Yellowstone Branch Line Trail
Ashton, Idaho
| Address: | Yellowstone Branch Line Trail, Ashton, ID 83420, USA |
| GPS: |
44°7'14.0"N 111°18'41.7"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Idaho |
| Trails/Routes: | 3.2-47.0 mi |
Backpack, Cross Country Ski, Hike, Horseback, and Mountain Bike
Yellowstone branch line trail runs from Warm River to the Montana border totaling 39 miles. There are a few places to jump on and off the trail as well as a few smaller trails that branch off of this larger trail. A lot of the traffic covers small portions of this trail so not many people tackle the trail in its entirety. The trail offers a variety of different activities. It is open for backpacking, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and all terrain vehicles under a certain size. Depending on what you want to spend your day doing it’s a good idea to plan accordingly.
Also known as The Great Western Trail of Idaho, The Warm River Rail Trail, Route of the Yellowstone Special, or the northern portion of the Yellowstone Grand Teton Rail Trail.
Mapped Route/Trail Distances
| Warm River to West Yellowstone | 47.0 miles |
| Warm River to Bear Gulch | 3.2 miles |
More Information
Never modify trail features. Ride trails when they're dry enough that you won't leave ruts. Speak up when you see others on the trail and always yield to hikers, horses, and others coming uphill. Always ride on the established trail.
Read MoreBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Ashton, Idaho
- Head east on ID-47 N/Main St toward S 6th StContinue to follow ID-47 N(8.5 mi)
- Turn right onto Warm River Campground RdDestination will be on the left(0.5 mi)
The main, south-end access is from the Bear Gulch Trailhead northeast of Ashton, Idaho but the trail goes all the way to Warm River Campground. There is a new underpass that was recently constructed under the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway (State Hwy. 47) to access the trail which is less than 1/4 mile from the parking area.
Trails
Distance ?
47.0 milesElevation Gain ?
1,359 feetReal Ascent ?
2,180 feetReal Descent ?
821 feetAvg Grade (0°)
1%Grade (-14° to 9°)
-24% to 15%Distance ?
3.2 milesElevation Gain ?
322 feetReal Ascent ?
382 feetReal Descent ?
60 feetAvg Grade (1°)
2%Grade (-4° to 10°)
-8% to 17%Elevation differences are scaled for emphasis. While the numbers are accurate, the cut-away shown here is not to scale.
Other Mountain Bike Trails, Hiking Trails, Cross Country Ski Trails, Horseback Trails, and Backpacking Trails Nearby
Bear Gulch
Ashton, Idaho
2.5 miles NEBear Gulch is an abandoned ski hill out of operation since 1969. While the vegetation is beginning to take over, there's still some great sledding to be had. It's just far enough into the...
Camp, Cross-country Ski, Hike, Sled
Mesa Falls
Ashton, Idaho
4.7 miles NUpper Mesa Falls, aka Big Falls, is an absolutely awesome waterfall on the Henrys Fork of the Snake River. The falls drop 114 ft. and measure 300 ft. across. To get to the falls from the parking lot...
Cross-country Ski, Hike, Kayak 29.6 mi
Ashton to Tetonia Trail
Ashton, Idaho
6.9 miles SWThe Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation undertook the project to transform the old Teton Valley Branch of the Union Pacific Railroad from Ashton to Tetonia into a trail for bikes, ATVs, and...
Mountain Bike
Sheep Falls on Henry's Fork
Island Park, Idaho
7.0 miles NWSheep Falls cascades approximately 25' through a narrow basalt chute on the North Fork of the Snake River near Island Park, Idaho. Compared to nearby Lower and Upper Mesa Falls, that height may...
Hike 0.8 mi
Conant Creek Pegram Truss Railroad Bridge
Ashton, Idaho
7.1 miles SWAs part of the Rails to Trails project, this old railroad bridge has been transformed into a very safe little viewing experience for the whole family. You can drive right up to the bridge where there...
Hike
Flat Canyon Trail
Island Park, Idaho
9.9 miles NNon-motorized use. souce: fs.usda.gov
Mountain Bike 17.5 mi
Tear Drop Lake
Ashton, Idaho
11.6 miles NENestled in the Targhee National Forest just off of Ashton's Fish Creek Road, this tear drop shaped lake is a family adventure waiting to happen. The lake isn't very big but it is teeming with...
