Arco, Idaho : have you ever been?
 

Friends are driving from Southern California to Arco Idaho via the 15 fwy through Utah, have you ever been to Arco? What was your favorite experience there?

Thank you,

I've been through Arco a couple of times. I don't remember there being too much in Arco itself beyond being one of the few places in the area to get gas and food. Craters of the Moon National Monument (lava fields) is nearby which I personally enjoyed mostly because it's one of those places with very few other tourists. If they happen to be into nuclear stuff there is an old experimental reactor that's open to the public. I found it moderately interesting (and thought it was actually kind of cool afterward needing to wait at a police roadblock for about 20 minutes while they escorted a truck carrying who-knows-what down the highway), but I'm kind of weird that way.

Both times I was in the area I was going across the state (east-west) so I don't know if there are more exciting things in the mountains just to the north.

ARCO is a small rural town which was the first nuclear powered city in the world. There is nothing of particular interest to see. However, nearby Craters of the Moon National Monument is worth seeing, particularly if you visit the caves in the lava tubes. Sun Valley and the Sawtooth Mountains are further west and are worth visiting. Otherwise, head north and see the world famous Salmon River.

Wow, my DH used to work at that reactor.

If you get a chance, Craters of the Moon mentioned above is worth a visit.

Arco is TINY with a lot of closed businesses and a really sad grocery store. There isn't much in the way of places to eat of stay there. Hailey or Ketchum to the north are much better choices.

We were in Arco a few years ago. We toured the reactor, which is (was? don't know if still open) a museum now. Craters of the Moon is worth a detour to visit.

Are there any great places to eat or great adventure trips to take while in Arco? We can drive to a nearby town too...

Zip Lines, Water Rafting, Hiking adventures?

Great fish, steak or breakfast houses?

Thank you,

Is there any gold mining places around this area?

There is really nothing around Arco except the reactor and Craters of the Moon National Park. Visit Hailey or Ketchum, which are more vibrant small towns.

Our friends are going there specifically for the Craters of the Moon National Park, are there any things in the park that should not be missed?

What should they see in Hailey and Ketchum?

Thank you!

ttt

The part of the park accessible to visitors is pretty small. A stop at the visitor center on the way in will tell them all they need to know. They'll probably just drive the loop road and stop at the overlooks and nature trails like everyone else.

Check out the Ketchum/Sun Valley website, there is lots of info on things to see and do. Come back if you have specific questions about what you've discovered. Your friends might want to get an Idaho guidebook.

I laughed outloud when you asked about great fish or steak houses in Arco. I think there is maybe a diner. This is a TINY nothing town in the desert.

While in the area stop by EBR-1.

http://www.atomictourist.com/ebr.htm

EBR-1 is located 18 miles southeast of Arco, Idaho on highway 26, or 50 miles west of Idaho Falls on highway 20. The facility is about 2 miles south of the highway. For more information call the Public Affairs Office at (208) 526-0050 or (800) 708-2680 .

If they do go to Arco, have them go to Pickles Place. I think it is one of the only restaurants there. My dad and I loved it the two times we've been. I suggested it to a friend and he loved it as well. I wear the t-shirt I bought there 8 years ago all the time like a giant dork.

Any more suggestions are welcome they are driving out tomorrow from California via Utah. Thank you all for your input!