Elm Grove Park
Rate this placeNearby: Mccauley Park Camels Back Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Elm Grove Park is a beautiful park located in the city of Idaho Falls, Idaho.
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Summary
It is a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike. The park is known for its stunning natural beauty, offering visitors breathtaking views of the nearby Snake River. In the park, visitors can find a variety of things to see and do, including walking and biking trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, and more.
One of the main attractions of Elm Grove Park is its stunning scenery. The park offers stunning views of the Snake River and the surrounding mountains, making it a popular spot for photographers and nature enthusiasts. Visitors can also take advantage of the park's many hiking and biking trails, which offer a chance to explore the park's natural beauty up close.
Another point of interest in Elm Grove Park is the Japanese Friendship Garden. This beautiful garden is a gift from Idaho Falls' sister city, Tokai-Mura, Japan. It features a variety of traditional Japanese elements, including Zen rock gardens, a koi pond, and a tea house.
For those interested in history, Elm Grove Park is also home to the Museum of Idaho. This fascinating museum explores the rich history of the state of Idaho, with exhibits on everything from prehistoric animals to the Lewis and Clark expedition.
The best time of year to visit Elm Grove Park depends on what you're looking for. In the summer months, the park is bustling with activity, with plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation. However, if you're looking for a quieter, more peaceful experience, the spring and fall months are ideal. Winter is also a great time to visit, as the park offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails.
Overall, Elm Grove Park is a must-visit destination in Idaho. With its stunning natural beauty, fascinating history, and wide range of activities, it offers something for everyone.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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