Why visit Glenns Ferry
Townapedia lists 3 museums and landmarks, 3 parks and trails, 2 places to eat and 1 place to stay in and around town.
Highlights include Gorby Opera Theater and Glenns Ferry School.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 99°F; December lows average 24°F.
Weather in Glenns Ferry
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Glenns Ferry
Glenns Ferry is a city in Elmore County, Idaho, United States. The population was 1,293 at the 2020 census. The city is adjacent to Interstate 84 and the Snake River.
From the Wikipedia article Glenns Ferry, Idaho (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Museums and landmarks3
Gorby Opera Theater
Cinema and theater · National Register of Historic Places · 0.6 mi
Opera house in Glenns Ferry, United States of America
Glenns Ferry School
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.4 mi
Parks, trails and playgrounds3
Restaurants and cafes2
Where to stay1
History
Glenns Ferry was one of the most famous and treacherous river crossings on the Oregon Trail. Pioneers forded the Snake River at the Three Island Crossing until 1869, when Gustavus "Gus" Glenn constructed a ferry about two miles upstream, primarily to expedite freight but also for emigrants. His boat, which could hold two wagons, cut nearly twenty miles from the former route. In 1871 the city of Glenns Ferry was established. Construction of the Oregon Short Line Railroad through the town in 1883 gave the city its first major employer.
Opened in 1971, Three Island Crossing State Park is home to The Oregon Trail History and Education Center, where visitors can learn about pioneer emigrants and Native American history. The Glenns Ferry community sponsors a crossing commemoration the second Saturday of each August.
The Glenns Ferry townsite was platted 155 years ago in 1871, just downstream from the ferry site. It is one of just two incorporated cities in Elmore County, along with Mountain Home.
From the History section of Glenns Ferry, Idaho on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Churches and places of worship2
Our Lady of Limerick Catholic Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 0.5 mi
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Church · Mormon · 0.4 mi
874 Old Highway 30, Glenns Ferry
Shopping2
Gas and EV charging2
Schools, colleges and libraries5
Glenns Ferry Elementary School
School · 0.6 mi
639 North Bannock Street, Glenns Ferry
Glenns Ferry Middle School
School · 0.6 mi
639 North Bannock Street, Glenns Ferry
Map of Glenns Ferry
20 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 44°F | 25°F | 1.5 in |
| Feb | 50°F | 27°F | 0.8 in |
| Mar | 60°F | 32°F | 1.0 in |
| Apr | 68°F | 38°F | 0.9 in |
| May | 78°F | 46°F | 1.1 in |
| Jun | 88°F | 53°F | 0.7 in |
| Jul | 99°F | 59°F | 0.2 in |
| Aug | 97°F | 56°F | 0.3 in |
| Sep | 86°F | 46°F | 0.4 in |
| Oct | 71°F | 36°F | 1.0 in |
| Nov | 55°F | 29°F | 1.1 in |
| Dec | 44°F | 24°F | 1.6 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Glenns Ferry Hcn (1 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Elmore County has had 8 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for fires.
- 2020-04-09: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2017-08-27: Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Flood)
- 2017-04-21: Severe Winter Storms And Flooding (Flood)
- 2013-08-13: Elk Fire (Fire)
- 2012-08-15: Trinity Ridge Fire (Fire)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Gooding Municipal Airport (GNG) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 27 miles away.
- Hammett 8 mi west, about 13 min by car
- Mountain Home 23 mi northwest, about 38 min by car
- Hagerman 23 mi southeast, about 37 min by car
- Gooding 30 mi east, about 48 min by car
- Buhl 37 mi southeast, about 59 min by car
- Jerome 43 mi east, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Filer 44 mi southeast, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Shoshone 46 mi east, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Twin Falls 51 mi southeast, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Kimberly 56 mi southeast, about 1 h 30 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Gorby Opera Theatre 1914, publichall, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Our Lady of Limerick Catholic Church - Glenns Ferry Idaho, Ian Poellet, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Glenns Ferry Historical Museum, Glenns Ferry, Idaho, Drmccreedy, CC BY-SA 4.0
Page built October 30, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.