Take an easy hike along Mogensen Trail in Twin Falls, Idaho to see the Snake River and for the best place to watch the BASE jumpers from under Perrine Bridge.
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When my family and I visited Twin Falls, Idaho in the summer of 2020, we were mostly looking for a new place to get outside and explore. At the time, I was 28 weeks pregnant with baby #4 so we were limited to activities that were easy for me but still entertaining for the kids and we found plenty to do. My kids still talk about visiting the Shoshone Ice Caves. Before we left Twin Falls, we fit one last hike in: Mogensen Trail.
About Mogensen Trail
Mogensen Trail is a 2.2 miles out-and-back trail, following the Snake River and going under the Perrine Bridge. On this trail you’ll see a lot of small waterfalls and plenty of places to explore. If you go when it’s warmer, you’re likely to see BASE jumpers hopping off the Perrine Bridge and landing in a field that is right near the end of the trail. A lot of the trail is shaded and there are some areas to pull up a rock and take a drink or eat a snack. No bathrooms are available at the trailhead or along the trail. You would need to go to Centennial Park to use their facilities.
One of the great things about this hike is that it’s only about 10 minutes off the freeway. So if you are driving through Southern Idaho and need to stretch your legs, this is the perfect place to do it.
Directions to Mogensen Trail
The Mogensen Trail trailhead is located in Twin Falls, Idaho, off of Canyon Springs Drive on the way to Centennial Park. Parking is off to the side in a dirt area and easy to see as you turn the last corner before reaching Centennial Park. There is a sign that tells you that you’re at the right place. Walk down the trail until you get to a large rock and a fork in the trail. Go left. From there, follow the trail as far as you want to go before turning around.
The easiest way to get there is to put “Mogensen Trail Twin Falls” into your GPS. As mentioned above, it is only about 10-12 minutes off the freeway from I-84. There are also a lot of restaurants in the area if you are looking for a place to grab food before or after your hike.
Can my kids hike Mogensen Trail?
Yes! At the time of our visit, we had a 2, 6 and 8 year old. There were a few spots where my husband carried our 2 year old due to the unevenness of the trail in some areas or small foot bridges so she wouldn’t fall.
Is Mogensen Trail stroller and wheelchair accessible?
No. It is a well worn dirt trail but there is a set of stairs and some rockier spots that would make it impossible to take a stroller or wheelchair on this trail. However, you could definitely take your child in a hiking backpack if they are too small to walk the trail themselves.
What footwear is best for hiking Mogensen Trail?
As a standard, tennis shoes are the preferred footwear for hiking. The trail is dusty when dry and can get muddy in areas where small waterfalls and dripping water run next to the trail. Additionally, there are some places that are uneven or rocky and tennis shoes will provide more support and stability. (My husband made the mistake of wearing flip flops and by the time we got back to the car he was wishing he’d made a different choice.)
How long does it take to hike Mogensen Trail?
The hike took us between 1-1.5 hours from start to finish. According to AllTrails.com, they say it takes an average of 51 minutes to complete the hike. Obviously how long it takes you will vary depending on a few factors:
- the ages and abilities of those hiking
- if you decide to stay and watch the BASE jumpers
- how busy the trail is
- how many stops you take for drink/snack breaks
What should I know about the BASE jumpers on the trail?
Towards the end of the trail, there is a large open area. This is where the BASE jumpers land after jumping off the Perrine Bridge. Keep in mind that while they do have some control over where they land, you definitely want to stay out of their way to avoid getting hurt.
The day we went, there were about 15 jumpers and we had an amazing view watching them deploy their parachute and land. We watched from a spot just to the east of the bridge but you could also go a little farther up the trail to get a different point of view.
Is BASE jumping off the Perrine Bridge legal?
Yes. The Perrine Bridge is the only bridge in the United States where BASE jumping is allowed year round without a permit.
I hope you found this information about Mogensen Trail in Twin Falls, Idaho helpful in planning your hike!
