Sight Seeing around Island Park Close To Yellowstone

Note about things to see while visiting Island Park. I have tried to include many of the wonderful things to do and see in our area. Although we are close to Yellowstone National Park there is much to do and see right in our own backyard.

Written by our friend Sandy Briggs a long time resident of Island Park and images taken by Teara.

Cliff and Wade Lakes

These amazing lakes are about 45 minutes from the cabin in Montana. The road to get there is dirt part of the way, but well maintained. Head towards West Yellowstone on US-20, take the exit to Ennis, Montana (by Henry’s Lake) and once you get to the turnoff for Quake Lake or Ennis, go left toward Ennis. About two miles after the turn, you’ll see a sportsman’s access sign to Three Dollar Bridge. Follow this road to Cliff and Wade Lakes. It’s a great spot for picnics but be warned the water is cold.

Harriman State Park, US-20, south of Last Chance

Harriman State Park is a wildlife refuge spanning 11,000 acres. The Henry’s Fork of the Snake, one of the country’s best fly-fishing streams, flows through it and there are more than 20 miles of trails. The view of the Grand Tetons from the ranch is one of the best around. If you are lucky, bears can be seen in the spring and moose most of the summer. Harriman features horse back riding, hiking, bike riding, etc. It is famous for Millionaire’s Pool which is a section of the Henry’s Fork of the Snake on the ranch named for the ultra-rich American’s who have fished there.

Johnny Sack Cabin, South Big Springs Loop, off US-20 at Mack’s Inn

Situated at Big Springs, the cabin can be found at the headwaters of the Henry’s Fork of the Snake. Visitors can reach the cabin by a paved short walking path. The unique furnishing, construction, and location offers visitor’s a view into the past. Johnny was an artist in his use of natural materials. The Big Springs itself are amazing to see. Beautiful crystal-clear water and if you are lucky, you can feed some of the giant rainbow trout who spawn there. There is no swimming or wading in this area. Bring quarters for trout food dispenser. Please don’t feed fish bread or other food.

Quake Lake, Montana

Quake Lake is about 45 minutes from the cabin and a wonderful drive. This lake was created when a mountainside slide and dammed up the Madison River due to an earthquake. There is a great visitor’s center that tells you the history of the lake that is worth a stop. Just a short drive up the road from Quake Lake, near Cabin Creek, is one of the best breakfast and lunch restaurants around, Campfire Lodge. You sit in a small quaint restaurant on the banks of the Madison River. Take cash as they do not accept credit cards. They do have an ATM, but it isn’t always working. They also have a fly-fishing shop attached to the restaurant.

Red Rock Road and Wildlife Refuge, off US-20 north of Island Park

This is one of our favorite drives. Be aware the grade up and over the summit can be rocky so go slow if your vehicle doesn’t have a lot of clearance. Good tires are a must, too. Once you are over the summit, the road is quite nice. You will see several old homesteads that are fun to look around and imagine living there years ago. The wild-life refuge is a fun place to see trumpeter swans and keep an eye out for moose. One of the biggest racks I have ever seen on a bull moose was in this area. Borrow our spotting scope from the back room, it does come in handy. Just please remember to return it when you leave so it is there for the next renter to use.

Upper and Lower Mesa Falls, Mesa Falls Scenic Byway (off US-20) south of Last Chance

Just about half an hour by car you will find yourself at Upper Mesa Falls. This beautiful waterfall is on the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River, 114 feet high, and 200 feet wide. If you hit it just right, there will be a rainbow over the spray. There is a visitor’s center with interesting information in an old cabin at the top of the stairs leading to the falls. There is a parking fee to access the falls, but it is minimal.

Lower Mesa Falls can be accessed from the road. It is not as spectacular as Upper Mesa Falls, but worth a look. It is a little further down the road from Upper Mesa Falls and viewed from a parking lot off the road.

Where to eat in Island Park Idaho Close to Yellowstone

Note about Island Park Restaurants: Island Park is a small community. Because of the lack of available/affordable housing and the amount of people visiting Yellowstone National Park, local establishments suffer from lack of service providers. Please be patient if you are at one of these local establishments, everyone tries so hard to provide what you need, but it doesn’t always happen. The best advice is to plan as far ahead as possible and make reservations (if they take them). If you are spontaneous, try to arrive early (before 5:00 pm) and beat the rush or have the patience to wait for a table. Above all, practice kindness! We are all vested in you and your family having a great time in our small community.

Trout Hunter, 3327 US-20, Island Park
(208) 558-9900

 Trout Hunter is a restaurant, a fly shop, and handles guided fly-fishing trips. Because of this, the restaurant is often busy with their clients and a lot of tables are pre-reserved. If you want a fancier meal than other places, this is a good option. They have great food, steaks, fish, soups, salads, and the like and are on the banks of the Henry’s Fork of the Snake. In the summer they have seating on the deck. Check our blog about our dinner here but we love the caprice brochette, bison rib eye and a dinner salad. Oh and those mashed potatoes are the best bites ever too.

