Scenic Driving - Rock Creek Canyon/Shoshone Basin

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

May to October visitors may view wildlife at two other sites that lead to the Shoshone Basin. On the way to these sites, look along Rock Creek for the yellow warbler, American goldfinch, brown-headed cowbird, belted kingfisher, and northern flicker. The first site, 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 Shoshone Basin, pronghorn and sage grouse are often spotted. 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.