facebook pixel Skip to Main Content
Idaho State University home

6 Things to Do in and Around Pocatello in the Summer

A student rock climbing at Ross Park

Summer in Pocatello, Idaho is bustling with outdoor fun. Looking for some ideas on what to do? In this article, we have a list of popular summer exclusive activities you can check out. 

Check out Idaho State’s Student Activities Board and the Event Calendar

Idaho State’s Student Activities Board (SAB) has all sorts of fun activities going on each semester. The University also has an event calendar listing the many different events coming up. A few events happening this August are Shark Days of Summer with Dr. Tapanila at the Idaho Museum of Natural History, where you can learn about sharks and do crafts, and a couple events that have BBQs, games and more held by student clubs and faculty at the University and College of Business (please note these two events are separate from each other).  Best part is, many events are open to the community as well! But always check the event’s description to make sure nonstudents can participate. View other events coming up on the activities calendar

Swim at Ross Park Aquatic Complex

This location is a favorite during the summer! You have the choice of swimming in the pool, a lazy river, an activity pool and for kids, a kiddie pool and playground. A concession stand is available to order snacks and beverages and this is a great area to have a picnic. Going swimming in hot weather is always a fun way to cool off! 

Explore Upper Ross Park’s outdoor activities

Ross Park’s upper area also offers outdoor activities. You can go rock climbing, take a walk on the trails, go bike riding and play disc golf. There are also playgrounds for kids and covered pavilions for picnics. This could be a good place for parties or large group hangouts. 

Go golfing at Outback Golf Park

Outback Golf Park is the place to be for outdoor golf and mini golf. The 18 hole mini golf course has beautiful scenery with fountains and various plants and prices are fairly cheap. You can buy snacks and drinks (even alcohol) and there are covered picnic benches. This place is great with friends and for birthdays. 

Visit Revive @ 5 and the farmer’s market in downtown Pocatello

Revive @ 5 is an event every Wednesday night in the summer located in downtown Pocatello, with it now being held at the new Lookout Point location. There are free concerts and various food vendors with playgrounds for the kids. On Saturdays, the Portneuf Valley Farmer’s Market is held in this same location. You can explore the many different vendors selling food, arts and crafts and more. 

Do all things outdoors at the Portneuf Wellness Complex

The Portneuf Wellness Complex is a popular area. The Complex offers summer concerts in their outdoor amphitheater, a fishing pond that has a separate area for swimming, playgrounds, pavilions, various sports opportunities with fields and volleyball courts, an area for motocross biking and a trail for walking. There are many opportunities! 

Pocatello has so much to offer this summer! We recommend giving every location a visit as each one is unique in their own way. If you were unsure before on how to have fun this season, hopefully now you have a better idea of what is available to you.