Black Magic Canyon Explained

Black Magic Canyon is a small canyon located north of Shoshone, Idaho along Idaho State Highway 75.^[1] It was created by the Big Wood River over the last 10,000 years.^[2] The river carved this canyon through 800,000-year-old basalt lava flows leaving sculpted black rock reminiscent of Utah's slot canyons.^[3] Because of irrigation use during the summer and snowfall in winter, the canyon is best explored in spring or fall.^[4]

Notes and References

1. News: Bureau of Land Management. Directions to Black Magic Canyon Lava Flow. Route to Black Magic Canyon. Bureau of Land Management.. 31 March 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150824034814/http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/blm/id/special_areas/black_magic_canyon.Par.65108.File.dat/BlackMagicCanyonLavaFlow_DirectionsOPT_508.pdf. 24 August 2015. dead.
2. News: Yellowstone Business Partnership. BLACK MAGIC CANYON - IDAHO BLM AREA OF INTEREST. Over the last 10,000 years, the Big Wood River - along the Salmon River-Sawtooth Scenic Byways - has carved a narrow canyon of exquisite, swirling rock sculptures into surrounding black basalt.. 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20130613223226/http://www.drivethetop10.com/The-Drives/Salmon-River-Sawtooth-Scenic-Byways/Key-Landmarks-Attractions/Black-Magic-Canyon-Idaho-BLM-Area-of-Interest. dead. 2013-06-13. 31 March 2015.
3. News: Virginia Hutchins. Channel Conceals Natural Sculpture Garden. The Big Wood River channel cuts through 800,000-year-old basalt, in places eroding through to a depth of more than 50 feet and exposing at least three lava flows.. Twin Falls Times-News. 7 February 2012.
4. News: Stephen Hill. Black Magic Canyon: A TOUR THROUGH EBONY WONDERS. There can be water flowing through the canyon in the summer and it fills with snow and ice in the winter, so be sure to plan your visit accordingly.. 11 November 2014. 31 March 2015.