Malad Gorge State Park

As we were approaching exit 147 on I-84 in Idaho to exit for our campground we caught a quick flash of basalt and a distant waterfall so I knew where our first sightseeing trip would be, even if I didn't know what it was.

According to the map on the back of our campground brochure, it is the Malad Gorge State Park and it's only about two miles from our campground. We like those kind of miles! So today after a brief exploration of Hagerman, the nearest town (population 656) we headed to the park to look for the waterfall.

There is an honor system fee of $4 at the entrance to the park but there are no park employees around. As a matter of fact, the bathroom/playground/pavilion/picnic area is almost entirely under water at this time. I don't know if there has been a new underground spring that has opened up or what, as this area appears to be suffering from drought conditions elsewhere, including the rest of the park.

The park itself is 652 acres and the primary attraction is the Devil's Washbowl, which is near the entrance to the park and right below the highway. There is a long bridge over the gorge, which is about 150 feet above the water, although the gorge itself deepens to 250 feet farther down. The Malad River has worn its way through the basalt and tumbles through a narrow canyon on the far side of the highway, passing below the footbridge and on into the gorge. Yellow-green as it crashes through the rocks, the waters change to a beautiful deep green farther down the path and they are crystal clear in the quiet pools.

Near the foot bridge is a small display of informational plaques under a shelter with information about the park and the geology of the area which was interesting. They do mention on the website that part of the Kelton Trail passes through park and the wagon ruts still remain but there's no mention on the plaques where you might find that area, unfortunately. If you follow the footpath through the fields you will end up at the small canyon with a pool fed by several small springs that's a lovely shade of green and very peaceful. Then a short walk to the left and you find the small waterfall that's fed by excess irrigation water channeling over the edge of the basalt cliffs. Look down to see more of that gorgeous deep green water rushing by, kicking up areas of white water froth as it heads towards the Snake River. Speaking of that, as you follow the road farther into the park you come to an overlook area where you can see the very long salmon run they have created that reaches from the Snake River to just short of the small dead-end canyon with the deep pool.

It won't take you a long time to explore this park, but if you enjoy waterfalls and rushing water it's a nice place to stop.