Looking for a great day trip that’s close to Boise and away from the crowds in the usual spots? Discover the Danskin Mountain area, with canyons, mountains, rivers, and even…a hidden waterfall!
There are countless amazing getaways that make for fantastic day trips all within an hour or two drive of Boise. But most people know about all the same popular places! If you want to truly get away, you’ve got to get off the beaten path. Everyone knows that in Idaho, the real fun is off of the dirt roads.
To get to the beautiful area of Smith’s Creek, you’ll head East on Highway 84 until you get to Black’s Creek Rd exit. The exit is only about 20 minutes from East Boise. From the exit, you’ll head North on Black’s Creek Road. If you put in Willow Creek Trailhead to your map, it will take you in the right direction.
You’ll already feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere when you get off the exit, and then you’ll come to where the pavement ends. Our adventure started about 22.5 miles down the dirt road, past the Willow Creek Trailhead.
We drove past lush flower fields, a breathtaking overlook of the South Fork on the Boise River, down the dirt road across a bridge, and then back up out of the volcanic canyon past a working ranch back up on the plateau.
Head past two cattle guards, and then at the fork in the road, turn right. You might want 4 wheel drive to explore this area- we drove only a bit and found a beautiful picnic site on Smith’s Creek with a fire pit.
We decided to explore and hiked down the road along Smith’s Creek. We followed the creek as it ascended up the canyon where it got very rocky. The road ended in a trail that quickly disappeared under piles of rocks and trees that Smith’s Creek throws around in a wild spring runoff. But, having risen in elevation, we got a spectacular view of the emerald green valley, wildflowers, the raging creek, and volcanic buttes.
After we enjoyed our time here, I wondered, “Where does this creek go?” There was a big canyon we had just driven across…the creek had to empty into it, and it had to be a waterfall. We drove back in between the two cattle guards and pulled over on the side of the road. I could see where the plateau dropped off into the canyon. We scrambled through sagebrush and weeds, forged an irrigation canal, then crawled carefully across sharp lava rock on the edge of the canyon. And then we saw it…the top of the waterfall! After carefully navigating along the rocks of the rim, I found a lower level where I could see the bottom of the waterfall. This is a dangerous place and is NOT for children or dogs. I scooted very very carefully down to a small flat area to enjoy the rushing waterfall cascading down the canyon. It was powerful, running wild. I had NEVER heard of this waterfall before and felt so excited to make a new personal discovery!
The sun began to set and we headed back carefully to the car. We were blessed with an amazing sunset over the volcanic buttes.
We had set out for the day to find a little peace- the week had been full of chaos and sadness in our great country. This beautiful day in the Danskin Mountains to Smith’s Creek, along with the discovery of Smith’s Creek Waterfall, the wildflowers bursting on the emerald hills, and then the unforgettable sunset- it was all a reminder that no matter how much chaos enters our world, the mountains will always provide strength, the rivers will keep running, and the evening will always close with beauty if we just take the time to look up, look out, and be still for a moment.
