Discover Caribou County

When choosing a hotel in Caribou County, you can first consider what you want to shape your stay: fishing, wildlife watching, a drive along historic routes, or places connected to the history of settlement and agriculture. The destinations listed offer different highlights and provide specific ideas for planning your trip.

Nature, Water and Wildlife Watching

Alexander Reservoir is in Caribou County, next to Soda Springs. It is recommended for fishing and has good boat access. Fishing regulations can change; check the current rules before fishing.

Formation Springs is a 195-acre protected area featuring geological formations and terraced mineral pools. It offers opportunities for birdwatching, hiking and wildlife watching. Here, nature observation and outdoor activity go hand in hand with a distinctive geological landscape.

Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge protects a high-elevation, 22,000-acre cattail marsh. It provides habitat for North America’s largest breeding population of sandhill cranes. Public roads around the refuge offer good viewpoints for watching wildlife both within the refuge and on adjacent land.

Black Canyon Gorge features basalt lava flows cut through by the Bear River. Its deep pools and gentle terraces offer opportunities for fishing. Historically, the gorge’s waters were considered one of the most challenging kayaking stretches in the United States; water conditions vary.

At Hooper Springs Park, you can sample naturally carbonated water straight from the spring. Geyser Park has a boardwalk, landscaped picnic areas and a visitor center with interpretive signs. Grace Fish Hatchery produces rainbow trout, sterile lake trout and Bonneville cutthroat trout.

Routes and Outdoor Activities

The Pioneer Historic Byway stretches about 127 miles from Franklin through Soda Springs to the Wyoming border. It continues to Soda Springs, where it meets the Oregon Trail-Bear Lake Scenic Byway. Since seasonal road conditions can vary, it is a good idea to check conditions before setting out.

The Soda Springs Pathway, also called the Hooper Springs Walking Trail, is a 1.7-mile trail between Geyser Park and Hooper Springs. Kelly Park has an 18-hole disc golf course and groomed cross-country ski trails in winter. Check the availability of individual facilities before your visit.

The Caribou Highlands Golf Course is nearby. Its traditional links layout is characterized by rolling hills, tall native grasses and natural lava rock. The Niter Ice Cave is also nearby: the lava cave stays cool year-round.

History and Regional Highlights

Historic Chesterfield is nearby on the Oregon Trail and was founded as an Idaho village in 1880. The early Mormon settlement includes 27 original buildings. These are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and maintained by a foundation. The combination of settlement history and preserved buildings makes the site a distinctive destination for travelers interested in the region’s history.

The Last Chance Canal marks the spot on the Bear River where Mormon settlers first diverted water to develop agriculture in Gem Valley. Sheep Rock was where the Oregon-California Trail first split. The Enders Hotel Museum displays historical artifacts and antiques.

The Caribou County Fair and Rodeo is a week-long celebration of community, agriculture and entertainment in Grace. Dates vary from year to year; check the event dates if you want to plan your trip around it.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Soda Springs, Butte County, Washington, Cassia County, Latah County, Gooding County, Owyhee, Boise.

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