Cress Creek Nature Trail
Rexburg, Idaho
Address: | 11761-11895 S Snake River Rd, Rexburg, ID 83440, USA |
GPS: |
43°39'33.2"N 111°43'5.7"W Maps | Directions |
State: | Idaho |
Trails/Routes: | 0.3-0.6 mi |
Hike
Meandering along the scenic South Fork of the Snake River, the beautiful 1¼ mile Cress Creek Nature Trail will lead you on a journey through sagebrush-grass communities, over juniper covered slopes, and along a lush perennial creek. Cress Creek derives its name from the watercress plant, a favorite food of the moose that live in this area. With clear skies, prepare for an expansive view of the Snake River, volcanoes and farmland. The site offers ample parking, restrooms and trail accessibility, which attract a wide spectrum of trail users to the area. You will become familiar with life in the Cress Creek area as it is now and as it was long ago. If you hike quietly you may see deer, rabbits, small lizards, or possibly an eagle or a moose. The nature trail is self-guided with many beautiful interpretive signs posted along the way to assist you. The first half-mile of the trail is accessible by wheelchair.
On the northeastern corner of the trail, there's an overlook trail. Parts of it are pretty nice like the rest of the loop but some is barely recognizable as a trail. Parts of the trail are steep and parts of it go over some pretty loose rock. It goes for about a ½ mile all the way to the top of the hill. Just below the rim, there are several really cool caves. From the top, you can see from Rexburg to Idaho Falls.
Mapped Route/Trail Distances
Paved Trail | 0.4 miles |
Loop Trail | 0.6 miles |
Ridge Trail | 0.3 miles |
More Information
Add ResourceBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read MoreDirections
From Rexburg, Idaho
- Head south on S 3rd W toward W 2nd S (0.4 mi)
- Turn right onto W 4th S (0.3 mi)
- Continue onto S Yellowstone HwyPass by McDonald's (on the left in 1.1 mi)(2.0 mi)
- Turn left onto S 2000 W/
Archer Rd Continue to follow S 2000 W(5.3 mi) - Continue onto W 7800 S (2.4 mi)
- Slight right (0.1 mi)
- Continue onto S 600 E (1.2 mi)
- Turn left onto E 9000 S (0.6 mi)
- Turn right onto S Snake River Rd (0.8 mi)
- Keep left (0.1 mi)
- Continue straight onto S Snake River Rd (0.3 mi)
- Continue straight to stay on S Snake River RdDestination will be on the left(2.2 mi)
From Idaho Falls, take Hwy 26 northeast towards Ririe, follow the signs to Heise. Turn left onto the gravel road and go 1¼ miles to a small parking area with a Cress Creek sign and restroom.
katiemia
9/10/16 2:24 pmshelton4e
6/24/15 9:28 amendovereric
5/30/15 8:52 amendovereric
6/16/13 10:56 pmTrails
Distance ?
0.4 milesElevation Gain ?
133 feetReal Ascent ?
159 feetReal Descent ?
26 feetAvg Grade (4°)
7%Grade (-19° to 36°)
-35% to 74%Distance ?
0.6 milesReal Ascent ?
180 feetReal Descent ?
180 feetGrade (-20° to 24°)
-37% to 45%Distance ?
0.3 milesElevation Gain ?
420 feetReal Ascent ?
424 feetReal Descent ?
4 feetAvg Grade (17°)
31%Grade (-4° to 33°)
-8% to 65%Elevation differences are scaled for emphasis. While the numbers are accurate, the cut-away shown here is not to scale.
Other Hiking Trails Nearby
Herbert Idaho Ghost Town
Ririe, Idaho
4.5 miles NECLOSED. Private property marked NO TRESPASSING. Herbert is a small ghost town that was operated until the 40s, but with the invention of the automobile, it was much more convenient to live in Rexburg...
Hike 3.8 miStinking Springs
Ririe, Idaho
4.9 miles SEStinking Springs is a great early to late season trail. Being at the edge of the Big Hole range, it gets spring earlier and winter later than other trails in the range. It's closed from December...
Hike, Mountain Bike 3.8 miKelly Mountain Trail
Ririe, Idaho
5.6 miles EKelly Canyon Trail is a moderate, uphill trail that can be used by hikers, mountain bikers, and ATV riders. The trail features views of hills, mountains, trees, wildflowers, and some wildlife. Dogs...
Cross-country Ski, Hike, Mountain Bike, Snowshoe 1.7 miBuckskin Morgan Ridge
Ririe, Idaho
6.2 miles ECLOSED. This land is owned and managed by the US Forest Service and is not designated for use. As of July 2024, being caught mountain biking on this trail could recieve up to a $5000 fine and a...
Hike, Mountain Bike 1.1 miHidden Vista / Pine Loop
Ririe, Idaho
6.2 miles ECLOSED. This land is owned and managed by the US Forest Service and is not designated for use. As of July 2024, being caught mountain biking on this trail could recieve up to a $5000 fine and a...
