It's official. The Center Of The Universe is located in the small town of Wallace, Idaho. Don't believe me? Well, try to prove me wrong.
That's the reasoning that mayor Ron Garitone had when he proclaimed Wallace as the Center Of The Universe on September 25, 2004. There's even a plaque declaring the precise location (well, technically it's a manhole cover). Visitors flock from all over the country to see it for themselves and take pictures while standing on it, just so they can say they've been to the Center Of The Universe.
Wallace, Idaho is a town of only 784 people according to the 2010 census. It's a historic city located in Idaho's panhandle, and was considered to be the silver capital of the world back in its heyday.
The manhole cover pinpoints the exact location of the Center Of The Universe, and is easily the most popular spot in town. Decorated as a compass rose, it contains the initials of the four major regional mining companies.
The mayor declared his town as Center Of The Universe in response to rules and regulations being threatened by the EPA. In 2002 the debate started over whether or not the town's soil was actually safe or not due to the large amounts of lead sulfide in it. The town's residents argued that since Wallace had spent decades as a silver-mining town with no notable ill effects that the soil was perfectly safe.
The EPA responded by saying that if the town couldn't prove the sulfide to be safe, that therefore it was unsafe. And by that same logic, Wallace became The Center Of The Universe.
Tucked away in Canyon County is the beautiful and charming town of Melba. This farming community is situated in the Snake River Valley and is home to just over 500 individuals. While you may believe there is little to do in this area, you’d be wrong. Melba is actually home to a man-made wonder that dates back hundreds of years and tells incredible stories.
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If you are looking for unique and charming small towns to visit, I strongly recommend Melba. This town may not have much when it comes to businesses and shops to visit, but it is home to incredible outdoor destinations, including the impressive Celebration Park.
I suggest taking a free guided tour at the visitor center to learn more about the rock art and those who created it. Spend time admiring the drawings and see if you can decipher what stories are trying to be told.
While the petroglyphs are fascinating, they aren’t the only man-made wonder found at Celebration Park. Here, you will also find the historic Guffey Railroad Bridge. This bridge is quite impressive as it is 70 feet tall, spans 500 feet over the Snake River, and features 450 tons of steel.
The Guffey Bridge was originally designed to easily haul gold and silver from nearby mines. It was eventually abandoned in 1947 and is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
Melba may be a tiny town village in Idaho but it’s certainly one that is full of wonder — like those man-made wonders found at Celebration Park. It’s a destination you need to put on your bucket list right away.
Have you spent time in Melba or Celebration Park in Idaho? Have you seen the Guffey Bridge or the petroglyphs in person? Let us know in the comments. You can also learn more about this fascinating park on the Canyon County, Idaho website.
If you want to turn this day trip into an overnight adventure, consider booking a stay at a cozy vacation rental!
If you have spent any time in Idaho, you know the beauty our state boasts. From the Panhandle to the Utah/Idaho state line, you'll come across some of the most beautiful destinations in the country — and many people don’t even know they exist. Fortunately, Idahoans all around the state keep their cameras close by and capture incredible photos. We asked our OnlyInYourState readers what they considered to be the best places to take photos in Idaho and the answers were spread far and wide. According to our readers, and in no particular order, these are the top 11 destinations to take photos in Idaho.
Ritter Island is part of Thousand Springs State Park. It actually sits along the Snake River and is nestled between two springs. Not only can you enjoy beauty at Ritter Island but this area has quite a history as well.
Idaho Highway 55, also known as the Payette River National Scenic Byway, is one of the most beautiful scenic drives in Idaho and one of the most popular. This byway is 112 miles long and takes you from Treasure Valley to U.S. Highway 95 in New Meadows. You will follow the Payette River as you twist and turn through forests and mountains. It’s truly breathtaking.
Located at the top of the Panhandle is one small town that is known for its gorgeous scenery — Bonners Ferry. But it’s not just the beauty that is a big draw here. This small town is also considered the friendliest town in Idaho and after you visit just once, you’ll quickly see why.
Also located in the Panhandle is a breathtaking lake that is a wonderful destination any time of the year — Priest Lake. During the winter, this is a fantastic place to admire the views from snowshoes or skis, and in the summer, capture unforgettable views on a boat or even on the nearby natural waterslide.
Mesa Falls is one of the most impressive natural wonders in southeastern Idaho. Located in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, these tiered waterfalls fall over 100 feet into the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River.
With the Grand Tetons boldly standing in the distance, there is nothing quite like the scenery found in the Teton Valley. The charming small towns, rivers, farm lands, and more all greatly enhance this area. I love to take a drive on the Teton Scenic Byway for some great photo opportunities and to truly capture the beauty of this area.
If you have never spent time exploring the Palouse, I strongly recommend you do so. This is one of my favorite areas of the state and another destination that is beautiful all year long. I particularly love early summer when the rolling hills are bright green and during the harvest when all you see are fields of gold.
I was actually quite surprised to see so many OnlyInYourState readers nominate downtown Boise as one of the best destinations for taking photos in Idaho but once you think about it — it makes sense. Boise is home to incredible city parks, the Boise River Greenbelt, and many other destinations that are beautiful in their own special way.
The Camas Prairie-Centennial Marsh WMA (better known to locals as Camas Prairie) has much to offer, especially when it comes to observing animals of all shapes and sizes. This area is particularly picturesque in late spring and early summer during the Camas Lily bloom.
Numerous OnlyInYourState readers nominated Stanley as one of the best places to capture photos in Idaho and I couldn’t agree more. This town in the Sawtooth Valley is extremely small but no matter the time of year, it comes alive with beauty. Fall is particularly a wonderful time to visit — there’s plenty to do and see!
Not far from Stanley is one of my personal favorite lakes in Idaho — Redfish Lake. This alpine lake is not only extremely clear and beautiful, but the recreational opportunities are endless. Hike, camp, boat, fish, paddle — you can do it all here.
What other destinations would you add to this list? Did your favorite location make the list? Let us know in the comments. And, if you are searching for a new adventure in Idaho, visit Viator for some inspiration!
