Ritter Island Loop

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Fishing · Historical Significance · River/Creek · Spring · Swimming · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This trail begins at the bridge at the Thousand Springs Preserve Park that crosses the Thousand Springs channel onto Ritter Island. From there, you can begin the loop going in either direction. Going to the right, you'll pass the historic stone house that Minnie Miller lived in when she raised her famous Guernsey milk cows on the island.

The trail then passes by several other buildings, including a historic barn that you can tour. The barn features equipment that was state-of-the-art for Miller's time period. The trail passes by several viewpoints of spring-fed waterfalls and crystal clear spring water. It then loops around the tip of the island, and parallels the magnificent Snake River, providing runners with numerous views of the mighty river in a calm spot.

The trail passes by several nesting boxes, and you might even see deer foraging among the grasses that grow on the island. The trail loops back around the edge of the island and returns to the bridge where you started. There are numerous side trails that will take you to different viewpoints of waterfalls, springs, wildlife, the river, and historic buildings on the island.

Deer, osprey, fish, skunks, cottonwoods, oaks, sagebrush, quail, doves, hawks.