Spring is so close, we can almost taste it! That means it’s time to start planning all the places you’d like to visit once the beloved spring season is finally here. Near the top of your list should be this little-known island that makes for an amazing adventure. Ritter Island State Park is one of Idaho’s most vastly underrated destinations. Boasting endless natural beauty, fascinating history, and plenty of recreation opportunities, this hidden gem is so worth a visit. It may be an island but it’s surprisingly easy to access, so be sure to plan a visit and see this beauty for yourself.
Ritter Island is a magical destination in Idaho that seems to be hidden in plain sight. Located within Thousand Springs State Park, the island is a beautiful oasis that you could spend an entire day exploring.
There's really no bad time to visit Ritter Island, but it'll best be viewed in the upcoming weeks as spring arrives in full force. During this time, the springs are flowing and the flowers are blooming. The sight is simply spectacular.
Despite being an island, Ritter Island is one of the easiest places to access within Thousand Springs State Park. You can reach it via the Wendell exit on Interstate 84, and it's also accessible from Highway 30.
The island is smack dab in the middle of one of Idaho's dreamiest landscapes. Most people don't realize that multitude of springs found around the park are the outlet for the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer, an underground body of water that stretches all the way from St. Anthony to Hagerman!
The island provides the perfect view of many of these springs, including the beloved Minnie Miller Springs. The water comes out of the cliffs at a temperature of 55 degrees.
Speaking of Minnie Miller, the island contains a fascinating history regarding this iconic figure. Minnie Miller was a business woman from Utah who owned the island for more than three decades. She ran a Guernsey breeding farm and dairy starting in 1918, which you can still view on Ritter Island today.
You'll definitely want to carve out enough time to take in all that the island has to offer. On any given day, you'll come across people fishing from the bridge, birdwatching (the island is home to 54 species of birds), kayaking, picnicking, or just observing the natural beauty.
Ritter Island is open year-round from Thursday through Monday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Make exploring this little slice of paradise a priority in the upcoming months. This is an adventure you'll never forget.
