Niagara Springs and Crystal Springs

Niagara Springs and Crystal Springs are a few of the natural springs emerging into the Snake River Canyon in a larger area known as Thousand Springs State Park.

These springs are the result of runoff from the snowmelt and precipitation accumulated in the mountains of southerneastern Central Idaho, which fall into the porous lava plains separating those mountains from the Snake River.

Niagara_Springs_037_04022021 - Niagara Springs — Niagara Springs

Ultimately, the resulting groundwater re-emerges as springs when they reach the Snake River Canyon, and it’s said to grow the volume of the Snake River tenfold in this additive stretch of the river.

Experiencing Niagara Springs

We managed to experience these springs on pretty much an autotour of the Niagara Springs State Park (a component of the Thousand Springs State Park).

The Niagara Springs was a cascade gushing and percolating beneath impressive cliffs from the north rim of the Snake River Canyon.

This waterfall was easily seen from a viewing area just a few paces from a parking area past a bridge over the creek that the springs had given rise to.

Crystal_Springs_026_04022021 - Looking across Crystal Springs Lake towards one of the segments of Crystal Springs — Looking across Crystal Springs Lake towards one of the segments of Crystal Springs

Immediately downstream from this waterfall was the Niagara Springs Hatchery, which I suspect was one of Idaho’s many trout farms along the Snake River.

Experiencing Crystal Springs

Further east along the Niagara Springs Grade Road, we drove roughly 1.4 miles towards the Crystal Springs, which were a series of smaller waterfalls spilling into a calm body of water that I believe was called Crystal Springs Lake.

This lake appeared to be full of minerals and farmed trout likely from the neighboring Crystal Springs Farm, where the public access part of the Niagara Springs Grade Road ended.

There was a parking area right at the end of the public access road, where we saw a handful of people fishing around the head of the “lake”.

Crystal_Springs_051_04022021 - Context of a picnic table and one of the docks with another segment of Crystal Springs across the mouth of Crystal Springs Lake — Context of a picnic table and one of the docks with another segment of Crystal Springs across the mouth of Crystal Springs Lake

Roughly 0.2-mile closer to the mouth of the “lake”, there were also more parking spaces near a restroom facility flanked by a handful of docks as well as views across the Snake River from the opposite side of the road.

There was a strong smell of manure around both the Niagara Springs and Crystal Springs, and I suspect that the heavy agricultural utilization of the Snake River Valley as well as the neighboring trout farms had a lot to do with it.

Overall, we spent a little over an hour taking in the experience, but this was really one of those places it depends on how you choose to spend your time here.

Indeed, you can easily spend less or a lot more time than we did, especially if you’re fishing around Crystal Springs Lake.

Authorities

Niagara Springs and Crystal Springs reside in Thousand Springs State Park near Wendell, which was west of Twin Falls in Gooding County, Idaho. It is administered by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, visit their website.

Route to this Waterfall

Niagara Springs and Crystal Springs were both experienced along the Niagara Springs Grade Road.

To get there from Twin Falls, we took the US93 north across the Perrine Coulee Bridge towards the I-84 west.

Niagara_and_Crystal_Springs_001_iPhone_04022021 - The unpaved part of the Niagara Springs Grade as it descended into the Snake River Valley — The unpaved part of the Niagara Springs Grade as it descended into the Snake River Valley

Then, we followed the I-84 west to exit 157 (ID46 Wendell Gooding), then turned left to go south for about 4.7 miles before we had to turn left onto E 3500 S then make an immediate right to continue going south (there should be signs pointing the way).

From there, we continued another 1.5 miles south on the Rex Leland Hwy before the road briefly went unpaved as it descended into the Snake River Canyon.

In roughly the next 1.6 miles, we reached the pullout for the Niagara Springs, which was just past a bridge over its creek directly opposite the Niagara Springs Hatchery.

Beyond Niagara Springs, the Niagara Springs Grade went for another 1.9 miles before reaching the private property sign and parking area at the head of Crystal Springs Lake.

Niagara_and_Crystal_Springs_013_iPhone_04022021 - Looking back at the payment kiosk between Niagara Springs and Crystal Springs. Note the road went unpaved again after a brief stretch of pavement somewhere west of Niagara Springs — Looking back at the payment kiosk between Niagara Springs and Crystal Springs. Note the road went unpaved again after a brief stretch of pavement somewhere west of Niagara Springs

For some geographical context, the town of Twin Falls was 128 miles (2 hours drive) east of Boise, 159 miles (2.5-3.5 hours drive) west of Idaho Falls, 218 miles (over 3 hours drive) northwest of Salt Lake City, Utah, and 251 miles (under 4 hours drive) north of Ely, Nevada.

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Comprehensive video showing Niagara Springs from the main lookout before backing away and going down to the road bridge for a look at the farm and the falls again

Smooth L-shaped panning of Niagara Springs

Semi-circular sweep from one of the docks near the wooden outhouse further downstream of the end of the public road for Crystal Springs

Back and forth sweep from the fishing area at the very end of the public part of the Crystal Springs Road

Back and forth left to right sweep across a calm pool backed by waterfalls of Crystal Springs

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Craters_of_the_Moon_082_20130425 - About 2 hours northeast of the city of Twin Falls was the Craters of the Moon National Monument, which perhaps hinted at the volcanic history of Southern Idaho and especially the geology favorable for creating the vast Snake Plains Aquifer from which the Thousand Springs emerged from — About 2 hours northeast of the city of Twin Falls was the Craters of the Moon National Monument, which perhaps hinted at the volcanic history of Southern Idaho and especially the geology favorable for creating the vast Snake Plains Aquifer from which the Thousand Springs emerged from

Boise_002_04032021 - The agricultural towns of Wendell and Hagerman were roughly 90 minutes drive east of Boise, which featured a contrasting mix of modern buildings and greenspaces like the Julia Davis Park in the city's downtown area — The agricultural towns of Wendell and Hagerman were roughly 90 minutes drive east of Boise, which featured a contrasting mix of modern buildings and greenspaces like the Julia Davis Park in the city’s downtown area

Perrine_Coulee_Falls_028_04022021 - Wendell and Hagerman were about 1/2 hour drive west of the city of Twin Falls, which also featured lots of pretty views over the Snake River Valley and Canyon — **Wendell and Hagerman were about 1/2 hour drive west of the city of Twin Falls, which also featured lots of pretty views over the Snake River Valley and Canyon**

Tagged with: thousand springs state park, niagara springs state park, snake river, wendell, idaho, waterfall

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