ATV/UTV Riding

Island Park is an OHV (Off Highway Vehicle) friendly place. This includes ATVs, UTVs (a.k.a. side-by-sides) and dirt motorcycles. Basically you can ride an OHV on any road in Island Park except Highway 20. Just make sure your OHV is registered in your home state and you have an active OHV sticker.

ATVs and UTVs can also be rented locally from High Mountain Adventures or Island Park Adventures.

There are many dirt roads and trails available to travel around the greater Island Park area and you can get to about anywhere from Ashton to Island Park to West Yellowstone. In fact it would take days to explore all the possible roads and trails in the area. Below I highlight some of our favorite ATV\UTV rides and destinations.

West Yellowstone, Montana
It is always fun to take new visitors to Island Park on a ride to West Yellowstone for lunch and maybe some tourist store shopping.
West Yellowstone sits at the Eastern Gate of Yellowstone National Park and offers many places to eat and lots of shops to look in.
There are a couple of ways to get to West Yellowstone, but the easiest way is up Black Canyon (FS Road 066) to the old Yellowstone Line Trail that will take you into Montana and to West Yellowstone.
Depending where you leave from in Island Park this is usually a good 50-mile round-trip ride. Plan on getting dusty in the heat of the Summer and pack plenty of water. There are plenty of beautiful places to stop on the way to take a trail break.

Around the Island Park Reservoir
You have to get to Yale-Kilgore Road, which runs west off of Highway 20 and take it to Old Shotgun Road. The ATV Trail system can be followed all the way there.
Old Shotgun Road runs for several miles through the open sagebrush country on the north side of Island Park Reservoir.
Eventually you will get to a junction where there is a corral on the corner. Going left, or due south, takes you around the west end of the reservoir and around the south side to Green Canyon. This is a good place for a break with the reservoir nearby and lots of shade in the forest.
After Green Canyon the road goes up and over Thurmon Ridge and eventually comes out to Highway 20 near the Harriman State Park turnoff.
Here you have to cross Highway 20 to follow the ATV trail into Last Chance; a good stop for gas, food and a cold drink.
From Last Chance you can continue follow the main ATV trail that runs through Island Park. That will take you to the Buffalo River and Pond’s Lodge, which also has food and drink available.
From Pond’s Lodge you can get to anywhere in Island Park following the ATV trail system and complete the loop around the reservoir. All told this is around 40 miles.

Red Rock Pass to Elk Lake Lodge
Red Rock Road starts off Highway 20 near where the Henry’s Lake Outlet crosses underneath.
Continuing to follow the road will lead to the Idaho – Montana border at Red Rock Pass. Once you drop down into Montana you will need to watch for the first major road to the right. It should have a sign pointing to Elk Lake.
Elk Lake Lodge is within ten miles of the border. If you call ahead to let them know you are coming you can order lunch or dinner. Elk Lake also offers a full bar.