Island Park Idaho  Recreational Activities 

Island Park Idaho is  a nature lover's   heaven.    Recreational opportunities   abound  all seasons   and each season possesses its own unequaled magical beauty here.  Island Park is home to the largest Caldera in the United States, though that hasn't  scared many off yet!  Although there are only a couple of hundred full-time residents here, there are plOr  vacation cabins, and the area has become a destination hot spot because of its  many  ï»¿ cabin accommodations, its  many outdoor activities, ï»¿ and its proximity to the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park.

Winter is incredible.  Some years see over 350 inches of snowfall. ï»¿  Perfect conditions for the 500 miles of excellent groomed snowmobile trail riding available, as well as hill climbing adventures on snowmobiles ï»¿ up Two Top and Mt. Jefferson for serious "marking".  Back-country areas and groomed cross country ski trails take you to the quieter side of winter.  Alpine skiing at Big Sky, Moonight Basin and Grand Targhee are not too far away. ï»¿  Have you ever seen ï»¿ a snow ghost?  You will here, on Two Top Mountain.  Or how about ï»¿ an iced-over ï»¿ waterfall in the dead ï»¿ of winter?  Ride to Mesa Falls!  Or ride over Two Top into West Yellowstone, pick up a guide and explore the country’s first national park in winter via snowmobile!   Many wintertime sports competitions also take place, such as   the West Yellowstone and Island Park Snow Cross, Island Park Winter Fest, and numerous cross-country skiing and snowmobiling races. 

 Springtime  brings snow melt-off and wildlower emergence.   It also brings the  animals out in Yellowstone.  Take a trip in April to see a grizzly feasting after a long winter, or a bison trying to shed its winter coat.  In May, the babies  are born.   A trip to the park this time of year offers glimpses of mother elk, bear, moose, dear, swans, geese and bison with their young.   

Summer is the peak  vacation  season of Yellowstone, and Island Park plays host to many of those  travelers.  Take time to explore waterfalls, hiking trails, mountain biking trails, and the  plentiful  wildlife of the area.  The many lakes and rivers  provide opportunities for excellent still-water and  fly fishing, boating, water skiing, white water rafting, and calm river floating.   Horseback riding is available, with companies that ride beautiful trails deep into the forest and some that even provide Dutch-oven dinners.    The Wild West Yellowstone Rodeo is in full-force this time of year,  as are the live summer stock theatres  of Island Park and West Yellowstone.  Shops in Island Park and West Yellowstone are all open this time of year, as are the many assorted restaurants.   The trails  formerly claimed   for winter snowmobiling are now maintained for ATV and dirt bike use.  Summer really is activity-packed!  

 Autumn  brings peace  to  Island Park .  The tourists of summer  are mostly gone except for the anglers and hunters, who know this is the time to really land the trophy fish and big game that are feeding heavily for winter.  Hunting Island Park provides  the serious game hunter with opportunities for bear, deer, moose, and elk.   Serious  Yellowstone explorers stay  this time of year  to see the animals re-emerge  with the disappearance of the crowds.     Photographers also  love this time of year  as the  flora  of The Caldera all turn spectacular colors.  For those  able to sneak away , a trip to Island Park in autumn is  simply  sublime!

Whatever  the season, an Island Park vacation is sure to be memorable!