Kuna is home to several unique sites that you can't find anywhere else in Idaho.
Driving Tour: A popular way to explore is the 56-mile self-guided Swan Falls Road driving tour. Beginning in Kuna, the drive loops through the canyon and takes 3 to 4 hours, offering excellent vantage points for spotting birds perched on poles or thermaling above the cliffs.
World Center for Birds of Prey: Located on the outskirts of Kuna and Boise, this center is the headquarters for The Peregrine Fund. It features the Velma Morrison Interpretive Center, breeding facilities for endangered raptors like the California Condor, and the Archives of Falconry. Admission is typically $10-$12 for adults.
Snake River Raptor Fest: Held annually in Kuna (usually at the Indian Creek Winery), this festival features live ambassador birds, family-friendly educational activities, and guided bird-watching tours.
Visiting the Cave Kuna Caves (or Kuna Cave) is a lava tube cave south of Kuna, with a public entrance, and opening in th egournd witha caged ladder down into the main cavern.
This geological marvel, formed from an ancient lava tube, offers a unique experience for locals and visitors alike.
The caves originated from a once-active lava flow, where the outer shell solidified upon exposure to air, creating the lava tube known today as the Kuna Caves. To reach this hidden gem, adventurers must turn off Highway 69 and Meridian Road onto Black Cat, then follow an unmarked dirt road to a cattle gate. From there, a 100-foot dirt path leads to the cave entrance.
Visitors descend into the caves via a 50-foot steel ladder. Inside, the only natural light comes from the entrance, creating a strobe effect. It's essential to bring a flashlight or headlamp, as the caves maintain a cool 56 degrees year-round, making them an ideal escape on a hot summer day. Long pants and shirts are recommended for exploration.
The cave extends both north and south from the entrance, offering hours of exploration. A quick adventure is right around the corner at the Kuna Caves.
Remember with exploration comes responsibility. Always make sure to leave no trace and pick up any trash you may bring so that others around you can enjoy their adventures ahead!
Swan Falls Dam:
The dam was built in 1901 to provide electricity to nearby mines. Swan Falls is the oldest hydroelectric generating site on the Snake River. Idaho Power built a new power plant in the mid-1990s. The old plant is now a museum.
The historic powerhouse museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for free self-guided tours on Saturdays through Sept. 5. We encourage visitors to also check out the interpretive signs in the adjacent park that outline the geologic and cultural history of the area.
Pedestrian access across the dam will be closed starting July 6.
An equestrian parking area is available below the dam. Please do not clean horse trailers in the parking area, or anywhere in the Swan Falls recreation corridor. Overnight camping is not allowed in this area. Visit the Treasure Valley Back Country Horsemen’s website to learn more about equestrian opportunities for this area.
SNAKE RIVER CANYON
Snake River: The Snake River is a major 1,078-mile waterway in the Pacific Northwest. As the Columbia River's largest tributary, it begins in Wyoming, cuts across Idaho, forms the Oregon-Idaho border, and flows through Washington before joining the Columbia. Its massive watershed covers 108,000 square miles across six states.