Thinking about going on an Idaho Falls to West Yellowstone road trip? Traveling through the great outdoors of Idaho and Montana is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have.
This Idaho road trip will take you through some of the most scenic landscapes in the United States and is so much fun to do as a weekend getaway or a longer trip with the entire family. There are many places to stop along the West Yellowstone to Idaho Falls route.
This road trip can be the second part to a longer Boise to Yellowstone road trip, or a Boise to Idaho Falls road trip. It’s a great way to break up your 5 hour trip and spend a night in downtown Idaho Falls.
Here are some of the best stops along the way from Idaho Falls to West Yellowstone!
Idaho Falls to West Yellowstone FAQs
How far is Idaho Falls from Yellowstone National Park?
The distance from Idaho Falls to West Yellowstone is about 107 miles, which is about a 2-hour dive.
What is there to see between Idaho Falls and West Yellowstone?
There are plenty of great stops to enjoy during your road trip from Idaho Falls to Yellowstone, including Mesa Falls, Harriman State Park, and the Heise Hot Springs.
Idaho Falls to West Yellowstone Road Trip
If you’re planning this trip in advance, make sure you check first for Idaho Falls hotels. This way, you can get a good night’s rest before starting your journey the next day.
During your road trip to West Yellowstone from Idaho Falls, it’s crucial you check out any of these stops along the way for some beautiful outdoor adventures and fun attractions!
This road trip will take you from Idaho Falls to Yellowstone west entrance.
THIS ARTICLE MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED LINKS. PLEASE READ OUR DISCLAIMER FOR MORE INFO. THIS POST WAS WRITTEN BY JILL GREISING-MURSCHEL, A LOCAL IDAHO MOM AND TRAVEL BLOGGER.
1. Yellowstone Bear World
One of the first places to stop along the way is Yellowstone Bear World, located in Rexburg, Idaho. Here you can enjoy an outdoor wildlife adventure to see some incredible animals, including bears, deer, bison, goats, elk, and more.
You can drive through and explore these animals as they are all out in the wild. There is also a petting zoo and some amusement rides too!
This is just one of the many fun things to do in Rexburg!
2. Rexburg Rapids
Also located in Rexburg, Rexburg Rapids is a fun, family-friendly water park that you can enjoy during the summertime. From a lazy river to waterslides, splash pools, and a climbing wall, you will love spending a few hours cooling off with all the water fun!
3. Heise Hot Springs
Take a nice break to stretch out and relax your muscles at the Heise Hot Springs during your road trip from Idaho Falls to West Yellowstone. You will find both hot springs and some pools for everyone in the family to enjoy. During the summer, enjoy a cooler pool with a fun waterslide!
For an adrenaline-pumping experience here, try out the ziplines! You can ride down a variety of 7 zip lines and experience some incredible views of the area.
4. St. Anthony Sand Dunes
For another thrilling adventure, rent some ATVs and enjoy the St. Anthony Sand Dunes. Riding the sand dunes with your family is an experience you will never forget!
If you don’t want to ride ATVs on the dunes, you can still explore St. Anthony by horseback riding, going on hikes, and more. If you are here during the night, spend a few minutes stargazing!
5. Mesa Falls
Another one of the best places to stop along your West Yellowstone to Idaho Falls road trip is at Mesa Falls. Here you can see both the upper and lower falls and bask in their incredible beauty. The hike out to enjoy the views of these falls is fairly easy and about two miles round trip.
There is a nice viewpoint at the upper falls with a wooden walk and railings, so you can get up close to see the huge waterfall.
6. Harriman State Park
There are so many fun things to do in Island Park, and one of the best is Harriman State Park. You can go hiking, horseback riding, or mountain biking. Fly fishing is also really popular in this park as well. There are yurts you can stay overnight at and can even visit and go snowshoeing during the winter too!
7. Eagle Ridge Ranch
If your family loves horses, definitely be sure to stop at Eagle Ridge Ranch to go horseback riding! This ranch is super close to Yellowstone and is located in Island Park. From beginners to advanced riders, they have packages for just about everyone! During the summer, you can also enjoy plenty of water activities at the ranch as well. It is the perfect place to stop before continuing on to West Yellowstone from Idaho Falls.
8. Johnny Sack’s Cabin
While you are visiting Island Park, stop at Johnny Sack’s Cabin and see this incredible handbuilt home by the lake on Big Springs. Most everything in his cabin was handmade by him out of incredible wood from Idaho. Stop by and take a few minutes to tour this cabin!
9. Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
Right next to the West Yellowstone entrance is the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center. You can watch grizzly bears and gray wolves up close to see how they live. The animals at the center were not able to survive out in the wild and are now protected and cared for at the Discovery Center.
You can explore these fascinating animals both from inside and outside, and you can go all year round as grizzly bears do not hibernate here. This is one of the best places to take your kids to learn and explore, all the while having fun!
10. West Yellowstone Restaurants
Grab a bite to eat in one of the many West Yellowstone Restaurants once you arrive in this small Montana town. From pizza and coffee shops to steak and salad, you’ll have many restaurants in West Yellowstone to choose from. Be sure to eat something before driving into the National Park, as there aren’t many options in the park.
11. Old Faithful
Getting from Idaho Falls to Old Faithful is quite the journey, but it is incredibly worth it. Old Faithful is one of the hundred geysers at Yellowstone National Park and is one of the most popular ones. It usually erupts every 30 minutes or so and is quite the explosion.
Old Faithful averages around 130 feet when it erupts and can last up to five minutes at a time! Be sure to check out this geyser once you finish off your road trip.
12. Yellowstone National Park
When you go from Idaho Falls to West Yellowstone, you will want to finish off and experience all Yellowstone National Park has to offer. Since the park is massive and offers tons of things to do, you will probably want to spend a few days inside the park. There are plenty of places to stay in and around Yellowstone that will make your trip truly memorable!
All in all, the Idaho Falls to West Yellowstone road trip offers an unforgettable experience for anyone looking to explore the beautiful landscapes and fun attractions in Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. Enjoy taking a road trip from Idaho Falls, Idaho, to West Yellowstone, Montana, for a romantic getaway or as a family adventure, and enjoy all this trip has to offer!