PebHmong Discussion Forum
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: theking on May 29, 2026, 11:49:50 PM
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This U.S. Waterfall Is Nicknamed the ‘Niagara of the West’—and It’s Even Bigger Than Its Namesake
Shoshone Falls in Idaho is taller than Niagara Falls and features a stunning horseshoe shape.
Niagara Falls may be the largest waterfall in North America by volume, but a lesser-known, lesser-visited falls in Idaho, nicknamed the “Niagara of the West,” is actually higher than its moniker namesake.
Shoshone Falls in south-central Idaho, drops an impressive 212 feet into the Snake River. Like Niagara Falls, it is horseshoe-shaped and made up of many cascades. The roaring Snake River meets the cliff, which stretches over 900 feet across the canyon, and drops dramatically into a green pool, often creating a misty rainbow. From there, the water continues along the 1,078-mile Snake River corridor.
Much of the falls’ power comes from the natural narrowing of the Snake River before the cliff; the water is pushed into a 400-foot-wide riverbed marked by islands before it meets the falls, which releases the water over a broad 900-foot-wide lip. The effect is most powerful during the spring runoff, when melting snow brings water levels up.
The falls are named after the Shoshone (or Shoshoni), a Native American tribe who lived in the area and fished on the Snake River. The falls also drew travelers on the Oregon Trail who would detour to see the sight in the mid-19th century. In 1974, stunt performer Evel Knievel attempted to jump across the Snake River Canyon, near Shoshone Falls. The failed attempt was one of the last jumps of Knievel’s career.
In addition to viewing the “Niagara of the West” from the viewing platform, the Shoshone Falls park has hiking trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, and even a boat ramp. The area is also popular among rock climbers and the nearby Dierkes Lake has great swimming and additional hiking trails. Downriver from the Shoshone Falls are the Pillar Falls, a low waterfall split by rock pillars.
Shoshone Falls is owned by the city of Twin Falls, Idaho, which is located 15 minutes to the south. Entrance to both the falls and Dierkes Lake is $5 per car from March to September. Entrance is free over the winter. However, the best time to visit is typically in the spring and early summer, when the snow has melted and the water levels are high, resulting in a powerful flow. Later in the summer and into the fall, much of the Snake River water is diverted for irrigation, which dramatically decreases the power of the falls (although they continue to flow).
I took these photos when I was there:
(https://i.postimg.cc/bYB3b4RD/IMG-6854.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/VL04F47M/IMG-6865.jpg)