Hike, Mountain BikePoison Flats
Ririe, Idaho
6.4 miles EHike near Ririe, Idaho
Hike 0.5-3.5 miWebster's Dam
Ririe, Idaho
6.5 miles NEAlso known as Manmade Falls or the Woodmansee Dam, Webster Dam is an abandoned dam located deep in Moody Creek canyon, the dam was abandoned when sediment built up behind the dam which then...
Camp, Hike, Mountain Bike 0.6-2.2 miFish Creek Area
Ririe, Idaho
7.7 miles ECLOSED. This land is owned and managed by the US Forest Service and is not designated for use. As of July 2024, being caught mountain biking on this trail could recieve up to a $5000 fine and a...
Hike, Mountain Bike 1.0-1.3 miLorenzo Bridge
Rexburg, Idaho
9.0 miles NWThis is the old site of the Lorenzo Boat Launch, which has moved to the other side of the river a little further downstream. This spot sees very little traffic. There are beautiful, yet...
Airsoft, Hike, PaintballLorenzo Boat Ramp
Rigby, Idaho
9.7 miles NWHike and Kayak near Rigby, Idaho
Hike, Kayak 0.1-2.3 miHidden Valley Trails
Rexburg, Idaho
11.5 miles NRight on the edges of town outside of the Hidden Valley subdivision, you'll find this fun little set of trails that's pretty good for mountain bikes. It is mostly a dirt bike...
Hike, Mountain Bike 0.1-0.5 miEagle Park
Rexburg, Idaho
12.8 miles NEagle Park is a little urban oasis. Once you drive in to this cottonwood forest along the river, you may forget that you're still inside Rexburg city limits. You can camp, picnic, throw rocks in...
Camp, Hike, Mountain Bike, SledBurns Canyon
Ririe, Idaho
13.0 miles EHike and Mountain Bike near Ririe, Idaho
Hike, Mountain Bike 0.6-2.0 miNorth Menan Butte ('R' Mountain)
Menan, Idaho
16.1 miles NWThe North Menan Butte is more commonly known to the locals and college students as R Mountain. Many kids know it better as Ou'R' Mountain. The butte is a rare and unique geological area and provides...
Camp, Cave, Hike 1.0-7.5 miIdaho Falls Greenbelt
Idaho Falls, Idaho
19.7 miles SWThe Idaho Falls Greenbelt is one of Idaho Falls charms located in the heart of Idaho Falls, next to the historic Idaho Falls downtown. The paved foot-trail is approximately 6 miles around,...
Hike 0.6 miPacksaddle Lake
Tetonia, Idaho
20.5 miles NEPacksaddle is one of the less well known lakes/trails in the area. If you've got a good offroad vehicle, you can probably make it all the way to the end of the road, otherwise, it's just an...
Dive, Hike, Mountain Bike, Snowshoe, SwimHenry's Fork Green Way (St. Anthony Green Belt)
Saint Anthony, Idaho
20.9 miles NThis is a great walk along the river. While it is nestled right next to the highway, the closeness and beauty of the river flowing on the other side of the trail more than make up for it. Halfway...
Hike 2.1-2.3 miMarket Lake Wildlife Management Area
Roberts, Idaho
22.5 miles WMallards, Canada geese, canvasbacks, cinnamon and green-winged teal, northern shovelers and ruddy ducks are common waterfowl species nesting and raising broods on the WMA. Several thousand...
Hike, HorsebackFall Creek Falls
Swan Valley, Idaho
22.8 miles SEFalls Campground is located next to the Snake River near beautiful Swan Valley, only 45 miles east of Idaho Falls, Idaho. Mixed growth cottonwood trees provide partial shade, and grassy meadows with...
Camp, Cave, Hike, Kayak, Swim 0.1 mi40 Horse Cave
Firth, Idaho
28.6 miles SWThe naming of the cave comes from a story of two men who were caught in a bad storm. Upon hiking, these two guys were able to find the cave. One of them commented to the other, "This cave could...
Cave, HikeNearby Campsites
Twin Bridges Park
Rexburg, Idaho
2.5 miles WTwin Bridges is a campground 12 miles South East of Rexburg on S. 600 E. It is maintained by Madison County Parks Department. It is a 27 acre park of pristine land rich with wildlife on the Snake...
Camp, CanoeParamount Wall / Blanche Rock
Ririe, Idaho
3.6 miles SESitting high above the road, the routes at Paramount offer great exposure and relief from the afternoon summer sun. Chuck Oddette, Steve Reiser and Jed Miller established the routes from 1989...
Camp, Horseback, Rock ClimbKelly Island Campground
Ririe, Idaho
3.7 miles SEThis is a BLM campground with 14 campsites for RVs or tents and 1 group campsite. Daily Rates $5-20 Showers No Bathrooms Vault...
