Pup-Inspired Adventures in Pocatello, Idaho
- Luie Boone
- Dec 7
- 9 min read
This travel spot is featured in our fifth blog series, Bowwows Belong.
Luie Boone says there's no better time than now for a pup-inspired adventure to Pocatello, Idaho!
Did you know that Pocatello is named in honor of Chief Pocatello? He was a nineteenth-century leader for the Northern Shoshone tribe. The Shoshone Indigenous tribe was one of two tribes that inhabited the area during that time. The Bannock Indigenous tribe was the other. As the leader of the Shoshone tribe, Chief Pocatello lead attacks against emigrant parties in the Utah Territory and along the Oregon Trail. He made peace with the United States government and declared that he'd end his tribes attacks against emigrant parties if they were provided compensation.
Chief Pocatello signed the 1868 Fort Bridger Treaty with then-President Andrew Johnson. This treaty established a reservation—the Fort Hall Indian Reservation along the Snake River—for the tribe to inherit and inhabit. It also promised them supplies. However, these supplies were rarely provided by the government, so the Shoshone tribe struggled with starvation.
One of Chief Pocatello's most notable actions was granting a right-of-way to extend the Utah and Northern Railway across their tribal lands. In 1884, Chief Pocatello was laid to rest in a spring, along with eighteen horses that were slaughtered and put on top of his body. On your visit to the city, you can view a statue of Chief Pocatello at the Pocatello Visiting Center.
Pocatello became known as the "Gate City," as it served as a gateway for pioneers, gold miners, and settlers to travel along the Oregon Trail to Idaho and the Pacific Northwest in search of a gold and/or a new future. The settlers who remained after the gold rush relied on agriculture to support themselves. Potatoes, grain, and other crops were their main produce product.
A vacation to Pocatello will be one filled not just history, but also beauty. The mountains, trials, and rivers there are gorgeous. It is also home to the Museum of Clean. That's right, the Museum of Clean! This museum was a created by Don Aslett, who wanted to "teach the value of clean." He amassed over 7,000 cleaning-related artifacts to display in his museum. It took Don almost 30 years to open the museum to the public in 2012, because he was a self-proclaimed fussy and innovative man.
Today, you can visit the museum and not only see those artifacts, but also the Big Don Statue—which is one of only 200 Muffler Men statues left in the world. These Muffler Men statues are giant, hollow, fiberglass statues, standing at approximately 22 feet tall! Unfortunately, dogs aren't allowed in the museum, so Luie Boone won't be able to see Big Don in person. Luie Boone's not really caring, though. That museum sounds like a nightmare. Clean? He hates being clean. And he absolutely despises vacuum cleaners. Plus, he heard there's a dog-powered washing machine in the museum? That's a big na-uh for Luie Boone. He's not about to be put to work to clean someone else's dirty laundry. Now, if it was his blankies or stuffies, it'd be a different story.
While in Pocatello, Luie Boone suggests venturing to a few other close by spots:
The city of Inkom has spectacular mountain views due to its proximity to the Bannock Mountain Range. There are 28 named mountains located within the region. Peaks include Scout Mountain and Old Tom. Luie Boone reckons he could hike to the peak of all 28 mountains. His hoomans aren't too sure about that. What they are sure about is a visit to the Inkom City Park and the Pebble Creek area in Inkom. The park offers open fields for dogs to play in. And then Pebble Creek is is an alpine ski area, so Luie Boone's hooman sister Rachel will probably be hitting the slopes there. Luie Boone will just focus on finding the best trails to stroll along—especially the ones that he doesn't have to worry about skiers yelling out PIZZA to slow down.
Chubbuck is the next city that Luie Boone suggest you visit. Just north of Pocatello, it is located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. There is a small downtown to explore and a few trails, so that your pup can get all of their necessary sniffs in. More importantly, though, is Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers! Yummy! They are a fast-food-style joint, which serves custard and steakburgers, of course! But also other tasty fiddles, such as sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, sundaes, and more. Dogs are welcome at their outdoor tables. That's exactly where you'll find Luie Boone... with some vanilla custard, obviously.
