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Big Springs Group Area is located 22 miles south of West Yellowstone, Montana in beautiful Island Park, Idaho at an approximate elevation of 6,300 feet. Visitors love Island Park for its world-class fishing and outstanding scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Big Springs is the headwaters of Henry's Fork and is one of the largest springs in the country. Henry's Fork is considered one of the best fly-fishing streams in the nation. Fishermen cast for rainbow and brook trout. Tubing, canoeing, kayaking and rafting are also popular on the river.
The Big Springs National Recreation Water Trail can be accessed from the campground and ends 4.5 miles away at Macks Inn. It offers a lazy three-hour float or canoe trip through beautiful scenery. Wildlife, including moose, bald eagles and Sandhill cranes, are often seen along the trail.
The charming and historic John Sack Cabin is nearby, noted for its unique location, construction and furnishings.
Hiking, biking, horseback riding and ATVing are popular activities. Many miles of trails crisscross Island Park, including the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and the Nez Perce Trail are in the area.
The campground provides one accessible group site that can accommodate up to 40 people, with picnic tables, a campfire circle, grill and tent pads. Accessible vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided. 30-amp electricity is available for a fee. Firewood is available for purchase from the host. Roads and parking spurs are gravel.
Island Park is composed of two areas of extinct volcanic activity. The Henry's Fork Caldera sits inside the larger Island Park Caldera.
The area is known for its dense forests of lodgepole pine, broad grassy meadows bursting with summer wildflowers and a wide variety of wildlife, including black and grizzly bears, moose, elk, deer, bald eagles, Sandhill cranes and much, much more.
The campground is situated in a clearing surrounded by a forest of lodgepole pines. Grasses and summer wildflowers dot the landscape.
Macks Inn is 4.5 miles west. This full-service facility offers boat rentals, rafting, shuttle service, gas, groceries, showers and laundry facilities.
Island Park Reservoir and Henry's Lake are nearby, both offering boating, water skiing, fishing, kayaking and canoeing. Numerous additional small lakes and streams are scattered throughout Island Park.
Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are within a short drive, offering hiking and fishing, as well as outstanding scenery.
From West Yellowstone, Montana, travel 22 miles south on Highway 20 to Mack's Inn. Turn east on Big Springs Loop Road and travel 4.5 miles to the campground.
We went on a hike at Big Springs today with a larger group. It was an easy hike. We had some young kids with us. It was beautiful. We saw four moose.
Absolutely beautiful little gem tucked away back behind Macks Inn a few miles. The road in is great. Any vehicle, including motorcycles, can make it. It is very much worth the time. The small cabin is especially fascinating, particularly considering the story behind it. There is a very nice picnic area right there too. Be sure to bring some change to feed the fish if the bridge. Fishing and swimming is not allowed here, BTW.
Nice little area, make sure if you wanna feed the fish to bring quarters (.25 cents) as it will make your visit that much more enjoyable.