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Mountain Bike, Swim
Big Bend Ridge Trail
Ashton, Idaho
12.7 miles NWTrail is open to OHVs. source: fs.usda.gov
Mountain Bike 14.8-30.2 mi
Mr. Bubbles Hot Spring
Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park
13.3 miles EMr. Bubbles is one of the few places you can actually soak in the thermal waters of Yellowstone National Park. The Bechler area of Yellowstone is one of the best kept secrets of the otherwise densely...
Hike, Hot Springs
Bitch Creek Trestle
Tetonia, Idaho
14.1 miles SEAs part of the Rails to Trails project, this old railroad bridge has been transformed into a very safe little viewing experience for the whole family. You can drive right up to the bridge where...
Hike
Cave Falls of Yellowstone
Ashton, Idaho
15.6 miles EThis campgrond is situated on the banks of Fall River in Wyoming along the south border of Yellowstone National Park. Cave Falls Campground has 23 single site units and a terrific area for...
Camp, Hike 0.6-4.7 mi
Harriman State Park
Island Park, Idaho
15.8 miles NWHarriman State Park is found 38 miles from Yellowstone along Henry's Fork. This 11,000-acre wildlife refuge is open year round for most activities. In addition to having beautiful scenery and...
Cross-country Ski, Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike, Snowshoe 15.9-16.6 mi
Union Falls & Ouzel Pool
Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park
18.2 miles EBackpack, Hike, Hot Springs, and Swim near Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park
Backpack, Hike, Hot Springs, Swim 1.1 mi
Fish Lake
Ashton, Idaho
18.2 miles EHike near Ashton, Idaho
Hike
Badger Creek
Tetonia, Idaho
19.6 miles SEBadger Creek is a stream located just 13.6 miles from Ashton, in Teton County, in the state of Idaho, United States, near France, ID. Whether you’re spinning, baitcasting or fly fishing your...
Camp, Cross-country Ski, Hike, Mountain Bike, Rock Climb 5.8 mi
Box Canyon Trail
Island Park, Idaho
20.7 miles NVarious species of tress and wildflowers can be seen on the trail, as well as songbirds, waterfowl and occasional wildlife. The trail is open for the following uses: Motorcycle Trail Riding, Off...
Hike, Mountain Bike
Henry's Fork Green Way (St. Anthony Green Belt)
Saint Anthony, Idaho
21.9 miles SWThis is a great walk along the river. While it is nestled right next to the highway, the closeness and beauty of the river flowing on the other side of the trail more than make up for it. Halfway...
Hike 1.9 mi
Terraced Falls
Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park
23.0 miles E3.6 mile easy out and back trail. 430 ft Elevation gain. The trailhead is off Ashton-Flagg Ranch Road along Yellowstone's South border. Ashton-Flagg Ranch Road is closed during the winter.
Hike
Wright Creek Trail
Tetonia, Idaho
23.4 miles SOpen to MTB, horseback riding, snowshoeing, and hiking. source: fs.usda.gov
Mountain Bike 0.6 mi
Packsaddle Lake
Tetonia, Idaho
24.0 miles SPacksaddle is one of the less well known lakes/trails in the area. If you've got a good offroad vehicle, you can probably make it all the way to the end of the road, otherwise, it's just an...
Dive, Hike, Mountain Bike, Snowshoe, SwimNearby Campsites
Warm River Campground
Ashton, Idaho
0.1 miles EWarm River Campground is located nine miles northeast of Ashton, Idaho, along the slow-moving Warm River at an elevation of 5,200 feet. Willows line the riverbanks and pine trees offer partial...
Camp 0.3-0.6 mi
Bear Gulch
Ashton, Idaho
2.5 miles NEBear Gulch is an abandoned ski hill out of operation since 1969. While the vegetation is beginning to take over, there's still some great sledding to be had. It's just far enough into the...
Camp, Cross-country Ski, Hike, Sled
Porcupine Creek
Ashton, Idaho
5.1 miles SEPorcupine Creek is a hunting, fishing, camping, and swimming spot near Ashton, Idaho in Fremont County within Targhee National Forest. It's surrounded by forests, meadows, and a creek...
Camp, Swim
Horseshoe Lake
Ashton, Idaho
10.8 miles EHorseshoe Lake is hidden back in the Targhee National Forest. It's a beautiful lake with plenty of lily pads. The road to get there is well maintained and there are many options for pull-outs...
