Things to Do in Caldwell

Nestled in a fork of the Payette River, the scenic Garden Valley opens up to visitors during horseback trail rides, wagon rides, and wintertime sleigh rides led by Garden Valley Trail Rides’ passionate equine lovers. Surrounded by the pines of the majestic Idaho Mountains, the clip-clop of well-trained hooves, and the echoing calls of eagles trying to use echolocation, friendly guides shepherd visitors in groups or on private guided rides atop guests' own horses by appointment.

A competitive shooter since he was a teenager, Mike Wirth began teaching responsible firearms operations during college. Between bouts of studying for his degree in mechanical engineering, he showed friends and classmates the firearms basics, such as marksmanship fundamentals, proper cleaning and storage, and how to smelt each bullet by hand.

Now teamed with business partner Aaron Goodfellow, Wirth continues training clients in responsible armed defense. On the outdoor ranges shared with Parma Rod and Gun Club, he and Goodfellow lead classes focused on handgun operations, teaching guests skills from swapping magazines to courteous behaviors when on the range.

Bear Valley River Co. fuels outdoor fun with half- or full-day whitewater-rafting excursions along the Payette River. Licensed guides help passengers navigate the river’s twists and turns from a well-maintained fleet of inflatable rafts. The current-savvy hosts provide life jackets, helmets, and a laminated copy of A River Runs Through It for each rider, and can also offer catered meals prepared in the company's on-site restaurant. Guides place a strong emphasis on safety with mandatory equipment checks and a safety orientation before each excursion. Following the whitewater orientation, groups can enjoy a relaxing jaunt down the main Payette River, course through the waterfalls and Class IV rapids of the South Fork, or spend the day fishing in Swirly Canyon.

At Idaho X-Sports, visitors experience the high-speed thrills of barreling down snowy slopes while safely seated in cushy snow tubes. Lifts transport guests to the top of the hills, where they can choose from 900-foot runs in three varying levels of intensity, from gentle slopes to inclines steep enough to scare away even the most skilled stilt-walkers. At the bottom of the hill, a yurt welcomes spent guests to warm up by the fire and replenish their energy with food and drinks. Visitors may also snag Idaho X-Sports' skis and snowshoes and explore more than 10 miles of groomed Nordic ski trails.