Targhee National Forest
Discover the Targhee National Forest
The Targhee is a National Forest of contrasts! Its 1.8 million acres, in five Ranger
Districts, encompass semi-desert, sagebrush-dotted, arid land; timbered highlands
and peaks over 10,000 feet; and streams, lakes, waterfalls, rivers, and wilderness
areas. The Forest is located mostly in Idaho, with a small portion in Wyoming,
and borders Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. The northern boundary is the
Continental Divide.
Average summer high temperatures range between 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit; evenings
are often 20-30 degrees cooler. Winter can be quite cold, sometimes reaching -40 degrees
Fahrenheit, particularly at the higher elevations. Snowfall can occur during summer
months. Visitors may need clothing appropriate for snow, rain, cold or heat, especially
for trips in the mountainous areas.
Recreation Opportunities
The Forest's varied landscape offers outstanding scenic beauty all year long. The diverse
setting allows unlimited year-round recreation opportunities, whether you prefer more
developed facilities such as campgrounds, ski resorts, and boat docks or hiking, camping,
horseback riding, etc., in the open spaces of the back country.
There are 31 campgrounds on the Forest with a total of 670 campsites. Most are adjacent
to rivers or reservoirs. Fees for camping are based on the facilities provided in the
campground. Most undeveloped areas within the Forest are open to camping. There is a limit
to the number of days you can spend in campgrounds and open forest areas.
Many campgrounds are managed by concessionaires under a special use agreement with the
Forest Service.
Boating and water-skiing occur mainly on the Island Park and Palisades Reservoirs. Rafting,
kayaking, and canoeing are popular sports on short stretches of the Snake River near Swan
Valley and Heise, and on the Henry's Fork. Dams, large falls, and irrigation canals present
hazards along stretches of the streams and rivers. The Forest has the first National
Recreation Water Trail established by the Forest Service, a five-mile float on calm water
where many kinds of wildlife can be seen.
Hunting and fishing are very popular activities on the Forest and require state licenses.
Game species are moose, elk, antelope, mule deer, mountain goat, whitetail deer, bighorn
sheep, black bear, small animals, and game birds. The Island Park area is world-renowned
for its excellent strea91 and lake fly fishing opportunities. Other parts of the Forest
can provide more solitude and similar successes. Game fish are rainbow, eastern brook,
brown, and cutthroat trout, kokanee salmon, and whitefish.
The Targhee National Forest provides numerous opportunities for
back country experiences. Besides the more common activities already listed, there are
photography, rock climbing, rock collecting, bird watching, berry picking, gold panning,
and mushroom collecting. Some activities may require a permit.
The Forest has two Wilderness areas totaling 134,166 acres. One is adjacent to Grand
Teton National Park and the other to Yellowstone National Park.
Over 1,200 miles of trails exist on the Targhee. Not all trails are maintained every year.
When traveling in large groups (15 or more), obtain a free group permit in advance. There
are over 40 trailheads serving this trail system. For winter recreation, 400 to 600 miles
of snowmobile trails are groomed within and adjacent to the Forest by the counties.
Registration licenses fees help finance trail grooming. Island Park, in Fremont County,
is considered a snowmobilier's paradise with its vast number of groomed trails. The
well-known Two Top National Recreation Snowmobile Trail is in this area. Groomed trails
and open back country areas for cross- country skiing are available on the Forest. There
are two ski areas on the Targhee National Forest. Kelly Canyon is a small area, while
Grand Targhee, a larger ski resort, provides spectacular views of the well-known Teton
Mountain Range from the top of the ski hill.
Many other points of interest, from major springs and waterfalls to an opal mine and
high mountain lakes and alpine meadows, beckon Forest visitors.
Resource Activities
The Targhee National Forest furnishes many goods and services in addition to recreation.
Under the "multiple use" management concept, the Forest produces forage, water, wildlife,
wood, and minerals and other energy products. As the need
for outdoor recreation increases, so do needs for the other multiple uses. Forest Service
personnel constantly balance these uses to meet a variety of public needs.
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Other pages you might find helpful:
Bridger Teton National Forest
Information about Wyoming's Bridger Teton National Forest.
