Minidoka National Historic Site

Things To Do Near Minidoka National Historic Site

Minidoka National Historic Site has is an interpretive trail that hikers find interesting. The few structures that remain of the camp are dilapidated and gradually disintegrating into the ground. Newer buildings are reconstructions of the originals where visitors can experience what living in this camp was like during those years.

Hiking Trails

• Minidoka Interpretive Trail

  The Minidoka Interpretive Trail takes visitors along the United States Army's main route that ran through the improvised community. The trail remains as rough as the inhospitable terrain was when these housing units were occupied. Wearing hiking boots and carrying plenty of water is recommended, especially during the hot summer months.

  Location

  Minidoka National Historic Site

  Length

  1.6 miles

  Intensity

  Easy

• Vineyard Lake Trail

  Vineyard Lake is a reservoir midway between Eden and Twin Falls, ID. The trail runs through private property, so you must notify the landowner before taking off down the path. The trail drops 200 feet down to the lake and offers a stunning view of blue waters among the brown grasslands of southern Idaho.

  Location

  Back roads from Hwy 93 off of Devils Corral Rd. and then through the Bureau of Land Management property. 

  Length

  1.5 miles

  Intensity

  Easy

Sightseeing

• Twin Falls Park

  These falls are the natural features for which the city of Twin Falls, ID, is named. Once, these falls created a continuous chorus as water plunged over the stark rock surface. Today, a dam blocks water from running over one waterfall, but it is released on holidays and weekends to satisfy the crowds.

  Location

  Twin Falls Grade Road, Twin Falls, ID 83301

• Craters of the Moon National Monument

  One of the starkest sites in the country is the Craters of the Moon National Monument. The monument features geologic formations created by volcanic activity only 15,000 to 20,000 years in the past. Because of its recent appearance, the land is simultaneously cracked, smooth, and jagged.

  Location

  1266 Craters Loop Road, Arco, ID 83213

Museums

• Herrett Center for Arts and Science

  The Herrett Center for Arts and Science is a museum located on the College of Southern Idaho campus in Twin Falls, ID. The non-profit museum's principal focus is on the education of elementary and secondary students and adults in the region. At this museum, visitors find anthropological displays centered around the formation, habitation, and exploration of the Twin Falls region.

  Location

  315 Falls Avenue, Twin Falls, ID 83301

• Jerome County Historical Museum

  The Jerome County Historical Museum is one of the more interesting museums in the area. With a focus on the Northside Irrigation Project, this museum tells a tale of a national effort that brought water to arid regions throughout the country. The museum also holds artifacts from 10,000 years ago to the incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII.

  Location

  212 East First Street, Jerome, ID 83338

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

• Belle's Ceramics

  Belle's Ceramics is a gift shop for those with an eclectic taste. Though the name indicates that the shop specializes in ceramics, that is only one of the product lines they offer. Look to find silk-screened t-shirts, embroidered pillows, and jewelry created by local artists alongside the unique ceramics sitting on the shelves.

  Location

  114 Broadway Avenue North, Buhl, ID 83316

• Magic Valley Mall

  The Magic Valley Mall is only 17 miles from the Minidoka National Historic Site. Included among the 66 shops inside the mall are many specialty stores with a local twist. Several familiar national franchises, including Maurice's and Kohl's, have outlets in this mall.

  Location

  1485 Pole Line Road East, Twin Falls, ID 83301

• The Snug

  When you are hungry for some traditional American cuisine, drop by The Snug in Eden, ID. This restaurant concentrates on delivering taste. Try their catfish dinner for a surprising taste you will only find in Idaho.

  Location

  165 Wilson Street West, Eden, ID 83325

• T and T Café

  The T and T Café is one of those restaurants that always has a full parking lot. Their food comes with huge portions and with plenty of side dishes. Try any of the pot pies for an exquisite taste and a meal you cannot finish in one sitting.

  Location

  195 Rock Creek Road, Hansen, ID 83334

How To Get To Minidoka National Historic Site

Even with several small communities surrounding the Minidoka National Historic Site, it is still a remote location. The nearest large urban area is Boise, ID. To get to the site from Boise, begin by getting onto United States Highway 26 East (US-26 E) and drive for 0.98 miles. Merge straight ahead to get onto Interstate 84 East (I-84 E). Drive I-84 E for 110.08 miles before taking Exit 185 toward Jerome, ID, to merge with Idaho Highway 25 (ID-25). Drive ID-25 for 15 miles until you reach the intersection with Hunt Road. Take a sharp left to get onto Hunt Road and then drive for 2.45 miles and take another left to get onto South 1400 East. Go for 0.28 miles and find the entrance to the Minidoka National Historic Site on the right. 

The roads to the Minidoka National Historic Site are open year-round. The site itself closes from time to time due to inclement weather but is otherwise available throughout the year.

Address

296 South 1400 East, Jerome, ID 83338

Fee: Entry fee $0

The Minidoka National Historic Site is in a location that is as austere as it gets in the United States, yet the surrounding beauty is incredible. You can easily reach the site by using an RV. When you visit historic sites like the one in Minidoka in an RV, you can travel everywhere along the edges of the site without worrying about where you will rest after a day of activity. It is the freedom an RV provides that allows you to explore the whole place without concern about where you will lay your head for the night.