Outdoor activities for the active
- posted: 22 May 2007
- scrolllifestyle@byui.edu
Outdoor activities in and around the Rexburg area could be the solution this summer to hot apartments without air conditioning.
On a hot summer day in Rexburg, there are many ways to cool off. The Ice Caves, for example, can be the solution to beat heat.
“The Ice Caves are a fun place to get lost with a girl,” said Whitney Stewart, a junior from Forestville, N.Y. “I also like to slide around on my butt and get it wet.”
Another type of slide close to Rexburg known locally as the Washing Machine is made from the natural erosion of Fall River. On the edge of the river is a ledge to jump off of. The gravity from the jump pushes a person down, and the current pulls the person up and forward making a water ride.
“I’d be careful though; the washing machine can be [extremely] dangerous,” Stewart said.
Continue down Fall River on a raft with an experienced guide, and the raft will pass under the Twin Bridges. These bridges are a local spot for bridge jumping and swimming – a popular summer activity among BYU-Idaho students.
Monkey Rock, another bridge jumping area has a bridge from which students jump along with a flowing waterfall. The pool created by this waterfall is filled with enough still water to swim in.
Just north of Rexburg is St. Anthony, and in the heart of the town is the sandbar. The sandbar has not only a swimming area, but also a diving board, floating dock, playground, and a water slide into the river. The beach at the sandbar also has grass, along with ample sand to lay out on.
Just outside of St. Anthony are the sand dunes. The St. Anthony Sand Dunes are a local attraction for fans of all-terrain vehicles who enjoy its wide expanse of terrain.
According to www.duneguide.com, these dunes are a “10,600 acre playground of clear, shifting, white quartz sand [that] is known for its unique beauty and exceptional recreation opportunities.”
The dunes are also far enough away from the city lights that on a clear night, the sky is lit up with stars. It is also a popular place to have bonfires and play night games.
“I’ve heard it’s awesome. I’ve heard it’s the best place to look at stars,” said Kelsey Silver, a sophomore from Cicero, N.Y.
Near Ashton, students can take a short hike to reach Mesa Falls. “I like to go hiking at Mesa Falls because it’s a good place to sit and think. It’s also a good way to get away from Rexburg,” said Cody Warren, a sophomore from Everett, Idaho.
Another venue for hiking is Menan Butte, also known as “the Buttes,” located behind “R” Mountain. In the past, “the Buttes” had also been a popular venue for off-roading; however, the majority of land surrounding Menan Butte is private property. In the last month, several people, including BYU-I students, have been charged with trespassing. “They are just not obeying private property postings,” said Monica Zimmerman, a Bureau of Land Management outdoor recreation planner.
“R” Mountain itself has a hike that takes one up to its crater. The view from the top offers a sight of the Snake River Plain and of Rexburg.
“BLM reminds hikers that legal public access to the butte is available on the south face. Here, hikers can park and hike a steep trail to the rim and into the butte’s caldera,” said David O. Howell, resource coordinator / public affairs specialist for the Rexburg Bureau of Land Management. 
