group Picnic Shelter
- Indoor Restrooms
- Indoor Showers
- Picnic Areas
- Vault Toilets
General Accomodations
- Lodges/Houses
- RV Campsites
Fall Hours September 4–October 31
Sunday and Monday: 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
Tuesday and Wednesday: Closed
Thursday-Saturday: 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
The fall season is the day after Labor Day through October 31. During the fall, the visitor center is open five days per week, Thursday through Monday from 9 am to 3 pm. The visitor center is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Winter Hours November 1–February 28
Sunday: 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
Monday-Thursday: Closed
Friday and Saturday: 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
The winter season is November 1 through February 28. During the winter months, the Thousand Springs Visitor Center is open three days per week, Friday through Sunday from 9 am to 3 pm.
Spring Hours March 1–May 22
Sunday and Monday: 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
Tuesday and Wednesday: Closed
Thursday-Saturday: 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
The spring season is March 1 through the Thursday before Memorial Day. During the spring the visitor center is open five days per week, Thursday through Monday from 9 am to 3 pm. The visitor center is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Summer Hours Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend
Open 7 days a week: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Our Park units:
Billingsley Creek, Kelton Trail, Box Canyon, and Crystal Springs are open year-round for day-use from 7am to 10pm.
Malad Gorge day use is open year-round. The back gate is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The back gate is closed the rest of the year to motor vehicles, walk-ins are welcome.
Niagara Springs day use area is open from the weekend after Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend. The park is closed the rest of the year to motor vehicles, walk-ins are welcome.
Ritter Island is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend Thursday through Monday from 10am to 3pm, closed Tuesday and Wednesday, and closed the rest of the year.
FAQs
Where does the water originate from?
The spring water discharged from Thousand Springs State Park comes from the Snake River Plain Aquifer. The Snake River Plain aquifer acts less like an underground pool and more like a river moving water underground from high areas to low areas. Depending upon where a particular particle of water enters the aquifer and providing it is not removed from the aquifer for agricultural or municipal purposes, it may take 12-350 years for that particle of water to emerge from the aquifer at Thousand Springs.
How much water flows out of the spring?
According to the sign at the entrance of the park the springs flow at 180,000 gallons a minute making it the 11th largest springs in the United States.
How pure is the water?
Because the water must flow through the cracks and crevices of the basalt rock that contains the aquifer the water is very pure. You may notice that there is a bright light green plant in the water. That plant is Water Veronica which is an indicator of stream health.
Where does the water go?
The water flows toward the Snake River. Just before reaching the river there is a diversion pond. From this pond water is piped across land and then goes under the Snake River to the fish hatchery on the far bank of the river. Part of the water from the diversion pond is allowed to flow directly into the Snake River.
Is there a trail down to the Malad River?
No, but you can access the lower river via the Idaho Power service road off of Highway 30.
Can you camp at Malad Gorge?
No, but there are several private campgrounds in the area.
How high is the footbridge over the Malad Gorge from the river?
Approximately 175 feet, but the canyon deepens to 250 feet as it gets nearer the Snake River Canyon.
How long is the Malad river?
The river is about 12 miles long and is formed when the Big and Little Wood Rivers combine near Gooding, Idaho, northeast of the park.