There’s really nothing that compares to wandering across something in Idaho that you never knew about before. Did you know that hiding in our state is a fascinating archaeological park? It’s true. This place has all sorts of magnificient treasures hiding within it, and a visit here makes for the perfect day trip. You’ll be in awe at the abundant history that awaits you here, including a massive amount of beautiful petroglyphs. Check it out.
Celebration Park is considered to be Idaho's only archaeological park. Located in Melba, this county park is a true hidden gem and well worth a day trip with the family.
Once you pay your admission, you'll set off on the main hiking trail. It isn't long before you see what makes this park so incredibly magical. The place is a treasure of archaeological wonders!
You'll notice that the park is full of these giant, dark boulders. Upon closer inspection, you'll find that the boulders are covered in amazing rock art. You'll be blown away by how well preserved these petroglyphs are. Some of the petroglyphs are thought to be up to 12,000 years old.
The park doesn't give "official tours" of the boulder fields, but the park guides are always willing to offer up information about the petroglyphs themselves. Archaeologists have a vague idea of what these drawings could represent, but for the most part your guess is as good as theirs!
After you're done perusing the the petroglyphs, you can make your way to the park's other grand attraction. The Guffey Bridge is an impressive structure. Built in 1897, the bridge is considered the state's largest historic artifact.
The bridge's original purpose was to carry gold and silver from Silver City into Nampa for smelting. The bridge made it possible to transport large quanities of ore over the Snake River. In fact, the Guffey Bridge is one of the few places to cross the Snake River to this day.
People of all ages will be absolutely enchanted with this wonderful park. Plan a springtime adventure to this place in order to see the park covered in beautiful wildflowers. The park is open year round, but be warned that there isn't much shade coverage and it gets pretty hot during the summer.
Celebration Park is one of the few places to view petroglyphs in Idaho. The park is a unique glimpse into our region's history, and the people who lived here centuries ago. The hiking trail to the rock carvings is flat and simple, making this an adventure you simply can't pass up.
