All Family Fun Places

Things for families to do

Storytime is listed on Thursdays at 2 p.m. The October-April schedule also includes Game Day on the second Friday and Friday Fun Lab on the fourth Friday, both 1-3 p.m.

South Bannock Library District also offers take-home STEAM packets and Storytime To Go packs. Check branch availability and the latest program announcements before visiting. Storytime and some programs take an August break.

Plan your visit

Address: 321 Holstein Street, Inkom, Idaho 83245.
Phone: 208-530-7325.
Email: sbldinkom@gmail.com.

Regular hours: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 1-5 p.m.; Wednesday and Friday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays.

Check the current calendar for activity dates, age guidance and any registration. Ask the library about borrowing eligibility and library cards, and contact staff about specific accessibility needs.

Official sources: branch addresses and contacts, hours, family programs, October 2026 activity schedule. Reviewed October 15, 2026.

Image: original AI-generated illustration for Idaho Family Fun; it does not show the actual library interior.

Things for families to do

The children’s area includes an Imagination Station, toys for learning through play, early-literacy kits and books. Programs span babies, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children. The library also offers sensory storytime and teen activities; check the current calendar for dates and ages.

Grab & Go After School Adventures offers activity kits for ages 5-12 on dates listed in the children’s calendar.

Plan your visit

Address: 5210 Stuart Avenue, Chubbuck, Idaho 83202.
Phone: 208-237-2192.

Regular hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Sunday and listed holidays.

Check the current calendar for activity dates, age guidance and any registration. Ask the library about borrowing eligibility and library cards, and contact staff about specific accessibility needs.

Official sources: children's area, hours and contact details, current children's calendar. Reviewed October 15, 2026.

Image: original AI-generated illustration for Idaho Family Fun; it does not show the actual library interior.

Things for families to do

• Build and create: LEGO Club welcomes ages 5 and older.
• Read, sing and play: Baby & Me serves babies and toddlers up to 24 months. The library also lists preschool storytime.
• Teen activities: Check the calendar for Teen Anime Club and other creative programs.
• Special events: Seasonal activities include book events and family programs announced on the library website.

Plan your visit

Address: 109 S 1st East, Preston, Idaho 83263.
Phone: 208-852-0175.
Email: larsensantstaff@gmail.com.

Regular hours: Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Sundays and holidays.

Check the library calendar for program dates, age requirements and any registration. Ask the library about card eligibility and borrowing privileges. Call with specific accessibility questions.

Official sources: Library website and programs, contact details and hours, LEGO Club, and Baby & Me. Reviewed October 15, 2026.

Image: original AI-generated illustration for Idaho Family Fun; it does not show the actual library interior.

Things for families to do

• Storytime: The current program welcomes children ages 2-5 with an adult.
• Kids Club: Activities for ages 5-11 include building challenges, crafts and seasonal games. Children ages 8 and younger need an accompanying adult.
• Teen activities: Check the library calendar for teen programs and special events, including its 2026 Teen Halloween Party for ages 12-18.

Program themes, dates and registration requirements can change. Visit the official library website for current announcements before planning a visit.

Plan your visit

Address: 308 Roosevelt Street, American Falls, Idaho 83211.
Phone: 208-226-2335.

Regular hours: Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, closed. Holiday and weather closures may affect these hours.

Ask the library about card eligibility, borrowing privileges and any program-specific requirements. Its card application instructions request photo identification and proof of current address. Accessibility, parking and restroom details have not been independently confirmed; call ahead if those details are important for your visit.

Sources: Current children’s programs, hours and directions, and library card information. Reviewed October 15, 2026.

Image: original AI-generated illustration created for Idaho Family Fun; it does not show the actual library interior.

Greenbelt access update (November 2, 2026): Expo Idaho’s official park page says visitors can walk or bike into the park from the Boise River Greenbelt. Full through-access along the quarter-mile section behind Expo Idaho that was scheduled to close October 19–22 has not been separately confirmed. Check current access and follow posted signs when planning a through-route. Official park access information.

