| Description: 6400-foot elevation. 15 campsites & a picnic area. Big Springs creates the headwaters of the Henrys Fork River at a rate of 186 cubic feet per second or 120 million gallons a day. The Big Springs Water Trail is an easy 2-3 hour float or canoe trip from .25 mile below Big Springs to above Island Park Reservoir.
Watching for fat rainbow trout or kokanee salmon which feed in the springs is a popular pasttime, but they are protected from fishing. Additional area wildlife includes sandhill cranes, muskrats, moose, osprey, bald eagles, Canadian geese & trumpeter swans. The cranes leave by mid-September to spend the winter in Mexico. As a special note, the surrounding forest contains Idaho`s best population of great gray owls.
An interesting side trip is to the Johnny Sack cabin, a historic cabin nearby, which offers historic information on the area. Other than a nature trail, there are equestrian facilities nearby, as well as hunting in season, two ATV trails, & berry picking in season.
In the winter, a snowpark is on the other side of the road, which offers trails for skiers, snowshoers or snowmobilers.
Location: From Ashton go 32 miles north on US 20, then five miles east on Forest Road 059
Season: Memorial Day - September 30.
Reservations: NO. |
Big Springs Campground- Targhee NF Campground Web Site
Driving Direction GPS Coordinates:
42.959817, -112.442992
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Campground: Big Springs Campground- Targhee NF in Pocatello Idaho *