When we committed to taking on travel sports for the first time, one thing I wanted to make sure I did, was make our trips not just about the game. I love watching my kids in their sports or activities, but their siblings may get a little, dare I say…bored. So I wanted to make sure we had another fun outing planned for all the kids to participate in.
After the games we made our way to Hagerman, Idaho. As a child I actually had been to Hagerman many times to visit Uncle Bud and Aunt Reba. I didn’t know that there was anything else in Hagerman to see! We had seen the signs for Thousand Springs State Park, and decided to see what it was all about.
As we made the drive from Filer to Hagerman, we passed this stunning waterfall from the road, we could only see it from the distance. The kids got so excited! It was one of many that just pour out of the face the the hillside. We continued on the drive and thought perhaps we could find the road to get us closer to the falls.
Our first stop was the Fossil Museum National Monument in Hagerman. It is a free exhibit and the main display is the Hagerman Horse fossils. The staff was amazing and we really enjoyed visiting with them. There are several places you can visit along the Thousand Springs Park, the staff recommended we visit Ritter Island.
I would highly recommend making a stop here! There is a short walk to the falls. You could easily take a stroller on the path. There is just this shallow pool at the base of the falls, with 6 kids in tow, I loved that there was no swift rushing water. Up the path and past the falls a little bit there are piles of black lava rock next to the little river that runs along the path. To the kids surprise, there were all kids of reptiles to be found! Lizards, toads and water snakes provided for nearly an hour of entertainment.
There is also a large grassy area along the water that the kiddos could access the water. Again, there was a bit of a current, but overall it is relatively calm water. The water is so clear and beautiful. I would love to come back with paddle boards or kayaks one day!
The actual island of Ritter Island doesn’t open until Memorial Day weekend. So I’m not sure what it has to offer! But we had plenty of fun even with that part being closed.
This part of the state park if FREE! Something we don’t find often. So that was a nice surprise. Parking can be a little limited, but there are two parking lots and we had no problem finding a place to park. There are bathrooms, always a plus. Picnic tables and shade as well. There were also people fishing, so that could be fun to do as well.
You cannot get an RV trailer down the road. It’s as wide as a one way, but actually a two way road. There would be no way to turn around either. The staff at the Fossil Monument let us unhook there and leave the trailer in their parking lot. The two places are only 20 minutes from each other.
Those stops were all we had time for. Then it was time to get on the road to home. We would love to go back and explore the other areas of Thousand Springs State Park. Ritter Island was definitely worth seeing!
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