Thousand Springs State Park
Hagerman, Idaho (Gooding County)
About This Park
The new Thousand Springs Visitor Center, operated jointly with Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, is located about one mile north of Hagerman on Highway 30. Visitors will find maps and information for both Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument and the six units of Thousand Springs State Park. This is the only place at the monument to see Pliocene fossils on display. The visitor center also offers restrooms, drinking water, passport stamps, junior ranger programs, ranger talks, and a smal
Thousand Springs State Park in Hagerman, Idaho, showcases one of the most geologically remarkable landscapes in the American West. Spanning 1,500 acres along the Snake River Canyon, this park takes its name from the dramatic springs that gush directly from the canyon walls—water that fell as precipitation on the Snake River Plain thousands of years ago, filtered through porous volcanic rock before emerging here in spectacular fashion.
The park comprises several distinct units, each offering something different. Ritter Island provides a lush, pastoral setting with historic ranch buildings, spring-fed ponds, and excellent birdwatching opportunities. Malad Gorge delivers dramatic canyon views where the Malad River has carved a 250-foot-deep chasm. Earl M. Hardy Box Canyon features crystal-clear spring water emerging at a constant 58°F—a popular spot for trout fishing and photography.
Visitors can hike along canyon rims, fish for rainbow trout in spring-fed waters, kayak the Snake River, or simply marvel at waterfalls cascading from sheer basalt cliffs. The park’s unique geology supports diverse wildlife, including ospreys, golden eagles, and migratory waterfowl.
Spring through fall offers the most comfortable visiting conditions, with April through June showcasing the springs at peak flow. Summer temperatures can climb above 90°F, making the cool canyon bottoms particularly refreshing.
With a 4.9-star rating from visitors, Thousand Springs consistently impresses those who make the journey to this hidden corner of southern Idaho—a place where water, rock, and time have created something truly extraordinary.
Explore Nearby
- Salmon Falls Creek — Public Land in Idaho
- Balanced Rock — Public Land in Idaho
- Sawtooth National Forest — National Forest in Idaho, Utah
- Ketchum, Idaho Dark Sky Park — Dark Sky Site in Idaho
- Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve Dark Sky Reserve — Dark Sky Site in Idaho
Photos
Nearby Discoveries
12 places to explore within 30 miles
Salmon Falls Creek
9.1 miles away · 4.8 ★Balanced Rock
19.9 miles away · 4.8 ★
Gooding City of Rocks West Wilderness Study Area
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Gooding City of Rocks East Wilderness Study Area
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Black Canyon (II) Wilderness Study Area
22.6 miles awayThree Island Crossing State Park
22.9 miles away · 4.6 ★Great Rift ISA Wilderness Study Area
23.7 miles away · 4.0 ★Little City of Rocks Wilderness Study Area
23.7 miles away · 4.0 ★
Eighteen Mile Wilderness Study Area
23.9 miles away
Shoshone Wilderness Study Area
23.9 miles away
Deer Creek Wilderness Study Area
25.2 miles away