Yes, Shoshone Falls of Idaho is 36 feet higher than famous Niagara Falls but few have ever heard about it. It was 1973 and I had qualified for the Idaho State High School Rodeo Finals in Filer Idaho. While at the rodeo we had an off day and some friends said hey, want to go see Shoshone Falls? I said O.K. very unenthusiastically.
I remember we left Filer about 7:00 in the morning and within a half hour there we were starring at this massive wonder and my jaw just dropped! You see there was a rainbow in the falls and the morning sun came up from the backside of the falls and all three of us just stood there in awe and the only words out of our mouths I remember were Wow!, Amazing! and Unbelievable!
You see I had heard about Shoshone Falls for years but never had taken the time to see it. It is located about 2 hours from the Treasure Valley of Idaho where I live just west of the capital city of Boise. I have seen a lot of places in my life time. I saw Mount Rushmore in 1974, Lake Managua in Nicaragua in 1987 and the majestic Pyramids and rivers of Belize in 1987 but to have something like Shoshone Falls in our back yard is nothing short of amazing.
Shoshone Falls is 212 high which is 36" higher than Niagara Falls and flows over a rim 900 feet wide. The falls is part of the massive Snake River system which meanders through southern Idaho on it's journey to the Columbia River. It is best seen in the spring before the irrigation season draws water from the Snake River, diminishing the flow over Shoshone Falls. I was not able to see it but many reports said the spring 2006 season produced one of the most spectacular water shows over Shoshone Falls ever seen. The snow pack was very high that year and unbelievable amounts of water that flowed over the falls that year had people talking about it all across the state. People flowed in record numbers to the park owned by the city of Twin Falls that overlooks the park. That year the majestic beauty of Shoshone Falls was in the news for weeks.
It is estimated that Shoshone Falls has existed for 30,000 to 60,000 years. Early settlers commonly referred to Shoshone Falls as the "Niagara Falls of the west". The falls represents the upper limit of Sturgeon and spawning runs of salmon and steelhead which cannot pass the falls. Bald Eagles are a common site along the Snake River Canyon and the area surrounding Shoshone Falls. Those that have seen Shoshone Falls are amazed that the falls is not listed as one of the 7 wonders of the world.
When you take your trip to Idaho you can make your own decision as to where Shoshone Falls stands in the most amazing places you have visited.
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Posted By: George Tallabas - Boise Idaho Real Estate Agent - Associate Broker
with RE/MAX Advantage, Canyon Counties #1 Brokerage in sales and listings
specializing in Boise Idaho Real Estate and Southwest Idaho Real Estate.
Hi George,
Great information for vacation time of year. I will have to visit these falls when I am in your area.
Tina - Good morning and thank you. I guarantee you that you will not be dissapointed! Have a great day.
George,
If we all only took the time to learn about the gems around us!
George - I have always wanted to visit Niagra Falls, (well, ever since I saw that Marilyn Monroe movie - what was that name?), now I want to stop and see Shoshone on the way.
Mike - Very true my friend. To have something like Shoshone Falls in your back yard is nothing short of amazing.
Virginia - All the talk has been about Niagara Falls over the years and there is no doubt it is beautiful but we clearly have our own beauty here out west! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.
George I am sure Idaho is a much prettier state also than New York.
John - Thank you, we are truly blessed with Idaho's beauty!
George: what a great post...the falls does seem like another Wonder of World. Now, if I ever get to visit Idaho I will check it but being from New York may sway my opinion on whether it is more beautiful than Niagra Falls! Have a wonderful day.
Diana - Thank you very much. I just wanted everyone to know about this little wonder we have here in Idaho. Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.
George- I drove across the country in my younger years and I got to see The Bad Lands in SD and Mount Rushmore along the way: both were amazing. Your description of Shoshone falls makes me wish we had taken a detour and explored ID a bit too.
Matt - Thank you. Maybe you will head this direction someday in the future and can put Shoshone Fass on your list. Have a great day.
George, thanks for bringing up the height fact on these falls. Had not heard that. Idaho has so much natural beauty.
Gary - You are welcome and yes, Idaho is one beautiful state!
Hi George - you paint fabulous pictures with your words and photos. I don't ever remember us going to Shoshone Falls back when we lived in Idaho, many years ago. Seeing your pictures, I wish we had.
Ann
Ann - Thank you so much my friend. Please know I am praying for you and wish you the best.
Hi George - I know and I so appreciate that. I can't thank you enough for the voice mail message you left me - that really touched my heart.
Ann
Ann - I'm glad you received the message and know that I care very much. Have a blessed evening.
I have visited Shoshone Falls and it is breathtaking! I didn't get to see it in '06, but I also heard that it was terrific then. We had a lot of snowfall this year so maybe it will be another great year to visit.
George, thanks for sharing. We truly have some magnificent waterfalls in the Pacific Northwest! Unfortunately the dam at The Dalles took out the Celilo Falls on the Columbia River about 50 years ago.
John & Kathryn
Pam - You and I are some of the blessed ones!
Alexander - We are truly blessed here in the northwest! Thank you for stopping by.
Hey George! I just had to tell you I had my husband check out some of your posts about Idaho and he has now added Idaho to the list of places to investigate for retirement....and I already know the best agent in the state!! Have a great week.
Diana - Thank you so very much. I appreciate you considering Idaho and hope you have an awesome retirement. Have a great evening.