Things to see and do:
BIG SPRINGS; The water flows from beneath the Yellowstone Plateau at a constant temperature year round. The Idaho Fish and Game plant fish in the river at this point. Large fish can be viewed from the Big Springs Bridge. Also located in this area is Johnny Sacks cabin. There is a visitor’s center and it is open for tours during the summer.
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK; Idaho borders two of this country’s most spectacular and geologically interesting National Parks, Yellowstone and Grand Teton, both are within an easy drive. Yellowstone, with its famous geysers, hot springs and abundant wildlife, was the world’s first National Parks. HARRIMAN STATE PARK; This is one of Idaho’s latest scenic attractions. Located just 15 miles south of Island Park Village Resort, the 11,217 acre park joins 19 other state parks administered by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.
HENRY’S LAKE STATE PARK; High in a mountain bowl at an elevation of 6,470 feet lays Henry’s Lake. The lake is within Henry’s Lake State Park and surrounded by lush meadow and the towering Sawtooth Mountains. The shallow lake is known for big trout catches. Henry’s Fork of the Snake River originates at the outlet of the famous Henry’s Lake, just under the Continental Divide between Idaho and Montana. This stream is world renowned as one of the best fly fishing areas in the world. On your way to Quake Lake and Hebgen Lake, stop by Henry’s Lake fish hatchery and see the large trout running and the work done at the hatchery.
MESA FALLS (UPPER AND LOWER); Want a relaxing day? Pack a picnic lunch and follow the following directions to Mesa Falls. Upon leaving the resort turn left on Hwy 20 and continue for about 15 miles Upper and Lower Mesa Falls are a short 12 miles off Hwy 20. Water plunges 114 feet to fill the river canyon. The drop at Lower Mesa Falls is 65 feet. For a true adventure, you can hike down to the river bottom and enjoy the spectacular view first hand.
ISLAND PARK RESERVOIR; This large reservoir is popular for boating, fishing and water skiing. Visitors may drive on top of the dam for scenic views of the Centennial Mountains and Box Canyon approximately 7 miles away. SAWTELL PEAK; Sawtell Peak is approximately 15 miles from the resort with a breathtaking view and a number of miniature high altitude flowers to see in the summer. Riding snowmobiles on Sawtell Peak is prohibited in most areas and is very hazardous.
LAKEVIEW LODGE AND RED ROCK BIRD REFUGE;
Both of these are another must see while in the area. Follow Hwy 20 north about five miles to the Red Rock Road. Lakeview is 39 miles on the Red Rock Road, which is a gravel road. The lodge at Lakeview offers horseback riding in the summer months. Food and gas are also available. In the winter, it is a spectacular snowmobile trip.
CRATERS OF THE MOON; A sea of lava flows with scattered islands of cinder cones and sagebrush describes this “weird and scenic Landscape” known as Craters of the Moon. Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve contain three major lava fields covering almost a half a million acres. These remarkably well preserved volcanic features resulted from geologic events that appear to have happened yesterday and will likely continue tomorrow. Located 85 miles west of Idaho Falls, or take Hwy 33 out of Rexburg and go west to Arco.
VIRGINIA CITY AND NEVADA CITY; Leaving Island Park Village Resort turn right on Hwy 20 and follow it to the junction of Hwy 87, turn left when you reach the end of Hwy 87, follow Hwy 287 along the beautiful Madison River to Ennis, MT. From Ennis, go west on Hwy 287 to Virginia City, an old time town that has been restored. One mile west of Virginia City is famous Nevada City, with its Chinese section of town, the two-story out-house at the end of the Hotel Veranda and Opera Hall with all the musical memorabilia. Ride the narrow gauge railroad between these fun cities, with the old time railroad cars including the Cathedral and the Pullman car. These cities are open only during the summer months.
LEWIS & CLARK CAVERNS; Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park is Montana’s first and best known state park featuring one of the largest known limestone caverns in the Northwest. Naturally air conditioned, these spectacular caves, line with stalactites, stalagmites, columns and flowstone, are electrically lighted and safe to visit. Above ground, a self-guided nature trail provides opportunities to understand the natural surroundings.
Near the Missouri Headwaters State Park, the waters of the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin Rivers flow together to form a living monument to the discoverers of the headwaters, Captains William Lewis and Meriwether Clark. Lewis and Clark Cavers were named in honor of the West’s early explorers, but were actually undiscovered until the 1890’s. Regular tours of the caves began in the late1940’s and now have thousands of visitors each year. The entire tour takes about two hours.
