I Fell in Love With Idaho All Over Again on This Scenic Drive With Waterfalls and Fall Foliage

It is no secret that I love the fall. I love my oversized sweaters, pumpkin spice everything, and the cooler weather. However, I particularly love fall foliage. There is something about the vibrant colors of the leaves that puts a smile on my face and makes me wish for a much longer season. I currently live in Southeast Idaho, and when signs of fall began to appear this year, I wanted to be outdoors. So, one Sunday afternoon, I had my family pile into the truck, and we went for a drive. It was a scenic drive in Idaho that wasn’t long but absolutely beautiful. Plus, it was full of natural wonders.

I have lived all over the Gem State. I moved to Southeast Idaho from the panhandle about seven years ago. In all of those years, I have ventured toward Palisades Reservoir only two or three times. When we head outdoors, we typically go to areas like Island Park, Sun Valley, or Bear Lake. On this particular afternoon, I wanted to visit the area around Swan Valley - and I was so grateful I did.

We left Idaho Falls and headed east on U.S. Route 26 toward Swan Valley. It was a beautiful day, and the road wasn’t very busy. We could take our time and admire the surrounding scenery. For several miles, we drove through beautiful farmlands with distant mountains creating the perfect backdrop.

We drove by small towns like Ririe and Poplar. My husband and son, who both love mountain biking, showed me trails in the distance, like the Sidewinder Bike Path, that they'd explored this past summer. We also came across gorgeous views of the Snake River, and it reminded me of how much beauty can be found in the Gem State. I am so blessed to call Idaho home.

As we got closer to Swan Valley, trees began to cover the hills and line the road. Farmlands began transforming into fall foliage wonderlands, and I was in heaven.

Shortly before the highway crosses the Snake River and you drive into Swan Valley, my husband turned onto a small side road - Snake River Road. This narrow, paved road took us between the Snake River and the mountains - both were covered in yellow, orange, and red leaves.

After a short drive along this road, we noticed a few cars parked on the side of the road. We had just found Fall Creek Falls, one of the most magical, easily accessible waterfalls in this corner of the state. This 60-foot Idaho waterfall can be seen right from the road. However, if you want a little physical activity, there are a few trails that take you to the top of the falls and even down below. In fact, we could see a fly fisherman trying his luck at the base of the falls during our visit.

Given our footwear, my family wasn’t quite prepared to hike around the falls, but the trails were easy to follow and well-trafficked. We could still easily climb to the top of the falls and enjoy the view. In this area, there were small pools of water and excellent overlooks.

We noticed another viewpoint down the road, where we saw a few photographers set up with large cameras shooting toward the falls. There were multiple places to enjoy this tucked-away natural wonder.

My entire family loved watching the falls, and while they were certainly mesmerizing, I kept finding myself distracted by the views from the top of the falls. The mountains, river, and the trees were stunning. It was the perfect afternoon.

It’s easy to fall in love with our great state when you venture on long Idaho road trips or even short Sunday drives. I’m already looking forward to next year when I can take this scenic drive and capture waterfall and fall foliage views all over again.

Have you ever visited Fall Creek Falls in Idaho? What are some of your favorite scenic drives in Idaho? Let me know! I’d love to hear from you.

If you are looking for even more Idaho road trip ideas, check out some of our favorites. Just don’t forget the snacks for your journey!