Horshoe Lake

I've actually never have been here before so I can't give any details, but my husband took a bunch of scouts there.  Here's a link for directions.  It's pretty close, and the picture looks beautiful, so it must be fun right? 

Hell's Half Acre-Paved

There are two paved trails in Hells Half Acre.  These paved trails are located at the rest stops on both the North and South bound I-15.  They are about 15 or 20 minutes past Idaho Falls between Shelley and Blackfoot.  We love to do these trails on Sunday afternoons when we just want something a little different than walking around the neighborhood.

The trail is nice and wide.  You have a choice between a 1/2 mile or less than 1/4 mile trail.  At the end of the South-bound side, there is even a gazebo at the end to have a picnic. 

North-bound map

South-bound map

Hell's Half Acre-Unpaved

Honestly, this looks boring, but it is a lot of fun because I feel like a kid again jumping over crevasses and climbing around on rocks.  It's actually a family favorite because it is just a fast trip that we can do, but still have plenty of time to get other things done during the day.

To get there, just keep going down HWY 20 about 20ish minutes past Idaho falls to Mile Marker 287.  Turn left and go down a dirt road.  If you have a small car like I do, don't go after it rains or even worse, if it is still raining!  That's just stupid.  Your car will most likely get stuck.  But if you have a couple people in the car to push it out, that it won't be a problem.

Since this is a lava trail, there isn't a trail on the ground to follow.  It is marked with blue sticks, for the small circle, or the red sticks for the log trek out to the middle of nowhere.  I have only done the blue trail which is 1/2 mile with my kids.  I think the red trail is 8 miles, but I could be wrong.  Too lazy to look it up too.  You can do that.

Mt Borah-Highest Peak in Idaho

Get your directions on this website.

I have not done this climb.  Elevation is 12,662 feet and word on the street it is ridiculously steep.  My husband tried to summit three times: first with a school group, but nobody reached the summit, then he tried the beginning of June, but there was too much snow, but the 3rd time in August, he reached the summit!

 Chicken Out Ridge

4th of July

I have the perfect plan lined up for every 4th of July.  First, head up the 4th of July parade that starts at Smith Park and heads down Main Street and end at Porter park.  It starts at 10:00AM and there is no reason why anyone that live in Rexburg should drive.  It's walking distance for everyone.  If you want to hit up the Idaho Falls parade, it goes along South Blvd.

 After the Parade in Rexburg, head down to Idaho Falls for the Best Firework Show West of the Mississippi!  Melaleuca puts on this firework show along the Green Belt (by the temple, Riverside exit).  2 million each year spent on this show-definitely worth it.  FYI, with traffic, it takes about 2 hours to drive back up to Rexburg.

And remember to bring your cash because there are vendors all along Riverside and Memorial Drive.  Oh!  And get there early because all the good spots get taken the night before or early afternoon.

Yellowstone

Yellowstone is less than a two hour drive away and a beautiful National Park. Just take HWY 20 towards West Yellowstone and follow the signs, and you're there. This place is free for us because we have a year round pass. It's $25 for a pass to Yellowstone and Tetons, but just get a year round pass for $80 and visit all the National Parks within a two hour drive. (Tetons, Craters of the Moon) Yellowstone is exactly 100 miles away from the West Entrance and takes about 1 1/2 hours to drive there.

You can visit Old Faithful which is what the park is mostly known for, but I recommend the upper and lower falls:


Most of the roads are closed in the park from November to May, so go in the summer. Pack a lunch and make it a day trip. With a year round pass (free entrance into any National Park) and just a tank of gas, it's a great Saturday family activity.

Nature Park

Nature Park is the biggest park in Rexburg and also the nicest. It's not nearly as populated as Porter or Smith Park. There is a small trail with a lot of loops and if you walk all the loops, it's probably about a mile long. It's perfect for a Sunday walk and great for a picnic.


There's Frisbee Golf

Ice Skating Rink?

Trees to play Hide-n-go seek


Play place for small children.

There are 4 or 5 of these covered picnic tables for any type of gathering.

