At the south end of Yellowstone National Park in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, just over the Idaho border into Wyoming, there lies a beautiful group of water falls on both the Bechler and Falls Rivers. The hikes to these falls range from an easy 3 mile round trip to 20 miles and this area has some of the most gorgeous scenery I have come across in Southern Idaho.
The drive to the trail head is on a fairly good dirt road off of Hwy 47 near Ashton, Idaho. There is plenty of good parking available and there is not the $25.00 fee to enter the park as there is at the main entrance. Of course, you have no options other than to either hike from here or go on horseback but I was glad to keep the $25.00 in my pocket.
For most of the hike, the trail follows the Bechler River with the Falls River being the first river you encounter. Surrounded by tall lodge pole pine trees and quaking aspens along with the river on your right side, I felt I was in Heaven for the entire duration of my adventure. Although I did not encounter any wildlife other than a very friendly grouse, I have been told of hikers often seeing deer, elk, moose and an occasional wolf on this trail.
After my hike, I realized how lucky I was to discover this beautiful area very close to my home in Idaho Falls. If you are at all familiar with the southern part of Idaho, then you know that it is not anything like the northern part. Idaho Falls lies in a high desert region (around 4800 feet above sea level) amongst 1000’s of acres of potato farming. But on the plus side, with a little bit of driving you can get into some spectacular areas that rival any part of Northern Idaho’s beauty.
If you live close by and have not taken the time to visit this wonderful area, then I would suggest you do so. If you are planning a trip to Yellowstone Park in the near future, then I would definitely make this part of your trip. Because of the trail’s location, you will find fewer hikers on the trail and much more seclusion than being in the main part of Yellowstone Park.
