For an amazing up-close view of Shoshone Falls, you can kayak or paddle board 4 miles upriver to the base of the falls. Shoshone Falls is a beautiful semi-circle of waterfalls cascading into the Snake River, located just outside of Twin Falls, a small town in southern Idaho.
You’ll kayak along the Snake River tucked between massive canyon walls, and pass by the smaller Pillar Falls along the way. To reach Shoshone Falls, you’ll have to portage your kayaks around Pillar Falls, carrying them around the falls via a side path that may or may not be covered in flowing water. The portage is what makes this journey most challenging, but also keeps water traffic low at the base of the falls.
In this article we’ll cover everything you need to know to kayak to Shoshone Falls, a unique way to experience the “Niagara of the West”, from below and without the crowds!
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Kayaking to Shoshone Falls
Shoshone Falls Kayaking Trip | At a Glance
- Distance | 8 miles roundtrip
- Estimated time | Expect the Shoshone Falls kayaking trip to take about 6 – 8 hours, depending on weather conditions and your kayaking experience level.
- Total Cost | $25 – $35 per person if renting kayaks; free if bringing your own kayaks.
- Starting location | Centennial Waterfront Park in Twin Falls, Idaho.
- Why you’ll love it | An off-the-beaten-path adventure to see Idaho’s famous Shoshone Falls from a unique angle!
- Special Considerations | To reach Shoshone Falls, you will have to carry (“portage”) your kayak about 300 feet across Pilar Falls. This can be particularly challenging when water levels are higher.
- When to go | The best time to go is early summer (May – June). Water from the Snake River is diverted to farmland for irrigation during the summer, meaning Shoshone Falls will be less impressive. Earlier in the spring, water levels tend to be higher which can make the portage difficult to impossible.
- Rent your kayaks | AWOL Adventure Sports is the most convenient option located right at Centennial Park. Adventure Bros is an alternative option located in Twin Falls.
- Difficulty | hard (due to distance and portage over Pilar Falls)
Where to rent kayaks
You have two options on where to rent kayaks for Shoshone Falls, and they come with tradeoffs:
AWOL Adventure Sports
Cost: $35 8 hour single kayak, $55 8 hour tandem kayak (life vests and paddles included)
* must call to book 8 hour rental, reservation cannot be made online
- Pro | Conveniently located at Centennial Waterfront Park, the starting point for the kayaking trip.
- Con | Typically book up in advance, exceeding the 8 hour will incur additional fees
Adventure Bros
Cost: $30 per day single kayak, $50 per day tandem kayak (life vests and paddles included)
- Pro | Slightly less expensive than AWOL, typically have more availability last minute and there is no time limit
- Con | You may have to pick up the kayaks yourself and transport them to Centennial Waterfront Park (They offer transportation to Centennial Waterfront Park, but availability is limited).
We rented from Adventure Bros because we made plans very last minute and AWOL was already booked up. We had to pick the kayaks up and transport them ourselves, which turned out to be quite a hassle.
If you call further in advance, you can have the kayaks delivered, which may make the cost savings and full-day rental worth choosing Adventure Bros over AWOL.
Kayaking to Shoshone Falls | Adventure Guide
Parking and getting started
To begin your kayaking trip to Shoshone Falls, park at Centennial Waterfront Park, located just a few minutes from Twin Falls. The park has plenty of parking, restrooms, and a boat slip you can use to get your kayaks into the water.
Once you’ve gotten your kayaks into the river, start paddling upriver to the east. Facing the river from the parking lot, start paddling to the right heading towards the Perrine Bridge.
Perrine Bridge
The first landmark along the trip to Shoshone Falls is the Perrine Bridge, located a few minutes upstream from the boat launch. Perrine Bridge is a popular spot for base jumpers, so keep an eye out as you paddle below.
Pillar Falls
At 2 miles in, you’ll reach Pillar Falls. The falls are significantly smaller than Shoshone, but the surrounding area is beautiful, with massive rock formations jutting out of the river.
When we kayaked to Shoshone Falls, the water levels were so low that there was hardly and “waterfall” to be seen. Nonetheless, we enjoyed exploring the rocky area around the falls.
Portage over Pillar Falls
Now for the toughest part of the day: portage over Pillar Falls. You’ll need to get out of your kayak and carry it 300 feet around the falls. Looking towards the falls, there is a “pathway” to the far right of the river.
The difficulty and danger of portaging your kayak depends heavily on the time of year and water levels. When water levels are high, the portage can become dangerous due to slippery rocks and strong rushing water.
Water levels were low for us, meaning the path way was fairly dry. Nonetheless, carrying our kayaks over the falls proved to be quite challenging.
Tip | Scope out the path around the falls before carrying your kayaks. We went down a few dead ends while carrying our heavy kayak and had to backtrack to avoid impassable obstacles. Spend a few minutes planning a route before you pick up your kayak.
Shoshone Falls
Once you’ve made it to the other side of Pillar Falls, it’s about two miles to reach Shoshone Falls. On this side of Pillar Falls, the waters are quieter because it’s not accessible by motorized boat.
Finally, you round a bend and the magnificent Shoshone Falls come into view! There are plenty of rocky beaches around the falls to pull over, hang out and enjoy the view.
If you kayak up close to the falls, use caution as the water is extremely strong and you can be sucked under. We kept a safe distance since it was an incredibly windy day and the current was strong!
Fun Fact: Shoshone Falls rises to a height of 212 feet, making it taller than Niagara Falls! Shoshone Falls is often nicknamed the “Niagara of the West”.
Return trip
When you’ve gotten your fill of Shoshone Falls, head back downriver towards the parking lot. Make sure you leave plenty of time to return before dark. On a windy day, kayaking downriver may feel more like you’re going upriver. Don’t bank on smooth sailing on the return trip.
Kayak to Shoshone Falls | FAQs
How difficult is kayaking to Shoshone Falls?
Although you have to paddle upstream to reach the falls, the current is fairly mild making it easier than it sounds.
The return trip can actually be more challenging due to strong winds blowing the opposite direction, so make sure you leave yourself plenty of time and energy to make it back to the parking lot. When we kayaked, the strong winds created waves that actually made the river appear to be flowing the opposite direction!
The most difficult part of the trip is carrying your kayaks around Pillar Falls. Depending on the water levels, this could entail carrying your kayak for a few hundred feet over uneven rock and through water.
Weather Conditions
The difficulty of this kayaking trip depends heavily on the wind and water levels.
On a windy day, kayaking to Shoshone Falls is tough! Heavy winds make it more dangerous to kayak up close to the falls, at risk of being pulled in. If possible, wait for a calm day to make the journey to Shoshone Falls.
While Shoshone Falls are most impressive when the water levels are high (spring and early summer), lower water levels make the portage over Pillar Falls significantly easier. Please also be aware that the water levels tend to rise in the afternoon, which can make the portage more difficult.
Check current conditions | AWOL Adventure Sports maintains a page with details on current conditions in the canyon.
How can I visit the Shoshone Falls viewpoint?
To view Shoshone Falls from above, you can visit the Shoshone Falls Park. The viewing platform cannot be reached from this kayaking trip, so you would need to take a separate trip.
The park is located about 20 minutes by car from Centennial Waterfront Park. Entrance to the park is $5 per person.
Other Idaho Resources
Planning a trip to Idaho? Check out these resources to help you plan your trip.
Questions about kayaking to Shoshone Falls? Let us know in the comments below, and we’ll do our best to help!
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