Snowshoeing... Close To Yellowstone. Island Park, Idaho

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Snowshoeing has some great health benefits:⁣

❄️Exceptional cardiovascular workout – burn up to 1,000 calories per hour!⁣

❄️Low-impact muscle building.⁣

❄️Endurance building.⁣

❄️Balance strengthening and agility.⁣

❄️Improves your sense of well-being by connecting to nature⁣

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And Island Park, Idaho, has some fantastic and beautiful places to snowshoe. Check out these 3 trails for some beautiful scenery!⁣

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Ranch Loop- Harriman State Park⁣

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Moose Snow Loop at Caribou-Targhee National Forest⁣

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Harriman Hounds Winter Trail at  Harriman State Park

What's the big deal about Island Park, Idaho Close to Yellowstone?

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What's the big deal about Island Park, Idaho? Only everything! But here are 10 reasons we think you should visit!⁣

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1. The wildlife⁣

2. Access to the outdoors⁣

3. Views of the stars and low light pollution⁣

4. Peace and quiet- no city noises⁣

5. White water, waterfalls, rivers, and lakes⁣

6. Wildflowers⁣

7. Scenic drives⁣

8. Fishing⁣

9. Cozy cabins⁣

10. Friendly locals

Where are the wildlife in Yellowstone in the winter?

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Did you know that winter is considered the prime time to spot wildlife in the Yellowstone area because wildlife is easily spotted against the white snow background?⁣

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This means the average visitor to Yellowstone during the winter potentially won’t even need to leave the vicinity of their tour to see a wild wolf and other critters!⁣

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Although the bears hibernate, bison, elk, mule deer, moose, wolves, coyotes, and so many more roam the park.

Be sure to contact our friends for tours. Tied to Nature at https://tiedtonature.com

Are you the planner in the group? Start Planning now...

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Spring may feel like an eternity away but now is the perfect time to start planning your excursions and adventures for 2023!⁣

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Want some local tips and ideas? Search our blog at https://visitislandparkidaho.com/blog!

Book your cabins close to Yellowstone here at www.VisitIslandParkIdaho.com and pick the perfect cabin for you and your friends and family.

World Pear Day

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Pears are used in all sorts of recipes including pies, cakes, breads, salads, jams, quesadillas, pancakes, and cocktails. Some put pears on their pizza and eat them on sandwiches. Others pickle their pears. What are some ways you enjoy pears?

Pear cobbler is one the the best holiday desserts if you ask me. My favorite is to use asian pears for the cobbler. Speaking of recipes, here is a five star pear cobbler recipe here: Pear Cobbler.

According to this website there are some pretty cool facts about pears. See them below:

  • There are 3,000 varieties of pears around the world

  • A medium pear contains 100 calories

  • Producers handpick all pears in the United States.

  • Because of its soft, butter-like texture, pears used to be called butter fruit

  • Pears are rich in dietary fibers, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, copper, and potassium

  • Pears are considered one of the healthiest foods and can reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer

  • Some of the most popular kinds of pears include Bartlett, Anjou, Asian, and Comice, which is also called the Christmas Pear

  • China considers pears the symbol of immortality.

Island Park: Where is the island and is it a park?

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Island Park, Idaho, is one of the best getaway destinations in the Mountain West. After all, that’s why you’re here, right? But what do you know of Island Park? Let’s dive in to what the park is and how it came to be. 

How Island Park Was Made

Island Park is actually a lot like Hawaii in the sense that both were formed by volcanic activity. Millions of years ago, hot magma under the earth pushed up skyscraping volcanoes out of the ground. These volcanoes regularly erupted until the hot magma was no longer underneath them. Many of the tall buttes southwest of Island park were formed in this way. However, massive eruptions in the Island Park area created circular valleys called a calderas. These calderas, some of the largest in the entire world, are what now form the mountainous walls of Island Park and Yellowstone National Park. 

Who First Lived in Island Park?

Island Park was traversed by Blackfeet, Bannock, Shoshone and Sheepeater Native Americans for thousands of years. However, none of these tribes held any permanent settlements in Island Park, as the area receives a lot of snow in the winter, making year-round living difficult. Native Americans would continue to pass through Island Park up until the late 1800s. 

Between 1810 and 1840, the Island Park area was dominated by mountain men looking for beaver furs, of which they obtained hundreds of thousands in the areas. Following the decline in the fur trade, ranching and tourism became the main use of Island Park. Even today, ranching cattle and recreational tourism are still the central means of occupation for Island Park residents, especially near Henry’s Lake. 

One of the largest cattle ranches in Island Park was that of the Herriman family, owned by Edwin Herriman, president of the Union Pacific railroad. He was one of many industrial barons from the East Coast that gained a fondness for the Yellowstone and Island Park areas of the Mountain West. Like other generous landowners who would come to build summer homes and businesses in Island Park, the Herriman family eventually gifted much of their land for recreational use. 

Another businessman-turned-philanthropist was A. S. Trude, a lawyer from Illinois who came through the area after touring Yellowstone National Park. It was Trude who helped establish the first conservation efforts within Island Park. Before he died, he gave his land to the Federal Government. The land was flooded according to his wishes, creating the beautiful Island Park Reservoir. 

In the century since Island Park was settled, millions have come to love the land. Visitors like yourself return many times, year after year, to enjoy the natural, wild beauty of the park. If this is your first Island Park experience, we hope that it won’t be your last. 

