After Bozeman MT, we were visiting Ashton Idaho for two reasons. The first reason was that we had never been to Idaho. And the second objective was that Ashton ID was the closest RV park that we could find with a spot for Ladybug, that would allow us to explore Yellowstone National Park.
Driving through West Yellowstone MT on our way to Ashton Idaho
Putting Idaho on our map. Only 7 states to go.
Visiting Ashton Idaho
Our first thought while driving passed potato farms, was that we were going to hate Yellowstone Golf and RV Resort because it seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. As it turned out, yes the park was way out there, but it was beautiful. The people that ran the park were friendly and very helpful. Internet and cell service were sketchy, but the office had hundreds of movies for us to borrow for when we weren’t out exploring. And there was golf.
Yellowstone RV and Golf Resort
“Get in the hole!!!”
The “eyes” have it! The markings on this tree, on the golf course, look like the eyes I always draw when I doodle.
I don’t play golf, but Steve used to. So he borrowed clubs and a golf cart from the office, and bought a dozen balls for $10. And off we went for a very fun afternoon. By the time Steve had reached the 18th hole, he was down to his very last ball. The other nine are somewhere in the rough! But he didn’t have a bad game for someone who hadn’t played in almost 20 years. And we laughed so hard that tears were streaming down our faces.
Caribou-Targhee National Forest
Stunning Forest View
Downtown Ashton
Downtown Ashton had a grocery store that was very small, but it was packed with just about everything we needed. And for everything else we drove to the Idaho Falls COSTCO which was about an hour away.
Yellowstone National Park
Southern entrance of Yellowstone National Park
Believe it or not, we were actually very close to the southern portion of Yellowstone National Park and the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. As soon as we learned that there were waterfalls we headed out to find them!
Waterfall country
Animal Skulls on display at the Mesa Falls Visitors Center
Bullwinkle the Moose?
The Caribou-Targhee National Forest covers over 3 million acres, stretching across southeastern Idaho, from the Montana, Utah and Wyoming borders. It sits next to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. This National Forest is home to a diverse number of wildlife and fish, including species that are on the threatened and endangered lists. This is a wilderness offering scenic panoramas and intensively managed forest lands.
Upper Mesa Falls along the Snake River
Almost all of the Forest lies within the Greater Yellowstone area or ecosystem. An area of over 12 million acres it’s the largest remaining block of relatively undisturbed plant and animal habitat in the contiguous United States. In fact, the United Nations has identified the area as a Biosphere Reserve.
A closer look at Upper Mesa Falls
This is waterfall country! The water from the Snake River flows over fault lines and lava ledges that made the river drop abruptly in this corner of the park. Belchler Waterfall lies at the edge of Yellowstone’s extensive lava fields. This is where the drop-offs are the steepest and where precipitation is the heaviest. Because this is a relatively young, glaciated landscape, the streams have not had time to wear the features smooth.
This sugarplum bush was one of many flowering plants growing wild in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest
There’s a short walking trail to Cave Falls which is the widest of the area’s many waterfalls. The other falls can be explored by hiking the Belchler River Trail. Or you could go deep within the backcountry and see some of the region’s most spectacular waterfalls and cascades which went undiscovered until the 1920s.
Viewing Platforms for Upper Mesa Falls Idaho
We did a driving tour and were thrilled by the site of Upper Mesa Falls. After parking the Jeep we hiked a short distance to the Mesa Falls Welcome Center to get the lay of the land. From there we strolled leisurely to the upper falls where we were greeted by a thunderous curtain of water that’s as tall as a ten story building. The water pours over the remnants of an ancient volcanic super-eruption.
Lower Mesa Falls
From there we drove a mile south to the Lower Mesa Falls for an encore as the river is continually chiseling away at the solidified ash and lava. The gorgeous Upper and Lower Mesa Falls are the last prominent waterfalls along the Snake River that are unaffected by manmade influences.
The Falls at Alta
Our visit was at the beginning of June so the visitor center was open everyday, but in the winter there are limited hours and only on certain weekends. And in the Winter Mesa Falls is only accessible by snowmobile or skis, whereas the rest of the year it an easy walk on the boardwalk that leads to a viewing platform.
Wildlife, wildflowers and adventure
Our first ever Beaver sighting!
A closeup look at the beaver we spotted in Ashton ID
In addition to being Waterfall Country, adventure is waiting for you within the Forest. Caribou-Targhee National Forest contains rugged mountains, fertile valleys, rivers, lots of wildlife, campgrounds, wilderness, solitude and enough gorgeous scenery to satisfy your aesthetic cravings. Within the boundaries of the National Forest you can enjoy magnificent mountains, skiing, kayaking, spectacular spring wildflowers, baby animals, majestic big game, birds chirping and the bliss of a summer picnic.
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