The Best of the Best

3 Days/2 Nights
Gateway: Idaho Falls, Idaho

A celestial sky reserve of international Gold Level acclaim. Craters that looked like they fell off the moon. A rodeo on the Professional circuit. Timeless mining history. These are but a few of the amazing attractions you’ll find in the Lost River Valley, tucked snuggly under the majestic Lost River Mountain Range looming overhead. It’s called the Lost River Valley because the Big Lost River comes tumbling down out of the mountains before it robustly makes its way through the craggy terrain.  When it reaches the Snake River Plain, the river makes a loop through the marsh and, like Houdini, promptly disappears into the porous basalt left behind by the last volcanic eruption in the region.

This is the same eruption that lifted Mount Borah, Idaho’s highest peak on the bucket list of many climbers, right up the road from the quaint western towns of Mackay and Arco. The two towns also lie right at the edge of the Gold Level Dark Skies Reserve. Traveling a bit further on the Peaks to Craters Scenic Byway takes you to Craters of the Moon National Monument. Because the volcanic rock at Craters is young, domes, cinder cones, shields, lava flows, lava tubes, spatter ramparts, and pressure ridges formed by the molten lava, still cover the area. It is expected to erupt again within the next 1,000 years, coming behind the last geologic event that occurred about 2,100 years ago.

When you visit the Lost River Valley, you’ll discover there are at least 20 other natural attractions, great hiking, world-class fishing, and exhibits related to the development of atomic energy in America. In winter, you can savor the quiet of the forest cross-country skiing or the roar of the snow machine, traversing the mountain trails. If you enjoy riding ATVs, this area is also the ATV Capital of the West. Five trails that pass through the astounding landscape, take you through the region.

Plan to visit for more than a day; there’s just too much to enjoy not to. Discover the unique region we call the Lost River Valley, a place like no other in America.

DAY ONE

Idaho Falls (1)

Idaho Falls

In an area first settled by cattle and sheep ranchers, the founding of Idaho Falls coincided with the gold rush of the 1860s. A ferry across the Snake River led the way to a log toll bridge, enabling settlers to move north and west, prospectors and miners seeking riches in the gold fields of Idaho and ultimately connecting to copper mining in Montana. Homesteaders from Utah brought irrigation know-how, developing a canal system fed by the Snake River. Tens of thousands of acres of desert were turned into green farmland and Idaho Falls became one of the most productive agricultural regions of the United States. The city once again made a name for itself when the Idaho National Laboratory established the National Reactor Testing Station in the region in an isolated location where various kinds of nuclear reactors were tested—52 in all.

Idaho Falls city

Idaho Falls Walking Tours

A 13-stop self-guided walking tour includes the Willard Arts Center/Colonial Theater, Actors Repertory Theatre of Idaho, and, of course, the Idaho Falls Public Library, all on the National Register of Historic Places. 

The tour begins at 246 West Broadway

Museum of Idaho

The largest museum in the state, the Museum of Idaho’s exhibits include items linked to the Lewis and Clark expedition, a re-created 1800s town, and collections and programs focused on Idaho’s social and environmental history and the Intermountain West.

200 North Eastern Avenue, Idaho Falls, ID 83402, 208-522-1400, M-Sat 10AM-6PM, Sun 1PM-5PM, Adult $13

Art Museum of East Idaho

The only art museum in eastern Idaho showcases eclectic and contemporary works by Idaho artists in five galleries, a children’s interactive art learning area, an art classroom/workshop area, and a gift shop.

300 South Capital Avenue, Idaho Falls, ID 83402, 208-524-7777, Tu-F 10AM-5PM, Sat 10AM-4PM, Adults $4 

Destination Distinctive Accommodations

Destination Inn 295 W Broadway St, Idaho Falls, ID 83402, 208-528-8444 Take a trip around the world in one of 14 world-class themed rooms.