Also, feel free to bring old bread to feed the ducks. I'm sure they love it. Wait, there might be a sign that says, "Do not feed the ducks". I can't remember. I've done it before, but maybe I should check again.

Directions: From Main Street, turn North onto South 5th East and follow the road all the way down!

Skate Park

Here's a park where anyone can go to for free to skate, roller blade, or ride their bike. I have to warn you that when we went there, three men were topless. Other than that, if you don't skate, run up and down the cement ramps or eat lunch in the bowl. Something to do if you get extremely bored.




Directions:
From 2nd East, head West on Main Street. Run left on South 5th West, follow the road down to the end, and take the first left after the nature park. You can't miss it.

Garage/Yard Sale Saturdays

Today was my first garage/yard sale day. I went out with 2 specific things that I wanted to look for, so I'm not the kind of person that just hoards yard sale stuff. It's something to do and a good way to find use things that you may need.

Here's a craigslist link to find out where yard sales are.

However, although garage sales are fun sometimes, they're not the best in Rexburg. I went to about 7 or 8 today and I was very disappointed. I feel like here in Rexburg, people sell things that are too old and worn out, but charge way too much for what they're selling. I couldn't find anything at a garage sale price. In my mind, clothes should never be more than a buck and nothing should be more than ten bucks. I guess everyone is just too cheap and greedy here.

I know, I didn't sell the activity very well, but sometimes you find a treasure!

Madison County Library

I know, it sounds a little lame, but the County Library is actually fun. It's newly remodeled, doesn't smell that badly, and not many people go because campus is closer to most students. It's super quiet and plenty of placed to read.




Corner of Center Street and West 1st North behind the tabernacle.

Evergreen Kiwanis Park

This park is perfect if you want to have a family gathering. I've never actually seen people there, but there is a nice open space to play frisbee or flag football. Also there are some covered picnic tables and a play set for kids. Take a look.





Directions: From Main Street, just turn onto Pioneer then take the first left. Follow that through and you'll see it!

Park Street Park

This is one of my favorite parks mostly because hardly anyone ever goes there. It is one of the smallest and the equipment there is the oldest, but it's still fun. Here's the park:





This park is on the corner of Park Street and South 5th West kitty-corner from a landscaping company.

Cress Creek

25 minutes outside of Rexburg there is a short, mostly paved hike that is fun to do in under 2 hours round trip (including driving). If you want to make it an all day activity, you could do the Cress Creek hike, then go to the Heise Hot Springs just down the road. Then if there is any time left over, you could always walk along the river or raft down it.

Here are some picture of the hike. It is really easy. Less than a mile hike round trip, and most of it is paved. Anyone can do it even if you're super out of shape and the view at the top is pretty. This was the first time I've done the hike in the daytime. I think it is prettier at night, but both are enjoyable.


The beginning: it's paved like this about halfway up, then the trail is pretty clear.

Along the trail:

View from the top (prettier at night)


Directions:
1. From the BYU-I center, follow that road (Yellowstone Highways, parallel to the freeway) towards Idaho Falls.
2. Take the first left after the traffic light towards Archer (Big Judds)
3. Drive about 15 minutes, then turn left on 10000 South
4. Drive to the very end of the road and turn right
5. About 5 minutes later, you will see a cross where someone died, then immediately after, Cress Creek is on the left.

I don't feel safe driving the road in the winter because it isn't plowed (and someone died). It's a great summer hike and if you do do it in the winter, drive slowly and safely.

Off-Roading

Not much to say about this one. Off-roading is just a fun activity to do if you own a Jeep. I love going to the dirt paths, but not so much in a truck. I use to go all the time when I had friends with Jeeps, but not anymore.

You can go off-roading almost anywhere. Just drive down HWY 33 or follow 2nd East past the sand dunes and turn off anywhere!

Ice Caves

Going to the Ice Caves was one of the coolest things that I have ever done. If you live in or around Rexburg, you have to go!

I went when I was 3 months pregnant. I wasn't sticking out, so it was fine, but the ride there wasn't fun. I get really car sick and morning sickness didn't help. To get to the cave, you have to go in an off-roading vehicle or large truck. There is no way a car can get through, but hiking to the cave is very do-able. It's only 3 miles in.

