What Is Twin Falls? Your Guide To Life In The Magic Valley

If you have only ever seen Twin Falls from Interstate 84, you have seen a lot of open sky, a lot of farmland and not much else. Then you drive a few minutes north of downtown, the ground simply ends, and a canyon nearly 500 feet deep opens up beneath a steel arch bridge. That surprise is a pretty good introduction to the whole region. The Magic Valley rewards people who slow down and look around.

This guide is for anyone who is thinking about making the move: what the area is, how it came to be, where you will shop and play, and the practical steps of settling in. We have linked to official sources wherever we state a fact, and we have left out anything we could not confirm. Details change, so always check hours, fees and rules with the source before you go.

Where Twin Falls Sits

Twin Falls is the largest city in south-central Idaho and the commercial hub of a farming region that locals call the Magic Valley. The city sits on a high, mostly flat plain on the south side of the Snake River Canyon. The river runs along the northern edge of town at the bottom of a dramatic basalt gorge, and that canyon shapes a lot of daily life here: the views, the trails, the waterfalls and even the restaurant patios.

Crossing the canyon is the I.B. Perrine Bridge. According to Visit Southern Idaho, it is about 1,500 feet long and stands 486 feet above the river. It has pedestrian walkways, and it is one of the few bridges in the United States where BASE jumping is legal. On a nice day you may watch parachutes drift down to the river from the walkway or from the Twin Falls Visitor Center next to the bridge.

The Magic Valley is more than one city. Around Twin Falls you will find a ring of smaller towns, each with its own personality:

• Kimberly and Hansen, just east of Twin Falls, with a small-town feel and quick access to the city.
• Filer and Buhl to the west, surrounded by farms and close to the springs and canyons along the Snake.
• Jerome, across the canyon to the north, an agricultural and dairy community with easy access to I-84.
• Burley and Rupert to the east, centered on the Snake River and the farms of the Mini-Cassia area.
• Gooding, Wendell and Hagerman to the northwest, near the springs and gorges of the Thousand Springs area.

Why Is It Called The Magic Valley?

The short answer is water. Around 1900 the land south of the Snake River was sagebrush desert. The river ran far below in its canyon, and there was no easy way to get its water up onto the plain.

That changed with the federal Carey Act of 1894, which let private companies build irrigation systems on desert land and sell the water rights to settlers. Local rancher and promoter Ira Burton "I.B." Perrine pushed a plan to dam the Snake upstream of the canyon and send the water out across the desert through canals. With financing from Salt Lake City banker Stanley Milner and eastern investors Frank Buhl and Peter Kimberly, the project went ahead. You will recognize those names on today's map: Milner Dam, Buhl, Kimberly and the Perrine Bridge.

According to the Twin Falls Canal Company, the gates of Milner Dam closed on March 1, 1905, sending the Snake River into a network of canals and laterals. That night Shoshone Falls went dry. Within a few years the sagebrush gave way to farm fields so quickly that the transformation seemed like magic. As the Idaho Farm Bureau and the Idaho Conservation League both tell the story, that "as if by magic" change is how the Magic Valley got its name. The canal system is still farmer-owned and still waters the fields you drive past today.

Getting Around And Nearby Cities

Twin Falls is a driving town. Most errands are a short car trip, and traffic is light compared with bigger metro areas. Two highways frame the city: Interstate 84 runs from east to west a few miles north of the canyon, and US-93 comes south across the Perrine Bridge and becomes Blue Lakes Boulevard, the main commercial street.

Approximate drive times, depending on route, weather and traffic:

• Boise: roughly two hours west on I-84.
• Sun Valley and Ketchum: roughly an hour and a half to two hours north, through the Wood River Valley. Winter mountain driving can take longer.
• Salt Lake City: roughly three and a half hours southeast via I-84 and I-15.

For air travel, Magic Valley Regional Airport in Twin Falls has commercial service connecting through Salt Lake City. Check the airline for current schedules. Many residents also drive to Boise for more flight options.

Everyday Shopping

One of the first questions people ask is "Is there a Costco?" Yes, there is. Most big-box and grocery shopping in Twin Falls clusters along Blue Lakes Boulevard North and Pole Line Road on the north side of town, between downtown and the canyon. Here is a quick orientation, with each store's own locator page so you can check current hours:

• Costco: Pole Line Road (store page)
• Walmart Supercenter: Cheney Drive West, just off Blue Lakes Boulevard (store page)
• Target: Blue Lakes Boulevard North (store page)
• WinCo Foods: Blue Lakes Boulevard North (store page)
• Fred Meyer: Blue Lakes Boulevard North (store page)
• Albertsons: Addison Avenue East (store page)
• Lowe's: Blue Lakes Boulevard North (store page)
• The Home Depot: Pole Line Road East (store page)
• Magic Valley Mall: Pole Line Road East, home to department stores, national retailers, restaurants and a movie theater (mall directory)

You will also find the usual mix of pharmacies, auto parts stores, farm and ranch supply stores and fast-casual restaurants along the same corridor. The smaller towns have their own grocery stores and local shops, and many residents come into Twin Falls for big shopping trips.