Looking for a place to stay? Check out our cabins available here or keep reading this blog for more things to do in Island Park, Idaho and the greater area as well.

It's Wolfenoot Day! ... What's that?

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Back in 2018 the creator of Wolfenoot Day decided it was a day to honor kindness to all things including the wolves. The people around jumped all in and it is now official. So celebrate today by being kind to all things human and animal - especially kind to dogs as they are relatives of the wolf.

For more information check out Wolfednoot Day.

We like to go the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone to see Wolves up close and personal. Check them out while you are here. Ohhhh! And if you buy entrance, it is good for the next day too! Perfect as you are entering or exiting YNP the following day, you can stop into the center for free with the prior days’ pass! - Awesome!

Ready to plan your vacation close to Yellowstone?

Book now at www.VisitIslandParkIdaho.com with no booking fees.

Winter in Yellowstone... what?

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Many people think of Yellowstone vacations as a summertime activity, but winter in Yellowstone is one of the best times to visit! ⁣

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Wintertime in Yellowstone is a wonderland of snowy woods, icicles, geyser rain, frozen waterfalls, and animals! Animals move to lower elevations in winter to roam around so you can get a better view of elk, mule deer, moose, wolves, and coyotes. The contrast between the dark fur of the animals and the white snow makes it easy to spot these majestic creatures. ⁣

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In winter, only the road between the North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana, to the park’s northeast entrance near Silver Gate and into Cooke City, Montana, remains open to visitors’ vehicles. You can also take advantage of Yellowstone’s snow to explore the park with skis and snowshoes.

Grocery Close To Yellowstone

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From family dinners to midnight snacks, before you head to your cabin, you'll want to stock up! ⁣

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While Island Park has some groceries available at convenience stations, you'll want to stock up on your essentials and more specific groceries at stops along the way. Here's our list of major grocery stories on your way to Island Park, Idaho. ⁣

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Don't want to worry about shopping for groceries? No problem! There is now a service that will pick up your groceries for you and deliver them to your cabin here in Island Park. All you have to do is order and pay online at one of the three options, and then they will pick them up and have them at the cabin for you. They even put away the cold stuff. ⁣

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Swipe through to see all of your grocery options!

Yellowstone’s Magical Fall season

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There is nothing like the views of the Yellowstone area during the fall. The golden aspens, yellow grasses, and red shrubs provide a beautiful display of colors for your visit. The cooler weather makes it the perfect time to enjoy biking and hiking. Wildlife is also abundant in fall, with bears planning for hibernation and elk in mating season or "rut" in full swing. ⁣

Some of the most colorful spots are Mammoth Hot Springs, the Lamar Valley, Blacktail Plateau Drive, and Lewis River near the falls and in the Lewis River Canyon.

Caldera Cottage is less than 40 minutes from West Yellowstone gate.

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Your perfect Yellowstone stay is just 40 minutes from the entrance! This sweet cottage sleeps up to six and is away from the hustle and bustle of tourist traffic so you can sleep easy and rest for your next big adventure. ⁣




Not in the mood for the hustle and bustle in the park? No Worries! Just hang out in town, we have some amazing things to do in Island Park too. Float big springs or check out Mesa falls. Go horseback riding at Harriman or fishing off the Mack’s Inn bridge.

Winter in the back yard of the Caldera Cottage.

Everything is better in Island Park ❤️

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Book it now at VisitIslandParkIdaho.com.

Outside Fall Crafts for the win

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This fall, when you are cozy in your cabin in Island Park, Idaho, it's a great time to shut off electronics and TVs and get back to connecting. But, you may be wondering, "What the heck do I do without electronics???"



Well, we have some ideas for you!  Here are a few cute and fun fall crafts you can do by yourself, with your family, or with friends!

When you want to stay in the cabins close to Yellowstone book here.

Howl at the Moon Night

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When is the last time you howled at the moon? Tonight (Oct 26) is Worldwide Howl at the Moon Night is a tribute to animals that howl at the moon.

It is also a day when people are educated and made aware that conservationists are working in wolf conservation organizations like @yellowstonewildlifesanctuary that provide a lifelong sanctuary to non-releasable Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem wildlife while sharing a message of education and conservation. As well as @grizzlywolfctr, a not-for-profit wildlife park and education facility located in West Yellowstone, MT.

And as always, if you are looking for a cabin or lodge to stay in while howling, www.VisitIslandParkIdaho.com .

Got GORP? ⁣

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G.O.R.P. stands for "Good Old Raisins and Peanuts" and is said to be the original trail mix. It's the perfect snack for hiking, picnics, and watching movies! The best part? There really are no rules to what you can make it out of. We put together a list of some things you can add along with raisins and peanuts for a perfect snack while adventuring around Island park. ⁣

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The first step, head to Robins Roost Grocery Store! ⁣

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Things to add to your GORP to make it even better: popcorn, honey nut Cheerios, dried cranberries, m&ms, pretzels, yogurt-covered raisins, and Chex cereal.

Gear, Clothing, Essentials … oh my!

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With its pristine lakes, forests, and abundant wildlife, Island Park is THE place to explore and fall in love with the outdoors. If this is your first trip to the area, you may be wondering what to pack for your stay. ⁣

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Here are some of our picks for items you don't want to forget!