Pillar Falls is a 20-foot series of cascades on the Snake River in Idaho, where the river splits around tall rhyolite pillars in its canyon just outside Twin Falls, Twin Falls County. It sits in the same stretch of canyon as Shoshone Falls, and the usual way to reach it is by kayak.
The falls
The falls form a segmented gradual cascade where the Snake drops a total of about 20 feet over roughly a tenth of a mile, in steps that are mostly 2 to 4 feet high between free-standing pillars of volcanic rock. Irrigation diversions and upstream hydropower take much of the river, leaving the falls with less flow than their natural state.
Getting there
River-level access is typically by kayak or boat from Centennial Waterfront Park, a paddle of about 2 miles to the portage site. Paddlers continuing toward Shoshone Falls portage on the south side. Overland routes from Pole Line Road cross private property, making the river route the reliable option without explicit owner permission. From above, the falls can be viewed from the Snake River Canyon Rim Trail and from parks on the Jerome side. After a quagga mussel treatment from August 27 to September 16, 2026, state agricultural officials confirmed no active river closures remained in effect as of September 18.
When to go
Strongest flow occurs in spring and early summer after snowmelt. Lower summer water exposes the volcanic rock formations and pools, whereas high water makes exploring among the rocks hazardous.
On site
Swimming is prohibited due to powerful undercurrents, and boaters should wear a life jacket when paddling above the drops. In 2022 a 31-year-old man drowned after becoming trapped in the main chute.
History and name
The falls take their name from the rhyolite pillars that split the river channel. In 1919 engineer R. M. Murray, while building the Hansen Bridge, proposed a 1,143-foot toll suspension bridge between Shoshone Falls and Pillar Falls estimated at $350,000, though the span was never built.
Nearby
Mary Alice Falls is about 0.6 mile away, Shoshone Falls about 1.6 miles, Bridal Veil Falls about 1.8 miles and Perrine Coulee Falls about 2.1 miles. The town of Twin Falls is about 2.9 miles away.
Distances are straight-line.