Malad Gorge - Thousand Springs State Park
4.6(1.1K)google
CanyonWaterfallHikingScenic Lookout
Overview
Thousand Springs State Park is a public recreation and nature preservation area consisting of multiple units — Billingsley Creek, Earl M. Hardy Box Canyon Springs Nature Preserve, Malad Gorge, Niagara Springs, and Ritter Island — in Gooding County, Idaho.
Practical Info
Mon7:00 AM – 10:00PM
Tue7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wed7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thu7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Fri7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sat7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sun7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Suggested Duration1.5-2.5 hours
Best TimeLate spring (April to June) is the prime season, as high-volume canyon runoff sends the Devil's Washbowl waterfall roaring into the abyss. The critical daily window is 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM; because the volcanic gorge is 250 feet deep and narrow, straight overhead sun is necessary to pierce the darkness and illuminate the riverbed.
Getting ThereIncredibly accessible as it sits directly off the highway corridor. Driving along Interstate 84, take Exit 147 (Tuttle); the entrance gates to this state park unit appear immediately off the off-ramp. Drive 2 minutes to the spanning footbridge over the chasm, which provides large paved paid parking fields with restroom vault access.
Travel Tips
- The historic footbridge spanning the 250-foot deep volcanic chasm sways violently during canyon wind drafts; do not stop on the span and never drop items.
- The rim-side pathways lack continuous safety fencing and feature unstable weathered basalt edges; maintain a strict 3-meter clearance from the drops.
- Directly off I-15, the park lot lacks oversized RV turnarounds; rigs exceeding 35 feet must utilize the parallel pullouts positioned outside the entrance.
Reviews
Positive
- Standing on the pedestrian footbridge directly over the basalt canyon gorge with rushing waterfalls below delivers a massive visual thrill.
- The bizarre geologic basalt rock features offer great hiking fun and high adventure along the canyon rim trails.
- Positioned right off the I-84 freeway with flat self-guided driving paths and excellent accessible roadside turnouts.
- Admission costs just a few dollars per car; the inner lawns are peaceful, dotted with nicely spaced covered picnic shelters.
Heads up
- Outside of the signature bridge lookout, the trails are short; non-hikers can see the core chasms in under 20 minutes.
- Certain canyon rim tracks lack heavy safety fencing to preserve raw wilderness, requiring parents to hold kids tight.
- Infrastructure inside is highly basic, limited to a pit toilet and old vending machines, with zero dining concessions.
- During dry midsummer days, the open rocky rim bakes under blinding direct sun with zero overhead shelter to escape the heat.