Downtown Twin Falls

Downtown Twin Falls is a few blocks of historic brick buildings centered on Main Avenue and the leafy City Park, with its 1930s bandshell. The early town was laid out around the park, and many of the surrounding buildings date from the 1900s to the 1930s. Downtown is where you will find locally owned coffee shops, a food hall, brewpubs, bakeries and boutiques. It is a nice change of pace from the big-box corridor. The downtown association, Downtown Twin, keeps a directory of local businesses.

Outdoors And Parks

Here is where the Magic Valley really shines. Within a short drive of almost any home in Twin Falls, you can be on a canyon-rim trail, at a waterfall or on the river.

Shoshone Falls. The headline attraction. The City of Twin Falls describes the falls as 212 feet tall and about 900 feet wide, taller than Niagara Falls, which is why they are often called the "Niagara of the West." The city runs the park, with viewing platforms, picnic areas and trails. The National Park Service notes a modest entry fee during the warmer months and recommends late spring and early summer for the biggest flows. Irrigation diversions upstream can shrink the falls a lot in late summer and fall, so time your first visit for spring if you can.

Dierkes Lake. Just upstream from Shoshone Falls and part of the same city-run park complex, Dierkes Lake has a swimming area, a boat ramp, grassy picnic spots and trails among the basalt boulders. It is a favorite summer hangout for families.

Twin Falls, the waterfall. The city's namesake falls sit a few miles east of Shoshone Falls. Today much of the flow passes through a hydroelectric project, so the falls look different from historic photos, but the canyon views are still worth the trip.

Canyon Rim Trail. Visit Southern Idaho describes more than 10 miles of developed trail along the canyon in Twin Falls. You can join it at the Visitor Center by the Perrine Bridge, at the north end of Washington Street, near Pole Line and Eastland, or at Shoshone Falls Park. The trail passes overlooks of Pillar Falls and the site of Evel Knievel's famous 1974 canyon jump attempt. It is a great walk, run or bike ride at sunset.

Centennial Waterfront Park. Down on the canyon floor near the Perrine Bridge, this Twin Falls County park has boat launches, picnic shelters and kayak and paddleboard rentals from a concessionaire. Paddling up toward Pillar Falls is a classic summer outing.

City parks. The city maintains a long list of neighborhood parks, ballfields and sports complexes (see Parks and Facilities). Rock Creek Park, set in the small canyon of Rock Creek on the west side of town, is a shady spot for a picnic.

Thousand Springs and the Hagerman area. Northwest of Twin Falls, water from the Snake River Plain aquifer pours out of the canyon walls in springs and waterfalls. Thousand Springs State Park is made up of several units, including Malad Gorge, Box Canyon, Ritter Island and others. It is easy to make a day of it.

Balanced Rock. South of Buhl near Castleford, Balanced Rock Park is a Twin Falls County park in the Salmon Falls Creek canyon. Its signature rock tower looks like it is about to tip over and never does.

Hot springs. The area's geothermal water feeds commercial soaking pools. Miracle Hot Springs near Buhl, for example, offers outdoor geothermal pools by reservation.

Day trips. Within a few hours you can reach some remarkable public lands. City of Rocks National Reserve near Almo is famous for its granite spires and rock climbing. Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve, to the northeast, has lava flows and cinder cones. In winter, the ski slopes around Sun Valley are an easy weekend trip.

The Food And Drink Scene

Food in the Magic Valley starts on the farm. This is one of the most productive farming regions in Idaho, and you will see potatoes, sugar beets, grain, hay, beans and dairy all around you. Local favorites include Idaho potatoes in every form, Snake River trout and the pink "fry sauce" that shows up next to fries all over the Intermountain West.

A few local spots are worth knowing about as you explore:

• Downtown Twin Falls has the densest cluster of local eateries, including coffee shops, bakeries, a food hall, brewpubs and family restaurants. The Downtown Twin directory is a good starting list.
• Elevation 486 sits on the south rim of the canyon near the Perrine Bridge and is known for its patio views over the Snake River.
• The Twin Falls Farmers Market runs on Saturdays during the growing season (Idaho Preferred listing). Check the current season dates and location before you go.

Out in the smaller towns you will find longtime diners, taquerias, drive-ins and bakeries. The valley's Hispanic community is a big part of local life, and that shows in the many taquerias and Mexican restaurants around the region. Restaurants open and close, so check a business's own website or social pages for current hours.

Schools And Education

Public schools in the area are run by local school districts, and which school a home is zoned for depends on its address. Always confirm boundaries with the district before you buy. Major districts in the area include:

• Twin Falls School District: the city's district, with an enrollment page for new students.
• Kimberly School District: serving Kimberly and the surrounding area.
• Jerome School District #261: serving Jerome.
• Buhl, Filer, Hansen, Murtaugh, Castleford, Valley, Wendell, Gooding and the Cassia and Minidoka County districts serve the rest of the region.

Many districts take open-enrollment requests from families outside their boundaries when space allows. Ask the district directly.

