American Falls, ID, City of Rocks

We really enjoyed our 2 week stay at the Willow Bay Campground in American Falls.  We were right on the American Falls Reservoir and had a nice shady spot.  A walking trail starts right outside the campground which goes for about 4.5 miles but, most importantly, the first mile and a half takes you right though a nice birding/wildlife area next to the water.  I was fortunate enough to see moose twice while we were there!  There were so many species of birds including a great horned owl and ibis!!  Even though temperatures were in the 90s, the cool mornings and breeze off the lake and the shade made it very pleasant!

We did go into Pocatello, about 20 miles away (there is nothing in American Falls) for a couple of breweries.  We enjoyed Portneuf Valley Brewing and Jim Dandy Brewing.

We also drove a bit further south one day to the City of Rocks National Reserve.  Well worth a day trip, this area up in the hills is populated with natural granite sculptures making a nice area to explore and a rock climbers dream.  It was a stop on the California Trail for thousands of immigrants in the 1800s and many of them left their names and dates on rocks in the reserve.

There is a falls in American Falls and it is quite scenic!:

hundreds of seagulls make the reservoir their home

a pond on the walking trail where I saw a lot of birds

my first moose sighting, mom and twins!!

yes, even a few arches and windows at City of Rocks

sunflowers everywhere

 Oh yeah, we had to drive to Blackfoot to check out the Idaho Potato museum!

a morning surprise on the walking path

American Falls

falls and old power house

last morning there I came across this young bull moose!!!