Destination Distinctive Dining

Copper Rill Restaurant, 415 River Parkway, Idaho Falls, ID 83402, 208-529-5800, is a Casual, classy fixture offering refined American entrees and homemade desserts.  

Sandpiper, 750 Lindsay Blvd, Idaho Falls, ID 83402, 208-524-3344  Scenic eatery offering hand-cut steaks, pasta, and seafood flown in daily & heated outdoor dining.

Destination Distinctive Retail


Willowtree Gallery, 210 Cliff St, Idaho Falls, ID 83402, 208-524-4464Featuring a variety of original art, limited edition prints, unique gifts, fine jewelry handcrafted in Denmark, and Lizzy James Jewelry.

Eagle Rock Gallery, 315 River Pkwy, Idaho Falls, ID 83402-3315, 208-604-8112, A collective  of  nationally and internationally recognized fine artists showcasing a variety of bronzes, fine art photography, watercolor and oil paintings, stone carvings, jewelry, and much more

Destinations Inn

DAY TWO

EBR-1

EBR-I Atomic Museum

Plan to drive on US 20/26 towards Arco to visit Experimental Breeder Reactor No. 1 (EBR-I). Colorful, interactive displays also tell the story of EBR-I’s sibling, Experimental Breeder Reactor No. 2 (EBR-II), which once powered much of the site and operated with a novel closed fuel cycle. The museum also has two aircraft nuclear propulsion prototypes, a reactor control room, remote handling devices for radioactive materials, radiation detection equipment, and more. You can walk through the museum using the self-guided tour instructions or take a guided tour.

U.S. Highway 20/26 between Idaho Falls and Arco, 208-526-0050, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, Daily, 9AM–5PM, Free

Arco

Best known for being the first community in the world to be lit with atomic power from EBR-1, the world’s first peacetime use of nuclear power paved the way for nuclear power to be used commercially. In 1961, the SL-1 reactor was destroyed through an operator maintenance error, the United States’ only fatal reactor accident. The Idaho National Laboratory is also located here.

Arco Idaho

Idaho Science Center

A collection of historical nuclear informational material depicts the Manhattan Project and the development of a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, the Desert Hawksbill Sail, with its “devil” hull number 666 jutting from the ground. The conning tower is known as the “Devil Boat.” Exhibits also highlight the development of the first usable electricity at EBR-1. This area was also the location of the first Naval Reactor Station, the birthplace and training center for the Navy’s nuclear program.

440 South Front Street, Arco, ID 83213, 208-527-3770  

Mackay

Mackay

Surrounded by the tallest mountain peaks in Idaho, Mackay was settled in 1880, and a decade later, copper mining began. Investor John Mackay gave the mine’s general manager permission to plan any town he wished and named it after him in a show of loyalty. Along with a smelter on the Lost River, Mackay also had the Oregon Short Line Railroad build a spur from Blackfoot. Shortly after its founding, the town boasted a brick schoolhouse, two major hotels, a bank, an opera house, two churches, several lodging houses, and dozens of company-owned homes. Today, Mackay is surrounded by farms and ranches.

Destination Distinctive Accommodations

Wagon Wheel Motel and RV Park 809 Custer Street, Mackay, ID 83251 208-588-3331

The Bear Bottom Inn 412 Spruce Street, Mackay, ID 83251 208-588-2483

Destination Distinctive Dining

The Bear Bottom Inn 412 Spruce Street, Mackay, ID 83251 208-588-2483

9 Peaks Restaurant and Lounge 503 Custer Street, Mackay, ID 83251  208-569-6831

L 7 Bar and Grill, 402 West Custer Street, Mackay ID 83251 208-757-7979

Scoops Corner Cafe 221 South Main Street, Mackay ID 208-588-2158

Destination Distinctive Retail


Antiques by Alice and Bea 5475N 5780 W, Mackay ID 208-867-6066

Wagon Wheel Motel

DAY THREE

Lost River Museum 2

Lost River Museum

Housed in a restored century-old church, the Lost River Museum showcases a variety of artifacts, including mining tools, ranching equipment, vintage clothing, household utensils, railroad memorabilia, theater memorabilia, local moonshiners, and historical photographs illustrating life in the past. 