For higher education, the College of Southern Idaho (CSI) is the region's community college. Its main campus is on North College Road in Twin Falls, and it has off-campus centers in Burley, Jerome, Gooding and Hailey. The campus is also home to the Herrett Center for Arts & Science, with its Faulkner Planetarium, a fun family outing on a winter evening.

Healthcare

The largest hospital in the region is St. Luke's Magic Valley Medical Center on Pole Line Road West in Twin Falls. It has emergency care and a wide range of specialty services, and St. Luke's runs clinics throughout the area. Around the region you will also find community hospitals such as Cassia Regional Hospital in Burley and Minidoka Memorial Hospital in Rupert, plus independent clinics, urgent care centers, dentists and pharmacies. If you are moving with ongoing care needs, check which providers your insurance plan covers locally before you move.

Jobs And The Economy

Agriculture is the backbone of the Magic Valley, and it reaches well beyond the farm gate. Food processing is a major employer here, with dairy and yogurt, cheese and whey products, potato products, sugar and nutrition bars. Southern Idaho Economic Development lists major regional employers including Chobani, Glanbia, Clif Bar, Lamb Weston, McCain Foods and Amalgamated Sugar, along with St. Luke's and the College of Southern Idaho. Manufacturing, aquaculture, logistics, healthcare, education, retail and construction round out the picture.

For current job openings and labor-market information, the Idaho Department of Labor's labor market site is the official source.

Seasons And Weather

The Magic Valley has a high-desert climate with four real seasons. Summers are typically hot, dry and sunny, with cool evenings. Fall is often crisp and pleasant, and it is harvest season, so expect trucks full of potatoes and beets on the roads. Winters are cold with some snow, though usually less than in the nearby mountains. Spring can be breezy and changeable, and it is the best time to see Shoshone Falls. The air is dry year-round, so lotion, lip balm and a good garden hose are your friends. Wind can pick up dust on open farmland now and then. For official climate data and forecasts, see the National Weather Service.

What To Expect When You Move Here

A practical checklist for your first few weeks:

Utilities. Inside Twin Falls city limits, water, sewer and trash/recycling are set up through the city's Utility Services office. Electricity in much of southern Idaho is provided by Idaho Power, which has an online start, stop or move service page. Natural gas in much of the region comes from Intermountain Gas. Outside city limits, homes may have private wells, septic systems or irrigation-district water, so ask your agent and check the property records. Many homes also have irrigation water shares for watering yards and gardens. It is worth asking how a home's irrigation works before you buy.

Driver's license and vehicles. According to the Idaho Transportation Department, new residents must get an Idaho driver's license or ID card within 30 days of moving, and must title and register their vehicles within 30 days as well. Bring your vehicle to the DMV for a VIN inspection, along with your current title and registration and your ID. DMV offices are run by each county, so find yours on ITD's DMV locations page. Consider getting a Star Card (Idaho's REAL ID) on the same visit.

Voting. You can register to vote through VoteIdaho.gov. Online registration uses your Idaho driver's license or ID card, so many people register right after their DMV visit.

Getting connected. Check internet providers by address, since availability varies, especially in rural areas. Sign your kids up with the school district early, particularly before the fall term. Find your local library. The Twin Falls Public Library is downtown, next to City Park.

Get to know the land. Rural homes in the Magic Valley can come with acreage, outbuildings, animal rights, irrigation ditches and water rights. A good local agent can explain what that means for any property you are considering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Twin Falls the same as the Magic Valley?
Not quite. Twin Falls is the largest city, and the Magic Valley is the wider farming region of south-central Idaho around it. That region includes towns such as Kimberly, Jerome, Buhl, Filer, Burley, Rupert, Gooding and Wendell.

When is the best time to see Shoshone Falls?
Usually late spring and early summer, when snowmelt is high and less water is being diverted for irrigation. In late summer and fall the falls can slow to a trickle. Check the City of Twin Falls for current access and fees.

Is BASE jumping really legal off the Perrine Bridge?
Yes. It is one of the few bridges in the U.S. where it is allowed. Watching from the bridge walkway or the Visitor Center is free.

Is there a Costco, Walmart or Target in Twin Falls?
Yes. Costco and the big grocery and home-improvement stores are in the Blue Lakes Boulevard and Pole Line Road area on the north side of town. See the store links in the shopping section above.

How far is Twin Falls from Boise?
Roughly a two-hour drive west on I-84.

How long do I have to switch my license and registration after moving?
According to the Idaho Transportation Department, 30 days for both your driver's license and your vehicle title and registration. See New to Idaho.

Is there a college in town?
Yes. The College of Southern Idaho is a community college with its main campus in Twin Falls.

Does it snow?
Yes, it snows in winter, but the valley floor usually gets far less snow than the mountains to the north. Summers are hot and dry.

Ready To Find Your Place In The Magic Valley?

Whether you are drawn by the canyon trails, a little acreage near Kimberly or a walkable street near City Park, we would love to help you explore.

• Browse Homes For Sale across Twin Falls and the surrounding towns.
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This guide is general information for people considering a move to the area. It is not legal, tax or financial advice. Business details, fees and hours change, so please confirm with the official sources linked above.