Loon Lake
Ashton, Idaho
| Address: | Wyoming, USA |
| GPS: |
44°6'47.5"N 110°57'0.1"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Idaho |
Camp, Kayak, and Swim
Loon Lake is a small, lively mountain lake tucked into the Caribou-Targhee National Forest just off Ashton's Fish Creek Road, in the timbered high country of eastern Idaho near the gateway to Yellowstone. It's a low-key, family-friendly spot rather than a marquee destination, and that's exactly its charm: a pretty little lake for kayaking, swimming and an easy walk, with primitive lakeside camping that lets you fall asleep to the quiet of the Targhee forest.
The lake is the whole experience. Its calm, sheltered water is ideal for paddling a kayak or canoe, gentle enough for kids and beginners, and swimmable on warm summer afternoons. An easy loop trail circles the lake, giving a short, pleasant walk with water views the whole way, perfect for families, an after-camp stroll, or a bit of bird and wildlife watching in the surrounding timber.
Camping here is primitive and lakeside, the appeal being simplicity and setting rather than amenities. It's the kind of place to pitch a tent near the water, paddle in the evening calm, and enjoy a genuinely quiet corner of the forest, well off the busy Yellowstone-bound routes. The Ashton area is rich with complementary destinations, from the Henry's Fork and Ashton Reservoir to the waterfalls of the upper Snake, so Loon Lake makes an easy addition to a wider eastern Idaho trip.
As a primitive, undeveloped site, this is a self-supported outing with few or no facilities, so plan to bring your own water and pack out all trash, and note that the access is via forest roads off Fish Creek Road that are best driven with care, especially when wet. Mountain nights run cold even in midsummer at this elevation.
Summer and early fall are the season, once the snow has cleared and the water has warmed enough for paddling and swimming; the forest is green and buggy in early summer and cooler and quieter come September. There's no store or services at the lake, so arrive stocked.
Come with your own kayak or canoe if you can, layers for cold mountain nights, insect repellent for the early-summer mosquitoes, all your drinking water, and a trash bag. For a small, quiet, paddle-and-swim lake with an easy loop trail and primitive camping in the Targhee forest near Ashton, Loon Lake is an easygoing eastern Idaho gem.
More Information
Caribou-Targhee National Forest | Ashton Reservoir | Forest Service
Ashton Reservoir, located just north of Ashton along Henry's Fork of the Snake River, provides excellent trout fishing, water skiing, and canoeing. There is a power plant at the dam just west of Ashton and a beautiful ribbon waterfall by this dam. The Reservoir and facilities are maintained by PacificCorp Energy personnel.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/caribou-targhee/recreation/ashton-reservoir
- 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 St Continue to follow ID-47 N(1.6 mi) - Turn right onto N 3700 E (1.0 mi)
- Turn left onto E 1200 N (10.9 mi)
- Continue onto Ashton-Flagg Ranch RdParts of this road may be closed at certain times or daysEntering Wyoming(14.6 mi)
- Turn left onto Forest Rd 022 (0.3 mi)
- Keep left to stay on Forest Rd 022 (0.4 mi)
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