CampBig Hole Dispersed Campsites
Ririe, Idaho
5.7 miles EA dispersed campsite is simply an unestablished and unmaintained area where people camp. Often, this means that there is a campfire or other basic campsite feature to identify the site and that's...
Camp 0.5-3.5 miWebster's Dam
Ririe, Idaho
6.5 miles NEAlso known as Manmade Falls or the Woodmansee Dam, Webster Dam is an abandoned dam located deep in Moody Creek canyon, the dam was abandoned when sediment built up behind the dam which then...
Camp, Hike, Mountain BikeTable Rock Campground
Ririe, Idaho
6.7 miles ETable Rock / Poison Flat Campground is located at the Caribou-Targhee National Forest which occupies over 3 million acres and stretches across southeastern Idaho, from the Montana, Utah, and Wyoming...
CampWolf Flats Recreation Area
Ririe, Idaho
6.8 miles SEWolf Flats is a completely free, dispersed, undeveloped camping area with 25 locations to camp. Some areas are large enough to accommodate groups of 50 people.
CampJefferson County Lake (AKA Rigby Lake)
Rigby, Idaho
9.6 miles WRigby Lake has long been a favorite swimming hole for those in the area. The county has taken it well under its wing and made it a buzzing spot on any warm summer day. Along with the long standing...
Camp, Canoe, Dive, Kayak, Sled, SwimMoody Meadows
Driggs, Idaho
12.8 miles EGood place for kids, they can ride bikes in the meadow, play in the stream, and camping is off of the road. Hiking, motorbiking, and horseback riding trails are abundant in the area.
Camp 0.1-0.5 miEagle Park
Rexburg, Idaho
12.8 miles NEagle Park is a little urban oasis. Once you drive in to this cottonwood forest along the river, you may forget that you're still inside Rexburg city limits. You can camp, picnic, throw rocks in...
Camp, Hike, Mountain Bike, SledBeaver Dick Park
Rexburg, Idaho
14.8 miles NWBeaver Dick is a park 4.5 miles west of Rexburg, Idaho on Hwy 33. It's a 9.5 acre park that passes next to the west bank of the Henry Fork of the Snake River; it's a popular...
Camp, Canoe, Disc Golf, Swim 0.6-2.0 miNorth Menan Butte ('R' Mountain)
Menan, Idaho
16.1 miles NWThe North Menan Butte is more commonly known to the locals and college students as R Mountain. Many kids know it better as Ou'R' Mountain. The butte is a rare and unique geological area and provides...
Camp, Cave, Hike 0.8-1.3 miWarm Slough Campground
Rexburg, Idaho
16.4 miles NWThis is a pretty popular campsite that fills up pretty quick on busy weekends. Campsites are fairly spread out and there is no official donation box (as of July 2015). A couple of the campsites...
Airsoft, Camp, CanoeFall Creek Falls
Swan Valley, Idaho
22.8 miles SEFalls Campground is located next to the Snake River near beautiful Swan Valley, only 45 miles east of Idaho Falls, Idaho. Mixed growth cottonwood trees provide partial shade, and grassy meadows with...
Camp, Cave, Hike, Kayak, SwimFalls Campground
Victor, Idaho
23.8 miles SEFalls Campground is located next to the Snake River near beautiful Swan Valley, only 45 miles east of Idaho Falls, Idaho. Mixed growth cottonwood trees provide partial shade, and grassy meadows...
CampPine Creek Campground
Victor, Idaho
26.3 miles EThe Pine Creek Campground has 10 single units and has restrooms.
CampSealander Park
Idaho Falls, Idaho
27.2 miles SWThe story of Sealander park begins with Carl Sealander. Leaving Sweden in 1893 at the age of seventeen, Carl worked in mining communities across Colorado and Utah before meeting his wife, Lizzie...
Camp 5.6-8.3 miPalisades Creek Trail / Lakes and Waterfall Canyon
Irwin, Idaho
31.2 miles SEPalisades Creek Trail is located about 50 miles southeast of Idaho Falls and about 60 miles west of Jackson Hole WY in Swan Valley Idaho. The four mile hike up to lower Palisades Lake or the 6.2 mile...
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Horseback, Mountain BikeBadger Creek
Tetonia, Idaho
31.6 miles NEBadger Creek is a stream located just 13.6 miles from Ashton, in Teton County, in the state of Idaho, United States, near France, ID. Whether you’re spinning, baitcasting or fly fishing your...
Camp, Cross-country Ski, Hike, Mountain Bike, Rock ClimbMike Harris Campground
Victor, Idaho
33.3 miles EMike Harris Campground is located along scenic Teton Pass, just 5 miles from Victor, Idaho at an elevation of 6,200 feet. Visitors enjoy fishing, exploring local trails and sightseeing in this...
Camp