U.S. Forest Service - Caribou-Targhee National Forest

06/11/2026

🥾 Thank You for Celebrating National Trails Day with Us! 🌲

Thank you to the 10 volunteers who joined the Ashton/Island Park Ranger District for National Trails Day at Railroad Grade Access near Warm River Campground.

Together, volunteers completed tread improvements and cleared vegetation along approximately 0.56 miles of trail, enhancing recreational access for future visitors.

One of the day's biggest successes was the level of interest shown by participants, with five volunteers expressing interest in helping with another trail project later this summer. Forest Service employees also had the opportunity to connect with campers, anglers, and floaters who stopped to learn more about the project and trail stewardship.

As part of National Trails Day and America's 250th anniversary, volunteers helped continue a tradition of service and stewardship on our public lands.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the project a success! 📸

06/10/2026

🥾 Thank You for Celebrating National Trails Day with Us! 🌲

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at Reunion Flats Campground for the Teton Basin Ranger District's National Trails Day project.

Volunteers spent the morning improving the Northside Trail by adding gravel to harden the trail surface and help create a more sustainable trail for future visitors.

In total, 42 volunteers participated in the project, ranging in age from just 7 weeks old to 77 years old, demonstrating that stewardship of our public lands can bring together people of all ages.

Including volunteers, partners, and staff, 57 people contributed to the day's success.

We would also like to thank our partners for their support:
• Teton Valley Trails and Pathways (TVTAP)
• Advocates for Multi-Use on Public Lands (AMPL)
• Mountain Bike the Tetons (MBT)
• Teton Back Country Horsemen (TBCH)
• Valley Adaptive Sports (VAS)
• U.S. Forest Service staff

As part of National Trails Day and America's 250th anniversary, participants helped continue a long tradition of stewardship and service on our public lands.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time and energy to improve trails on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. Your efforts help ensure these trails remain accessible and enjoyable for years to come.

📸 Check out a few photos from the event below!

06/09/2026

🥾 Thank You for Celebrating National Trails Day with Us! 🌲

A big thank you to everyone who participated in National Trails Day at the Aldous Lake Trailhead on the Dubois Ranger District this past Saturday.

Visitors enjoyed a self-guided hike while exploring the beauty of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest and celebrating the trails and public lands that connect us to the outdoors.

We were excited to welcome 112 visitors throughout the day who came out to enjoy the trail, spend time outdoors, and celebrate National Trails Day as part of America's 250th anniversary.

Thank you for helping make this event a success and for supporting the stewardship and enjoyment of our public lands.

This was just one of several National Trails Day events held across the forest. Throughout the week, we'll be highlighting the volunteers, partners, and participants who helped make these events possible.

📸 We'd love to see your favorite photos from the day. Share them in the comments below!

Thank you for helping us celebrate National Trails Day and America's 250th anniversary on your public lands.

06/05/2026

⏰ National Trails Day is Tomorrow! 🌲🥾

Join us across the Caribou-Targhee National Forest as we celebrate National Trails Day and America's 250th anniversary through volunteer service, outdoor recreation, and stewardship of our public lands.

📍 Palisades Ranger District
🕘 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Kelly Canyon Mountain Bike Trail Maintenance
Meet at Morgan Summit Trailhead to help with brushing and trail maintenance.
🎒 Bring: Water, lunch/snacks, gloves, and tools if available.

📍 Ashton/Island Park Ranger District
🕙 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Railroad Grade Access Trail Maintenance
Help improve trails near Warm River Campground through vegetation clearing and tread work.
🎒 Bring: Lunch, water, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent.

📍 Dubois Ranger District
🕙 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Aldous Lake Trailhead Self-Guided Hike
Enjoy a self-guided hike and explore the beauty of the Dubois Ranger District.
🎒 Bring: Water, snacks, and appropriate hiking attire.

📍 Teton Basin Ranger District
🕙 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Northside Trail Improvement Project
Help improve the Northside Trail near Reunion Flats Campground by adding gravel to harden the trail surface.
🎒 Bring: Snacks and water.

📍 Bear River Zone
🕙 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Tincup Mountain & Lau Creek Stewardship Project
Assist with trailhead cleanup, graffiti removal, and trail improvements near Pine Bar Campground.
🎒 Bring: Lunch, water, gloves, sunglasses, and sturdy outdoor clothing.

Whether you're volunteering, hiking, biking, or simply enjoying the outdoors, National Trails Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the trails and public lands that connect our communities to the outdoors. 🌿

We hope to see you on the trail tomorrow!

06/01/2026

🙌 Volunteers Needed for National Trails Day on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest! 🌲🥾

As part of National Trails Day and in celebration of America's 250th anniversary, we're inviting volunteers to help care for the trails, recreation sites, and public lands that connect our communities to the outdoors.

📍 Ashton/Island Park Ranger District
🗓 June 6 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Help with light trail maintenance near Railroad Grade Access and Warm River Campground by improving trail tread and clearing vegetation.

📍 Palisades Ranger District
🗓June 6 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Help maintain the Kelly Canyon trail system near Morgan Summit Trailhead through brushing and general trail maintenance.
👥 Seeking approximately 20 volunteers.

📍 Teton Basin Ranger District
🗓 June 6 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Help improve the Northside Trail near Reunion Flats Campground by adding gravel to harden the trail surface.
👥 Seeking approximately 20 volunteers.

📍 Bear River Zone (Montpelier & Soda Springs Ranger Districts)
🗓 June 6 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Assist with trailhead cleanup, graffiti removal, and trail improvements near Pine Bar Campground and Tincup Mountain.

