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Yellowstone's West entrance is
only about a 2.5 hour drive from Idaho Falls.
Established on March 1, 1872, Yellowstone National Park
is the first and oldest national park in the world.
Preserved within Yellowstone are Old Faithful Geyser and some 10,000
hot springs and geysers, the majority of the planet's total. These geothermal
wonders are evidence of one of the world's largest active volcanoes;
its last eruption created a crater or caldera that spans almost half
of the park.
An outstanding mountain wildland with clean water and air, Yellowstone
is home of the grizzly bear and wolf, and free-ranging herds of bison
and elk. It is the core of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, one of
the largest intact temperate zone ecosystems remaining on the planet.
The human history of the park dates back 12,000 years. The events of
the last 130 years of park history are reflected in the historic structures
and sites associated with various periods of park administration and
visitor facilities development. |
| Grand
Teton National Park |
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Grand Teton National Park is a Scenic 100 miles
away. Established in 1929, Grand Teton National
Park emerged from a complicated and controversial series
of events. The park first consisted of the mountain range
and several glacial lakes. Later the valley floor was protected
as Jackson Hole National Monument. The two areas were combined
in 1950.
Today the park encompasses nearly 310,000 acres and protects the Teton
Range, Jackson Hole (mountain valley), a 50-mile portion of the Snake
River, seven morainal lakes, over 100 backcountry and alpine lakes, and
a wide range of wildlife and plant species.
The park is also rich in a cultural history that includes seven eras
of human history: early peoples (paleo-indians), Native Americans (modern
tribes), fur trappers, homesteaders, ranchers/farmers, conservationists,
and recreationalists. Climbing, hiking and backpacking, camping, fishing,
wildlife and bird watching, horseback riding, boating on Jackson and
Jenny Lakes, rafting on the Snake River, bicycling, and photography are
all common activities in the area.
About 4 million visitors enjoy the park each year, most visit between
Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day. |
| The Henry's Fork of the Snake River |
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The Henry's Fork of the Snake River, located
in eastern Idaho, is one of the most famous trout streams
in all of the United States. It's legendary hatches and
abundant large wild rainbow trout make the Henry's Fork
one of America's top fly-fishing destinations. The river
flows for approximately 150 miles and within its journey
passes some of the more classic dry fly water in the United
States. Gentle flowing meadowland, pocket water, and spring
creek like sections make up much of this legendary fishery
made popular by Avril Harriman the railroad man. The Henry's
Fork of the Snake is a spectacular river and fishery. Anglers
come from all over the world to this river to fish its
diverse and productive waters. |
| The
South Fork of the Snake River |
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The South Fork of the Snake is in southeastern
Idaho close to the Wyoming border. The South Fork begins as
it flows out of 20 mile long Palisades Reservoir in the community
of Swan Valley, forming a 64-mile stretch of legendary tail-water
fly-fishing. The South Fork is also a beautiful river for
flat water rafting, canoeing and kayaking. If you float this
river in a canoe know what you are doing as it is big water
and its flat-water appearance can fool you to its dangers. |
| Greater Yellowstone Region Wildlife |
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Nowhere else in the United States, including Alaska,
can the casual visitor observe such a striking diversity of "charismatic
mega-fauna" (the large mammals) that abound in this region,
Bald eagles, golden eagles, black bear, the elusive cougar, the
wolverine, the pine marten and the gray wolf. Jackson Hole and
Yellowstone are home to that most formidable icon of wildness,
the grizzly bear. The region also hosts the largest herds of
elk in North America and is one of the few remaining areas in
the lower 48 states where the grizzly bear still roams in significant
numbers, and is home to the largest free-ranging herd of bison
in the lower 48 states. |
| Pinecrest
Grove Golf Course |
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This traditional course features tree-lined fairways
and a canal coming into play on a few holes. The greens are
small and slightly sloped, plus some sand bunkers protect
the fairways and greens. "Golf Digest" rated this
course 4th "Best Public Course" in the state for
1996. The ladies' par is actually 77. |
| Yellowstone Bear World |
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About 20 miles north of Idaho Falls is Yellowstone
Bear World a drive through wild animal park that provides the
opportunity
to view wolves, Bison, Elk, Deer and bear up close form the safety
of your car.
At Yellowstone Bear World, you'll be taken back in time
to an era when the black and grizzly bears wandered along
the roadsides of Yellowstone Park. Include Yellowstone
Bear World in your summer travel plans, |
| Idaho Falls Symphony |
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The Idaho Falls Symphony is a member of the
American Symphony Orchestra League.
498 A St. Idaho Falls, ID 83402. Phone:(208)529-1080 |
| Mountain River Ranch |
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If a western experience is in your vacation
plans this year, you must visit Mountain River Ranch, Eastern
Idaho's authentic link to the old west. Nestled on the
banks of the Snake River, Mountain River Ranch features
the Meadow Muffin Dinner Theatre. Summer or Winter,
Mountain River Ranch is the place for great food, fun and
hospitality. |
| Museum of Idaho |
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This local museum is completing an extensive
expansion courtesy of a $3 million gift from the Carr Foundation.
With more than double its former space, the museum plans
to bring in major traveling exhibitions. But the permanent
collection is a good one, too, including a basement streetscape
of old Eagle Rock (Idaho Falls' original name) and the
reconstructed, wonderfully cluttered parlor of Fred Keefer,
a colorful local character who died in 1987 at age 96. |
| Tautphaus Park Zoo |
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Lovely landscaping and a small yet varied collection
of animals make Tautphaus Park Zoo a pleasant place to
spend an hour or two. Highlights include kangaroos in an
excellent Australian habitat, otters, penguins, and a duck
pond where kids (and adults) can feed the assembled flocks.
The zoo is located in one of Idaho Falls' largest parks,
and a small amusement park nearby is open in the warmer
months. |
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