Contact the Park

Address:   2314 S Richie Rd.

Hagerman, ID 83332

Phone: (208) 837-4505

Email: MAL@idpr.idaho.gov

Malad Gorge is a state park along I-84 in south-central Idaho near Hagerman. There are a few key points to make about the park.

1. The is no access to the lower river from the state park, but you can access the lower river via the Idaho Power service road off of Highway 30.

2. There is no camping at the park. DAY USE ONLY. However, there are several private camping areas nearby that you can use if you so desire.

3. As a state park, there is an access fee of $5 for each vehicle, unless you have purchased the Idaho State Park Pass which is available to Idaho residents and non-residents alike.

4. The peak season is during the snow runoff in spring. This is when the water is flowing the most and the river is most active. The views are spectacular any time of year though and each season gives the landscape its own unique look and experience.

Here is a PDF map of the park.

Google Map view of the park.

Near the parking area closest to the footbridge you will find a covered area that goes into great detail about the history of the area and the gorge itself. Worth a read if you have the time.

The gorge has two trails, one along the eastern rim and another on the west rim. The eastern rim trail is an easy 2.6 miles there and back trail. We didn't take this trail so I can't really speak to it, so I will move on to the trail we did take.

Access to the west rim is across the walking bridge. The west rim trail is 2 miles there and back, but has a little more elevation variance, but it is still quite easy. Take a moment as you cross the walking bridge to look over both sides of the bridge. Take in the view to the south and examine the water flow to the north.

On the other side of the bridge, you start on the trail which is paved for the first quarter mile or so. The paved pathway leads to some descriptive signs of the area. From the signs you can access the dirt trail that will lead you another 3/4 mile to the end of the canyon rim trail where you can look out over the Idaho Power access area below along the lower river.

Along the trail, you will find some interesting, slightly scary-looking cracks. Some are quite deep and they make you wonder if that section will still exist a few winters from now.

You'll even see some interesting creatures in the distance. We were not able to get close enough to identify these varmints, but they appeared to be quite large. We affectionately called them ROUS's and kept moving. There are lots of crows flying on the air currents, a few raptors, but they were too far off to identify, and a flock of what appeared to be pigeons flying around between the upper canyon walls.

The trail was not being heavily used on this particular Saturday. We saw three couples and two families during our time on the trail. Most contacts were around the footbridge. As we crossed the footbridge the first time there were three teenagers below trying to climb out of the gorge. They must have made it since they were no longer there when we returned. I don't recommend trying what they did.

As we were loading up and leaving the area we noticed a couple in a campervan preparing lunch. We almost stopped to see where they were from and where they were headed, but we were already running later than expected and decided to just head home.

Summary

• The views are gorgeous. We were lucky to have lots of clouds which gave the area a little more character, but I can't imagine a sunny day would detract from the beauty of this area.

• The trails are short and easy to navigate. The west rim has a small area that could be a little more difficult to navigate if you are concerned about mobility.

• A must-see if you're in the area and can spare an hour to take in the trail with stops for all the views.