Ada County’s Park at Expo Idaho is a permanent public park along the Boise River in Garden City, behind the fairgrounds on the former Les Bois Park site. Features include a nature playground, trails, restored wetlands, a boardwalk, an all-wheel skate garden, and gathering areas.

Admission: Free. Hours: Sun-up to sun-down.

Parking is available off Remington Street and Backstretch Boulevard. Expo Idaho’s general property address is 5610 Glenwood Street; confirm the park entrance and parking map before your first visit. The directory map marks the general Expo property, not a confirmed park entrance.

The nature playground includes log scrambles, boulder gardens, climbing walls, and misting areas. Follow equipment age guidance and supervise children. Leashed dogs are welcome in the park, but only service animals may enter the Nature Playground and All-Wheel Skate Garden. Fishing is not permitted.

Official park details and opening updates. Reviewed October 23, 2026.

Choosing a campsite

The Forest Service lists 25 individual and double campsites plus three group areas. Some sites can be reserved through Recreation.gov, while others are first come, first served. Group A accommodates up to 40 people, Group B up to 64 and Group C up to 56. Reserve group sites in advance and check the selected site’s equipment limits, driveway size and availability before bringing an RV or trailer.

Water and facilities

Bring your own drinking water. Recreation.gov currently warns that the water system is not operating. Although the Forest Service amenities section lists potable water, call the Minidoka Ranger District at 208-678-0430 to confirm the latest status before relying on a supply onsite.

Facilities include vault toilets, picnic tables and grills. The Forest Service describes accessible sites, and Recreation.gov identifies accessible vault toilets; confirm the particular campsite and route that meet your family’s needs. Campground roads and parking spurs are gravel. Pack out your trash and leave the campsite clean.

Fees and seasonal access

The Forest Service fee panel posts $8 per night for a single site and $50 per night for a group site. Confirm the total for your selected site and dates when booking, including any reservation charges.

The season depends on snow and road conditions, usually between July and October. Do not assume a holiday opening date guarantees access: check current campground conditions before leaving home. The approach from Albion follows ID 77 to Howell Canyon Road, also called Forest Road 549, toward Pomerelle. The mountain road is steep and winding.

Campground rules and family tips

Bring warm layers, food and enough water for your whole stay. Park only on the designated gravel spurs and keep roads clear; the Forest Service lists a two-vehicle limit per site. Horses are not allowed in the campground, and Recreation.gov prohibits off-road vehicle use within it. Check current fire restrictions before using a grill or fire ring.

Nearby places to explore

• Lake Cleveland & Campgrounds: a nearby option for fishing, non-motorized paddling and lakeside scenery.
• Mount Harrison & Lookout: summit views farther up the mountain; confirm road and lookout access separately.
• Pomerelle Mountain Resort: nearby in the Howell Canyon area, with its own operating season and activity schedule.

Official information and reservations

• Forest Service: Thompson Flat Campground
• Recreation.gov: sites, reservations and current notices
• Sawtooth National Forest current conditions
• Forest Service alerts and fire restrictions

Listing review date: 2026-10-15. Unconfirmed details remain noted in this listing.

Check road access before you go: When reviewed on September 27, 2026, the Forest Service lookout page displayed a road-closed notice, although the page was last updated August 21, 2025. Confirm current road and lookout access with the Minidoka Ranger District at 208-678-0430 before making the drive.

What families can see

Take in the ridgelines and valleys, look for changing light across the mountains and enjoy the summit’s interpretive displays. The lookout site dates to the 1930s; the current two-story building was constructed in 1977. The Forest Service describes summer weekend visitor access, but specific opening dates and hours should be confirmed.

For a simple family outing, focus on the scenic drive and a short look around the summit area. Keep children close near steep slopes and loose rocks, and choose walking routes that fit your group’s abilities. Bring a camera, sturdy shoes, warm layers, drinking water and snacks.

