Hagerman Valley — Thousand Springs, the Fossil Beds & the Canyon Springs

Along the Snake River in the Hagerman Valley, a geologic marvel plays out on the north canyon wall: water that fell as rain on the mountains far to the north resurfaces here after decades underground, gushing straight out of the basalt cliffs in dozens of waterfalls and springs — the Thousand Springs. Two hours southeast of Boise, this three-day loop threads the valley's spring-fed wonders and its deep history. Day one explores Thousand Springs State Park and the dramatic slot of Malad Gorge, where the Big Wood River drops into a plunge pool spanned by a footbridge. Day two turns to the Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, home to the famous Hagerman Horse, and to the quiet river channels around Ritter Island. Day three visits two of the region's most beautiful spring alcoves — Box Canyon Springs, the eleventh-largest spring in North America, and the emerald pool of Niagara Springs — before the drive home. The valley's aquaculture makes it America's trout capital, so the eating is superb, with nights in Hagerman and Buhl.