If you head south from Pocatello, you'll find the city of Blackfoot. Luie Boone cannot wait to visit this city. Why? Well, Blackfoot is known as the "Potato Capital of the World." And Luie Boone? He loves all things potato, so he'll be begging and barking to go the Idaho Potato Museum to learn more about this famous and tasty crop. And, unlike the Museum of Clean, the Idaho Potato Museum welcomes dogs inside—as long as they are leashed and well-behaved. After a trip to the museum and (a lot of) potato sniffing, Luie Boone will drag his hoomans to Jensen Grove Park and the Lava Field Trails. The park has a sand beach and artificial lake, so Luie Boone will certainly be breaking out his best sand-zoomies and cannonballs, before heading to the Lava Field Trails to explore dramatic volcanic landscapes!
Next, he recommends visit Shelley. And, no, not Shelley the person. Luie Boone doesn't even know anyone named Shelley. He's talking about the city of Shelly. Since 1927, Shelley has been home to Idaho Annual Spud Day. Luie Boone loves when we talk about potatoes, and he hopes his hoomans plan this vacation around the third Saturday of September, so that he can partake in all the fun potato-themed festivities. Shelley is also home to the North Bingham Park, where Luie Boone plans to trot around and watch his hoomans fail at fishing.
Lastly, the city of Lava Hot Springs is a must-visit. It is home to the Lava Hot Springs Hot Pools & Olympic Swimming Complex. Unfortunately, dogs aren't allowed here due to sanitary and overheating reasons. However, they do host annual "Dogapoolooza" events at the public pool for dogs to swim.
A vacation to Pocatello will certainly be a pup-inspired adventure with all the trails, rivers, lakes, and local gems to take out. But, always remember: It's the simple moments with your pup that really matters. Cherish those quiet walks and shared adventures, because you never know when it'll be your last with your furry friend.
Paws Rest Here
Luie Boone paw-selected this perfect vacation rental for your stay at Pocatello, Idaho. Check it out below!
Rental Name: Spacious Quiet Country Home
This rental has 4 bedrooms with 4 beds and 1 bath.
Photos by vrbo.com
It features the following amenities:
Ground-level, two-thousand square foot apartment
Has a private entrance in a quiet country setting
Features stunning views of surrounding mountains and valleys
Private, ground-level patio with outdoor seating
Gas and small charcoal grill
Wood patio fireplace
Puppy play land in backyard with fenced-in patio
What does Luie Boone think of this rental? He woofed:
I cannot wait to stay at the Spacious Quiet Country Home. My hoomans say it is a big, ground-level apartment. It has four bedrooms, a huge living room, a huge dining room, and tons of space for stretching out. They said there’s a full fridge for treat-watching, air conditioning for cooling off after walks, and even a ping-pong table. The private patio sounds perfect too, with rocking chairs, a grill, and an outdoor fireplace where I can nap while my humans relax and stare at the mountains and stars. The part I’m most excited for, though, is meeting the owners’ two dogs: Mojo and Rufus (also called Woofie). They live upstairs and everyone says that they’re sweet and love visiting pups. Mojo even has a fenced-in patio and yard, which sounds like the ultimate zoomies arena. I hope we can hang out, because I’ve been saving up some serious running energy. And Rufus? He sounds like the cute little sidekick who keeps an eye on everything. I can’t wait to meet him too. I can already picture it: exploring every room of the house, playing outside with Mojo and Rufus, going on long walks down country roads, then curling up beside my humans on the patio as the sun sets. I haven’t been yet, but I know this vacation is going to be pure happiness. It'll be the kind you remember long after it’s over.
Paws Venture Here
Luie Boone sniffed out and dug up these local gems for you to check out while vacationing in Pocatello, Idaho.
Edson Fichter Nature Area
The Edson Fichter Nature Area is 3.4 acres of fun in Bannock County! Here, you pup can join you on several miles of trails. Luie Boone cannot wait to sniff everything, before heading over to the 3-acre community pond for some fishing and then the sporting dog pond! He sure hopes that his hoomans catch some rainbow trout and yellow-phase banana trout. If not, Luie Boone will just have to impress them with his best and biggest cannonball ever!