Café Sabor, 4298 US Highway 20, Island Park
(208) 558-9300

Café Sabor is the only Mexican restaurant in the area. They recently remodeled and are on the Big Springs section of the Henry’s Fork of the Snake. The food can be good at times, but at others, not so good. It is nice to sit on the deck and enjoy a margarita though, but don’t let them give you the PREMIX… you really want the margarita made from scratch. Give it a try if you are craving some Mexican food and don’t want to cook your own. I usually get the chimichanga.

Lakeside Lodge, 3857 Lakeside Lodge, Island Park
(208) 558-9770

Lakeside Lodge is the closest restaurant to the cabin in Rancho McCrea but still close to all of Island Park really, and if you have a boat, it’s fun to cruise down the reservoir, dock, and have some lunch or dinner on their deck. They serve burgers, steaks, salads, and have prime rib on occasion. It is great to have a late dinner then cruise the shores of Island Park Reservoir’s many homes as you watch the sun set. If you don’t have a boat, you can drive there by car in about 15 minutes from Rancho McCrea area. It is directly across the reservoir on the other side of the river. If you really want a great Idaho staple, try the FINGER STEAKS. They are a Boise Idaho thing and so so dang good. Tell them Teara sent you!

 Connie’s Restaurant, 4130 Quakie Ln., Island Park
(208) 558-6987

Connie’s is known for its home cooking. Soups, salads, burgers, ribs that fall of the bone, prime rib on Friday and Saturday nights, and home-made pies. Call ahead for reservations with as much notice as possible or show up before 5:00 pm to beat the dinner crowd. Note: They will not take to-go orders if the dining room is busy. They do take reservations for parties larger than 6 at the time of this writing. And really my favorite thing there is the fall off the bone ribs. Never gone wrong with them!

Henry’s Fork Lodge and Restaurant, 2794 S. Pinehaven Dr., Island Park

(208) 558-7953

This is the local special occasion dinner location. The restaurant is renowned throughout the region for gourmet, locally sourced, and seasonal dining. Call for reservations as the dining room is small and they accommodate their lodging and guiding guests first. It is a nice relaxing place on the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River.


Parlor at Mack’s Inn, 4292 US-20, Island Park
(208) 558-2450

The Parlor is across the water from Café Sabor and right next to the new Marriott hotel. The Parlor serves ice cream, coffee, specialty drinks, pizza, and desserts. It would be a great spot to stop after floating Big Springs to get a cold drink or some ice cream. It’s a popular area and can be quite congested. Watch for pedestrians.

Pond’s Lodge, 3757 US-20, Island Park
(208) 558-7221

Pond’s Lodge is not too far from the cabins in Island Park. It is the closest restaurant with decent pizza if you are craving some. They have the only poutine (dish of fries topped with cheese curds and gravy) around. They do not take reservations but can usually accommodate a fair amount of people. Try their tap root beer served in a frosty mug, it’s great on a hot day. Their burgers, French dips, and other food is alright. Though some of the service is not my favorite, the pizza is pretty okay.

Some of our favorite images from this summer.

Check out Charlie Lansche - C.M. Lansche Images online HERE for some amazing images of our magical area.

Osborne Sunrise. How many ranchers, fishermen, and passersby have crossed the Henry's Fork via the historic Osborne Bridge? It's a question that I ponder each time I walk through this gate. Island Park, Idaho. August 24, 2019.

Idaho Blockade. After a few minutes of sizing up one another, I yielded the river right-of-way to her. Wise choice, me thinks. Island Park, Idaho. August 26, 2019.

These mountain goats are just chilling here. This image also by Charlie Lansche - C.M Lansche Images

Washing your Minky Couture blanket gift.

Sometimes we get to work with amazing companies and one of them is Minky Couture. We love our friends at Minky Couture Soft Blankets and just wanted to post this link to their site for washing your Minky Couture gift blanket if you received one during your stay with Visit Island Park Idaho. Check out their video and instructions for washing blankets here.

Enjoy your gift!

love our friends at Minky

Get your sled, which ever one is fine.

Best Friends Forever

The Gathering Place has a few more winter dates available. You don’t always have to snowmobile, you can always bring the other sleds and sled right down the hill. Reserve your stay now at www.visitIslandParkIdaho.com to avoid fees (refundable damage deposit required) or book at https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/28429856?s=51. We’d love to host your family or friend get away! You might see a reindeer! #notreally #wellmaybe #VisitIslandParkIdaho#VisitIslandPark #thegatheringplace #thegatheringplaceislandpark #TheGatheringPlaceMacksInn #sixqueens #thegatheringroom #christmastree #familyreunion #closetoyellowstone #ynp#lodge #familylodge #vacationintheforest #vacationhome #explore#targeenationalforest #islandpark #closetoyellowstone #islandparkidaho #IslandParkEscapes #MacksInn #familyreunion #familyreunionintheforest #familyreunionyellowstone #TheGatheringPlace #thechaletintheforest #reindeer #tricycle #bestfriends #visitidaho