Cress Creek Nature Trail, Idaho

This interpretive trail in eastern Idaho has lots of opportunities for learning about nature.

Photos from Bureau of Land Management
Designated as a National Recreation Trail in 2005

Cress Creek Nature Trail is a self-guided interpretative trail that highlights the unique natural characteristics of eastern Idaho. The 18 interpretative signs discuss topics ranging from the geologic features that can be seen from the trail such as volcanoes, to the vegetation found in the surrounding wet and dry environments.

	Cress Creek Nature Trail provides access to a variety of habitats.

During a visit to Cress Creek Nature Trail you may see deer, moose, rabbits, small lizards, and eagles. While traveling through dryer desert environments along the trail, the expansive cottonwood forests are easily viewed below along the South Fork of the Snake River.

The trail services a wide variety of users, with wheelchair accessibility for the first half mile and steeper slope closer to the top of the mountain loop. Tables and benches are located throughout the trail in order for visitors to sit and enjoy the scenery, read the interpretative signs, or even break for a snack.

	View of the Snake River from the trail

These educational interpretative signs accompanied by the fabulous opportunity to experience the beauty of eastern Idaho attract a broad audience. The trail attracts many local visitors as well as BYU geology students and hundreds of grade school children.

It is not surprising that many students visit the trail since the idea of an interpretive educational trail was first proposed to the BLM by school teachers from the local town of Ririe. The BLM state office is currently developing an interactive website for Cress Creek to assist in the learning process for students.

The National Recreation Trails Program
American Trails, P.O. Box 491797, Redding, CA 96049-1797 • (530) 547-2060 • Fax: (530) 547-2035 • nrt@americantrails.org • www.AmericanTrails.org

Enter the 2007 Photo contest for National Recreation Trails

Great Allegheny Passage (photo by Maryi Shaw)

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