Scenic Tour of Southeast Idaho
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Freeways are always located on the most wide open and therefore
least scenic land and that is true of I-15 in Southeast Idaho.
Our suggested list of Kodak memories--Start with a toll free call (888-201-1036)
to get a
Birdwatching in Southeast Idaho brochure
because you will see a lot of interesting birds and wonder what they are,
especially at Grays Lake and Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuges plus shorebirds
at American Falls Reservoir.
Left - Sandhill Cranes at Grays Lake National
Wildlife Refuge |
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| From 1-15 get off at Arimo, drive west to the middle of the
valley, then look at the four equidistant mountain peaks that define Marsh
Valley. They are Oxford (southeast), Wakely (southwest), Old Tom (northwest), &
Bonneville (northeast). Drive on west to Garden Creek Gap (pictured on the
right) and enjoy it’s unusual geology & beauty. Go back the same way or you’ll
get lost. From I-15 get off at Downey and drive southeast to Red Rock Pass then
to the Bear River Massacre site further on. Preston is next where there are two
scenic choices, state Hwy 34 north to Grace and Us 30 or state Hwy 36 west to
I-15 at Malad. |
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US 30 from McCammon to Soda Springs and on to Montpelier is the
Oregon Trail Auto Route with several historic signs that may lure you to
additional adventure. The choice at Soda Springs is north on state Hwy 34 to
Grays Lake Refuge or continue southeast on US 30 to Montpelier, then southwest
on US 89 to the Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge and Bear Lake State Park on
the north shore of the lake.
Us 91 at Preston looking west at Oxford Peak with steam rising
from Bear River. |
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Bloomington Canyon and Minnetonka Cave are
both worthwhile photo opportunities. The best photos of the turquoise
colored Bear Lake are further south and with some elevation on the side
road to the west. Final scenic tip is to backtrack to Ovid and take Hwy
36 west over the top of the Highline Trail.
Right - Bear
Lake “Caribbean of the Rockies”. |
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Bear Lake
Scenery from Untraveled Road
Bannock
County Scenery from Untraveled Road
Lava Hot Springs Scenery from Untraveled Road
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Caribou
County Scenery from Untraveled Road
Franklin
County Scenes from Untraveled Road
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