Welcoming Adventures

It might still be a little chilly outside, but that doesn’t scare us seasoned Idahoans from adventuring outdoors. Once the sun comes out, it is time to explore before the snow returns and we are either locked indoors or forced to embrace winter sports. Though there are a number of people who prefer winter to the sunny days of summer, I would say the vast majority of us crave the days where the snow will have melted just enough for us to begin hiking, camping and any number of our other favorite activities.

And why wouldn’t we look forward to those things? We are surrounded by recreational opportunities in East Idaho, including easy access to the nation’s top national parks and numerous other destinations with hidden waterfalls and hot springs. In many ways, we are living in a fantasy land once summer hits and the roads become more easily accessible.

With a little bit of planning and a big sense of adventure, you can find yourself scaling the trails up to the Darby Wind Caves or Goldbug Hot Springs. And, if you know the right people to ask, you can find the answers to some of our area’s heavily guarded secrets (such as the best spot to go huckleberry-picking in Swan Valley or sample the best hidden fishing holes). 

The truth is, your adventures will depend not only on the resources you use for information, but the friends you make along the way.

As Idahoans, we’re protective over our land. In every outdoor issue, we try to share just a few of our secrets. It’s a difficult balance between shouting from the rooftops about our natural wonders and whispering about those we wish to keep sacred, but we like to think we can manage a bit of both.

Later this year, we will be beginning a new publication titled, East Idaho Adventures. The special issue will feature first-hand accounts from local adventurers and all of the guidance you need to make the most of your time outdoors, no matter the season. These explorers will whisper a few more secrets through their words and the photos they’ve worked to capture along their journeys. 

In this issue of Idaho Falls Magazine you will find a sneak peak of East Idaho Adventures and content from outdoor expert and conservationist, Kris Millgate. We hope you will enjoy this issue’s celebration of the outdoors and its many offerings.