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Pocatello is a city of about 57,000 people in southeast Idaho, where the Portneuf River flows out of the mountains onto the Snake River Plain. It grew in the 1880s as a major junction of the Union Pacific and Oregon Short Line railroads and was named after Chief Pocatello of the Shoshone, who granted the railroad a right-of-way. It is home to Idaho State University.
Downtown Pocatello has historic brick buildings from its railroad boom, along with restaurants, shops and the Museum of Clean, a quirky museum dedicated to the history of cleaning. Fort Hall Replica, a reconstruction of the 1834 fur trading post on the Oregon Trail, and the Bannock County Historical Museum share a site in Ross Park, which also has a zoo.
The Portneuf River runs through town past parks and trails, and the surrounding hills and canyons offer hiking, mountain biking and camping, including the trails of City Creek and the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. Pebble Creek ski area and Lava Hot Springs, with its natural hot pools, are a short drive south.
Pocatello's historic downtown near the railroad, with restored early 1900s buildings housing local shops, cafes, restaurants and bars, plus murals and the old Union Pacific depot. It hosts a summer farmers market and events. It is easy to walk, and the Museum of Clean is just a few blocks away.
A quirky and surprisingly fun museum in a restored building downtown, dedicated to the history of cleaning, with thousands of vacuums, washing machines, brooms and tubs, and a hands-on area for kids. It covers everything from homes to the environment. Allow about an hour; admission is modest.
The state natural history museum on the Idaho State University campus, with exhibits on fossils, including a famous mammoth and Ice Age animals, plus Native American artifacts and Idaho's geology. It is small but interesting for families. Check hours before visiting, as they may change with the school year.
A county history museum in Ross Park next to the Fort Hall Replica, with exhibits on the Shoshone-Bannock people, Oregon Trail travelers, railroads and early Pocatello life, including a historic stagecoach. Admission is modest, and a combined ticket with the fort is often available in summer.
A large city park set against dramatic basalt cliffs along the Portneuf River, home to the zoo, the Fort Hall Replica, a historical museum, an aquatic center, playgrounds and picnic areas. Upper and lower sections are linked by roads and trails. Plan a few hours to see everything, especially in summer.
A full-size replica of the 1834 fur trading post of Fort Hall, an important stop on the Oregon and California Trails, built of timber in Ross Park. Inside are rooms showing the life of traders, trappers and pioneers. It is open in the warmer months; check the season dates before going.
A small zoo in Ross Park devoted to animals native to the region, including grizzly bears, cougars, bison, elk, bighorn sheep and birds of prey, set among natural rock outcrops. It is easy to see in an hour or two and ideal for kids. The zoo is open in the warmer months, roughly spring through fall.
A network of paved and dirt trails along the Portneuf River and through Pocatello's neighborhoods, linking parks, Ross Park and Idaho State University. It is good for walking, running and biking. Some sections climb into the foothills with views over the valley; maps are posted at main trailheads.
A foothill recreation area just west of town with a large network of trails for hiking, mountain biking and trail running along a shady creek and up into juniper and sagebrush hills. It is a favorite of local riders. Trails are shared, so watch for bikes, and bring water on hot summer afternoons.
A public university on the hillside east of downtown, with the large Holt Arena dome, the Idaho Museum of Natural History and the Stephens Performing Arts Center. Visitors can walk the campus freely. The views over the city from the upper campus are good, especially at sunset in summer.
A modern performing arts center on the Idaho State University campus with a large concert hall, a theater and recital spaces, hosting the Idaho State Civic Symphony, touring shows, dance and university productions. Its acoustics are highly regarded. Check the event calendar and book ahead for big shows.
A rocky hill on the edge of the Idaho State University campus, marked with the university letter, with short trails leading to the top for views over Pocatello and the Portneuf Valley. It is a quick and popular evening hike for students and locals. Trails are steep and loose in places; wear good shoes.
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Photo: JF Hobbs, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
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Photo: JF Hobbs, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: JF Hobbs, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: JF Hobbs, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: JF Hobbs, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: JF Hobbs, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: JF Hobbs, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: JF Hobbs, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
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Photo: Jeffrey G. Backes, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
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