This idyllic home is located just 23 miles west of West Yellowstone in Island Park, Idaho, Mountain Lake Cabin sits on nearly an acre property, nestled between fir trees and aspens, and bordered by Targhee National Forest. From the cabin you can see a glimpse of Henry's Lake, surrounded by towering mountains forming the Continental Divide. Mountain Lake Cabin, built in 2003, is the perfect home base for exploration of the Yellowstone and Teton National Parks. Fish Henry's Lake, a world renowned fishing destination, from the public access only a half mile from the house. WiFi is available for the use of our guests. The cabin is supplied well - we provide linens and towels, two hair dryers, all paper goods, hand soaps, dish washing soaps, laundry soap, shower gel, trash can liners, etc. An incredibly well supplied kitchen. The comfort of our guests is important to us!
This 1617 sq. ft. two-story 3 bedroom/2 bath year-round vacation home has a large loft and sleeps 10 comfortably. It is fully equipped and tastefully furnished. The Great Room has floor to ceiling windows, and the log staircase and vertical logs supporting the cathedral ceiling add to the rustic charm of this lovely mountain home. The alluring view draws your eyes outward through quaking aspens and pines, and to the rising mountains that form the Continental Divide to the North.
It was here in 1805 that the Lewis and Clark expedition looked for a passage over the Divide to link the Missouri River to the Columbia River and down to the Pacific Ocean.
Knotty pine tongue and groove walls and ceilings, custom pine plank flooring, slate tiles, and plush wall-to-wall carpet create a cozy and rustic atmosphere in the cabin. Comfortable furnishings welcome you to a very relaxing experience! A fully equipped kitchen with breakfast bar and stools opens onto the Great Room with two comfortable leather couches, a recliner, a rocking chair and a corner cast iron gas stove backed by a tall wall of smooth river rock.
The master bedroom with its log bed and full bath is right down the hall. The master bathroom has a bath/shower combination. In the rear of the cabin is a large mudroom, that has a washer and a dryer and a door to the rear deck. The rear deck is very private and looks out over the adjoining Targhee National Forest that rises to the heights of Sawtelle Mountain. To the side of the cabin in the rear is a fire pit, where you can gather to roast marshmallows, share the day's activities and reminisce...
Up the log stairs is a large loft, with a queen size pullout couch and an over-stuffed chair with ottoman. It is a cozy place to talk, read, or watch movies on DVD or satellite TV. There are two upstairs bedrooms; one with a queen bed, and the other with a full size bunk bed and a twin trundle. The upstairs bathroom has a shower. Up a log ladder tucked under apex of the cathedral ceiling is an eagle’s nest loft. Your children will love to play there!
Out front the extensive redwood deck with its log railing looks offers views of aspens and pine trees, which creates a great sense of seclusion. Look forward to casual meals and BBQ's here, as you enjoy the view and the sound of the quaking aspens.
Depending on the season, fishing, snowmobiling, boating, white water rafting, water skiing, swimming, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, golfing, sledding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are all available in Island Park and neighboring West Yellowstone. You can literally snowmobile from the cabin onto trails that connect with groomed trails down the road in Henry’s Lake State Park, or into West Yellowstone and further into Idaho. You could also try the groomed trails at Big Springs (drive south on Highway 20 and take a left at Mack's Inn). There are also great opportunities for cross-country skiing - drive south on Highway 20 to Harriman State Park and enjoy the peace and quiet there. Or go to the world-famous RendezVous Ski trails in West Yellowstone and visit during the yearly Ski Festival around Thanksgiving, or take part in the yearly RendezVous Ski Races in March.
Back country skiing can be had right from the house. Ski up the foothills of Sawtelle Peak from the back door!
The fishing in Henry’s Lake and surrounding streams is a trout angler's dream and this area is a world-renowned fishery. The lake is home to the 'Henry's Lake 'Lunker,' a cutthroat-rainbow hybrid that can easily weigh up to 10 pounds. The lake also offers an abundance of brook, rainbow, and native cutthroat trout. The Henry's Fork of the Snake River flows out of the lake and winds its way through Harriman State Park to Ashton. This stretch of clear mountain water is acclaimed by fly-fishing enthusiasts as the 'best trout fishing stream in the U.S.'
Henry's Lake State Park on the southeast corner of the lake encompasses three unique ecosystems including the lake, wetlands and sagebrush steppe. Moose and antelope are a common sight and wildflowers bloom throughout the season. The 3-mile Aspen Loop Nature Trail is open to hikers and bikers.
High Mountain Adventures across from the Island Park Resort off of Highway 20 rents kayaks, canoes, rafts, tubes, 4-wheelers and mountain bikes. Or rent your snowmobile there during the winter. Spend a day on Henry's Lake in kayak or canoe as you enjoy the peace and quiet amidst the mountains of the Continental Divide.
Mountain Lake Cabin is within easy driving distance of Yellowstone Park, Red Rock National Wildlife Refuge, Mesa Falls Scenic Byway, Harriman State Park, Quake Lake, and the old mining town of Virginia City, Montana. If you're looking for a rich and authentic western experience in quiet and beautiful surroundings, with easy access to Yellowstone Park, you're sure to enjoy your stay at Mountain Lake Cabin!
A note about your choices of vehicle and clothing: While this home is very easily accessible from 2 major two-lane highways (87 and 287), remember that you are visiting the Rocky Mountains. The driveway and short gravel access road to the house will be plowed of snow and are graded regularly, but we do recommend choosing a rental car appropriate for the season, weather and terrain in Montana. A 2WD vehicle will be fine most of the time, but 4WD and AWD vehicles are recommended during the snowy season which can begin as early as September all the way through June. Please be sure to check weather forecasts regularly. Weather in the mountains can be very dynamic and change quickly. People joke about experiencing all 4 seasons in one day once in a while. Keep various clothing layers and rain jackets handy while you are enjoying your outdoor activities, so you can always be safe and comfortable.
Please visit the Yellowstone National Park website to stay abreast of any temporary or seasonal road closures in the Park, and to take advantage of all the detailed info there about the many amazing park attractions, plus videos and helpful trip planning guides.
