Water Activities

Boating and fishing thrive on the forest’s reservoirs and rivers, while the grassland’s smaller streams provide tranquil angling spots.

Boating - Motorized

Motorized boating on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest and Curlew National Grassland is a splashy way to cruise its waters with some horsepower! With big reservoirs and rivers ready for your boat, it’s a powerboater’s playground. Here’s what you need to know to throttle up:

Where You Can Boat

Water’s waiting—grab a map at ranger offices or online to find your launch. In the Caribou-Targhee, Palisades Reservoir is the star—spanning 16,000 acres with boat ramps like McCoy Creek, perfect for jet skis, speedboats, or fishing rigs. The South Fork of the Snake River offers motorized fun too, with calm stretches for a smooth ride—launch from spots like Heise or Conant. The Curlew Grassland’s got no big water—its small ponds and streams are too tiny for motors, so focus on the forest for this one. Check access points; some ramps close in low water or winter.

What’s Special

The forest’s waters hum with action—Palisades sparkles under mountain peaks, ideal for zooming or towing a tube, with summer’s warmth or fall’s crisp colors lighting it up. The Snake’s wild bends mix powerboating with epic scenery—think pine-lined banks and maybe an eagle overhead. It’s all about the rush: wide-open reservoirs for speed, river runs for a scenic buzz—pure motorized bliss.

Tips to Be Prepared

Bring your boat (registered with Idaho or Wyoming—check idfg.idaho.gov or wgfd.wyo.gov), life jackets, and fuel—there’s no marinas out here. Bear spray’s wise in the Caribou-Targhee (grizzlies fish too—keep food secure!), and pack water, snacks, and sunscreen—sun glares hard off waves. A map or Avenza app finds ramps and channels; tell someone your plan—cell service dips. Check water levels and weather—wind can whip up fast.

Motorized boating here is all about speed and scenery—launch in, rev up, and enjoy the Caribou-Targhee’s watery thrill ride!

Boating - Non-Motorized

Non-motorized boating on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest and Curlew National Grassland is a peaceful way to paddle through its waters! With quiet lakes, rivers, and small ponds, it’s perfect for kayaks, canoes, or paddleboards. Here’s what you need to know to float your boat:

Where You Can Boat

Waters are calling—grab a map at ranger offices or online to pick your spot. In the Caribou-Targhee, Palisades Reservoir welcomes paddlecraft with calm bays and launch points like Blowout Canyon, surrounded by forest and peaks. The South Fork of the Snake River flows gentle in spots—put in at Swan Valley for a serene drift through wild scenery. The Curlew Grassland’s got slim pickings—small, seasonal ponds might fit a tiny kayak if water’s up, but it’s mostly a forest game. No permits needed; just paddle where boats float!

What’s Special

The forest’s waters shine—glide across Palisades with mountain reflections, or paddle the Snake past cottonwoods and osprey nests, summer’s calm or fall’s golden glow setting the mood. The Curlew’s rare ponds offer a still, grassland hush—think sagebrush shores and a lone duck drifting by. It’s two quiet vibes: forest lakes and rivers with big beauty, grassland pools with subtle charm when they’re full.

Tips to Be Prepared

Bring your kayak, canoe, or board, plus a life jacket—safety’s key, even on flat water. Pack water, snacks, and sunblock—sun bounces off waves hard. Bear spray’s smart in the Caribou-Targhee (grizzlies roam—keep food stashed!), while the Curlew’s more about wind and sun. A map or Avenza app finds put-ins and paddle routes; tell someone your plan—signal’s spotty. Check water levels—low seasons can ground you.

Non-motorized boating here is all about peace and paddles—launch in, push off, and enjoy the Caribou-Targhee and Curlew’s calm waters!

Swimming

Swimming and tubing on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest and Curlew National Grassland is a refreshing way to splash and float in its natural waters! With lakes, rivers, and quiet pools, it’s a summer double-shot of fun. Here’s what you need to know to dive in or drift along:

Where You Can Swim and Tube

Water’s ready—grab a map at ranger offices or online to find your splash spot. In the Caribou-Targhee, Palisades Reservoir offers cool, clear shores for swimming and calm bays for tubing—try areas near campgrounds or the dam. The South Fork of the Snake River has gentle eddies for a quick swim and mellow stretches—like near Heise—perfect for a lazy tube float. The Curlew Grassland’s slim on options—its tiny ponds might work for a wade or short tube dip if full, but it’s mostly forest territory here.

What’s Special

The forest’s waters shine—Palisades is a chilly haven for swimming or tubing with mountain views, while the Snake’s pools and slow flows mix wild vibes with a refreshing dip or chill ride, summer’s heat pulling you in, fall’s crisp air adding zip. The Curlew’s rare pools are subtle—grassland stillness for a quick splash or float if deep enough. It’s all about cool escapes: forest swims and tubes with big scenery, grassland wades with a low-key twist.

Tips to Be Prepared

Bring a swimsuit, towel, tube (inner tubes rock!), and water shoes—rocky shores bite bare feet. Pack water, snacks, and sunscreen—sun’s fierce off waves. Bear spray’s wise in the Caribou-Targhee (grizzlies lurk—stay alert!), while the Curlew’s more sun than critters. A map or Avenza app finds swim and tube spots—check water temps (mountain waters run cold!) and go with a buddy for safety.

Swimming and tubing here is all about the splash and the float—dive in, tube up, and enjoy the Caribou-Targhee and Curlew’s wild waters!

Waterskiing

Waterskiing on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest and Curlew National Grassland is an exciting way to skim across its waters with a towline and some speed! With big reservoirs perfect for slicing waves, it’s a thrill-seeker’s water sport. Here’s what you need to know to get up and glide:

Where You Can Ski

Water’s primed for skiing—grab a map at ranger offices or online to find your spot. In the Caribou-Targhee, Palisades Reservoir is the go-to—its 16,000 acres and boat ramps like McCoy Creek offer wide-open space for waterskiing, backed by forest and peaks. The South Fork of the Snake River has calmer stretches—like near Heise—where you can ski if the flow’s right, though it’s trickier with currents. The Curlew Grassland’s out of the game—its small ponds won’t cut it for motors or skis. Check ramp access; some close in low water or off-season.

What’s Special

The forest’s waters deliver—Palisades sparkles with glassy runs for perfect cuts, framed by mountains and summer sun, while fall’s cooler days keep it crisp. The Snake adds a wild edge—ski with pine-lined banks and maybe a heron watching, blending speed with scenery. It’s all about the rush: big reservoir waves and river zips, pure waterskiing fun in nature’s playground.

Tips to Be Prepared

Bring a boat (registered with Idaho or Wyoming—check idfg.idaho.gov or wgfd.wyo.gov), skis, tow rope, and life jackets—safety’s non-negotiable. Pack water, snacks, and sunscreen—sun glares off the surface. Bear spray’s wise in the Caribou-Targhee (grizzlies fish too—keep food secure!), and a map or Avenza app finds ski-friendly zones. Tell someone your plan—cell service drops—and check water levels and wind—chop can kill a good run.

Waterskiing here is all about speed and splash—hook up, hit the throttle, and carve the Caribou-Targhee’s waters like a pro!