Pocatello
Pocatello is a college town in Southeastern Idaho.
Understand
Named after a noted 19th-century Shoshoni chief, Pocatello is a working-class town with a strong railroad and trade union heritage. As such it has more of a blue-collar feel to it than the other major Idaho cities. At one time the city boasted the largest rail yard west of the Mississippi River. The city has a reputation for being a (slightly) more progressive enclave in otherwise conservative, Mormon-dominated Eastern Idaho.
Although the presence of Idaho State University in Pocatello unquestionably makes it a college town as well, student life is somewhat more sedate than in other college towns in the region such as Moscow, Idaho, or Missoula, Montana. The bar scene can be lively on the weekends, but don't expect to find too many raging frat house keggers here.
Get in
- 🌍
Pocatello Regional Airport (PIH IATA), 1950 Airport Way. Is served by regular flights from Salt Lake City on SkyWest Airlines. There are no scheduled commercial flights to or from other locations in Idaho. The airport in Idaho Falls, 45 minutes away, offers a more robust schedule.
- Pocatello can be accessed by car via Interstate 15 from Idaho Falls in the north and Salt Lake City in the south. Pocatello is the eastern terminus of Interstate 86, which connects the city to the Twin Falls area in the west.
- Despite its railroad heritage, Pocatello now has no passenger rail service. For decades the railroad tracks have been used only for freight trains.
Get around
Do
Deleta - A rollerskating rink open at nights and during the day on non school days. Also has laser tag, a play area, video games, and a food court.
Outer Limits - Video games, small indoor roller coaster, laser tag, food and a play area.
McKee's - A pet store that also has an outdoor petting zoo. One can pet goats, sheep, pigs, llamas, donkeys, turtles, see ostriches, emus, miniature horses, and even a deer along with lots of chickens.
Fort Hall Casino - Owned and operated by the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and located on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation north of Pocatello, Fort Hall Casino is the only legal gaming facility in southern Idaho. Unlike in many Nevada casinos, where a minimum age of 21 is strictly enforced, 18-year-olds are allowed to gamble (but not drink) here.
Learn
Idaho State University is an important part of Pocatello.
Buy
Eat
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Drink
- First National Bar, ☎ +1 208 233-1516. The in downtown Pocatello is a perennial favorite among ISU students and locals alike. Known locally as simply the "First Nash," the bar often features live blues music on the weekends.
- Goody's, 5th Avenue (directly across from the ISU campus), ☎ +1 208 233-9210. Doubles as a deli in the front and the bar in the back, both student favorites. If someone says they're going to the "Hindenburg," (the bar's former name), they certainly mean here.
Sleep
Camping
- KOA-Pocatello, 9815 W Pocatello Creek Rd, ☎ +1 208-233-6851. Easy access to interstate. Only 30 amp service available; otherwise full hookups. Cook-to-order breakfast for purchase by the park staff, very good food.
Mid-range
Splurge
Connect
Stay safe
Pocatello tends to have more snow and more severe snowstorms than the other major cities in Idaho (although not as severe as places like Stanley). Given that and the city's hilly landscape, driving can be a challenge in the winter.
The Pocatello area is also subject to inversions in the winter months. This, combined with the output of nearby fertilizer plants, can make air quality an issue.
Cope
Go next
| Routes through Pocatello |
| Idaho Falls ← Shelley ← | N  |
→ Brigham City → Salt Lake City |
Twin Falls ← Burley ← merges onto   |
W  |
→ END |
| Twin Falls ← Burley ← | W |
→ Lava Hot Springs → Rock Springs |
| Idaho Falls ← Shelley ← | N  |
→ Logan → Brigham City |