Outdoor recreation abounds in American Falls
American Falls is a small community brimming with outdoor attractions, bordered by the gleaming waters of the Snake River and the green shores of Willow Bay Recreation Area. “The river is a big factor,” says Jeff Hunt, a local Realtor at Ranch Lands with almost 20 years of experience. “People come here to water ski, to fish, to boat. And there are a lot of people that use the course. For a little town, the American Falls Golf Course is really busy.” Residents are also close to dining and shopping options here and in the nearby city of Chubbuck. Still, housing in American Falls remains relatively affordable. “That’s really what this area provides,” Hunt says.
Reservoir at Snake River gives locals multiple water sports options
The more than 1,000-mile-long Snake River collects into the 56,000-acre American Falls Reservoir near where it passes by this community. The reservoir is the hot spot for fishing, boating, waterskiing and swimming. Ice fishing is an option during the wintertime. The Willow Bay Recreation Area stretches 128 acres by the river and includes a campground, beaches, athletic fields and a boat ramp. “There are people that come here to bird-watch, too,” Hunt says. “There are lots of birds close to the river.” Golfers are drawn to the nine-hole American Falls Golf Course, which is open to the public. “They keep it pretty nice,” Hunt says. “It’s a good course.” American Falls City Park offers a playground, a pavilion and open, shaded field space.
Variety of homes offer greater affordability than other communities
Housing options in American Falls range from early 20th-century bungalows to recently built ranch-style homes. Houses are organized on sidewalk-lined blocks and typically have lawns spanning one-tenth to a half-acre. Most houses sell for $230,000 to $330,000. Collectively, the area’s median price of about $300,000 ranks lower than the median in towns like Chubbuck and Pocatello. “If you’re looking for affordable housing, look at this area,” Hunt says.
Music, food and more take over City Park
City Park is an event space for some of American Falls’ traditions. American Falls Day in August brings food, games and vendor booths to the park. The celebration also includes a parade. City Park serves as the site of Music in the Park, a series of free Thursday-night concerts held from June to August.
Places like Tres Hermanos and Ken’s Food Market are close by
The center of American Falls, near City Park, is dotted with restaurants and other local businesses. The list includes Tres Hermanos, a spot open since 2000. “That’s a pretty good Mexican restaurant, that’s pretty popular,” Hunt says. M&J Kitchen is a diner-style restaurant that’s a favorite for breakfast. The locally owned Ken’s Food Market is a place for groceries but also features a counter where people can order ice cream, coffee and sodas. The regional grocery chain Ridley’s also has a location in American Falls. Chubbuck and Pocatello, located roughly 25 miles east, are where locals can go for big-box retailers, including Walmart, The Home Depot, Petco and Old Navy.
American Falls schools are within walking distance for many
This area has its own school system, American Falls School District No. 381, with a B-minus grade on Niche. Most of the district’s campuses are in pockets of American Falls that are otherwise heavily residential, making for a quick walk or drive to school for many. The B-minus-rated Hillcrest Elementary includes prekindergarten through second grade, and its second graders can participate in a spring music concert. J.R. Simplot Elementary has a C rating and grades 3 through 5. Open since 2019, J.R. Simplot emphasizes tech instruction, including two STEM labs. The C-rated William Thomas Middle includes a wrestling team that’s racked up roughly two dozen district titles in a row. American Falls High carries a B-minus grade and hosts a yearly performing arts clinic for its students, offering skill instruction and info on pursuing related fields after high school. American Falls Academy is an alternative school in the district serving those in grades 6 through 12.
Interstate 86 is a key artery in the region
American Falls residents are less than 5 miles from Interstate 86. I-86 provides a straight shot northeast into Chubbuck. The highway also connects to the Pocatello Regional Airport, 18 miles away. Pocatello offers daily flights to the Salt Lake City International Airport. The Pocatello Regional Transit bus network has multiple stops in American Falls.
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