Gibson Mountain
The Gibson Mountain is one of the 28 mountains found in the Bannock Mountain Range. You can take a 5.4-mile, out-and-back trail to reach the peak of the mountain! While hiking, be sure to watch out for birds. Luie Boone doesn't know too much about birds, other than that his kitty brother, Tobi, likes to chirp at them. He supposes that one of his hoomans can bring along some binoculars and a bird-watching book, so that they can spot and take pictures of some unique birds to show Tobi when they get back home.
Idaho Potato Museum
Potatoes! Surely, you remember Luie Boone barking on about the Idaho Potato Museum earlier. Guess what? He just learned that this historical museum was built inside of a former railroad depot. How cool! While at the museum, take in the history of the cultivation and harvesting of potatoes. Dogs are also welcome to join you in the gift shop or at their café—which, of course, offers a variety of potato-based snacks. Luie Boone wouldn't mind a cool potato badana to wear, and then maybe some dog-friendly potato snacks!
Sacajawea Park
Sacajawea Park is a paw-some local gem, which is nestled along the (splashable) Portneuf River. This park features a variety of well-maintained trails, with both paved paths and hidden nature trails inviting exploration. It even has a disc golf course! The park is particularly noted for its diverse wildlife—including ducks, geese, and deer. Luie Boone will have his sniffer activated and ready, so he can see what wildlife he can catch a whiff of... before he dips his paws in the river.
Lava Idaho Centennial Trail
Bring your dog and follow this trail as it climbs the hillside toward the remnants of an old molybdenum mine, or head to the large “L” set into the slope above town. The “L,” short for “Lava,” was first created in the 1930s when local students cleared vegetation and arranged stones to mark their community. In the 1960s, former students added lighting, and today the landmark is still cared for through city efforts and local volunteers.
West Fork Mink Creek
This 7.2-mile out-and-back route offers a steady, moderate climb along the West Fork of Mink Creek. Starting at the West Fork trailhead, the path winds through shaded forest and gradually works its way up to the Elk Meadows jeep road. The trail is well-traveled, mostly dirt, and includes a few rocky stretches and water bars, but nothing overly technical. May through October provides the best conditions, especially on warm days when the tree cover keeps the trail cool.
Kinport Peak
The Cusick Creek Trail offers a steady climb from the lower canyon to Kinport Peak. It begins along a creek—through juniper, maple, aspen, and fir forests—before a steep push to the ridgeline. Some stretches can feel rugged or narrow, but the effort pays off. From the summit, there's views of the Portneuf River Valley and other mountain ranges.
Bru House Galilei
Bring your furry buddy to Bru House Galilei and let them savor a pup cup while you relax at either an indoor or outdoor table. This cozy local coffeehouse serves all the favorites—espresso drinks, smoothies, teas, and a tempting selection of bagels, donuts, and other fresh baked treats. And if your dog is anything like Luie Boone, they’ll be all tail wags the moment that pup cup hits the table. It’s the most paw-some stop.
Luie Boone's Pet Peeve about
Pocatello, Idaho
There's just so much to love about this vacation destination, but there's one thing that's got Luie Boone's leash in a twist. He woofed:
My hoomans are taking me on a paw-some vacation to Pocatello, Idaho, and I can barely contain my excitement. Mountains, fresh air, brand-new smells. I’m ready for it all! But then I overheard something… something terrifying. Apparently, my hoomans plan to visit the Museum of Clean, and for a moment I thought I had to go, too. My tail froze. My stomach dropped. A whole museum full of vacuum cleaners? Tiny ones, giant ones, ancient ones—all buzzing, roaring, and ready to chase me like they do at home? No thank you! Vacuum cleaners are my worst nightmare. They growl, they zoom around the house like they own the place, and they try to swallow everything precious to me. Plus, there's a dog-powered washing machine in there? Dogs aren't supposed to power washing machines! Thankfully, I quickly learned that dogs aren’t allowed in the museum. Thank goodness! My hooman dad, Randy, can wander happily among his beloved cleaning machines (he buys a new one every couple of years, so this is basically his Disney World), and I don’t have to face the beasts. While he’s admiring vacuums, Mojo, Rufus, and I will be living our best lives, as we zoom around the backyard, sniff every corner, and soak up that crisp Pocatello air. A museum full of vacuums? Terrifying. A backyard full of friends and adventures? Puppy paradise.
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