312 Capital Avenue, Mackay, 208-588-3148, Memorial Day-Sept, Sat-Sun 1PM-5PM, or by Appointment, donations accepted. 

Head House #1

Mackay Mine Hill Tour

Relics, structures, small mines, and remnants of houses in “copper city” dot the wild backcountry of Mine Hill, dating from 1879 when ore was discovered. Over the years, almost a million tons of ore have been removed from the mountain. Interpretive Sites along the 20-mile route include the Smelter Site and Hardrock Mining Exhibit, Cossack Tunnel and Compressor Building, Horseshoe Mine and Taylor Sawmill, Anderson Cabin, White Knob Townsite, Aerial Tramway Headhouse, Ausich Cabin Site, Cliff City Town Site, Cliff City Cabin, Cliff City Smelter, Shay Railroad Trestle, and the Empire Mine Ore Bin Location. Three color-coded routes for ATVs, Cars, and 4WDs graded by difficulty are available at the 14 different locations in Mackay, Arco, and Blackfoot. 

Challis

After gold was discovered in 1873, Challis was established as a stop-over and freight drop before a road was built into the newly discovered mines in the Yankee Fork Mining District. By 1896, sheepherding had replaced mining as the major industry, and the area was embroiled in the sheep and cattle wars. The mining camps eventually became ghost towns, while Challis, the seat of Custer County, flourished.

Challis-main-street
Destination Distinctive Dining

Village Inn 310 US-93, Challis, ID 83226, 208-879-2239 

Y-Inn Cafe 1200 Main Street, Challis, ID 83226 208-879-4426

Tea Cup Cafe and Bakery 200 Main Street, Challis, ID 82336 208-879-5050

Real Deal Smokehouse 810 Highway 93, Challis, ID 83226 208-369-7526

Land of Yankee Fork copy

Land of the Yankee Fork State Park and Interpretive Center

Yankee Fork preserves a mining camp established on the Salmon River, named because everyone in the party was a Yankee. Even though no gold was discovered immediately, prospectors stayed on and finally found gold in 1870. Soon after, the Yankee Fork Mining District was organized, and after the discovery of the General Custer Mine in 1876, the area began to flood with miners. By 1910, the three popular sites, Bonanza, Custer, and Bayhorse, were all but deserted. The interpretive center illustrates the area’s mining heritage through exhibits, a gold panning station, and audiovisual programs. The grounds also feature a ¼ mile trail detailing the archeological finds of a nearby Challis Bison Jump Site. 

Junction of US 93 Milepost 244.5 and Idaho 75, Milepost 244.2 Adults $2/Family $5

Custer Motorway Adventure Road - Yankee Fork Road

For an authentic Idaho mining town experience, explore this stage and freight wagon toll road that was used by mining supply trains running from Custer and Bonanza delivering gold bullion to Challis. The only access for a decade, toll keepers charged $4.00 a wagon and a team of four animals, plus 50 cents for each additional animal. Initially, the stage fare was $11.00, dropping to $8.00 by April 1880. The backcountry Forest Road 070 trip is scattered with several stagecoach stations, old barns, mining equipment, deteriorating log cabins, and weathered grave markers. Explore the ghost towns of Bonanza, Custer, and Bayhorse and the old tollgate. Interpretive signs provide more information. From start to finish, the loop drive is 98 miles with 46 miles of dirt/gravel road with no services and 52 miles of paved highway. Get a map at the Land of the Yankee Fork Interpretive Center. Stop at the Custer Cemetery, the McGowan Museum at Custer, the Yankee Fork Gold Dredge, and the Sunbeam Dam Interpretive Site.

Custer Motorway