When you’ve got a craving for adventure, all you need to do is hop in the car and start driving across some of Idaho’s incredible landscapes. There’s a lot of great highways to explore in our state but you’ll want to set your sights on Salmon Creek Dam for a driving experience unlike any other. Not only is driving across the dam an unforgettable thrill, but the 17-mile reservoir it contains is well-worth exploring!
One of the coolest places to drive in Idaho can be found at Salmon Falls Dam in Twin Falls County. This region of southern Idaho is rich with rugged beauty, but the experience of actually driving across this man-made structure is definitely an exciting part.
Salmon Falls Dam is located about 28-miles southwest of Twin Falls. The masonry arch-gravity dam is 217-feet high and holds over 230,000 acre feet of water in Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir. It may seem like a typical dam at first, but the history behind it and the recreational opportunities it boasts make it an ideal adventure destination.
The historic dam was constructed in 1910 to provide irrigation water storage along with flood control. At the time of its construction, it was actually the third-largest dam in the world.
Yes, you can actually drive across the top of Salmon Falls Dam. Vehicles are allowed across the dam one at a time and the view is absolutely beautiful. As you drive across, you'll witness the massive Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir stretching south for 17 miles, outlined by a rugged canyon gorge.
It's the reservoir this dam holds that makes it such an awesome place to explore. Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir is a popular recreational lake and it also boasts one of the best fisheries in the state of Idaho. If it's adventure you're after, you'll definitely find it here.
There are two campgrounds in the area including Greys Landing to the south and Lud Drexler Park on the east side of the reservoir. The park is a popular option as its managed by the BLM and offers boating, fishing, and camping. Of course, the fishing here is great and anglers will find the reservoir stocked with trout, kokanee salmon, yellow perch, black crappie, and walleye.
Hiking trails in the area also make it easy to explore this high desert canyon and the reservoir it contains. For a unique adventure that showcases Idaho's rustic desert beauty, consider a visit to Salmon Falls Dam and Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir.
