20 Things To Do In Rupert (Idaho)

Nestled along the Snake River, Rupert is a city in southern Idaho that doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Since Rupert is small, with its population of roughly 6,000, it’s often passed over by those driving past. However, Rupert has so much to offer.

First and foremost, the city displays its rich and unique history through its museums and historically significant buildings. If you prefer to get outdoors, Rupert and its surrounding area have plenty of attractions too. The city has several sports and nature lovers opportunities, from skiing to playing pickleball to hiking at a national monument. Having lived in Idaho for over 18 years, I’ve discovered the best attractions in the state. So, here are the top 20 things to do in Rupert.

Rupert, Idaho

20 Things To Do In Rupert, Idaho

1- Watch A Show At Historic Wilson Theatre

One of Rupert’s most iconic buildings is the Historic Wilson Theatre, located in historic Rupert Square.

Originally built in 1920 and renovated in 2000, it features original century-old art and architecture.

The theatre is on the National Register of Historic Places list.

You can catch a play, watch a show, attend a concert, or take a class at Historic Wilson Theatre.

Recent events include opera shows and Bob Ross painting classes, but there’s always something unique to do at the theatre.

Historic Wilson Theatre is at 610 Fremont Ave, Rupert, ID 83350.

2- Spend A Day At Craters Of The Moon 

As its name implies, Craters of the Moon is truly an out-of-world experience.

The vast monument and preserve cover 753,000 acres (304,728 ha) of land in the Snake River Plain, but the terrain is anything but boring.

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is a black sea of lava fields and bizarre volcanic cones, making the space look like anything but Earth.

You can picnic, hike, backpack, camp, and explore lava tubes here.

There are plenty of trails ideal for both short strolls and long treks. Plus, caves are easily accessible along the trails.

If you want to check out educational exhibits and learn about Craters of the Moon before hopping on a trail, make sure to start at the visitor centre.

It’s almost a two-hour drive from Rupert, but it’s well worth it for a day trip.

The Craters of the Moon visitor centre is at 1266 Craters Loop Road, Arco, ID 83213.

3- Swim At Rupert Swimming Pool

Recently renovated, the Rupert Swimming Pool is an outdoor facility perfect for a sunny summer day.

Everyone can enjoy the space with two pools (a kiddie pool and a regulation-sized pool).

The larger pool also has a water slide and diving boards.

Rupert Swimming Pool is at 302 S F St, Rupert, ID 83350.

4- Play Pickleball At Rupert Pickleball Courts

Rupert’s outdoor pickleball courts are less than a year old, making it a chic and relatively new destination to spend time.

Two groups of four courts, including a show court, are open and free to the public.

The courts open daily from dawn until 11 pm. Plus, the next-door MC Fitness Center has bathrooms and drinking fountains.

The Rupert Pickleball Courts are at 123 C St, Rupert, ID 83350.

5- Float The Snake River From Kane’s Kove

If you drive down a dirt road surrounded by fields of corn, you probably aren’t expecting to hear Afro-Caribbean music amidst hammocks and manicured grass.

You’ll find a day filled with relaxation, chill vibes, and good food at Kane’s Kove.

The owner, “Captain Ron”, offers a leisurely kayak float down the Snake River.

Captain Ron tells outrageous stories during the shuttle ride in his 70’s van, which ends at the Minidoka Dam.

After unloading the kayaks, expect a chill cruise down the meandering river until you reach Kane’s Kove again.

You’ll relax there and have delicious barbeque food on the patio overlooking the river.

Kane’s Kove is at 1114 E 743 N, Declo, ID 83323.

6- Visit The Haunted Mansions Of Albion

Just 23 minutes south of Rupert, await the Haunted Mansions of Albion, historic buildings that made up a long-abandoned college campus.

The experience includes access to multiple spooky buildings, such as the old Steam Plant, the Creature House, the Clown House, and the School of Chaos.

