Western Heritage Historic Byway

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Travel Details

Distance: 38.8 miles

Time: 52 minutes, but you’ll want to set aside time to observe wildlife and explore the trails and historical landmarks along the route.

When to visit: year-round, although raptor viewing tends to be best in mid-March, May, and June (especially during the early morning and evening hours). Use caution if traveling in winter; the last mile to Swan Falls Dam descends into the Snake River canyon and the road can get icy.

Highlights: national conservation area for birds of prey, high desert, canyon rims, Idaho’s only archaeological park, panoramic views, historic ferry crossing, hiking trails, Swan Falls Dam and Park.

Services: gas, food, and lodging available in Kuna and Melba.

Accommodations: available in Kuna and Melba, though the route is an easy drive from Nampa, Meridian, and Boise.

Getting here: The Western Heritage Historic Byway runs north-south between Meridian and Swan Falls, with much of the route near the Snake River. To make the most of your time in the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, we recommend downloading this visitor guide ahead of your visit. Several important landmarks and a few hikes are also located along the route, for when the frontier spirit strikes.

Local’s Tip: For prime wildlife viewing, bring hiking boots and binoculars (or spotting scopes, if you have them).

From I-84, take exit 44 for Meridian and follow Idaho 69 south to Kuna. Turn south on Swan Falls Road and drive for 21 miles through the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area. This area has the largest concentration of nesting raptors in the country. Watch for birds perched on fence posts, telephone poles, or rock outcrops. Off to the left on the way to Swan Falls Dam, you will see Initial Point, where you can turn off and look out onto the volcanic hill. This hill was the starting point for government surveying in Idaho.

In about eight miles, pull over at Dedication Point. At the overlook, take in the sweeping views of the Snake River canyon and the adjacent plateau—this is the optimum nesting habitat for birds of prey. If you’re patient (and you’ve timed your trip right), you might spot raptors soaring through the sky and among the cliffs, hunting for food. This national conservation area encompasses 484,000 acres of public land and is home to dozens of golden eagle territories and hundreds of prairie falcon territories, so your chances of a sighting are pretty good.

Continue on to Swan Falls Dam and Park. The day-use picnic shelter makes a great home base for exploring the area’s foot trails and jeep paths. You can extend your stay at one of five campsites upriver from the dam.

From Swan Falls, follow a series of roads northwest about 19 miles to Celebration Park. This is Idaho’s only archaeological park, and here you’ll see rock etchings made thousands of years ago. Hikers can explore a boulder field created by the ancient Bonneville floodwaters or descend the hill to Halverson Lake on the Snake River.

Continue your day at the delightfully eclectic Cleo’s Ferry Museum and Nature Trail, located on Idaho 45 in Melba. This site served as a historic ferry crossing from 1863 to 1921, and it’s been adorned with sculptures, birdhouses, and other oddities that will surely pique your interest. Cleo’s only opens its museum buildings to the public during the summer, but you can greet the peacocks who roam the grounds and explore its walking trails year-round.

Lastly, visit the Owyhee County Museum for a glimpse into the lives of the early miners and homesteaders who frequented this gorgeous, rugged territory. The museum houses an impressive collection of historical records, farming equipment, and artifacts, providing context for the landmarks along the Western Heritage Historic Byway—and a fitting conclusion to a journey through Idaho’s wild and beautiful southwest.