Bootjack Drive Dispersed Camping

At GPS 44.58462,-111.34630, you’ll find free dispersed camping on Bootjack Dr near Island Park, Idaho. Whether you want sun for solar, or shade for coolness, you’ll be able to find a suitable location level enough for most anyone. The plot lies just outside the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. While I’m not certain, I think it may be provided by the Idaho Fish & Game. Signage states a 14-day stay limit, however as it seems not regularly patrolled, some have been there for the season. Aside from views of the Henrys Lake Mountains, the entertainment of ground squirrels and occasionally cows will be your only amenity. There is no trash collection, electric, or potable water. Harriman Wildlife Refuge has a free dump station 17 miles South, and Madison Campground in Yellowstone about 32 miles East.

The location is rather ideal as it is only 18 miles to the West entrance of Yellowstone. Other nearby areas of interest are Johnny Sack Cabin/Big Spring at 10 miles, the top of Sawtell Peak at 16 miles, and the north end of Scenic Hwy 47 at 20 miles. Sam Patch Grocery in Island Park is less than 5 miles away.

There is very little light polution so the night sky is great for stargazing. It was easy to spot the Perseid meteor showers during our stay. The sagebrush in the fields does a great job to keep the highway noise almost imperceptible. If you hear something outside at night, it is best to stay in as there are all sorts of wildlife in the area. We did hear coyotes yipping late one evening. Keep an eye on small pets if they are outdoors during the day or night as we saw a hawk feasting on some kind of small critter.

Beware of the stray meadow muffins as they are plentiful. We heard that the cows may be a little aggressive, but they hadn’t come near our area. Also, we saw some rather large holes in the ground, likely dug by predators looking for poor little ground squirrels to feast upon.

We would have stayed longer, but our fresh water supply ran out. We had contemplated coming back after dumping & refilling, but this dumbass figured we may as well head through Yellowstone to the Tetons and dump along the way. Oh, how I dread places with SOOOO many people. I literally got shoved aside because this (very unpleasant thing to call a female) felt she shouldn’t have to wait their turn like I did to take a picture at Yellowstone, or that I’m not allowed. I didn’t quite blow a fuse, but my irritability scale was heading off the charts. We made it through most of the park, but I was pleased to come back to Bootjack and escape from the crazies. It was a lot calmer on the Idaho side of the mountains. I feel we should have headed south from there. The sunsets seemed better on that side as well.

Anyways... Bootjack Drive... MOOOO! Great place... almost complete darkness, better sleep, calm & quiet... go camp there!

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Dinner tonight was brats, baked potatoes and Mexican corn. Thank you for cooking, Al. Two travel days in a row and my foot has been crabby.