Things to Do in Caribou-Targhee National Forest

Caribou-Targhee National Forest spans over three million acres across southeastern Idaho, western Wyoming, and a portion of Utah. It features rugged peaks, alpine trails, and dense woodlands. The forest is known for its diverse landscapes and serves as a gateway to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.

Caribou-Targhee National Forest offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain biking, touring cycling, road cycling, jogging, and gravel biking. The forest contains over 1,600 miles of trails suitable for various skill levels.

Popular hiking opportunities include the Teton Crest Trail, Darby Wind Cave Trail, and Mesa Falls Nature Trail. Other notable trails are the Island Park Trails for wildlife observation, the West Bench Trail, and the Upper Palisades Lake Trail. More information can be found in the Hiking in Caribou-Targhee National Forest guide.

Yes, the Mesa Falls Nature Trail offers family-friendly access to two waterfalls. The forest provides trails catering to various skill levels, including options suitable for beginners. For specific routes, consult the Easy hikes in Caribou-Targhee National Forest guide.

Cyclists can explore forested trails throughout the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. The Ashton/Island Park Ranger District alone features over 90 miles (145 km) of motorized trails suitable for e-biking. These trails offer rides through pines with Teton views. Refer to the MTB Trails in Caribou-Targhee National Forest guide for more details.

Yes, scenic byways such as the Teton Scenic Byway and Mesa Falls Scenic Byway provide routes for road cycling and touring. These byways offer views of the Teton Range and picturesque waterfalls. The Road Cycling Routes in Caribou-Targhee National Forest guide provides specific routes.

The forest is characterized by rugged peaks, including Diamond Peak (12,197 feet / 3,718 meters), and numerous pristine lakes like Williams Lake and Upper Palisades Lake. Major rivers such as the Snake River and Teton River flow through the area. Notable waterfalls include Upper and Lower Mesa Falls.

Caribou-Targhee National Forest provides habitat for a wide array of wildlife. Common sightings include elk, moose, deer, black bears, and various bird species. The forest's streams and lakes are also known for cutthroat trout.

Caribou-Targhee National Forest features 110 routes on komoot, with an average rating of 4.68 out of 5 stars. More than 12,000 visitors have shared their experiences in the region.

Komoot offers several guides for the region, including Hiking in Caribou-Targhee National Forest, MTB Trails in Caribou-Targhee National Forest, and Road Cycling Routes in Caribou-Targhee National Forest. Other guides cover easy hikes, waterfall hikes, cycling, running, and gravel biking.

The official website for Caribou-Targhee National Forest is www.fs.usda.gov/ctnf. The main phone number for the Supervisors Office in Idaho Falls is (208) 557-5900.