Seasonal drive and facilities

The paved approach follows Howell Canyon Road from the Albion area toward Mount Harrison. High-elevation snow and weather can limit access. A typical summer season does not guarantee that the road or lookout is open on a particular day; check current Forest Service conditions and obey posted closures.

There is no potable water at the lookout. The Forest Service does not provide restroom information for this site, so plan ahead. Admission fees, parking details and accessible routes were not confirmed by the official lookout page; ask the ranger district about any specific needs before visiting.

Protect the summit landscape

Mount Harrison includes protected botanical and research areas with rare plants. Stay on established routes, leave flowers and rocks in place, and pack out everything you bring. Wind and weather can change quickly at the summit, so keep plans flexible.

Nearby Lake Cleveland and Pomerelle

Lake Cleveland & Campgrounds offers fishing, non-motorized paddling and two campgrounds along the same mountain-road corridor. Check lake and campground access separately before combining the stops.

Pomerelle Mountain Resort is another nearby destination in the Howell Canyon area. Check the resort’s own operating dates and activities separately; ski-season access to Pomerelle does not establish that the higher road to the lake or lookout is open.

Official information

• Forest Service: Mt. Harrison Lookout
• Sawtooth National Forest current conditions
• Forest Service alerts and closures
• Visit Southern Idaho: Mount Harrison & Lookout

Listing review date: 2026-10-15. Unconfirmed details remain noted in this listing.

Things to do at Lake Cleveland

Bring fishing gear, a picnic or a non-motorized boat for a day beside the water. Idaho Fish and Game lists rainbow and cutthroat trout among the lake’s recommended game fish. Kayaking, floating, hiking and swimming are listed recreation activities, although mountain weather can change quickly. Check the current fishing rules before your trip.

East Side Campground

The East Side has 17 campsites: seven reservable sites and ten first-come, first-served sites. It is the better side to investigate for an RV or trailer, but each site’s dimensions and permitted equipment matter. Some reservable sites are tent-only and have steep driveways. Use the individual site descriptions on Recreation.gov before booking.

West Side Campground

The West Side has nine first-come, first-served campsites. The Forest Service discourages trailers here because the turnaround is tight and the terrain is steep. Arrive with a backup plan rather than relying on an open campsite during a busy summer weekend.

Camping details and seasonal access

Season and access

Seasonal, weather-dependent access. Snow can block the road and campsites until early or mid-July; the East Side page lists the second week of July as its usual start. Confirm actual opening, closing and road conditions with the Minidoka Ranger District.

Camping fees

The Forest Service currently posts $10 per night for a single campsite on both sides. Confirm the rate and any booking charges before paying. A separate day-use fee was not established by the reviewed pages.

Facilities

Vault toilets and picnic tables are listed at both campgrounds. Bring your own drinking water. There are no electrical or trailer hookups.

Parking and access

Park in designated spaces. RV fit varies by site, and West Side turnaround space is limited. Idaho Fish and Game lists ADA access, but confirm the particular campsite, toilet and shoreline route that meets your family’s needs; not every site has level access.

Location

Off Howell Canyon Road above Albion, Idaho. Follow the signed Lake Cleveland turnoff toward Mount Harrison. Use the signed campground entrance for lake access.

Contact

Minidoka Ranger District: 208-678-0430.

Good to know

Pack drinking water, food and warm layers, even for a summer visit. Non-motorized boating is allowed; motorboats are not. Check current Forest Service alerts and fire restrictions before leaving home. Camping availability, road access and weather should be checked for your chosen date.

Official information

• Forest Service: Lake Cleveland
• East Side Campground information
• West Side Campground information
• East Side reservations and individual campsite details
• Idaho Fish and Game: Lake Cleveland fishing information
• Sawtooth National Forest alerts

Listing review date: 2026-10-15. Unconfirmed details remain noted in this listing.