Camp, Canoe, Dive, Swim
Sheep Falls on Fall River
Ashton, Idaho
11.3 miles EThe lesser known Sheep Falls on Fall River is a local treasure off of Cave Falls road. There are primitive campsites and beautiful views for a great picnic spot. The water splits and comes down in...
Camp 17.5 mi
Tear Drop Lake
Ashton, Idaho
11.6 miles NENestled in the Targhee National Forest just off of Ashton's Fish Creek Road, this tear drop shaped lake is a family adventure waiting to happen. The lake isn't very big but it is teeming with...
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Mountain Bike, Swim
Cave Falls of Yellowstone
Ashton, Idaho
15.6 miles EThis campgrond is situated on the banks of Fall River in Wyoming along the south border of Yellowstone National Park. Cave Falls Campground has 23 single site units and a terrific area for...
Camp, Hike
Loon Lake
Ashton, Idaho
17.9 miles ECamp, Kayak, and Swim near Ashton, Idaho
Camp, Kayak, Swim
Badger Creek
Tetonia, Idaho
19.6 miles SEBadger Creek is a stream located just 13.6 miles from Ashton, in Teton County, in the state of Idaho, United States, near France, ID. Whether you’re spinning, baitcasting or fly fishing your...
Camp, Cross-country Ski, Hike, Mountain Bike, Rock Climb 0.9 mi
Buffalo River Campground
Island Park, Idaho
21.4 miles NThe float here is nice and easy. It's a great early season float. Later in the season the shallow spots will force you to walk a good chunk of the float. The water is super clear and often pretty...
Camp, Canoe, Kayak, Swim
Upper Coffee Pot Campground
Island Park, Idaho
25.8 miles NUpper Coffeepot Campground stretches along a floatable section of Henry's Fork of the Snake River. A mixed growth lodgepole pine forest provides partial shade and summer wildflowers are...
Camp, Canoe
Big Springs
Island Park, Idaho
26.2 miles NThere's also a great little walking trail along the river with placards that tell about the ecosystem and history of the area. There's about a 1/2 mile that's paved and then a 1/2 mile...
Camp, Hike
Pine Butte / The Caldera
St. Anthony, Idaho
27.1 miles WThis is about as close to an oasis as you can get in the deserts of Idaho. It's an old volcano in the middle of the sagebrush desert. As soon as you start down the path, you can feel the air...
Camp, Hike, Horseback
Reunion Flat Campground
Alta, Wyoming
30.9 miles SECamp near Alta, Wyoming
Camp 0.1-0.5 mi
Eagle Park
Rexburg, Idaho
31.2 miles SWEagle Park is a little urban oasis. Once you drive in to this cottonwood forest along the river, you may forget that you're still inside Rexburg city limits. You can camp, picnic, throw rocks in...
Camp, Hike, Mountain Bike, Sled
Moody Meadows
Driggs, Idaho
31.4 miles SGood place for kids, they can ride bikes in the meadow, play in the stream, and camping is off of the road. Hiking, motorbiking, and horseback riding trails are abundant in the area.
Camp 14.8 mi
Biscuit Basin to Fairy Falls and Firehole Meadows
Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park
31.5 miles NEFreight Road trail is a almost 15 mile hike that leaves from Biscuit Basin or Fountain Flats Drive. This hike is a beautiful remote hike that passes several unique landmarks, breaking up this hike...
Backpack, Camp, Hike
Teton Canyon Campground
Alta, Wyoming
31.9 miles SETeton Canyon is the start of several great adventures, including the Alaska Basin Trail, Table Rock, Devil's Stairs, and the Teton Crest. The campground offers a perfect basecamp to get an...
Camp 3.8-6.4 mi
Table Rock / Table Mountain
Driggs, Idaho
31.9 miles SEAt 11,300 feet, Table Mountain is possibly the most beautiful climb this side of the Tetons and offers what may well be the very best view of the Grand Tetons. It's just far enough away...
Camp, Hike 0.5-3.5 mi
Webster's Dam
Ririe, Idaho
32.6 miles SWAlso known as Manmade Falls or the Woodmansee Dam, Webster Dam is an abandoned dam located deep in Moody Creek canyon, the dam was abandoned when sediment built up behind the dam which then...
Camp, Hike, Mountain Bike
