Mesa Falls Scenic Byway

Length:
29.0 miles
Time:
2.0 hours

Beginning in gently rolling farmlands, dipping into a tumultuous river confluence, and traveling over the rim of the nation's largest volcanic caldera, Mesa Falls Scenic Byway takes you through some of southeastern Idaho's most compelling scenery. In addition to enjoying breathtaking vistas along the route, devotees of intermountain recreation find countless activities to indulge their passions on the route's 27 miles. Originally a popular path to Yellowstone National Park, the byway offers plenty of reasons to justify a trip in itself.

Your journey begins in the rural town of Ashton. Stop in at one of the restaurants for small-town hospitality and stay the night at a local inn. As you embark on the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway, the first nine miles or so travel through the town's surrounding potato, barley, and wheat fields. The gently rolling terrain stretches for miles in all directions as the Grand Teton Mountain Range looms in the distance.

Soon the fields give way to Targhee National Forest and the route descends into the Three Rivers Canyon. Created by the convergence of Warm River, Robinson Creek, and Henry's Fork, the gorge brims with ponderosa pine, popular fishing spots, and campsites. Continue along the route to climb up to the nation's largest volcanic caldera. Pull over and walk among stands of Douglas fir and aspen. Admire the view of grassy meadows scattered throughout dense pine forests before getting back into the car and following the route to the caldera's floor.

Mesa Falls Scenic Byway travels along Henry's Fork of the Snake River. Under consideration for designation as a wild and scenic river, Henry's Fork offers a variety of recreational activities like fishing, whitewater rafting, and waterfall viewing. Stand nearby and enjoy the cool mist rising from Upper Mesa Falls, the last undisturbed waterfall in the Columbia River System and take a couple of the side trips to other falls in the region. Don't have the gear or expertise to handle the rapids or want an insider's knowledge of the good fishing spots? Check out the listings for local outfitters and guides and create some memories.

Much of the byway lies within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, home to a world-famous variety of charismatic wildlife. As you approach the northern end of the byway, you'll enter Osborne Meadows, a haven for moose, deer and elk. This large meadow attracts the kinds of animals that make Yellowstone famous without pulling in the same kinds of crowds. During wintertime the vast open area attracts snowmobile riders and cross-country skiers as a gateway to the National Park or a destination in itself.

With a multitude of outdoor recreation opportunities, ecosystems and scenic views, Mesa Falls Scenic Byway provides the perfect glimpse of southeast Idaho.

Map Content

  • Bear Gulch/Mesa Falls

    Just off Highway 20 lie both Lower and Upper Mesa Falls. This secluded stretch of the Henrys Fork of the Snake River offers excellent trout fishing and sightseeing. Lower Mesa Falls is 18 miles north of Ashton on State Scenic Hwy 47; Upper Mesa Falls another 1.5 miles.

  • Harriman State Park

    Harriman State Park lies in the heart of a 16,000-acre wildlife reserve in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. This sanctuary protects a diversity of birds and mammals similar to those living in nearby Yellowstone National Park.

  • Rainbow Lake RV Park

    *Rainbow Lake RV Park is a quiet, well-located campground just off Hwy 20 Exit 332.  

    *Rainbow Lake Campground is convenient to shopping areas, schools, museums, historical sites and city parks.

    *Located in Madison County, Rainbow Lake Campground residents enjoy close proximity to BYU Idaho, Yellowstone Bear World, Greater Yellowstone's only drive-through wildlife preserve.

    *We are within driving distance of a variety of outdoor pursuits such as fishing, hunting, hiking, bird watching and golfing.

    *Ourresidents enjoy an onsite Laundromat, updated, showers, full hookups and free Internet access.  (Laundromat and updated showers planned completion May 2011)

    *Rainbow Lake Campground offers the convenience of being within a short drive to the major area events and attractions and welcomes RV’ers to our Park, whether for the long or short term.

    Rainbow Lake RV Park offers the following all inclusive of all daily, weekly and monthly rates. 

    · All sites pull-thru with Full hookups Showers/Restrooms
    · Free wireless internet · Laundromat coming soon!
    · Open Mid-April – Mid-October (weather permitting)
    · Dumpsters on site · Dump station on site
    · Bagged ice available for $2.00 per bag
    · Daily, weekly, monthly rates available
    · Cash, checks & Credit Cards accepted

     

     

    2011 Rates are $20.00 per night for full hookups!! 

    Weekly Rate:  $120.00                    Monthly Rate:  $450.00

     

    All daily, weekly and monthly rates quoted above are all inclusive.  Our guests enjoy power, water and sewer connections at each site as well as complimentary WIFI, use of facility restrooms, showers and nature path around lake.

    We have 50 pull thru sites and rarely get booked so reservations are normally not necessary, however Reservations are accepted through email or the contact form located on the “contact us” page of our web site.

    **Big Rigs are welcome we can accommodate any size RV you have.

    **We are working on upgrading several sites to 50-amp electricity but currently offer 30 amp hookups only.

    Discounts: We have made our rates affordable to pass the savings onto you.  At Rainbow Lake RV our rates are currently at or below most discount group or membership clubs so Passport America, Good Sam or any other discount memberships or discounts are no longer accepted.  

  • Mountain River Ranch-Sleigh Ride Winter Dinner Theater

    GREAT FOOD, FUN & HOSPITALITY

    Family owned and operated since 1985, Mountain River Ranch is the place for great food, fun and hospitality! Whether you live locally and are looking for a day of fun or are coming from far away places for a family vacation you have come to the right place. We are located a short drive from Yellowstone National Park as well as Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Idaho Falls, Idaho. Nestled on the banks of the Snake River in Eastern Idaho, the scenery at Mountain River Ranch is incredible.

    Mountain River Ranch also offers Summer Dinner Shows (mid-June through mid-Sept.), complete with a Wild West shootout, horse drawn wagon rides, delicious barbeque dinner with all the fixin's and live musical variety show that is fun for families and company groups of all sizes.  Additionally, we offer a newly expanded 64-space RV park and campground with plenty of room and new bathroom facilities/showers, cabin and lodge rentals, ATV/UTV rentals, and trout pond fishing. We are the perfect location for that unforgettable reunion or company party.

    Make your memories at Mountain River Ranch!

  • Ashton Area Chamber

    Nestled at the southern edge of the Yellowstone Caldera, is the small, rural community of Ashton, Idaho. Known as the "World's Largest Seed Producing Area", Ashton has much more to offer both travelers and residents alike. Within easy driving distance to world-renowned attractions including Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Mesa Falls and Henry's Fork of the Snake River, Ashton welcomes nearly two million visitors each year as they travel through our area. Check us out here: http://www.ashtonidaho.com/

  • Island Park Area Chamber of Commerce

  • Warm River

  • Teton Overlook - Mesa Falls Byway

  • Upper Snake River Valley