Just moved to Pocatello, or getting back into it after a while? These groups are beginner-friendly and welcoming — no need to be fast, experienced, or know a soul.
Tuesdays · Mar–Sep · coached track workout
📍 Pocatello High School track, Pocatello
Coach-led stretching, warm-up, and track sets; welcoming to all paces.
Seasonal guided hikes & field trips
📍 Rotating preserves (Century Heights, Thunder Ridge, area)
Naturalist-led plant-ID hikes and field trips on protected preserves open to the public.
Pocatello Cross-Country Ski Foundation
Mid-Dec–mid-Mar · groomed daily · open 24/7
📍 East Fork Mink Creek Nordic Center, Pocatello
20 km of groomed classic and skate trails plus snowshoe routes; trail pass required 24/7, rentals at the A-frame.
Wednesdays · Mar–Sep · multiple pace groups
📍 Rotating foothills trailheads, Pocatello
3–8 miles with shorter options for newcomers; tracked on the club Strava.
Saturdays, 8:00am · Mar–Sep · all paces
📍 Rotating locations — check Facebook
Groups split by trail vs. road and pace depending on turnout.
Seasonal shop runs & local races — see calendar
📍 Pocatello Running Co., 328 W Clark St, Pocatello
Specialty shop that hosts and promotes area running events; check the calendar.
Tuesdays · warm-weather season · beginner road ride
📍 Barrie’s Ski and Sports, Pocatello
Entry-level road ride; call the shop to confirm the start time.
Thursdays · warm-weather season · all abilities
📍 Barrie’s Ski and Sports, Pocatello
No-drop road ride for all skill levels; demo bikes may be available.
Seasonal shop MTB rides — all abilities
📍 Rotating trailheads, Pocatello area
Shop hosts road, mountain, and e-bike group rides through the warm months.
City of Pocatello Outdoor Recreation
Monthly trailwork · Apr/May–Oct/Nov
📍 City Creek & foothills trailheads, Pocatello
Structured volunteer program (~8 hrs/month) that builds and maintains the foothills trails; perks include shop discounts and Wilderness First Aid.
Year-round workdays — cleanups & tree planting
📍 Rotating preserves, Pocatello area
Volunteer stewardship workdays, community cleanups, and tree planting.
Semester trips — hiking, camping & more
📍 Departs ISU campus, Pocatello
Guided trips each semester; students get one free trip per semester.
Seasonal paddling trips & rentals
📍 Departs ISU campus / area rivers & reservoirs
Beginner whitewater rafting, kayaking, and paddleboard trips; kayaks, canoes, rafts, and SUPs also for rent.
Open during the school year — see hours
📍 Reed Gym, ISU campus, Pocatello
35-ft wall with top-rope, lead, and a roof section; free for students, low fee for the public. Hosts the annual Pocatello Pump comp.
Mondays, 5:30–9:30pm · open to the public
📍 Gate City Bouldering, Pocatello
$10 open-hours pass; 50+ regularly reset problems on 12–14 ft walls.
Fridays, 5:30–9:30pm · open to the public
📍 Gate City Bouldering, Pocatello
Sundays, 1:30–5:30pm · open to the public
📍 Gate City Bouldering, Pocatello
Pocatello Cross-Country Ski Foundation
Winter season community ski nights — see schedule
📍 East Fork Mink Creek Nordic Center, Pocatello
Volunteer-run community nights and the seasonal Potato Cup event.
Portneuf Valley Audubon Society
Third Thursday, 7:00pm · Sep–May
📍 Marshall Public Library, 113 S Garfield Ave, Pocatello
Free programs open to the public, September through May.
Portneuf Valley Audubon Society
Seasonal bird outings & midwinter eagle count
📍 Rotating area birding sites
Member-led field trips plus the annual eagle count between American Falls Dam and the Raft River, open to the public.
Monthly meetup — fly-tying & conservation
📍 Pocatello (see chapter for venue)
Trout Unlimited Chapter 720; members gather monthly to talk fishing and Portneuf-watershed conservation.
Guided river trips by reservation
📍 Snake River Fly, 257 N Main St, Pocatello
Local guide service for the Snake, Blackfoot, and Portneuf rivers.
Winter season · lift-served alpine terrain
📍 Pebble Creek Ski Area, Inkom (near Pocatello)
2,200 ft vertical and 1,100 acres in the Portneuf Range, ~20 min from Pocatello; lessons and rentals on site.