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While we were in visiting Utah over the summer, we had an unexpected opportunity to visit Idaho for a day with family. We decided to go for it and I’m so glad we did. It was a lovely little day trip and we really enjoyed the special time together with loved ones. My kids especially enjoyed being outdoors and seeing a new part of the country. I loved the scenery especially along the Snake River. We were there on a beautiful summer day!

American Falls, Idaho is a little town on the edge of the Snake River and American Falls Reservoir. One of my favorite stories about American Falls is when in 1925 the entire town had to be relocated across the river to higher ground to make way for the new American Falls Dam and subsequent flooding. The dam would be 94 ft hight and 5,277-foot-long. The town had to relocate 344 residents, 46 businesses, three hotels, one school, five churches, one hospital, six grain elevators, and one flour mill from the original town site. It was the largest government relocation project of its time. The Oneida Milling and Elevator Company’s grain elevator was the only structure that could not be moved. Even to this day you can see the top of the grain elevator’s 106-foot high reinforced concrete walls sticking above the water in the middle of the reservoir! It is a fascinating reminder of the original townsite at the bottom. Most people do not know about the underwater ghost town, but every so often the water recedes and remnants of the original townsite with its concrete sidewalks become visible. We enjoyed a beautiful drive across the dam and I told the kids about the relocation of the town. They were amazed to see the top of the grain elevator still standing out in the water! We also stopped by Indian Springs Resort & Campground where naturally heated springs feed an Olympic sized outdoor swimming pool to a constant 90 degrees. Back in the heart of American Falls is a beautiful park with lots of trees, open spaces, picnic areas, and playgrounds. My kids had a great time here and there are many local business nearby to find something good to eat. We ate at a family restaurant that served one of the most delicious home cooked style meals I ever had!