📍 Westside Ranger District
🗓 June 27 | 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Help maintain the East Fork Mink Creek ATV Trail by clearing water dips and drainages and brushing overgrown vegetation.
👥 Seeking approximately 15–20 volunteers.

🧤 Most projects will provide tools and supplies. Volunteers should bring water, snacks or lunch, and dress appropriately for outdoor work.

For 250 years, Americans have connected with the land through exploration, stewardship, and service. National Trails Day is an opportunity to continue that tradition by giving back to the trails and public lands that so many people enjoy today.

📞 Contact your local ranger district office or follow the Caribou-Targhee National Forest page for event details and registration information.

🌿 Join us, celebrate America's 250th, and help leave our public lands better than you found them.

05/29/2026

Today, the Caribou-Targhee National Forest published the Grand Targhee Master Development Plan final environmental impact statement and draft record of decision in the Federal Register. Find more information about the project online at

Adjust SUP/operational boundaries; install, replace, and realign lifts; glade, grade, and develop terrain; construct, improve and reclaim roads; expand snowmaking; build guest service facilities, construct trails; build recreation activity zones.

05/28/2026

🌲 National Trails Day is coming to the Caribou-Targhee National Forest on Saturday, June 6, and Friday, June 27, with ranger districts across the forest hosting volunteer projects, stewardship activities, and outdoor recreation opportunities that help connect people to their public lands. 🥾

📍 Ashton/Island Park Ranger District — June 6 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Volunteers will help with light trail maintenance near Railroad Grade Access and Warm River Campground by cutting back vegetation and improving trail tread conditions.

📍 Dubois Ranger District — June 6 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Enjoy a self-guided hike at the Aldous Lake Trailhead and spend the day exploring trails and public lands at your own pace. 🌄

📍 Palisades Ranger District — June 6 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Help maintain the Kelly Canyon trail system near Morgan Summit Trailhead through brushing and general trail maintenance.

Bring: Water, lunch/snacks, gloves, and tools if available.

📍 Teton Basin Ranger District — June 6 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Help improve the Northside Trail near Reunion Flats Campground by adding gravel to harden the trail surface and improve trail conditions for future visitors. 🚵

📍 Bear River Zone – Montpelier & Soda Springs Ranger Districts — June 6 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Join stewardship projects near Pine Bar Campground and Tincup Mountain, including trailhead cleanup, graffiti removal, and improvements along Lau Creek Trail. 🛠️

📍 Westside Ranger District — June 27 | 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Volunteers will work on the East Fork Mink Creek ATV Trail, helping clear water dips and drainages while brushing overgrown vegetation to improve trail conditions and sustainability. 🌿

National Trails Day is an opportunity to celebrate the trails, campgrounds, and public lands that connect our communities to the outdoors while helping care for the places people enjoy throughout the year.

Additional details for each event, including volunteer information and meeting locations, will continue to be shared by district offices and on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest page.

05/28/2026

⚠️ Bloomington Lake Road (NFSR 409) on the Montpelier Ranger District will temporarily close June 1 through approximately July 1 for major road repairs and restoration work.

🚜 Over the years, erosion and heavy vehicle use have significantly damaged the road surface. During the closure, specialized rock crushing equipment and heavy machinery will be working to improve the nearly 6-mile roadway, smooth rough sections, widen narrow areas, and improve drainage.

🌲 This work will help create a safer, more sustainable road for future visitors. Once the road reopens, we ask everyone to help protect this investment by driving responsibly and practicing Tread Lightly principles.

📞 For more information, contact the Montpelier Ranger District at 208-847-0375.

05/27/2026

Eastern Idaho is facing a severe early wildfire season fueled by record-low snowpack and critical drought. Abnormally high spring temperatures melted the snowpack early, and vegetation is dry across eastern Idaho.

The 1988 Yellowstone Fires were one of the defining events in modern U.S. wildfire policy, resulting from a perfect storm of extreme multi-year drought, high erratic winds, and a massive accumulation of dry, combustible timber. The North Fork Fire—which started in the Targhee National Forest and burned 14,417 acres within Fremont County—was the largest fire burning 550,000 acres that year.

Compare the conditions between 1988 and today:

1988 Conditions
• The Greater Yellowstone ecosystem only received 30% of normal winter snowfall
• Virtually no rainfall June through August
• Live fuel moisture plunged to 3% and dead fuel moisture to 5%. Note: kiln dried lumber moisture content is 12%.

Today’s conditions
• Snow water equivalent for the Henrys Fork Basin is 33%
• 100-hour fuel moisture in the East Idaho Highlands (including Island Park) is 12.53%
• 100-hour fuel moisture in the Snake River Valley is 9.72%.

We are on the same track as we were in 1988.

Contrary to popular belief, a fire truck will not be sitting in your driveway to protect your home in the event of a wildland fire. It is the property owner’s responsibility to reduce the risk of wildfire for their property

To learn how to protect your home from wildland fires visit: https://www.nfpa.org/en/education-and-research/wildfire/preparing-homes-for-wildfire

05/27/2026

🔥 Firewood permits for the Caribou-Targhee National Forest go on sale June 1!
This year, purchasing permits is easier than ever — the public can now buy firewood ePermits online in addition to purchasing them at local ranger district offices and participating vendors.

Firewood permits are for personal use and help provide access to an important resource for many local households.

✅ NEW for this year: Online ePermits available
🪵 Permits valid for standing dead and down wood only
📅 Season begins June 1

Before heading out, be sure to review maps, cutting guidelines, and permit requirements.

More information available on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest website:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/ctnf/passes-permits