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Recreation
The Caribou-Targhee National Forest boasts rugged mountains, fertile valleys, rivers, varied wildlife, campgrounds, wilderness, adventure, solitude and scenery enough to saturate your aesthetic cravings.
A National Forest is more than trees and camping, hiking, fishing and hunting. You can enjoy the magnificence of the mountains; the serenity of the wilderness; the miracles of spring flowers, baby animals and majestic big game; the sound of birds while horseback riding; a camping trip; and the fun of a summer picnic in your National Forest - the Land of Many Uses, or rent a rustic cabin.
So, leave your stress behind and spend time with nature. In a few hours from any place on the Forest you can pull into a campground. Pitch your tent and spend a great get-away weekend fishing for the big ones or dabbling a hook in the stream, swimming, canoeing and cooking over a campfire.
As always, practice leave no trace principles and the leave the forest better than you found it!
Recreation Conditions Report
| Area Name | Status | Area Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Big Springs Warming Hut | Open | The warming hut is open for the winter season. |
| Brimstone/Buffalo River X-Country Ski Trail | Open | Grooming has ended for the season. |
| Canyon Rim, Bear Gulch, and Mesa Falls X-Country | Open | Grooming has ended for the season. |
| Cherry Springs Nature Area | Open | |
| Fall River Ridge Cross-Country Skiing Trail | Open | Grooming has ended for the season. |
Spotlights
Warm River Cabin
Warm River Cabin is located less than 20 miles from Ashton, Idaho, at at Warm River Springs. An Idaho fish and game hatchery operated here from the 1930s to the 1950s. The cabin was formerly the hatchery manager's house. It was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1938.
The cabin is open from May 15th until March 31st. It is accessible by vehicles from mid-May until the end of October. Snowmobiles, cross-country skis, and snowshoes are needed to acess the cabin from early December through the end of March. The trek from Bear Gulch Trailhead to the cabin is 6 miles. Guests should be prepared to bring much of their own gear and supplies to make their stay comfortable. There is no water available at the cabin.
The cabin is named after the adjacent Warm River Springs, which is the source of the Warm River. The dwelling sits at an elevation of 6,000 feet in an open, grassy area flanked by a conifer forest. Moose, wolves, and bears are sometimes seen in this area (bear safety tips).
Hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers can use the nearby trails. Off-road vehicle enthusiasts, snowmobilers and cross-country skiers can find trails within 10 miles (Idaho OHV safety message).
Visitors can find an abundance of berries ripe for picking in late summer. The Warm River is excellent for trout fishing and wading. Game and game bird hunting is available in season.
This charming cabin can accommodate a maximum of 12 people. It offers six sets of bunkbeds with mattresses, a dining area with a table and benches, a wood stove for cooking and for heating, storage cabinets and firewood. There is a new wood stove located in the living room with available seating as well. A picnic table, campfire ring and vault toilet are located outside the cabin.
The cabin is a short distance from the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway. The star attraction of this 29-mile sightseeing drive is Mesa Falls, which is divided into the 114-foot Upper Falls and the 65-foot Lower Falls. This is the only major waterfall in Idaho that isn't used for hydroelectric or irrigation purposes.