Ah, Central Idaho – what a beautiful place you are! A beloved destination and all-seasons retreat for Idahoans and visitors alike, our nationally-recognized Sawtooths, Frank Church Wilderness, and epic Salmon River (just to name a few) are all right here in the heart of Idaho. But as if pristine mountain vistas, rushing rivers, and wildlife-filled forests weren’t appealing enough, the central region of Idaho is also home to a number of beautiful waterfalls hidden within its recesses. And what better way to visit them than with a road trip? With 14 hours of drive time and plenty of hiking involved, this adventure is only doable as a multi-day endeavor – but the challenge is worth it!

Are you ready to go chase some waterfalls in Central Idaho? Let the journey begin!

First, visualize your adventure using our Google Map.
Google Maps

1. Tohobit/Warbonnet/Baron Creek Falls

Baron Creek, Idaho 83637, USA
Aaron/Flickr
Baron Creek is one of the deepest canyons in Idaho's Sawtooths, but it also leads to some even more spectacular alpine areas for those willing to take on the challenge. The falls are amazing, but the hike alone is worth it! From eight or so miles beyond the campground, take Baron Creek Trail #101. You'll hike past Tohoboit and Warbonnet Falls through lightly forested terrain and majestically serrated rock formations to where Baron Creek Falls tumble 50 feet in multiple threads. For overnight camping, we recommend the extra hike to the three upper lakes.

2. Lady Face Falls

Lady Face Falls, Idaho 83637, USA
Molly Seacotte/AllTrails
High spring water levels could cause this road trip segment to be postponed (you'll have to cross a quickly moving knee-deep creek), so plan carefully. Park near the trailhead off of Stanley Lake Road and hike along the Stanley Lake trail for just shy of three miles. The elevation will rise quickly and you will need to follow the ridge path an additional half a mile to find a rim view of this wide cataract plummeting into the basin below. Lady Face Falls is a pristine slice of paradise in Idaho, and absolutely worth a visit!

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3. Bridalveil Falls

Stanley, ID 83278, USA
Gary Gilliam/AllTrails
Not to be confused with Bridal Veil Falls in Southern Idaho, Bridalveil in Central Idaho is a much more challenging excursion. A rocky hike beyond Lady Face Falls for just over a mile will offer a distant view of the falls’ 120 to 160 foot tiered cascade. You will see a sign bolted to a tree, and a small opening along the creek provides a scenic picnic spot and viewing point for this ethereal, wispy cataract. You'll definitely want to spend some time at the falls and explore the surrounding beauty.

4. Goat Falls

Goat Falls, Idaho 83637, USA
Sarah Graham/AllTrails
It's a challenging hike to get to this deep wilderness waterfall... but it's well worth the extra effort. The seven-mile hike to Goat Falls makes an ascent along Iron Creek under a canopy of lodgepole pine and subalpine fir forest in the official Sawtooth Wilderness. Those looking for a shorter, less challenging hike (and scramble) will find the shaded banks of the creek to be a beautiful destination, but continuing on to Goal Falls is an epic journey! The climb follows a landscape of wildflowers and far-reaching vista views. For an extra challenge, continue on to see the larger watersheds of Fern and Smith Falls. Whatever you do, be sure to add a hike to the tallest waterfall in Idaho to your bucket list!

5. Fountain Creek Falls

Cache Bar, Idaho 83469, USA
Josefa Holland-Merten
Often-overlooked, this lovely waterfall cascades lightly down a rocky cutout along the Salmon River. Easily accessible without a hike, we are always surprised when folks don't know about this beautiful Idaho gem! To find Fountain Creek Falls, take Highway 93 and exit west at North Fork onto Salmon River Road. You'll have an hour drive westward towards Cache Bar Camp.

6. Napias Creek Falls

Napias Creek, Idaho, USA
robertcicchetti/Getty
This waterfall in Idaho is full of history and lore - just over a century ago, gold was discovered near the headwaters of Napias Creek in Lemhi County. Today, an even greater treasure awaits those willing to take the drive. Roadside views of this rocky, 70-foot cascade are easy to find after following Highway 93 for just over 20 miles, and it'll give you a whole new perspective as to why "Napias" means "money" in Shoshoni. Napias Creek Falls really does boast some million-dollar views!

Due to the remoteness of Central Idaho’s mountains and wilderness areas, please be extra cautious, respectful, and bear-aware as you travel. We highly recommend booking a guide service as there are a number of smaller, hidden falls in Central Idaho, particularly around the Stanley area, that are accessible only by foot and by those with advanced backpacking experience. And really, who can pass up the opportunity to see more of Idaho’s waterfalls?

To ogle even more Gem State beauty, be sure to check out our other waterfall road trips in Idaho – we’ve been covering every single region!

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More to Explore

Idaho Waterfalls & Related Info

Sarah | July 22, 2021

Does Idaho have many waterfalls?

You'd be surprised by how many waterfalls you'll find in Idaho; there are at least 63 named waterfalls in Idaho as listed in the Geographic Names Information System by the U.S. Geological Survey. And that's only the ones that are listed! There are many, many more hidden waterfalls that you'll find when hiking in the rugged and resplendent Idaho wilds, and one of our favorites is Sheep Falls, a majestic secret waterfall located along the Falls River. What's so surprising about this secret waterfall is that it's located at a not-so-secret place: Yellowstone National Park! Sheep Falls may not be as popular as some of Idaho's more iconic waterfalls, but its beauty definitely matches. Consider seeking out this secret waterfall on your next adventure and experience its majestic beauty right before your very own eyes.

What's the most famous waterfall in Idaho?

There are a few Idaho waterfalls that come to mind when you think of “must-see” destinations. These are places like the iconic Shoshone Falls in Twin Falls or Upper Mesa Falls near Ashton. But in terms of superlatives, Idaho’s tallest waterfall isn’t so easily found or visited, and it really does deserve its time to shine! Located at the end of a rugged hiking trail in the Sawtooth Wilderness, finding Goat Falls makes for an adventure to remember. Why? Well, in addition to the hike being incredibly scenic, Goat Falls is a whopping 650 feet tall. This makes it the tallest waterfall in Idaho by leaps and bounds! The sight of this glorious waterfall cascading down the mountainside will render you speechless, and leave you in total awe of the beauty of the Gem State!

What are the best road trips I can take in Idaho?

If our waterfall road trip ignited your wanderlust, then you'll want to check out these 13 epic road trips, which we believe should be on evert Idahoan's bucket list! Road trip themes on this list include Idaho's most scenic byways, fall foliage adventures, natural wonders, and some of the most haunted places in Idaho. Now the only question is: which one will you embark upon first?

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