Being out in nature is always a great way to spend your time, but especially if it involves waterfalls! Idaho is home to big waterfalls, small waterfalls, and everything in between, so finding one usually isn’t that hard. In fact, the beautiful Lower Cedar Creek Falls is just a 1.5-mile trek away, and what a beautiful sight it is. For an adventure with a picture-perfect waterfall finish, be sure to check out this trail.
Winding through a canyon near Mackay, Idaho is the trail to Lower Cedar Creek Falls. The scenery itself is worth making this moderate trek, but it's the gushing waterfall at the end that really seals the deal!
The Lower Cedar Creek Trail is located just four miles northeast of town. To find it, drive east from Main Street in Mackay for almost two miles. Turn left and continue for 3.7 miles to the trailhead parking area.
The trail to the cascade is approximately 1.5 miles long, or 3 miles round trip. It closely follows the babbling Lower Cedar Creek, taking visitors past the old dam site and long-abandoned wooden flumes.
The scenery out here is just stunning! Surrounded by the peaks of the Lost River Range, you can't help but feel humbled by the immense beauty that's hiding here. Keep an eye out for Mt. McCaleb, a peak that reaches a whopping 11,682-feet.
After reaching the old hydroelectric plant that powered the town of Mackay through the early 20th century, the trail makes a fork. Keep right and cross the creek. From here, it's just a short ways to the waterfall at the very end.
The waterfall itself is breathtaking. Known also as "Hole in the Rock", the waterfall is actually a spring that cascades directly out of the rock face. It's pretty amazing to see this giant waterfall appear seemingly out of nowhere.
A roaring creek, a beautiful waterfall, and a backdrop of mountains all make for a fantastic adventure in this region of central Idaho. Check out this hike for a beautiful day of chasing waterfalls! Visit the Forest Service website for directions and more information.
