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.
More Information
Railroad Right-of-Way Trail | Idaho Trails | TrailLink
Railroad Right-of-Way Trail spans 38 from Warm River Campground (Ashton) to MT/ID State Line. View amenities, descriptions, reviews, photos, itineraries, and directions on TrailLink.
https://www.traillink.com/trail/railroad-right-of-way-trail/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.
Other Mountain Bike Trails, Hiking Trails, Cross Country Ski Trails, Horseback Trails, and Backpacking Trails Nearby
Bear Gulch
Ashton, Idaho
2.5 miles NEAn abandoned ski hill from 1969 with overgrown runs that still deliver great sledding — the lower run is fast and winding all the way down to the old ski lift.
Camp, Cross-country Ski, Hike, Sled
Mesa Falls
Ashton, Idaho
4.7 miles NUpper Mesa Falls drops 114 feet and spans 300 feet across the Henrys Fork — just 0.2 miles of paved walkway from the parking lot, with platforms, handrails, and morning rainbow mist.
Cross-country Ski, Hike, Kayak 29.6 mi
Ashton to Tetonia Trail
Ashton, Idaho
6.9 miles SWA 29.6-mile multi-use trail along a converted Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way from Ashton to Tetonia — open to bikes, ATVs, snowmobiles, runners, skiers, and horses with 787 ft of elevation gain southbound.
Mountain Bike
Sheep Falls on Henry's Fork
Island Park, Idaho
7.0 miles NWA 25-foot waterfall cascading through a narrow basalt chute on the North Fork of the Snake River — a pleasant, rarely crowded hike compared to nearby Mesa Falls.
Hike 0.8 mi
Conant Creek Pegram Truss Railroad Bridge
Ashton, Idaho
7.1 miles SWA spectacular converted railroad bridge with jaw-dropping views of Conant Creek hundreds of feet below — part of the 30-mile Ashton-Tetonia Trail, with vivid spring and fall colors and Teton backdrop.
Hike
Flat Canyon Trail
Island Park, Idaho
9.9 miles NA non-motorized trail in Island Park, Idaho — a peaceful ride through the forest with no engines to share the trail with.
Mountain Bike 17.5 mi
Tear Drop Lake
Ashton, Idaho
11.6 miles NEA small, lively lake in the Targhee forest for kayaking, swimming, and an easy loop trail — family fun with primitive lakeside camping.
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Mountain Bike, Swim
Big Bend Ridge Trail
Ashton, Idaho
12.7 miles NWA smooth, swooping singletrack network near Driggs, Idaho with low elevation change, multiple route options, and a long riding season — one of the first trails to dry out each spring.
Mountain Bike 14.8-15.1 mi
Mr. Bubbles Hot Spring
Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park
13.3 miles EA remote 15-mile backcountry trek through Yellowstone's Bechler region to a rare wild soak fed by a thermal spring.
Hike, Hot Springs
Bitch Creek Trestle
Tetonia, Idaho
14.1 miles SEA Rails-to-Trails railroad bridge converted into an easy family viewpoint above Bitch Creek — part of the 30-mile Ashton-Tetonia Trail with more trestle adventures nearby.
Hike
Cave Falls of Yellowstone
Ashton, Idaho
15.6 miles EA campground right on the Fall River along Yellowstone's south boundary puts you steps from legendary fishing, with fire rings and bear-proof boxes at each site.
Camp, Hike 0.6-4.7 mi
Harriman State Park
Island Park, Idaho
15.8 miles NWAn 11,000-acre wildlife refuge 38 miles from Yellowstone along Henry's Fork — world-class fly-fishing, hiking among wildflowers and wildlife, plus 24 miles of Nordic ski trails in winter.
Cross-country Ski, Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike, Snowshoe 15.9-16.6 mi
Union Falls & Ouzel Pool
Bechler Ranger Station, Yellowstone National Park
18.2 miles EA ~16-mile backcountry trek into Yellowstone's remote Bechler region rewards you with a 250-foot waterfall and Ouzel Pool — a warm-spring-fed swimming hole you can jump into.
Backpack, Hike, Hot Springs, Swim 1.1 mi
Fish Lake
Ashton, Idaho
18.2 miles EHike near Ashton, Idaho
Hike 2.9 mi
Box Canyon Trail
Island Park, Idaho
20.7 miles NA scenic 3-mile riverside singletrack along Henry's Fork in Box Canyon — open to OHVs under 50 inches wide, with river views most of the trail and great trout fishing.
Hike, Mountain Bike
Henry's Fork Green Way (St. Anthony Green Belt)
Saint Anthony, Idaho
21.9 miles SWAn easy paved 2-mile round-trip riverside walk along Henry's Fork in Saint Anthony — a statue of fur trader Andrew Henry at the halfway loop, and a pet-friendly, beginner-friendly path.
Hike 1.9 mi
Terraced Falls
Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park
23.0 miles EAn easy 3.6-mile out-and-back hike to a tiered waterfall along the southern Yellowstone border — the trailhead is on the Ashton-Flagg Ranch Road, which closes in winter.
Hike
Wright Creek Trail
Tetonia, Idaho
23.4 miles SA multi-use trail near Tetonia, Idaho open for mountain biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, and hiking in Targhee National Forest terrain.
