St. Anthony Sandbar

Sandbar in St. Anthony, Idaho

I loved the Sandbar for many reasons, but one of the main reasons families in St. Anthony love it is because there’s a water slide made out of a culvert. Very hick, right? Hahaha. Next to the slide, there’s a multi-level sand pit separated by cement, with a cement staircase connecting them all. The staircase leads down to a sandy beach that borders a sectioned-off part of the river, which is the safest area to swim in. The water level in this area usually reaches about an adult’s waist, so many moms let their younger kids play in the upper part of the sandbar while the older ones swim and go down the slide into the river.

One of my favorite things about the Sandbar was the diving board—it let you jump right into the water, which always felt amazing. The layout of the Sandbar is also really unique. There’s a part of the river that curves left over a cement retaining wall, forming a long waterfall. If you’re a strong swimmer, you can swim across the river against the current to reach the wall. You can actually walk along the top of the retaining wall—though be careful, it’s slick. It almost looks like you’re walking on water. I’ve included a picture below.

One time—and I only recommend this if you’re a strong swimmer—there was a lot of water rushing over the edge of the retaining wall. There are rocks below that create a strong current and some rapids. My friends and I used to ride down those rapids without tubes or anything. It was a blast. But I wouldn’t recommend trying it unless you really know what you’re doing—I had already been a river guide and a lifeguard for five years at that point. So be careful!