Overview
Shoshone is a small town in South Central Idaho, and is the county seat Lincoln County. In contrast to the Shoshone Native American tribe for which it is named, the city's name is correctly pronounced "Show-shown", with a silent "e".
3 sights · 1 things to do · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Shoshone
Shoshone Ice Caves
Neher Park
Named after a late doctor; firearms hunting, trapping and overnight camping aren't allowed, so the animals and other wildlife may enjoy the habitat there.
Black Magic Slot Canyon
The smooth lava rock came from the Shoshone Lava Flow, but about 10,000 years ago the Big Wood River powerfully carved through the lava rock creating this canyon. It is similar in texture to the Utah slot canyons, and is…
Mammoth Cave & Shoshone Bird Museum Of Natural History
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Sep. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 7°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Craters of the Moon National Monument)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- TWF Joslin Field Magic Valley Regional Airport, Twin Falls — 32 mi away. Directions
- SUN Friedman Memorial Airport, Hailey — 40 mi away. Directions
- BOI Boise Air Terminal/Gowen Field, Boise — 101 mi away (major hub). Directions
Shoshone is located the convergence of US 26, US 93, SH-24, and SH-75. Traffic between the Magic Valley and Sun Valley passes through Shoshone, maintaining its early heritage as a brief rest stop for travelers.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Neher Park, Black Magic Slot Canyon
- Afternoon Mammoth Cave & Shoshone Bird Museum Of Natural History, Shoshone Ice Caves
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Understand
Founded in 1882 during the construction of the Oregon Short Line, Shoshone has long been considered the main railroad station in south central Idaho's Magic Valley region. The much larger community of Twin Falls, 26 miles to the south, never developed a strong railroad presence due to the logistical issues presented by its location south of the Snake River Canyon. For many years, Shoshone was the only Amtrak stop in south central Idaho.
The Union Pacific Railroad opened the Sun Valley resort in 1936 (and owned it until 1964), and its pre-existing spur route to Ketchum connected in Shoshone. The spur first headed northeast, following today's US 93, to Richfield and Tikura, then peeled northwest to Picabo and on to Bellevue, Hailey, and Ketchum, so the distance was greater than today's more direct 55-mile drive north on Highway 75.
About 15 miles north of Shoshone are the Shoshone Ice Caves. The caves are lava tubes that stay cool enough for the ice inside them to remain frozen throughout the summer. In the days before refrigeration, this feature, coupled with the railroad, made Shoshone popular with travelers as "the only place for hundreds of miles where one could get a cold beer."
Get in
Shoshone is located the convergence of US 26, US 93, SH-24, and SH-75. Traffic between the Magic Valley and Sun Valley passes through Shoshone, maintaining its early heritage as a brief rest stop for travelers.
See
Considered the oldest town in the Magic Valley region, Shoshone had large number of historic buildings which can be seen along the self-guided Shoshone Historic Walking Tour.
See Neher Park
Named after a late doctor; firearms hunting, trapping and overnight camping aren't allowed, so the animals and other wildlife may enjoy the habitat there.
Do
Do Shoshone Ice Caves
See Black Magic Slot Canyon
The smooth lava rock came from the Shoshone Lava Flow, but about 10,000 years ago the Big Wood River powerfully carved through the lava rock creating this canyon. It is similar in texture to the Utah slot canyons, and is even more intense with the harsh black walls! This adventure is only accessible in the fall and early winter. Flash Floods can occur all other times of the year, and there is no warning when the canyon will fill up with water. Be sure to check water conditions before visiting.
Sleep
Stay Gateway Motel
Nearby
Twin Falls
City / town · 33 listings · 25 mi away
Hagerman
City / town · 4 listings · 26 mi away
Buhl
City / town · 29 mi away
Burley
City / town · 6 listings · 42 mi away
Craters of the Moon National Monument
Park · 10 listings · 47 mi away
Sun Valley
City / town · 38 listings · 52 mi away
Mountain Home
City / town · 2 listings · 66 mi away
Jackpot
City / town · 16 listings · 67 mi away
My experience
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