Mesa Falls Scenic Byway — A Complete Driving Guide from Island Park

Mesa Falls Scenic Byway: Island Park's Best Drive

The Mesa Falls Scenic Byway is a 28-mile paved loop off US-20 near Ashton, Idaho — about 30 minutes south of Island Park. The byway passes through the Caribou-Targhee National Forest and features two powerful waterfalls on the Henry's Fork of the Snake River: Upper Mesa Falls (114 feet) and Lower Mesa Falls (65 feet).

Upper Mesa Falls

Upper Mesa Falls is the star attraction — a 114-foot cascade that ranks among the most impressive waterfalls in Idaho. A short paved trail (approximately 0.3 miles) leads from the parking area to a series of overlook platforms with direct views of the falls. The falls are most dramatic in June when snowmelt swells the Henry's Fork.

Lower Mesa Falls

Lower Mesa Falls drops 65 feet through a narrow basalt canyon. The overlook is accessible via a short trail from the Lower Mesa Falls pullout. The canyon framing makes this waterfall particularly photogenic.

Driving the Byway

• Start: Turn east off US-20 near Ashton onto Highway 47
• Distance: 28-mile loop returning to US-20
• Time: 1.5–2 hours with photo stops
• Best light: Early morning or late afternoon
• Season: Typically open late May through October (snow-dependent)

Combining with ATV Tours

The Mesa Falls Scenic Byway pairs perfectly with a morning guided ATV tour from Island Park. Do the backcountry in the morning with Nomad Yellowstone's passenger-only ATV tours, then drive the scenic byway in the afternoon. The two activities showcase completely different sides of the Island Park landscape — rugged alpine ridgelines versus dramatic volcanic river canyons.

More Island Park travel tips → Things to Do in Island Park, Idaho

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