5 Best Hiking Trails Around Rexburg
It’s time to get outdoors and enjoy the beauty all around us. Hiking is the best way to explore the great outdoors while still having fun. Living in Rexburg is perfect because there are so many different hiking trails you have access to. Whether it’s Union Falls in Yellowstone or Upper Palisades Lake in Wyoming, each hiking trail offers a different skill level with a beautiful view. Listed below are some of the best hikes around Rexburg. Make sure to check them all out!
Cress Creek Hike
Just 25 minutes outside of Rexburg is the beautiful Cress Creek Hiking Trail. This hike is short, easy and the trail is mostly paved. The trail is less than a mile round trip and has a breathtaking view at the top. Cress Creek hike is fun to do and only takes a couple of hours. Before or after doing the hike, make sure you go explore and walk along the river. There is a beautiful bridge you can walk across that takes you closer to the river. If you do this hike in the evening, hike up to the top and watch the sunset as it goes down over the river.
Location: 11894 S Snake River Rd, Rexburg, ID 83440
Difficulty Level: Easy
Packsaddle Lake
Hidden in the mountains is the beautiful Packsaddle Lake. The nice thing about Packsaddle Lake is that isn’t too far of a drive from Rexburg and it is a relatively short hike. You drive up most of the mountain trail, park at the top, and enjoy the short hike down the mountain to the lake below. Bring tubes to float in the cool water and snacks to sit out and enjoy the view. If you want to camp out or 4-wheel you can do that too. You may want to throw in some bug spray because there will be mosquitos. Enjoy the afternoon at Packsaddle Lake!
Directions: http://rexburgfun.com/packsaddle-lake-hike/
Difficulty Level: Easy
Sawtell Peak
Directions: http://rexburgfun.com/sawtell-peak/
Difficulty Level: Easy
If you’re the type of person that likes more of a ‘drive-and-see’ hike, then this is the perfect hike for you. Head towards Island Park and look for Sawtell Peak Road. Once arriving, you will find that the temperature is much colder at the top so make sure to bring jackets or blankets. The view from the top is breathtaking. Sitting on top of the mountain, you will see the mountain range that divides Idaho and Montana as well as Henry’s Lake. At the top, you are around 9900 feet above sea level and you can also see parts of Yellowstone National Park if you look out in the distance. This hike is closed from November 1st through June 1st so make sure to plan accordingly.
Upper Palisades Lake
Located about 50 miles southeast of Idaho Falls lies the Palisades Creek Trail. Start by hiking the 4 miles up to lower Palisades Lake for your first breathtaking view. Continue about 2 more miles past lower Palisades Lake and turn up Waterfall Canyon Trail to reach the Upper Palisades Lake. Once arriving, you will feel like you’re in paridise. The clear blue water will make you want to jump right in, but be aware, the water is pretty cold!
Directions: http://www.greater-yellowstone.com/Swan-Valley/palisades-creek-trail.html
Difficulty Level: Medium
Union Falls
This 15.8-mile roundtrip hike near Yellowstone National Park is stunning and well worth your time! It is the second highest waterfall in Yellowstone and the hike is really not too strenuous. Along the hike you will find many different creeks and campsites. Take a break along the hike by relaxing in Scout Pool, a natural hot spring. This is a perfect hike to break up into two days or it can be done in one. Be prepared to get wet and don’t forget the bug spray!
Directions: https://www.theoutbound.com/wyoming/backpacking/backpack-to-union-falls-and-scout-pool-yellowstone-np
Difficulty Level: Difficult
