Thousand Springs State Park
| Thousand Springs State Park | |
| Idaho State Park | |
 | |
| Country |  United States |
|---|---|
| State |  Idaho |
| County | Gooding |
| Location | Hagerman |
| - elevation | 2,800 ft (853 m) |
| - coordinates | 42°51′28″N 114°52′35″W / 42.85778°N 114.87639°WCoordinates: 42°51′28″N 114°52′35″W / 42.85778°N 114.87639°W |
| Area | 1,500 acres (607 ha) |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Management | Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation |
| IUCN category | V - Protected Landscape/Seascape |
  Location of Thousand Springs State Park in Idaho
| |
Thousand Springs State Park is a state park of Idaho, USA, comprising 5 units in the Hagerman Valley. In 2005 as part of a master planning process, it was decided to combine 4 existing state parks under a single new entity.[1] A fifth unit has since been added. The units as they currently stand are Billingsley Creek, Earl M. Hardy Box Canyon Springs Nature Preserve, Malad Gorge, Niagara Springs, and Ritter Island.[2]
Billingsley Creek
This former ranch was purchased by the state in 2001.[2] One feature is the homesite of western author Vardis Fisher.[1] Billingsley Creek Unit totals 286 acres (116 ha).[3]
Earl M. Hardy Box Canyon Springs Nature Preserve
This 350-acre (140 ha) box canyon has 250-foot-high (76 m) walls. At its head is the eleventh-largest spring in North America, gushing 180,000 US gallons (680,000 L) per minute.[3] There is a 20-foot (6.1 m) waterfall.[2] This 350-acre (140 ha) property is in development and is co-managed with The Nature Conservancy.[4]
Malad Gorge
Malad Gorge is a 250-foot-deep (76 m) canyon formed by the Malad River, downstream from a 60-foot (18 m) waterfall. This 652-acre (264 ha) day-use-only unit is just off Interstate 84 and offers hiking and picnicking. A section of the Oregon Trail is visible.[2] Rock pigeons, red-tailed hawks and golden eagles nest in the canyon. Yellow-bellied marmots are found on the canyon floor.
Niagara Springs
Proclaimed a National Natural Landmark, this area borders the Snake River and features sheer basalt cliffs 350 feet (110 m) high.[3] There are 179 acres (72 ha) in two parcels, acquired in 1971 and 1976.[3]
Ritter Island
This unit lies along the Snake River between two large springs.[2]
References
- 1 2 Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (August 2006). "Thousand Springs State Park Master Plan, Chapter 1" (PDF). Retrieved 2001-03-04.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. "Thousand Springs State Park". Retrieved 2001-03-04.
- 1 2 3 4 Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (August 2006). "Thousand Springs State Park Master Plan, Chapter 3" (PDF). Retrieved 2001-03-04.
- ↑ Idaho Division of Tourism Development. "Earl M. Hardy Box Canyon Springs Nature Preserve". Retrieved 2011-03-04.
External links
- Thousand Springs State Park
- Lamb, M. P.; Dietrich, W. E.; Aciego, S. M.; Depaolo, D. J.; Manga, M. (2008). "Formation of Box Canyon, Idaho, by Megaflood: Implications for Seepage Erosion on Earth and Mars". Science 320 (5879): 1067–70. doi:10.1126/science.1156630. PMID 18497296.