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vast tracts of God’s country north of Idaho Falls is a destination of epic proportions. This wonderland is not just eastern Idaho’s playground, it’s the West’s play- ground. And for good reason. The area is known world wide for the St. Anthony Sand Dunes as well as excellent snowmobiling. Have you ever seen a sled dog race? How about floated the Henry’s Fork River? Or climbed or rode to the top of a 300-400- foot sand dune? Visited a fish hatchery (there are two in the area—Ashton and Henry’s Lake)? Snowmobiled in powder so deep you have to stand up on the snowmo- bile to see? Golfed at 6,300 feet (the ball really flies in that kind of thin air)? If you really want a bird’s eye view of the Upper Valley and especially Island Park, drive up Sawtell Peak Road and look around. From the 9,866-foot peak you can see into Montana and Wyoming as well as Yellowstone National Park. It truly is a breathtaking view. (Note: The road is only open in the summer.) Even closer to Idaho Falls than the won- GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK ders of Yellowstone country, eastern Idaho is home to the Camas National Wildlife Refuge and several state wildlife manage- ment areas. There are three municipal golf courses in the county. Also in threes, Jefferson County Lake, Heise Hot Springs and the Riot Zone are three popular places to enjoy family fun. Numerous hiking and biking trails, wide-open desert spaces and mountainous terrain along with a small corner of the aforementioned St. Anthony Sand Dunes are found just north of Idaho Falls. Just a stone’s throw to the northeast, it Want to try something a little different? Work up a little (or a lot) of sweat as a hand on a working ranch or hire a guide or outfitter to help you bag an elk, deer, bear, antelope, mountain goat or cougar. The adventurous might want to try heading up to Bannack Pass (elevation 7,679 feet), probably best traversed in a four-wheel drive or high-clearance vehicle in summer and fall. The views are simply incredible as you can see for miles in every direction. (Head west out of Dubois 22 IDAHO FALLS VISITORS GUIDE 2010 on Idaho Highway 22 and turn north on Medicine Road. Follow this to Medicine Lodge Road, which turns into Bannack Pass Road/FR 280.) A LAND OF SAND & WATER From the St. Anthony Sand Dunes to the peaks of Sawtell and Mt. Jefferson, from the waters of the Henry’s Fork and Falls rivers to Henry’s Lake and Island Park Res- ervoir, from the dog days of summer to the snow-laden mountains in the winter, the seems like you’re always in the shadows of the mighty Teton Mountains—a situation no one seems to mind. In fact, that’s one of the reasons visitors check out Teton Valley as well as the other destinations around Idaho Falls. There are hiking, biking and horseback riding trails galore. Some of the finest golf courses in eastern Idaho are up this way, although more than a few of them are private. Camping is a great op- tion. You can fly-fish in numerous creeks, rivers and lakes. The valley also features some of the best—and only—rock climb- ing in eastern Idaho. ATTRACTIONS