The twisting tunnels and corridors hide surprises and scares at every corner.

The Haunted Mansions of Albion are at 201 Water Tower Ln, Albion, ID 83311.

7- Golf At Ponderosa Golf Course

The city of Rupert doesn’t have its own public space for golfing, but there’s a golf course just 15 minutes away in the nearby city of Burley.

The Ponderosa Golf Course is a nine-hole par 3 layout appropriate for players of all levels.

It’s even challenging for advanced players, with plenty of hazards and fairways.

The loop is roughly 1 mile (1.6 km) long, and the holes range from 85-yard second to 213-yard ninth.

Ponderosa Golf Course is at 320 Minidoka Ave #3491, Burley, ID 83318.

8- Hike To Cache Peak

Cache Peak is the Albion mountain range’s highest point and the highest peak south of the Snake River.

Although the peak offers stunning views of a natural panorama, getting to the top is no easy feat.

The journey begins with a 5.5-mile (8.9 km) hike to the saddle between Cache Peak and Independence Peak.

From the saddle, adventurers must scramble up 1,000 feet (305 m) of terrain to get to Cache Peak.

You can appreciate Independence Peak, the Independence Lakes, the Castle Rocks, and vast forests and fields.

If you’re up for the challenge, start the hike at the eastern end of N Carson Spur, roughly 95 minutes south of Rupert.

9- Fish At Lake Walcott State Park

Lake Walcott, located just 12 miles (19.3 km) from Rupert, is an oasis in Idaho’s high desert.

The water is excellent for swimming, boating, and fishing.

There’s a variety of fish to catch at Lake Walcott, including smallmouth and largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, and rainbow trout.

You’ll enjoy a day or a few at Lake Walcott with campsites, cabins, grassy and picnic areas.

Lake Walcott State Park is at 959 Minidoka Dam Rd, Rupert, ID 83350.

10- See Shoshone Falls

Shoshone Falls is perhaps one of southern Idaho’s most popular attractions, drawing visitors from Boise and across the state.

Nicknamed the “Niagara of the West”, Shoshone Falls towers over the Snake river at a whopping 212 feet (65 m).

At 900 feet (274 m) wide, it’s one of the largest natural waterfalls in the U.S. and is taller than the famous Niagara Falls.

Shoshone Falls is a 45-minute drive from Rupert at 4155 Shoshone Falls Grade, Twin Falls, ID 83301.

11- Visit City Of Rocks National Reserve

Feeling up for an adventure?

The City of Rocks National Reserve features unusual geographic features, including arches, panholes and xenoliths.

The rock formations create a magnificent landscape home to ecosystems brimming with fascinating flora and fauna.

City of Rocks is great for hikers, campers, hunters, and rock climbers.

Given the wildlife, it’s also an excellent destination for checking out animals.

You can spot 180 species of birds among the trees, moose, and several lizards, among other creatures.

Head to the visitor centre to learn about the area and plan your day.

The City of Rocks visitor centre is at 3035 Elba-Almo Road, Almo, ID 83312.

12- Take The Kids To Big Valley Ball Park

If you’re in Rupert with kids, take them to Big Valley Ball Park.

The four-plex softball field features batting cages often used for little league games. But, if there’s not a tournament happening, you can always bring the kids to play baseball or softball.

Or, watch a little league tournament and grab a bite from concessions with the family.

Big Valley Ball Park is near Rupert Elementary School, at 202 18th St, Rupert, ID 83350.

13- Check Out The Caboose Botanical Garden

Fond of plants? The Caboose Botanical Garden, just 13 minutes from the centre of Rupert, is small but worth a visit.

Amidst the high desert plants and colourful flowers is the garden’s star of the show: the caboose of a Union Pacific train.

On the side of the caboose, there’s a vast map with information about the Oregon Trail. It’s both a unique and educational garden!

Caboose Botanical Garden is in Burley, Idaho, off Interstate 30, next to Freedom Park.

