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Big Springs Warming Hut 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 fisheries in the nation. Fly-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 warming hut can accommodate up to 200 people. It is fully enclosed and has a concrete floor. Several picnic tables are inside, along with a wood-burning stove for cool weather. Electrical outlets and overhead lighting are provided inside the building. Outside there are picnic tables, grills and a campfire circle.
A very large parking area is on-site, with 20-amp electric hookups on the edge. Please note that there is no water on-site, but it is available at Big Springs Campground 2.5 miles away. Firewood can be purchased there also. A vault toilet is located next to the warming hut.
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 warming hut is surrounded by a forest of lodgepole pines. Grasses and summer wildflowers dot the landscape.
Island Park Reservoir and Henry's Lake are nearby, both offer 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 additional hiking and fishing, as well as outstanding scenery.
Macks Inn is 4.5 miles west. This full-service facility offers boat rentals, rafting, shuttle service, gas, groceries, showers and laundry facilities.
From West Yellowstone, Montana, travel 22 miles south on Highway 20 to Mack's Inn. Turn east on Big Springs Loop Road and travel 2 miles to the warming hut access road. Turn south into the warming hut parking area.
Beautiful area close to hiking, fishing, boating, off road trails and more. Amenities include- Bathrooms. Fireplace and pit. Large warming hut. Plenty of parking. Lots of tent area and room for camp trailers. Picnic tables. Electricity. Large bear protected garbage dumpster. If you have Verizon there is service. The only downfall is there is no running water.
Big area for the kids to play. The warming hut was a life saver, some of our party slept in there with sleeping bags. It has a nice wood burning heater. Nice picnic area with tables and fire pit.
Nice to have a warm dry place to change after a ride. There was no split fire wood or axe however. So there was no fire all day. Close to good snowmobiling trails and mountain riding
Warming hut is nice and warm, they got wood stocked inside and once you get it going the whole place is warm. Great access to snowmobile trails. Pit toilets onsite. Visited in winter when it is beautifully covered in white and so peaceful.
The hut is large enough to hold about 50 people but is still cozy with the wood stove. There are is beautiful and peaceful. And the outhouses are clean!
