Shoshone Ice Caves

Shoshone, Idaho
Out in the blasted, treeless region that brought you Craters of the Moon National Monument lies Shoshone Ice Caves. Visitors are greeted by a looming dinosaur statue, ridden by a hairy caveman. A three-story high Native American, Chief Wasakie, known for his friendliness to the White Man, watches your car while you take the tour.
Grab one of the courtesy coats -- it's chilly underground. In the gift shop, vintage postcards of a little girl ice skating point out that "even if the outside temperature reads over 100 degrees," the cave remains a chilly 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
Head out the back of the gift shop down the rocky trail to the cave. But first grab one of the "courtesy coats" -- several dozen tattered jackets beyond Goodwill donation status, nonetheless warm enough for the excursion. On your way into the crater, you pass statues of prehistoric peoples -- "Ice Cavemen."
Crazed overdevelopment and a poorly placed access tunnel melted the entire cave in the early 1940s. The Robinson family acquired the land in the 1950s. Russell Robinson studied the caverns, charted the air flow through the passages, and restored its icy state in 1962. Note, though, that the door into the cave must be kept shut during the summer, or the whole place may melt.
After passing through the door in the sinkhole, you follow several hundred yards of wooden walkway a few inches above the ice. Yesteryear's elf dioramas have been removed, and there's not a sign of the ice skating girl. It is quiet, barren, and cold.
Shoshone ice caves makes no claim to being beautiful in the manner of its more grandiose commercial peers, such as Luray or Carlsbad. Its sole attraction is the weird ice thing, and the relative scarcity of kid-friendly stops out here.
Legend has it that the Indian Princess Edahow was buried in the ice-mass within the cave, and waits patiently to reemerge. Let's hope some summer temp guide doesn't forget to close the door.
Shoshone Ice Caves:1561 N. Hwy. 75, Shoshone, ID[Show Map] Directions: Hwy. 75, 17 mi. N of Shoshone.Hours: May-Sep. Daily 8 am - 8 pm.Phone: 208-886-2058

Local Shoshone Idaho Businesses

Valley Coop (208) 886-2253Valley Coop Web Site
Shoshone Snack BarShoshone Snack Bar Web Site
Shoshone Family Medical CenterShoshone Family Medical Center Web Site
Lee's AutomotiveLee's Automotive Web Site
Outdoor PowerOutdoor Power Web Site
Bozzuto FurnitureBozzuto Home Appliance.com
G & H Ace HardwareG & H Ace Hardware Web Site
Sun Valley Properties & InsuranceSun Valley Properties & Insurance

Shoshone Services

Services provided by the City of Shoshone are as follows. For questions, please call 886-2030.
City Hall - Phone (208) 886-2030 *** Fax 886-2426*** shocity@shoshonecity.com Administrative Services City Council Meetings 1st & 3rd Tuesdays 7:00 p.m. Agenda Mayor J R Churchman Council Kenneth Haught Dale Sluder Jann Thomsen Dam Pierson City Clerk Mary Kay Bennett Deputy Clerk Dena Mabbutt Bill Collection Notary Service
Planning & Zoning Phone (208) 886-2030 Building Permits required Flood Insurance Rate Maps P&Z Meetings last Tuesday of each month 7:00 p.m. Chairman Ivan Hopkins P&Z Members Dan Woodhouse Doug Earhart Jerry Wallace Bud Andrew Robert Lewin Secretary Dena Mabbutt
Police Non emergency #886-2030 Emergency 911 Dispatch #886-2036 Police Chief Robert Quiroga
Streets Street and bridge maintenance provided by the City Crew.
Library 886-2843 Hours 10 - 5 most days open Wednesday evenings Computer service (internet service available) Reading programs Story Hours
Recreation Baseball for all ages - Contact Tony Bozzuto for more information Lincoln County Swimming Pool - 886-2141 (Open May-August) Skate Board Park Tennis Courts
Irrigation City Ditch information or Ditch Rider
Sanitation Sanitation service provided by the City. Containers are provided by the City. For rates or information call City Hall at 886-2030.
Water Water and infrastructure provided by the City. For rates or information, please call City Hall at 886-2030.Click here for an application for services.
Sewer Sewer service is provided by the City. For rates or information, please call City Hall at 886-2030.

WELCOME TO SHOSHONE, IDAHO!!!

Gateway to Idaho's High Desert, the Sawtooth Mountains wilderness and famed Sun Valley Resort.
Shoshone is located in Central Idaho at the junction of U.S. Highway 93, 26 and scenic State Highway 75. Just 23 miles north of Twin Falls and 75 miles to the famed Sun Valley Resort.
The town is a small friendly rural area, where agriculture is the main economical base and a gateway leading to many natural wonders such as: Shoshone Ice Caves, Mammoth Caves, Craters of the Moon, Malad Gorge, 1000 Springs Scenic Route, Natural Hot Springs, Fossil Beds, City of Rocks, Balanced Rock, Oregon Trail, Shoshone Falls, Snake River Canyon and much more! Such as the many State Parks, Museums, Ski Resorts, Lakes, Rivers and Dams. The outlets to scenic sites, tours and a variety of activities for everyone!
The town provides Summer Events throughout the summer, City Park on the banks of the Little Wood River, Lodging, R.V. Parks, Restaurants, Service Stations, Stores and other businesses to accommodate your needs. Visit Shoshone, the town that brings you to the High Desert and takes you to the beautiful Sawtooth Mountains!