Infinite Pawprints at Island Park, Idaho
- Luie Boone
- Apr 28
- 5 min read
This vacation destination is a part of our first series of blog posts titled Pooches Polite.
If you’re a four-legged explorer or just a human who loves the outdoors, Island Park, Idaho, is your happy vacation place! There are mountains to hike up, valleys to stroll down, rivers packed with fish, waterfalls (for your dog to howl underneath), and big grassy meadows filled with flowers and critters.
There are trails everywhere. Long ones, short ones, twisty ones—perfect for fun walks together. Don’t forget the camera, as there are always moose, elk, bears, and even big big bison lumbering around! Remember to keep your distance, even if your pooch wants to try to make friends.
And get this, Island Park is just a short car ride from Yellowstone’s west entrance. That means you get all the wild adventure without all the crowds bumping into your feet (or paws!) like they do over in West Yellowstone.
Island Park has the longest main street ever with over 33 miles! It also has cool places with stories like Big Springs (lots of fish), Mesa Falls (your dog will hear the roars), the John Sack Cabin (hand-built 1950s cabin with no nails), Quake Lake (eerie earthquake-formed) and so much more.
Whether you're hiking to the peaks, relaxing by a stream, or watching Bald Eagles soar above, there's always something exciting happening.
Island Park is your perfect escape!
Paws Rest Here
Luie Boone paw-selected this perfect vacation rental for your stay at Island Park, Idaho. Check it out below!
Rental Name: Elk Meadows Cabin
This rental has 4 bedrooms with 4 beds and 2 baths.
Photos courtesy of Island Park Reservations
It features the following amenities:
Located on 6 beautiful acres, where you can play frisbee with your dog
It sits 32 miles from the West entrance of Yellowstone
Has a private fire pit and BBQ grill
Has 3 decks, where you and your pooch can relax and enjoy majestic mountain views of Sawtelle Mountain and the Tetons
What does Luie Boone think of this rental? He woofed:
Let me tell you about this doggo dreamland I found! It's called Island Park, Idaho. The rental is a charming, rustic, dog-friendly cabin sitting on 6 gorgeous acres. That’s right—dogs are welcome! And the views are stunning! You’ve got Sawtelle Mountain and the Tetons showing off out of every single window. Pretty sure Mother Nature had a yellow lab (like me) as her assistant when she made this place. But wait, there’s more! We’re talking about a private fire pit (perfect for dropped snacks), a BBQ grill (more dropped, tasty goodies), and three squirrel-spotting decks for max-level flopping spots. Oh—and did I mention the bald eagles? Yep. Real, soaring, majestic bald eagles keeping watch from above like feathered guardians of the land. Whether I’m chasing sticks, snoozing in the mountain breeze, or working my best begging face by the grill, this cabin’s got everything a good dog like me could dream of.
Paws Venture Here
Henrys Lake State Park
This state park is situated around one of Idaho's prettiest mountain lakes, just down the road from Yellowstone National Park. It is home to plenty of beautiful nature trails for hiking with your pup. If your pup is anything like Luie Boone, make sure you have a towel, in case they do a cannonball!
Box Canyon Trail to Rosie's Waterfall Observation Point
Your pooch will love this beautiful walk or run alongside and above the river. The trail is flat and relatively easy, with some rocky sections along the way.
Big Springs Interpretive Trail
This trail winds through a forest along Henry's Fork, featuring wooden boardwalks and scenic water views. There are beautiful springs at the end, where you and your pooch need to keep an eye out for fish in the water. Luie Boone sure will!
Targhee Creek Trail
This trail has a bit of a split personality. The first few miles are a stroll through forests, meadows, and wildflowers that doesn't stray far from Targhee Creek. After the first unbridged stream crossing, it quickly gains elevation! The area is known to be a wildlife hangout, too, including grizzlies and moose.
Sheep Falls on the Henry's Fork
At Sheep's Fall, you can bring your best friend on a short hike with beautiful falls and minimal crowds.
Caribou-Targhee National Forest
The Caribou-Targhee National Forest boasts rugged mountains, fertile valleys, rivers, varied wildlife, campgrounds, wilderness, adventure, solitude, and scenery to enjoy with your canine companion. Luie Boone wonders where the caribou are!
Rock Creek Basin Trail
Head out on this over 8 mile, out-and-back trail with your pooch. It has incredible views and beautiful wildflowers. Maybe Luie Boone will take a dip. He definitely will!
Angler Lodge & Riverfront Restaurant
Located along the bank of Henry's Fork of Snake River, this is a dog-friendly spot to enjoy scenic views and American fare for locals and tourists alike. Visitors with their canine tagging along can head to one of the restaurant's six outdoor tables to enjoy a meal. Luie Boone will have to check out all six!
Luie Boone's Pet Peeve about
Island Park, Idaho
There's just so much to love about this vacation destination, but there's one thing that's got Luie Boone's leash in a twist. He woofed:
When you think of summer in Island Park, Idaho, you probably imagine blue skies, belly-deep lakes, and long walks full of good sniffs. Sounds like a dream, right? But, hang on a sec. Just when you think it’s all sunshine, you have to realize that those nights can sneak up and get seriously chilly. This is because Island Park sits way up high, like 6,300 feet in the sky kind of high. That means the temperature can drop fast once the sun calls it a day. We’re talking 30s or 40s, even in the middle of summer! Some dogs are built for that kind of weather. But not me! I’m more of a sunshine-and-soft-blanket kind of pup. Sure, the cool nights are part of the charm—fresh air and quiet stars. But us pups are counting on our humans to make sure we are warm and comfy. That might mean packing our favorite blanket and toy, or just letting us curl up next to you. So before you head out on this adventure, don't forget to check the forecast and pack smart. Because nothing ruins a perfect vacation faster than having a popsicle with paws!
Comments