14- Watch A Rodeo At Minidoka County Fair

Every summer, the Minidoka County Fair and Rodeo offers country fun for the whole family.

From multiple kinds of rodeos to concerts to displays, the fair has attractions for days.

The rodeos include the Grandma Queen, the Junior Rodeo, Rodeo Royalty, and Mutton Bustin’.

There are plenty of special country treats, including goodies at the dutch oven cobbler, ice cream social, and freshly baked pies.

Unlike most fairs, the Minidoka County Fair offers free gate entry and parking, so don’t miss out!

The Minidoka County Fair and Rodeo is at 85 East Baseline Road, Rupert, ID 83350.

15- Picnic At Neptune Park

Neptune Park is arguably the best place in Rupert for picnicking.

The park has four reservable covered pavilions with picnic tables, making it an excellent spot for groups or families.

Lush green grass and trees ensure that the park is a relaxing destination.

There are also tennis courts, horseshoe pits, basketball courts, a playground, and a nine-hole disc golf course, so there’s plenty to do before or after a picnic lunch.

Neptune Park is at the intersection of S 3rd St and E St, Rupert, ID 83350.

16- Play In An Airsoft Tournament At Air Combat Battlefield

This airsoft course is a recreation centre perfect for an adrenaline rush. It features bunkers, buildings, towers, a fake helicopter, and more.

Air Combat Battlefield offers weekend games and special events, but if you can’t make one of them, you can also rent the space for a private party.

Equipment rentals are offered, too.

Air Combat Battlefield is at 1050 E 5th St, Burley, ID 83318.

17- See Wildlife At Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge

The Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge is an 80-mile (129-km) section of the Lake Walcott shoreline dedicated to protecting wildlife and wildlife habitats.

There are activities to keep you busy while visiting, as long as they don’t disturb the wildlife.

The refuge includes many trails for spotting animals such as mule deer, pronghorn, beavers, porcupines, and bats.

Rarer animals include bobcats, otters, moose, elk, and cougars.

There are many songbirds, and visitors can get a checklist of songbirds from the refuge centre.

The best time is at sunrise or sunset when the animals are either just waking up or heading off to bed.

The Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge is at 961 Minidoka Dam Rd, Rupert, ID 83350.

18- Visit The Minidoka County Historical Society Museum

The Minidoka County Historical Society Museum, located near the fairgrounds, contains interesting artifacts and attractions that provide insight into many historical periods.

The museum features more than 600 jars and bottles, a wave machine, and wooden carts used by firemen in the past.

There are candies and syrups from an early 1900’s confectionary, Native American artefacts, and prehistoric bones.

Informational exhibits cover World War II German POW camps and Japanese relocation camp history.

Admission to the museum is free, so don’t miss out!

The Minidoka County Historical Society Museum is at 99 E Baseline Rd, Rupert, ID 83350.

19- Ski At Magic Mountain Ski Resort

Magic Mountain is a fantastic resort for those visiting Rupert during the winter.

The recreation area covers 120 acres (49 ha) and includes 11 skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and tubing trails.

The trails cater to a range of fitness levels from beginner to advanced, making Magic Mountain great for all ages and abilities. And, if you don’t have your own equipment, you can always rent it there.

Magic Mountain Ski Resort is at Forest Road 499, Kimberly, ID 83341.

20- Check Out Rupert Square Historic District

On the National Register of Historic Places, Rupert Square is one of the city’s most accessible yet important places to check out.

Many buildings in the square date back to the early 20th century and were built with brick.

Despite a fire in 1910, the district is mostly intact and features unique architecture.

Buildings include gorgeous large windows, decorative brick keystones, and flat brick archways.

I recommend reading about the historic district while visiting to get a taste of what each building was used for over a century ago.

Rupert Square Historic District is located in the centre of Rupert and has the rough boundaries of F Street, 5th Street, E Street, and 7th Street.