Directions:
Head North on 2nd East.
Drive about 30 miles and turn right at the 2nd cattle crossing. (I don't know what it's called. It's the thing in the middle of the road so cattle don't cross it)
It's not a real road, but you can park right there and walk in 3 miles. That's your best bet if you get really car sick or you don't have a Jeep.

Here's a couple of pictures, but it doesn't do it justice.




Dress warmly and in waterproof clothes. You will get wet and there are parts where you lay down, slide on your back, and kick your feet on the ceiling. I wouldn't take any kids under 4. Other than that, pack a lunch and make it a whole day activity!

Hidden Valley Park

There are tons of parks in Rexburg, but here is one with a huge mound, perfect for sledding, or just taking out a book and reading in the summer sun. It's large enough to play field games and there is a playground for small children. I've never seen this park crowded because it is in a small residential neighborhood. It's perfect for some alone time.

Park sign at the entrance and the children's play set.


The large, perfectly shaped dome.


Directions:
1. From campus, head north on 2nd East towards Walmart
2. Turn right on 1st North (Adam Elementary)
3. Drive past the old Madison High and turn right on Dell Drive
4. Turn right on Mill Race
5. Drive down to the end and the park is on the corner of Mill Race and Palmer Circle

Hidden Valley Loop Hike

There is a small trail behind the hospital that is less than a 2 mile round trip hike. My husband calls it a walk because it is really easy, but I call it a hike since the road isn't paved. We just found this recently walking around Rexburg. It's just fun walking around the loop because it feels like we're not trapped in little Rexburg. Here are some pictures:

This trail is actually a loop, so you can start from either end, but I recommend this side first. We took our baby in a jogging stroller. Some parts were harder than others, but it was fun. We'll take her again. I do not recommend taking a regular stroller though.

This is the entrance. If you are heading away from the BYUI campus and head north on 2nd East, turn right on 1st North (Adams Elementary). Go past the old Madison High School until the road makes a sharp left turn. Instead of going left, turn right onto Hidden Valley Road. Go all the way to the end and that is where the trail starts. Here's the sign at the entrance:



The trail:


View from the top:


Towards the end, there is a small fort. Someone actually took time putting steps up to it.


The other end of the trail.


The trail ends at the corner or Centennial Loop and Starview Drive. If you just follow Starview Drive all the way down, it dead ends into Hidden Valley Road. Turn right and you will be back where you started!

This isn't a real hiking trail, but it is fun to walk through!

Rexburg Farmer's Market

Every Friday here in Rexburg there is a farmers market! It's from 4-8PM every Friday afternoon South of the Tabernacle. A bunch of small business owners sell their goods there and tons of people go. Granted, it's the smallest farmers market I've ever seen, but it's fun to check out.

There were only a few people that were actually selling vegetables, what I usually pictures at farmers markets. Actually, the veggies looked a little overpriced, but people have to make a living somehow.

Here are actually my top three pics for reasons why people would go there. Keep in mind that there are a lot of other things that are really interesting there and worth taking a look.


Some college students sold corn on the cob that was coated in something. It wasn't my thing, but according to how many females that were walking around eating the corn stuff, it seems like they get a lot of their sales from flirting with the ladies. Despite that, my friend said that they were really good and worth mentioning.


This was just really interesting to me because I have a little baby girl and I love putting bows in her hair. Katrina Tibbitts makes hair bands, clips, and pony tail bands. Here's her website: http://www.katrinashairdoodles.com/ She doesn't have very many things up compared to what she had at the market. She said you can also e-mail her at katrinaclogirl@hotmail.com and she can special make any type of hair-doodle that you want!


This guy, I think, was the most talented out of everyone there. I thought that he bought them somewhere overseas and sold them here because all of his merchandise looked perfect. He made everything himself. He is moving soon and will no longer be selling, so it's time to go there and get something from him.

Check out the farmers market. If you don't want to spend money, just don't bring any money. It's just fun to see everything.