Eastern Idaho
Eastern Idaho is a beautiful place to live and play. Some of the best fly fishing in the world can be found on the many rivers that cascade down from the snow covered mountain ranges and cut spectacular canyon walls hidden among the rolling potato fields. Fantastic hunting, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, camping, etc. is abundant in vast open spaces of this region. Eastern Idaho is truly a sportsman’s paradise.
Island Park, Idaho
Island Park, Idaho, located south of West Yellowstone near the border of Yellowstone National Park, is a popular second home/vacation getaway community. The town itself is about a mile wide and roughly 35 miles long! Surrounding the city limits are endless acres of lodgepole pines, aspens, and Douglas firs. Island Park is where legendary fishing opportunities are found on the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River. Henry’s Lake and the Island Park Reservoir are also quite popular for boating, fishing, and water skiing.
Surrounding Attractions
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is America’s first national park, located west of Island Park. It is home to a large variety of wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and elk. Also, this park has a collection of the world’s most extraordinary geysers and hot springs, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Old Faithful being one of these. www.westyellowstonechamber.com
Upper And Lower Mesa Falls
In all of Idaho, there remain just two undisturbed waterfalls of any real consequence. Majestic falls of 105 feet on Upper Mesa and 65 feet on Lower. Both Upper and lower mesa falls thunder through a narrow chasm carved by the Henry’s Fork River in eastern Idaho, near Yellowstone National Park. The Mesa Falls Scenic Byway, south of Island Park, visits both of them. The beautiful falls are well worth the effort to see and enjoy.
Targhee National Forest
The Targhee is a National Forest of contrasts! Its 1.8 million acres, in five Ranger Districts, encompass semi-desert, sagebrush-dotted, arid land; timbered highlands and peaks over 10,000 feet; and streams, lakes, waterfalls, rivers, and wilderness areas. The Forest is located mostly in Idaho, with a small portion in Wyoming, and borders Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.
Henry’s Lake State Park
Surrounded on 3 sides by the Continental Divide. Henry’s Lake is as famous for its trout fishing as it is for its scenery.
Island Park Reservoir
With 5 boat launch sites, the reservoir is a popular spot for fishing and all water sports. The reservoir is situated above Box Canyon which provides excellent fly fishing opportunities and scenic float trips.
Mount Sawtelle
A 10,000-foot peak with a well-maintained gravel road that takes you to the top of the mountain where it is like a large flat plateau with flowers in the multicolor splendor that are up to your knees. The view is breathtaking. From this vantage point you can look to the North down onto Henry’s lake to the South down onto Island Park Reservoir to the South East you can see the Huge Tetons and to the West the ranches and ominous mountain range.
Bechler Meadows
Adjacent to Island Park, is the Bechler-Falls River basin truly a waterfall lover’s paradise.Some of Yellowstone’s most beautiful falls are in this area. Numerous creeks drop off the Madison and Pitchstone Plateaus, gorgeous falls are formed.
Fall River
One of the most beautiful rivers in the world. This wild scenic river has numerous waterfalls, no reservoirs, steep canyons, gorges, pure sparkling water, and great fishing.
Warm River
Wildlife stretches along the 26-mile stretch of Warm River, The Head is spring fed, making it a clear, 50 degrees river year round. This river provides excellent trout fishing and a groomed snowmobile trail that winds its way up the canyon.