Can you reserve a site at Swan Falls Picnic Area?

No. Swan Falls Picnic Area is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Swan Falls Picnic Area, Idaho — sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Swan Falls Dam is on the Snake River about 40 miles south of Boise. It was built in 1901 to provide electricity to nearby mines in the Owyhee Mountains. Swan Falls is the oldest hydroelectric generating site on the Snake River. Idaho Power built a new power plant in the mid-1990s. The old plant is now a museum.

The museum is open to the public, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday between April 15 and Labor Day. Tours at other times may be arranged in advance by contacting Idaho Power by email - csorensen@idahopower.com. Scheduling tours outside open hours requires at least one week prior notice.

The park adjacent to the dam is day-use only, but there are many free camping areas above and below the dam.

Boating on the Snake River:
Motorized craft can navigate with caution between Swan Falls Dam and Celebration Park. A developed launch site is located below the dam. Non-motorized or float boats can be also be launched from Swan Falls Dam. This stretch of the river contains two Class II rapids and makes a nice day trip for rafters or experienced canoeists. The river slows considerably between Celebration Park and Walter's Ferry. No commercial shuttle services are available.

Getting there

From I84 take exit 44. Travel approximately 7 miles south on S. Meridian Road continue left for 1 mile on E. Avalon. Turn south on Swan Falls Road and travel approximately 20 south to Swan Falls Dam.

43.24245, -116.37631 · 43°14'32.8"N 116°22'34.7"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 95°F in Jul, down to 42°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	42	49	59	66	75	84	95	93	83	68	52	42
Low °F	26	29	36	41	50	57	65	63	53	42	31	26
Precip in	0.9	0.6	0.8	0.8	1.3	0.6	0.2	0.2	0.3	0.6	0.8	0.9

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 0.1 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

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From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

Common questions about Swan Falls Picnic Area

Can you reserve a site at Swan Falls Picnic Area?: No. Swan Falls Picnic Area is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Swan Falls Picnic Area

Lucky Peak Lake Tours and Programs 25.4 mi · Tickets · we watch it
Dedication Point Overlook 2.5 mi · Facility
Halverson Bar/Lake 6.8 mi · Facility
Hemingway Butte OHV Trailhead 14.5 mi · Facility
Silver City Campground 23.9 mi · Campground
Three Point Mountain Trailhead 29 mi · Facility
Cove at CJ Strike Reservoir 30.3 mi · Facility
8th Street Trailhead 30.5 mi · Facility
Lower Hull's Gulch Trailhead 30.5 mi · Facility
Miller Gulch Trailhead 31.4 mi · Facility
Bender Creek Trailhead 32.2 mi · Facility
Hulls Gulch Interpretive Trail 32.3 mi · Facility

Contact

Phone 208-384-3300
Info Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-25.

Swan Falls Picnic Area