Pocatello

Around Pocatello

Illustration made for Popchat

Metro area · Idaho · 99k people

Pocatello

Locals say Gate City · “Gate City”, “Smelter City”

A friendly gateway to Idaho's outdoors.

Idaho State orangeIdaho State black

Join the room Ask the neighbours

Welcome to the Gate City! Whether you're here for the outdoor adventures or the friendly small-town vibe, you'll find plenty to love. Grab some fry sauce and make yourself at home.

Clubs for Pocatello

No clubs for Pocatello yet.

The room

One room for everyone around Pocatello. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

A good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.

Coming up

No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.

Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Pocatello. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

  • Idaho State University Home of the Bengals and a hub of local life.
  • Holt Arena Indoor football stadium for ISU games and events.
  • Zoo Idaho Small city zoo in Ross Park with regional wildlife.
  • Idaho Museum of Natural History On ISU campus, features fossils and regional history.
  • Ross Park Includes the zoo, a pool, and picnic areas.
  • Portneuf River Runs through town, popular for fishing and floating.
  • Outdoors Hike the Portneuf Greenway
  • Outdoors Float the Portneuf River
  • With kids Visit Zoo Idaho
  • With kids Play at Ross Park
  • Evenings Craft beer at local breweries
  • Evenings Live music at downtown bars
  • Locals love mountain hiking trails
  • Locals love hot springs

Through the year

  • Pocatello Marathon September Annual marathon through the city and nearby trails.
  • Bannock County Fair August County fair with livestock, rides, and exhibits.
  • Portneuf Valley Farmers Market Summer Weekly market with local produce and crafts.
  • ISU Bengals Football Games Fall Home games at Holt Arena with tailgating.
  • Pocatello Art Walk Monthly Monthly gallery stroll in downtown.

Pocatello has a semi-arid climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, dry summers. The best time to be out is late spring through early fall. Best: Late spring through early fall

Talk like a local

“Gate City”
Nickname for Pocatello
“spud”
Potato
“fry sauce”
Mayo-ketchup mix for fries
“the Portneuf”
The river running through town

Getaways

  • Blackfoot Home of the Eastern Idaho State Fair.
  • Idaho Falls River walk and falls on the Snake River.
  • Jackson Gateway to Grand Teton and Yellowstone.
  • Logan Cache Valley with hiking and a college town vibe.

Local flavour

Teams

  • Idaho State Bengals NCAA Division I

Also rooting for Boise State Broncos (NCAA DI, football and basketball), Utah Jazz (NBA), Seattle Seahawks (NFL)

Eat and drink

  • Idaho potato dishes Baked, mashed, fried – the region's identity.
  • Fry sauce A ketchup-mayo blend ubiquitous across Idaho.
  • Finger steaks Battered beef strips, a regional bar food favourite.

Where people go

  • Hiking and mountain trails The Bannock Range and nearby peaks offer year-round recreation.
  • Hot springs Lava Hot Springs and other geothermal spots are a short drive away.
  • Farmland and potato fields The surrounding valley is dotted with agricultural land.
  • Historic downtown A compact main street with local shops and eateries.

Heritage and traditions

Pocatello is proud of its railroad and pioneer heritage, its nickname as the 'Gate City' to the Northwest, and its strong sense of community anchored by Idaho State University and the surrounding mountains and hot springs.

This time of year in Pocatello

  • Potato harvest Fall September and October bring the harvest, with locals celebrating the spud in meals and events.

Say it like a local: “Pop” — Soda, soft drink.

Festivals

  • Soda Springs Geyser Festival July A community celebration with a parade, live music, and the geyser erupting hourly.
  • Pocatello Greek Festival June Greek food, music, and dancing, celebrating the city's Greek immigrant heritage.
  • Shoshone-Bannock Festival August A powwow and cultural gathering at Fort Hall, featuring drumming, dancing, and traditional crafts.
  • Portneuf Valley Celtic Festival September Celtic music, dance, and heritage workshops in a family-friendly setting.
  • Pioneer Day July 24 LDS pioneer celebration with parades, fireworks, and community picnics.
  • Winterfest December Holiday lights, ice sculptures, and activities in historic downtown.

