Campground: Water is on. Upper Loop is open year-round, lower loop will be closed December 1st through February 28th.
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.
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.
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.
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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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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.
Located at our Billingsley Creek Unit, the visitor center enhances recreational and historical offerings for Thousand Springs State Park and Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument by putting rangers and resources in a single location.
Check out the Thousand Springs State Park brochure and map or learn more about the park’s geology!
Before it became an Idaho State Park, it was known as the Emerald Valley Ranch, used primarily for agriculture.
You can enjoy Billingsley Creek from sunrise to sunset. The park offers spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities, an indoor horse-riding arena, fishing, visitor center, RV campground, and featured events throughout the year.
Box Canyon Springs Flos at a rate of 180k gallons per minute. The natural area offers view of the springs, a primitive hiking trail, and a 20ft waterfall. The area is also a great place to see bald and golden eagles in the winter. The road is paved for easy access to the overlook.
This 451-acre park is located just off Interstate 84 at the Tuttle exit. People pass the park in an eye blink, never suspecting the spectacular canyon views that await them just a mile off the highway. Malad Gorge is open for hiking, picnicking and day outings. Guided tours can be arranged by calling the park. Malad Gorge gate is open from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
The Malad River crashes down stairstep falls and into the Devils Washbowl, then cuts through a beautiful 250-foot gorge on its way to the Snake River, 2-1/2 miles downstream. Views of the gorge are best from the sturdy bridge that crosses the canyon. You can take a short hike to discover nearby fingers of the gorge where crystal-clear springs produce ponds and streams. Ritter Island offers excellent opportunities for photography and birdwatching. Nestled alongside the picturesque Snake River, between two magnificent springs, the property provides a sense of serenity and solitude – the perfect venue for small events and someday, small retreats.
The island allows visitors to enjoy the springs, an abundance of wildlife, and to step back in time touring the historic buildings. There are three rental homes that can be reserved (include link to reservation system). Wedding Venue can be reserved by contacting the park directly. The island is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend and closed the rest of the year.
The Kelton Road offers views of the abutments for the bridge that carried wagons traveling the Oregon Trail. From about 1864 to 1883 this was on the regular route that carried mail, freight and passengers between Boise and the railhead at Kelton, Utah. The trail had so much traffic that grooves were cut into the rocks, but by July 1884, a traveler on the old route noticed that “grass grows over the defunct overland Kelton stage road where a weary traveler once traveled in clouds of dust…”
Tumbling down the canyon side at 250 cubic feet per second, Niagara Springs is a sight you won’t soon forget. The churning water is the icy blue of glaciers. The springs are a National Natural Landmark and part of the world-famous Thousand Springs Complex along the Snake River.
The park provides your best opportunity to drive into the 350-foot-deep canyon, but be cautious: The road is narrow and steep. We advise you not to risk it in a motorhome or while pulling a large trailer.
his seven-acre lake is a popular fishing spot for area anglers. Picnic tables and shade trees also provide recreational opportunities for the non-fishing visitors. Birdwatchers can also view the large variety of waterfowl that migrate through and nest along the Snake River. Facilities include docks, picnic tables, and vault toilets.
Stay the night at Thousand Springs! There are two historic overnight rental homes available at Ritter Island: The Rock House and the Yellow House.
Rock House
Yellow/Pink House
Read about the history and background of Ritter Island from the Nature Conservancy:
Ritter Island is open Thursday – Monday (closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays) 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day Weekend. You can take a self guided tour of the barn and walk to Minnie Miller Springs. Volunteers will be there to answer questions you may have.
Call Thousand Springs State Park staff: (208) 837-4505.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
No, but you can access the lower river via the Idaho Power service road off of Highway 30.
No, but there are several private campgrounds in the area.
Approximately 175 feet, but the canyon deepens to 250 feet as it gets nearer the Snake River Canyon.
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.