Mountain Bike 0.6 mi
Packsaddle Lake
Tetonia, Idaho
24.0 miles SA secluded, steep-access Teton lake with a 300-foot descent from the trailhead, water that drops off quickly at the edge, and a small camp on the eastern shore.
Dive, Hike, Mountain Bike, Snowshoe, Swim
Boundary Trail
Island Park, Idaho
25.1 miles NA 37-mile loop in Idaho accessible from multiple trailheads, open to stock, mountain bikes, motorcycles, and ATVs — with steep, rocky sections not suited for beginners.
Mountain BikeNearby Campsites
Warm River Campground
Ashton, Idaho
0.1 miles ESlow-moving warm water and willow-lined banks make this campground a perfect spot for tubing, trout fishing, and peaceful mountain biking at 5,200 ft elevation.
Camp 0.3-0.6 mi
Bear Gulch
Ashton, Idaho
2.5 miles NEAn abandoned ski hill from 1969 with overgrown runs that still deliver great sledding — the lower run is fast and winding all the way down to the old ski lift.
Camp, Cross-country Ski, Hike, Sled
Porcupine Creek
Ashton, Idaho
5.1 miles SEA backcountry hunting, fishing, camping, and swimming spot in Targhee National Forest, surrounded by forests, meadows, a creek, and unmarked trails — bear country, so pack and store food carefully.
Camp, Swim
Horseshoe Lake
Ashton, Idaho
10.8 miles EA lily-pad-dotted lake hidden in the Targhee National Forest with a gradual beach entry perfect for wading, a floating dock for jumping, and no motorized boats.
Camp, Canoe, Dive, Swim
Sheep Falls on Fall River
Ashton, Idaho
11.3 miles EA local gem off Cave Falls Road where the river splits into multiple falls tumbling over each other — primitive campsites and beautiful views make it a great picnic stop.
Camp 17.5 mi
Tear Drop Lake
Ashton, Idaho
11.6 miles NEA small, lively lake in the Targhee forest for kayaking, swimming, and an easy loop trail — family fun with primitive lakeside camping.
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Mountain Bike, Swim
Cave Falls of Yellowstone
Ashton, Idaho
15.6 miles EA campground right on the Fall River along Yellowstone's south boundary puts you steps from legendary fishing, with fire rings and bear-proof boxes at each site.
Camp, Hike
Loon Lake
Ashton, Idaho
17.9 miles ECamp, Kayak, and Swim near Ashton, Idaho
Camp, Kayak, Swim 0.9 mi
Buffalo River Campground
Island Park, Idaho
21.4 miles NAn easy, clear, and often warm float on the Buffalo River near Island Park, with slow enough current to paddle back upstream in a canoe or kayak after your run.
Camp, Canoe, Kayak, Swim
Upper Coffee Pot Campground
Island Park, Idaho
25.8 miles NHenry's Fork of the Snake River winds through a lodgepole pine forest past this campground, offering fly-fishing for rainbow and brook trout and easy tubing and canoeing.
Camp, Canoe
Big Springs
Island Park, Idaho
26.2 miles NA Big Springs campground shaded by Lodgepole Pines on Henry's Fork — with a 1-mile interpretive trail, fish feeding under the bridge, the historic Johnny Sack Cabin, and access to the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway.
Camp, Hike
Pine Butte / The Caldera
St. Anthony, Idaho
27.1 miles WAn old volcano in the Idaho desert that feels like stepping into a mountain forest — pine-covered hillsides, a meadow ringed by aspen and boulders, and a quarter-mile easy trail to the caldera floor.
Camp, Hike, Horseback
Reunion Flat Campground
Alta, Wyoming
30.9 miles SECamp near Alta, Wyoming
Camp 0.2-0.5 mi
Eagle Park
Rexburg, Idaho
31.2 miles SWA cottonwood forest park inside Rexburg city limits with campsites, fishing, a dog park, mountain biking on easy and moderate loops, and rock-throwing by the river.
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 NEA nearly 15-mile backcountry hike starting at Biscuit Basin passes turquoise pools, a 70-foot waterfall, Firehole Meadows, Imperial Geyser, and three stunning blue lakes with rust-red shores.
Backpack, Camp, Hike
Teton Canyon Campground
Alta, Wyoming
31.9 miles SETeton Canyon Campground is the gateway to Alaska Basin, Table Rock, and the Teton Crest Trail — each site stocked with a picnic table, fire ring, and bear box.
Camp 3.8-6.4 mi
Table Rock / Table Mountain
Driggs, Idaho
31.9 miles SEA big climb to 11,300 feet for arguably the finest view of the Grand Tetons — pick the steep Face or the gradual Huckleberry trail.
Camp, Hike 0.5-3.5 mi
Webster's Dam
Ririe, Idaho
32.6 miles SWAn abandoned dam in Moody Creek canyon where sediment split the stream into two beautiful 15-foot waterfalls — stunning in spring runoff and blazing with fall colors.
Camp, Hike, Mountain Bike 0.8-1.3 mi
Warm Slough Campground
Rexburg, Idaho
32.6 miles SWA popular river campground with two boat ramps and an easy, slow-moving inner tube float — the take-out is 1,000 feet from the put-in, making multiple runs a breeze.
Airsoft, Camp, Canoe
