Horseshoe Lake

Horseshoe Lake is a popular off-road destination for camping and fishing on the outskirts of Yellowstone National Park. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout as soon as the snow melts. The lake bottom tapers off very slowly, making it a perfect spot to take the kids. The lake is deep enough for swi...

When to go: Summer and Fall typically offer the best window.

Vehicles: Jeep/Truck, SUV. Standard maintenance and a spare tire cover the basics here.

Upper Snake context

The Upper Snake wraps western Yellowstone — Island Park's caldera, the Targhee Forest, and the Teton Valley. Wildlife density is among Idaho's highest (grizzly, wolf, elk, moose), so bear-aware practices are baseline. Many drainages have seasonal wildlife closures. Rexburg, Ashton, and Driggs are the bases.

Best for drivers who understand their vehicle and the cost of a mistake in remote country.