Cress Creek Nature Trail — Attraction in Idaho

We took a group of girls age 8-11 on this hike today. There is a small parking area and a non flush toilet at the start of the trail. The trail starts out as a paved sidewalk switch backing up the hill. It turns into a gravel path a ways in. There are benches and a few picnic tables scattered along the path and some beautiful views of the river and valley. Some parts of the path are more steep than others, but the path was well maintained, and fairly easy to traverse. The girls loved the little stream and finding the small bridges that crossed it. In the end we let them walk in an open shallow area of the stream before we left. I plan to bring my family back here (3years-adult)! Dogs are welcome on a leash and if you clean up after them. We saw a few people walking their dogs. Overall a very nice day...

Really pretty overlook views of the valley, South Fork of the Snake River. Can be really hot at times as the trail is exclusively on south-facing hillsides, but there are shaded spots along the way that are welcome. Wear sunscreen. Not a long hike, might be too difficult for elderly or really young kids though. Stroller friendly, nice trails, paved at the start. Kids really like the stream that pools up by a shaded bridge area about halfway up. At the halfway point there is an option to lengthen the hike by choosing a fork that loops further up the hill - longer and steeper, but even better views at the top. Or you can choose the fork that turns back down hill from where you came. Probably great for trail running, if I were into that sort of thing. Great, versatile, pretty trail for a...

TL:DR, First half is very easy and nice, beautiful water feature. Highly recommend.

This is a very easy and nice hike. Half of it is paved and wheel chair/stroller accessable, and leads up to a gorgeous little pond. There are tons of resting places and benches to take breaks as needed. There are even hand rails a lot of the way.

The second half of the hike is less accessible than the first, but it's also very pretty, going over bridges and more through the forest.

I highly recommend for those that may not be ready for a more intensive hike, or may have special mobility requirements. Or if you have little kids, it works great also. We usually stop at the half way point, let the kid and the dog play in the water, then go...