Landmarks with a story

  • Historic Union Pacific Depot Restored 1925 depot, a symbol of the city's railroad roots and now a museum.
  • Fort Hall Replica Full-scale replica of the 1834 fur trading post, located in Ross Park.
  • Pocatello Idaho Temple LDS temple dedicated in 2021, a landmark for the local Latter-day Saint community.
  • Soda Springs Geyser A man-made geyser that erupts hourly, created by drilling in 1937.
  • Bannock County Courthouse Historic courthouse from 1914, still in use and listed on the National Register.
  • Museum of Clean A quirky museum dedicated to the history of cleanliness, a one-of-a-kind attraction.

Food traditions

  • Finger steaks with fry sauce Battered and deep-fried strips of beef, a bar-food staple invented in Idaho, always served with fry sauce (ketchup and mayo).
  • Huckleberry pie Wild huckleberries are gathered in summer and made into pies, shakes, and jams—a true local treat.
  • Soda Springs carbonated water Naturally carbonated spring water, a local drink from the geyser springs, often sipped straight.
  • Potato harvest meals During the fall harvest, locals enjoy fresh potatoes in every form—from baked to soup to hash browns.
  • Greek pastries Baklava and other pastries from the Greek community, especially during the Greek Festival.

Music and arts

  • Shoshone-Bannock drumming and dance Traditional drum groups and dancers perform at powwows and cultural events.
  • Bluegrass and old-time jams Local musicians gather for informal jam sessions, especially in summer.
  • Greek folk dance The Greek community keeps traditional dances alive at festivals and gatherings.
  • Local pottery and crafts Artisans sell handmade pottery, quilts, and Western crafts at farmers markets.

A little history

  • 1834 Fort Hall established as a fur trading post.
  • 1882 Pocatello founded as a railroad town.
  • 1860s Oregon Trail pioneers passed through Soda Springs, leaving wagon ruts still visible.
  • 1889 Idaho State University founded as the Academy of Idaho.
  • 1937 Soda Springs Geyser accidentally created by drilling for a swimming pool.

Rivalries

  • Idaho State Bengals vs. Boise State Broncos In-state college football rivalry.
  • Pocatello vs. Idaho Falls Friendly city rivalry for regional bragging rights.
  • Game day Bengals tailgating at Holt Arena
  • Game day Bannock County Rodeo
  • Outdoors Hike Scout Mountain
  • Outdoors See the Soda Springs Geyser
  • With kids Museum of Clean
  • With kids Fort Hall Replica

People speak with a general Western accent, dropping the 'g' in -ing words and using a few Idaho-isms like 'oh my heck' and 'pop' for soda. The city's nickname, 'Gate City', is sometimes dropped casually.

Only here

  • The 'Gate City' nickname, from Pocatello's role as a gateway to the Northwest.
  • The Soda Springs Geyser erupting hourly—a man-made wonder.
  • The Museum of Clean, the only one of its kind in the world.
  • The Fort Hall Replica, a full-scale fur-trading post in Ross Park.
New here? A few tips
  • Pronounce it 'po-kuh-TEL-oh'—stress the TEL.
  • Winters are cold and snowy; invest in a good coat and snow tires.
  • Try finger steaks and fry sauce at a local diner early on.
  • Get outside: the Portneuf Greenway and nearby mountains are perfect for quick escapes.
  • Many businesses close on Sundays; plan errands accordingly.

Make this page better

Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.

Sign in and join a club here to suggest.

Nearby

Every area
BlackfootIdahoThe heart of Idaho's potato country.Idaho FallsIdahoWhere the Snake River winds through the high desertMontpelier–Soda SpringsIdahoWhere the water fizzes and the berries are sweet.BurleyIdahoWhere the potatoes are as big as the sky and the people are as warm as the harvest sun.RexburgIdahoWhere the Tetons meet the potato fieldsLoganUtahMountain views, Aggie prideJacksonWyomingWhere the Tetons touch the skyBrigham CityUtahWhere peaches and pioneers meet.

Pocatello, ID. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.

Join the conversationFree, with just an email.

Sign in