Local Attractions

Yellowstone National Park

A ten minute drive north of the property brings you to the U.S. Continental Divide and into Montana. Another ten minutes and you will arrive at the town of West Yellowstone, Montana, which is the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Always plan an extra 30 minutes when driving in the park, as animal sightings will delay traffic. Be sure to make reservations for meals at the Yellowstone Lodges as soon as possible, at least a month in advance, otherwise a soonest available reservation at 11:00 am could be for 8:00 pm that evening. Within the park there are 15 roadside waterfalls. In early spring (April and May), the bison use the roads as migration routes to avoid the snow, making it the best time to see animals close up, to say nothing of the way animals jump out of the landscape when the backdrop is snow. In early fall (late September through the end of October), the aspen trees turn from green to yellow with a hint of orange, resulting in an amazing tapestry of colors. Yellowstone Lake, the largest and highest fresh water lake is 1.5 hours from the house into Yellowstone Park.

Upper Yellowstone Falls Old Faithful Geyser Elk in the Park

Horseback Riding - Dry Ridge Ourfitters - 3489 Green Canyon Rd, Island Park, ID 83429
This is our favorite place to ride around a lake, through forests. Take a bugling trip in the early morning or late evening to hear the elk from the first week of September - October. Approx. 40 minutes south of the cabin.

Stagecoach Ride and Horseback Riding
at Roosevelt Corrals in the Park
This is least expensive location at which to ride, because it is the farthest site. We love it because you start your ride in bison and coyote territory.

Fairy Falls in Yellowstone National Park

The kids will love tickling the tummies of the tame chipmunks.

Teton National Park

About a half hour south of Yellowstone Lake is Teton National Park (Yellowstone Lake is about an hour and a half from the house).

Jenny Lake - in the Teton National Park, has an inexpensive shuttle boat providing access to Cascade canyon and Hidden Falls on the other side.

Mesa Falls, Island Park, Idaho

To enjoy a close up encounter with a large waterfall, travel south 30 minutes to Mesa Falls in Island Park, ID and 20 minutes east of the highway. At Upper Mesa Falls, here is no need to wear sun glasses, as the spray from the falls will coat them in a fine mist. Travel further down the road to for an overlook of lower Mesa Falls.

Drive to Henry's Lake overlook, Island Park, Idaho

A local highlight is the 20 minute drive to Sawtelle Peak Road, then a 20 minute drive up a winding dirt road to the top. At the top of the mountain, at about 10,000 feet, is an FAA Air Traffic Control Radar dome (looks like a black ball), so the road is maintained during the summer. The road is closed during the winter and can be slick after heavy rains. There are no guard rails, so drive carefully. The picture to the left is of Henry's Lake. The mountains of Teton National Park are often visible to the East. If you want to play in the snow in the late spring or early fall, this is place to go.
Lower left: towards Henry's lake; Center: toward the Tetons; Right: showing the facility

Town of West Yellowstone, Montana

20 minutes north of the house is West Yellowstone, Montana (called "West" by locals). This town has two grocery stores, four fishing shops with guide services (servicing Montana locations only), an IMAX Theater, 19 places to eat, a lot of shops, a live theater, and a small summer rodeo.

Bozeman, MT Groceries
Costco - 2505 Catron St. Bozeman, MT 59718
Walmart - 1500 N 7th Ave. Bozeman, MT 59715

Grizzly and Wolf Center in West Yellowstone

Take a float trip down the Snake River at Mack's Inn

Whether you are interested in a leisurely float down a calm river or want to see moose close up in person, the Henry's fork of the Snake River has it all. A float trip from Mack's Inn will take about 3 hours of slow paddling. It is very peaceful, and you are able to get away from everything. Plan your trip in the early morning or late evening to get the best chance of seeing animals. The Mack's Inn trip is not guided and the trip ends at Cafe Sabor, Mexican cuisine. Enjoy a meal next to the river.

Trout Hunter Restaurant

The Trout Hunter is the owner's favorite restaurant. Located 30 minutes south of the home. Eat out door by the river. There are no table umbrellas.

Drive the old stagecoach road through the Continental Divide

Turn left at Henry's Lake Road and take Red Rock Road five minutes away, which is the old stagecoach road. Red Rock Road is a dirt road that goes 60 miles over the Continental Divide, past the Red Rock Lakes, through Centennial Valley to Hwy 15. You will notice rugged mountains to the west and rolling meadows to the east. See Hell Roaring Creek, the highest tributary of the Missouri river. The first two weeks in July, the wildflowers are in bloom. There are no services (have plenty of gas), the only food is available at the remote Elk Lake Resort (call ahead). This area and Elk Lake Resort are only accessible by snowmobile in the winter and it is considered some of the best snowmobiling in Idaho/Montana.

Bozeman, MT Hot Springs

Remodeled in 2023 and absolutely a destination not to miss. Four outdoor pools. Two indoor pools. Icy and super-heated pools. Live music on Thursdays and Sundays. Incredibly peaceful.

Big Springs in Island Park, Idaho

Big Springs is one of the largest springs in the United States and is a head-water of Henry's Fork of the Snake River. The spring releases 120 million gallons of water a day at a year round temperature of 52 degrees. There is a nearby bridge where children love to feed the large trout. Musk Rat, Beaver, and Moose can be spotted from the 1/2 mile trail. Big Springs is 20 Minutes south of the house, on highway 20, left on Big Springs Loop Road. Sorry, there is no fishing.

Big Springs Johnny Sack's Historical Cabin - built in 1935. The cabin and the contents were hand built by Johnny, a year round resident of the area. He never married because he couldn't stand the thought of a wife covering his hardwood floors with rugs, and handmade wooden windows with curtains.

Lewis and Clark Caverns, MT

A 1 hour and 40 minute drive north of the home, are the Lewis and Clark Caverns. Spend at least 2 hours hiking though 2 miles of trails. There is a 3/4 mile trail with a 300 ft elevation gain to get to the cavern entrance. The cavern is wonderfully lit with artificial lighting and has mostly downward steps with hand rails. There is one short "beaver" slide and many spots, lower than five foot high. The exit of the cavern is a man made tunnel which opens to a mostly flat 3/4 mile trail for the return. The caverns showcase some of the most highly decorated limestone stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and helictites in the Northwest. All visits to the caverns are guided and there is a fee.

9 Hole Golf Course

About ten minutes away is Island Park Village Resort a 9 hole golf course, features 2,668 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 35.

Snow - Winter Activities

The home is at 6600 ft elevation. Island Park, Idaho receives 250 inches of snow and has 500 miles of groomed snowmobile trails. The old stagecoach road, described above is known for 60 miles accessible by snowmobile or skiing only. The picture to the left was taken during April 2011 through the trout room window and shows an ice covered lake with 5 foot snow drifts. When Yellowstone National Park road opens to cars in early spring, bison and elk use the park roads as migration routes. The first week the park is open, entrance is generally free.
For a snowmobile map of Island Park, Idaho:
http://www.co.fremont.id.us/departments/parks_rec/winter_trail_map/winter_recreation_map.html
For a maps of snowmobiling near West Yellowstone, Montana:
http://www.westyellowstonechamber.com/sites/default/files/South_Half_2012.pdf
http://www.westyellowstonechamber.com/sites/default/files/North_Half_2012.pdf