Perrine Bridge BASE Jumping: How to Watch the Only Year-Round Legal Spot in the U.S.
You are standing on a bridge nearly 500 feet above the Snake River when a stranger next to you calmly climbs over the railing, gives a little nod, and steps off into thin air. A few seconds of freefall, a crack of nylon, and a parachute blooms open against the canyon wall. Then they land on the green below, pack up, and hike back up to do it again.
This is a normal Tuesday at the Perrine Bridge, and it is one of the most jaw-dropping free shows in the country. Here is everything you need to know to watch it, where to stand, when to go, and what is actually happening up there, all about 15 minutes from camp.
The quick answer
You can watch BASE jumpers leap off the Perrine Bridge for free, any day the weather is decent, from the pedestrian walkways on the bridge itself and from the Snake River Canyon Rim Trail nearby. It is one of the only places in the United States where BASE jumping is legal year-round with no permit, so jumpers come from all over the world. Good-weather weekends and calm mornings give you the best odds of seeing the action, and the whole thing sits about 15 minutes from Jerome.
Wait, what is the Perrine Bridge?
The Perrine Bridge carries U.S. Highway 93 across the Snake River Canyon on the north edge of Twin Falls. It spans 1,500 feet and stands 486 feet above the river, which makes it one of the tallest bridges in the country. Wide pedestrian walkways run along both sides, so you can stroll right out over the canyon with the wind in your hair and the whole gorge spread out beneath you.
Even if nobody jumped all day, the view alone would be worth the drive. The river winds far below, a golf course sits improbably down on the canyon floor, and the rim stretches out in both directions.
Why can people legally jump here?
Here is the thing that makes this place famous. BASE jumping, which stands for Building, Antenna, Span, and Earth, the four things people leap from, is banned in most U.S. cities and national parks. The Perrine Bridge is the rare exception. Idaho is one of the only places in the country where you do not need a permit to legally BASE jump, and you can do it year-round.
That single fact turned Twin Falls into a global pilgrimage site for the sport. On any given week you will see first-timers doing tandem jumps strapped to a pro, and grizzled veterans with hundreds of jumps treating the bridge like their morning gym. It is a genuine subculture, and you get a front-row seat for free.
The best places to watch
You have a few great options, depending on the view you want.
From the bridge walkway. The most direct seats in the house. Walk out on either pedestrian path and you can watch jumpers gear up, climb the railing, and step off just yards away. Look over the edge, carefully, and you can follow them all the way down.
From the visitor center side. The Twin Falls Visitor Center sits on the south rim with parking, restrooms, and grassy overlooks. It is the easy, comfortable base for a viewing session, and a fine place to park the family while a couple of you walk out onto the span.
From the Canyon Rim Trail. The paved trail runs along the edge of the gorge in both directions from the bridge, giving you side-on views of the jumpers against the canyon wall. This is the photographer's angle, especially in soft morning or evening light.
From the canyon floor. Down at Centennial Waterfront Park at the base of the canyon, you can look straight up and watch canopies open overhead. It is a completely different, worm's-eye perspective, and a great excuse to add a kayak or paddle to the day.
When should you go?
BASE jumping happens here year-round, but your odds go way up with good weather and light winds, since jumpers need calm, clear conditions. Weekends and the warmer months from spring through fall tend to be busiest. Mornings are often the sweet spot, before the afternoon canyon wind picks up. There is no schedule and no guarantee on any given hour, so build in a little time, walk the bridge, enjoy the view, and the jumpers usually come to you.
Want to jump it yourself?
You do not have to just watch. Several local companies in Twin Falls run tandem BASE jumps off the Perrine, where you leap harnessed to an experienced instructor with no prior training required. It is the only realistic way for a normal person to legally BASE jump in the U.S., and for the right kind of thrill-seeker it is a genuine bucket-list experience. Book ahead, since spots and weather windows both fill up.
To be clear, solo BASE jumping is an extreme sport with real risk and a serious learning curve. Watching is free and safe. Jumping is neither, so leave the solo leaps to the trained pros and go tandem if you want the rush.
A bonus slice of daredevil history
While you are here, look east along the south rim. You can still make out the dirt ramp Evel Knievel built for his legendary 1974 attempt to jump the entire Snake River Canyon on a steam-powered rocket called the Skycycle X-2. The parachute deployed early and he drifted to the canyon floor, but the launch site is still there, a monument to one of the most gloriously reckless stunts in American history. It is a perfect two-for-one with the modern jumpers.
Watch it all from Elk Ridge
The Perrine Bridge is barely 15 minutes from Elk Ridge RV Park, which makes it the easiest morning outing on your whole trip. Roll out of your site at 413 E 200 S in Jerome, hop on I-84, and you are watching people fall off a bridge before your coffee gets cold. Pair it with Shoshone Falls and the canyon’s other waterfalls, or see our full list of things to do near Jerome, Idaho to build out the rest of your days.
Book your site and come see the show. It is closer than you think.
Frequently asked questions
Is BASE jumping off the Perrine Bridge legal?
Yes. The Perrine Bridge is one of the only places in the United States where BASE jumping is legal year-round without a permit, which is why jumpers travel here from all over the world.
Can you watch the BASE jumpers for free?
Yes. Watching is completely free. You can see jumpers from the bridge’s pedestrian walkways, the visitor center overlook, the Snake River Canyon Rim Trail, and from the canyon floor below.
How high is the Perrine Bridge?
The Perrine Bridge stands 486 feet above the Snake River and spans 1,500 feet across the canyon, making it one of the tallest bridges in the United States.
What is the best time to see BASE jumpers at the Perrine Bridge?
Good-weather weekends and calm mornings from spring through fall are your best bet, since jumpers need clear skies and light winds. Jumping happens year-round, but there is no fixed schedule.
Can a beginner BASE jump off the Perrine Bridge?
Yes, through a tandem jump with a licensed local operator, where you are harnessed to an experienced instructor. Solo BASE jumping is an extreme sport that requires serious training and experience.
How far is the Perrine Bridge from Elk Ridge RV Park?
The Perrine Bridge is about 15 minutes from Elk Ridge RV Park in Jerome, just off I-84 on the north edge of Twin Falls.