Statewide - Idaho

Island Park
This rustic resort area is actually the
world’s largest caldera, 23 miles in
diameter, created from a volcano that
collapsed in prehistoric times. Now
carpeted in wildflowers and dense
pine forests, it is popular for hiking
and fishing in the summer and Nordic
skiing and snowmobiling in the winter.
The Henrys Fork of the Snake River
is a stretch of clear mountain water
acclaimed by fly-fishing enthusiasts as
the best trout-fishing stream in the U.S.
Curtailed here to form the 7,000-acre
Island Park Reservoir, it is popular with
both anglers and boaters. One source
of the Henrys Fork is Big Springs, where
120 million gallons of water bubble up
into the river each day. The Big Springs
Nature Trail, six miles north of the Island
Park Ranger Station, is a half-mile,
handicap-accessible trail that provides
great viewing of osprey, bald eagles,
and waterfowl, and an occasional
moose, deer, or muskrat.
The Henrys Fork then winds through
the picture-perfect meadows of Harriman
State Park. Also known as the
Railroad Ranch, this property was
deeded to Idaho by the Harriman family
of the Union Pacific Railroad. Guided
tours of the ranch are available in the
summer. Yurts and the former ranch
manager’s house are available to rent.
You can hike, fish, cycle, horseback
ride, or simply observe the wildlife that
abounds in the park. A most rewarding
side trip en route to Island Park is the
Mesa Falls Scenic Byway on Highway
47. Lower Mesa Falls is 65 feet high
and can be viewed from an observation
point high above the falls. Stunning Upper
Mesa Falls plunges 114 feet and has
a network of viewing platforms as well
as a visitor center.
Located just 15 miles west of Yellowstone
National Park, Henrys Lake is the
kind of place fishermen dream about.
Named after explorer and fur trapper
Major Andrew Henry, Henrys Lake State
Park is open in summer and fall with 45
campsites, camping cabins, and a modern
fish-cleaning station for anglers’
convenience.
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Teton Valley
visitidaho.org |
89
Black Bear
Just over the mountain from Jackson
Hole, Wyoming, are the communities
of Driggs, Tetonia, and Victor. Teton
Valley is the less crowded, more relaxed
side of the Teton Mountains. The valley
is a rural agricultural area perched at
6,200 feet in elevation, with outstanding
outdoor recreation in both summer
and winter. Hospitable resorts, hotels,
guest ranches, and bed-and-breakfast
inns can be found throughout the
valley. Experience the beauty and
recreational activities of the Tetons
on your own or with an outfitter who
will give you personal insights into this
glorious country. If you visit in the summer,
plan to fish on the Teton River, hike
in the mountains, play golf at Teton
Springs, or go on a trail ride. In the
winter, Teton Valley is transformed into
a magical white paradise. Abundant
snow makes for fantastic alpine and
Nordic skiing and snowmobiling. Some
of the best powder on the planet can
be found at Grand Targhee Resort, just
outside of Driggs in Alta, Wyoming.
Grand Targhee offers astounding views
of the Tetons and a variety of winter and
summer activities.
This historical rendezvous area, once
called “Pierre’s Hole” by fur trappers,
has two museums to explore: the Teton
Valley Museum on Highway 33 and the
Warbirds Museum at the Driggs airport.
If you use eastern Idaho as a base, you
can explore both Yellowstone and Teton
National Parks, plus enjoy the quiet and
solitude of one of America’s most scenic
mountain ranges.
Henrys Fork
Falls Creek
Teton Valley
Island Park
Brown trout