Scenic Driving
Rock Creek Canyon-Shoshone Basin

Rock Creek Canyon offers easy viewing of mule deer on their winter range, December-February. Paved road travels through a steep, rock-walled canyon along Rock Creek, where you might see mallards and teal.  The Magic Mountain area has several cross-country ski trails. Occasionally a porcupine, longtailed weasel, or Steller's or gray jay may be seen.

On the way to the Shoshone Basin (May-October), look along Rock Creek for the yellow warbler, American goldfinch, brown-headed cowbird, belted kingfisher, and northern flicker. Near Electric Spring is a 25-acre marsh fenced to protect nesting waterfowl and wading birds. Look for the Forest Service interpretive signs and for geese and ducks on the nesting islands. Heading west from the marsh into the sagebrush flatlands of the Basin, pronghorn and sage- grouse are often visible. The forest has numerous campgrounds and hiking trails.

Directions: From Twin Falls, take US 30 for 9 miles east to Hansen. Turn south onto Rock Creek Road (there is a sign for the Magic Mountain Ski Area) for 10 miles to the mouth of Rock Creek Canyon. From May to October, continue on this road (which enters the Cassia Division of the Sawtooth National Forest) for 11 miles to the Magic Mountain Ski Area. Turn right onto Forest Road 500 for about 7.5 miles for marsh viewing. Continue west on Road 500. In 4 miles you will leave the National Forest, where the road turns to County Road G3. In another 12 miles you will be at the junction of US 93 near Hollister. Twin Falls is 25 miles north.