Behind Perrine Coulee Falls - Twin Falls

Overview

( Rated 5.0 / 1 Ratings )

0 Todo Lists / 0 Ticks

RATING: Easy Hike

LENGTH: 30 minutes

MAPS: TWIN FALLS, ID

SEASON: Any

WATER: Bring all you need for this brief hike.

Perrine Coulee Falls

Heading to the falls on the old wagon road.

Perrine Coulee Falls is the 200-foot dramatic waterfall that is near the road as you descend to Centennial Waterfront Park. There is a really short unofficial trail that leads to behind the falls. Though short, I thought this was one of the neatest things we visited in Twin Falls. Perrine Coulee Falls, at least on our late summer visit, was flowing powerfully, and walking behind it was really neat.

If you're visiting Twin Falls, this short hike tops my list of must-do things.

History: The history of the waterfall as a recognized landmark is tied to Ira Burton (I.B.) Perrine, an early pioneer considered the founder of Twin Falls. In the 1890s, Perrine carved a rough, hand-built wagon road along the canyon wall to connect his farm to the canyon rim, leading travelers directly behind the falling curtain of water. The flow of the falls expanded further in 1905 with the construction of the region’s extensive agricultural canal system, which funneled additional runoff into the natural coulee and guaranteed a heavy, year-round discharge. Though the original wagon path was eventually rerouted and replaced by modern roads decades later, historic traces of Perrine’s 19th-century trail remain visible near the base of the falls today.

Looking out from behind Perrine Coulee Falls

Dripping walls at the trailhead.

Getting There

The put-in is at Centennial Waterfront Park. When coming into Twin Falls from US-93, cross the Perrine Bridge.

About 1/2 mile after the bridge, turn right onto Canyon Springs Road. This is on a bend, BEFORE US-93 turns due south.

Follow Canyon Springs road for about a mile. It heads north, then west and then descends down ito the canyon. As it descends into the canyon, a wide shoulder allows parking just before a hairpin turn. This is the trailhead, though it is easier to go to the bottom of the hill first, turn around, and park on the way back up when you are on the same side of the road as the parking.

Perrine Coulee Falls from near the start of the hike.

A spring in a cave just a bit west of the falls.

Route Description

From the parking area, walk down to the curve and find the trail going through the concrete barriers. The trail is rocky but not overly difficult. It is just a few minutes from the trailhead to behind the waterfall.

If you have a few minutes, you can follow the trail west and up to the base of the cliffs. Just a few minutes from the falls is an interesting shallow cave and dripping spring. If visiting, be careful of stinging nettles near the cave. The old wagon road appears to continue on past the cave up along the base of the cliffs.