By Ali and Josh Van Orden · AVO Real Estate | Keller Williams Realty East Idaho · Facts checked Oct 20, 2026

Looking for things to do in Idaho Falls in winter? Once the snow sticks, East Idaho turns into one big playground. Here are the sledding hills, the free ice rink, cross-country trails, hot springs and winter traditions we'd point a neighbor to, plus a couple of seasonal closures worth knowing before you load up the car. Snow and ice come and go, so check each link before you head out.

Sledding hills in Idaho Falls

• Russ Freeman Park has natural hills of different heights. The most popular sledding hill is the one with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Visit Idaho Falls winter guide

• Sandy Downs: take the smaller entrance, east of the main one, to reach the Sandy Downs Arena area. The biggest sledding hill is on the left once you're through. Visit Idaho Falls winter guide

• Community Park on E 25th Street has a sledding hill by the playground, near the parking lot past the gazebo. Visit Idaho Falls winter guide

Ice skating at Tautphaus Park in Idaho Falls

When the weather cooperates, the city keeps a free outdoor ice rink in Tautphaus Park, next to the Idaho Falls Zoo at Rollandet St and Softball Dr. Use your best judgment on the ice. Bring your own skates, or rent a pair at the Marmo/Wayne Lehto Ice Arena next door. Visit Idaho Falls winter guide

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in East Idaho

• Close to town: Tautphaus Park, Freeman Park, Teton Lakes Golf Course and 7N Ranch all have trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Visit Idaho Falls winter guide

• Harriman State Park in Island Park grooms trails for classic and skate skiing, and also has snowshoeing and fat-tire biking. You'll need a Winter Access Pass on top of the vehicle entrance fee. The Cygnet, Ermine and Wyethia yurts can be rented year-round if you'd like to stay the night. Harriman State Park

Hot springs near Idaho Falls

• Heise Hot Springs, east of Idaho Falls, has reopened after the Big Rock Fire and is back to regular hours (its zipline stays closed for the rest of the season). Heise Hot Springs

• Green Canyon Hot Springs, near Rexburg, has a naturally heated indoor pool kept at about 96–100 degrees, plus a hot tub. Green Canyon Hot Springs

• Lava Hot Springs' hot pools are open every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, and they close at 6 PM on Christmas Eve. From October through April, hours are 8 AM–10 PM Sunday through Thursday and 8 AM–11 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Lava Hot Springs hot pools

Snowmobiling around Island Park

Fremont County grooms more than 500 miles of snowmobile trails around Island Park, Ashton and the backcountry. Grooming generally runs December through March, but only once there's at least 2.5 feet of good snow. Stay on marked trails and give the groomers plenty of room. Fremont County snowmobiling

Yellowstone in winter

• The West Entrance road (West Yellowstone) is open to regular cars through October 31, then closes for the season. From December 15, 2026 to March 15, 2027, the West, South and East entrances open to commercially guided snowmobiles and snowcoaches only.

• The only road generally open to cars all year runs from the North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana, through the park to Cooke City, Montana. NPS park road dates

Winter traditions around East Idaho

• Driggs Snowscapes, the 15th annual snow-sculpting event, is set for January 18–23, 2027. Downtown Driggs Snowscapes

• Holiday kickoffs: the Idaho Falls Downtown Tree Lighting & Holiday Market is November 21, and on Saturdays from November 28 until Christmas there are horse-drawn trolley rides, 1–3 PM at Civitan Plaza. Downtown Development Idaho Falls Pocatello's Christmas Night Lights Parade rolls through downtown on November 27 at 6:30 PM. Historic Downtown Pocatello

Before you go: closures and winter roads

• Mesa Falls (Upper and Lower) are closed for construction, and the Forest Service's goal is to reopen in the spring. Please respect the closure signs. Caribou-Targhee National Forest update

• Before any winter drive, check Idaho's road report at 511.idaho.gov. Pack water, a blanket and a charged phone, too.

Thinking about living near here? Take a look at our Idaho Falls community guide.

Happy to talk it through anytime

Thinking about a move to East Idaho, or just curious what a town is like day to day? We're always happy to talk it through, no pressure at all. Reach out anytime. You can also call or text Ali and Josh at 208-271-4250, browse homes at search.avorealestate.com, or find quick answers in our FAQ.

Sources

• Sledding at Freeman Park, Sandy Downs, Community Park; free Tautphaus rink (weather-dependent), next to the zoo at Rollandet St and Softball Dr; skate rental at Marmo/Wayne Lehto Ice Arena; XC/snowshoe at Tautphaus, Freeman, Teton Lakes GC, 7N Ranch: Visit Idaho Falls, checked Oct 20, 2026

• Harriman: groomed trails for classic/skate skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking; Winter Access Pass on top of the MVEF; Cygnet, Ermine and Wyethia yurts year-round: Idaho Parks and Recreation, checked Oct 20, 2026

• Heise reopened after the Big Rock Fire, back to regular hours; zipline closed for the rest of the season: Heise Hot Springs, checked Oct 20, 2026

• Green Canyon indoor pool 96–100°F, hot tub, near Rexburg: Green Canyon Hot Springs, checked Oct 20, 2026

• Lava hot pools open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day; close 6 PM Christmas Eve; Oct 1–Apr 30 hours: Lava Hot Springs, checked Oct 20, 2026

• Fremont County 500+ miles of groomed trails; grooming generally Dec–Mar; 2.5 ft snow minimum: Fremont County, checked Oct 20, 2026

• Yellowstone: West Entrance regular vehicles through Oct 31, 2026; oversnow at West/South/East Dec 15, 2026–Mar 15, 2027; North–Northeast open year-round: National Park Service, checked Oct 20, 2026

• Driggs Snowscapes, 15th annual, Jan 18–23, 2027: Downtown Driggs, checked Oct 20, 2026

• IF Tree Lighting & Holiday Market Nov 21; trolley rides Saturdays from Nov 28, 1–3 PM, Civitan Plaza: Downtown Idaho Falls, checked Oct 20, 2026

• Pocatello Christmas Night Lights Parade Nov 27, 6:30 PM: Historic Downtown Pocatello, checked Oct 20, 2026

• Mesa Falls closed for construction; goal to reopen in spring: USDA Forest Service, Caribou-Targhee, checked Oct 20, 2026

• Idaho 511 road report: Idaho 511, checked Oct 20, 2026