PLEASE NOTE: New Cushions on outdoor furniture in 2022; New Pots and Pans in March 2023. New Appliances in April 2023 - SEE NEW PHOTOS!
Lakefront Retreat is a great home base for visiting Yellowstone Park (only 32 miles from the west entrance) while also enjoying a lake vacation!! Located on Bills Island in the beautiful Island Park Reservoir, with your own dock and boat slip. (Rent boats, ATVs, snowmobiles, etc. nearby.) Access to the ATV Trail System! FREE WIFI. Swimming off the dock, fishing, boating, hiking, biking, sunsets; plus day-trips to Mesa Falls, Harriman State Park, Grand Teton Park and more!
Lakefront Retreat is located in the private gated community of Bills Island on the shore of the Island Park Reservoir. (The Island Park Reservoir was created many years ago by a dam along the Henry's Fork of the Snake River, a world renowned trout fishing river.) Swim and fish right off our private dock. Use our boat slip for your own boat or one of the many kinds of watercraft that can be rented only 1/4 mile away. They also rent bicycles, and a water trampoline that can be delivered right to the cabin waterfront. You can also rent ATV's, snowmobiles, and other equipment there. [You can ride ATV's (and snowmobiles in winter) directly onto the local trail system that connects for hundreds of miles and goes all the way to the border of Yellowstone Park!] We provide the following items at the house: one paddle board, one angler's kayak and one children's kayak; with life jackets. Additionally, there are two sets of snorkeling gear. There is always deep water in the reservoir right behind this cabin, even in years when water levels may be reduced for the use of farmers downstream. Our west-facing deck, with its own fire pit, borders the water and connects to a floating walkway to the dock and boat slip. The deck is a great place to enjoy beautiful sunsets as you relax and discuss all the amazing possibilities for the days to come. The west entrance of Yellowstone Park is only 32 miles away. Horseback riding, hiking, fishing, and cross-country skiing are available in nearby Harriman State Park. Amazing and powerful Mesa Falls is also a short trip away. An all-day trip to visit Grand Teton National Park is also possible from this home.
This 1700 sq.ft. cabin has been renovated several times, the most recent renovation being the addition of the second bathroom. You'll love the lodge pole features, which add to the rustic charm. It has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, and sleeps up to 10 people: there are three queen size beds, two double beds (double/twin bunk bed with a double trundle), plus a queen size air mattress and a twin futon for the floor. There is also a queen sleeper couch in the great room. (All bedding, linens and towels are provided.) This property also offers a 35 amp RV hookup at the side of our driveway for $50/night plus tax, which would enable you to bring up to six more people who sleep in the RV. (Potable water and a dump station are provided at our RV hookup.) The two-car garage is also available for your use.
The living room features a wall of windows with views of the lake in the northwest/west direction, enabling you to enjoy breathtaking summer sunsets and also keep an eye on the kids playing outside. You'll find the kitchen well equipped with modern appliances and everything you need to cook, prepare and serve your meals. This cabin has Chromecast TV (watch from any device) and a DirecTV satellite subscription. Washer and dryer are also provided for your use.
There is a propane fire table in the side yard of the cabin.
Winter at Lakefront Retreat:
If you plan on staying at Lakefront Retreat anytime between between mid-October and mid-May there is usually some degree of snow throughout that period. You could experience this Winter wonderland at its peak between mid-December and the end of March. During the peak of winter, we get 4 to 7 feet of snow in Island Park staying on the ground, and getting mounded high by snow plows on the roadsides. The winter time is truly a beautiful thing! Come prepared with serious snow clothes and snow boots to stay warm and dry. Inside, stay cozy by our propane fireplace! (The cabin also has a good heating system throughout.) Due to all this snow, Island Park is a popular destination for plenty of winter activities including snow shoeing and cross-country skiing at Harriman State Park, and snowmobiling on the 500 miles of groomed trails throughout Island Park and West Yellowstone. In fact, you can snowmobile on snow-packed roads directly from this cabin to connect with the official trail system at our Bill’s Island security gate area. Free maps of the entire trail system are available at gas stations throughout Island Park. You can rent snowmobiles locally or bring your own. There is space to park your vehicles and trailers at the cabin. The west entrance of Yellowstone Park is closed to normal vehicles from mid-November to mid-April, but you can book guided snowmobile and snow coach adventures that take you inside Yellowstone Park, going all the way to Old Faithful geyser, which erupts year-round. (Book trips early. Space is limited.) Ice fishing, on the Island Park Reservoir and Henry’s Lake, is also popular! (Be sure that the lakes are frozen solid and proceed with caution. Snowmobiling on the lakes is illegal and can be dangerous.) In December/January you can enjoy the local Winterfest that includes horse drawn sleigh rides and fireworks, among many other family activities, happening at various times and locations in Island Park every year. (Check with the Island Park Chamber of Commerce for a Winterfest schedule.)
Please note: For safety reasons, due to the large amount of snow, there is no access to two of the side doors of the cabin during winter. You’ll have access to the overhead garage door, the personnel door next to it, and the sliding glass door of the house only. Warning: Be aware of the potential for heavy snow sliding off the garage roof, especially when things warm up above freezing. This is dangerous! Park your vehicles at a safe distance from any roof slopes and don’t venture below them on the ground. Due to the thick ice on the Island Park Reservoir, the floating walkway from the deck to the dock is removed in winter. These are reconnected when the ice has melted fully, usually some time in May.
We consider April our mud season due to melting snow. Watch out for potholes on dirt roads at that time of year. The roads get repaired when things dry out.
If you love outdoor recreation and like a safe community where children can have fun, then you'll be sure to enjoy quality family time at Lakefront Retreat!
