Blacktail Park

So, to be completely honest, I was a little disappointed with Ririe Reservoir when we went. It was fun, and it was a good place to cool off, but there weren’t any sandy beaches or really anything to “do” there, unless you had a boat (which as a poor college student, I definitely don’t). Talking to my boss at work, he told me about “Blacktail Park.” It’s still Ririe Reservoir, it’s just the other side of it. We went this weekend, and it was SO MUCH FUN. This is exactly what I was looking for. It has the same feel to me as Rigby Lake, but with a ton less people.

Blacktail Park is about 15-20 minutes East of Idaho Falls. It’s super easy to find, and it’s a great place to spend the day. It’s $3 to get in Monday-Friday, and $5 Saturday and Sunday. It’s pretty developed, providing bathrooms, fire pits, pavilions, docks, and parking. For $5, you really can’t go wrong, and you’re welcome to stay for as long as you’d like.

When we went, the park wasn’t crowded at all. There will people boating and paddle boarding, but we still felt like we had plenty of space to ourselves to sprawl out and really do whatever. The drive getting there is pretty as well, because you drive through some farmer’s fields, full of windmills and green crops. A few minutes later, you go down a steep road that takes you down to the water. If you’re looking for a place to cool off, this is it!

Directions:

1. It’s super easy to get here. Get on Highway 20, as if you’re driving to Idaho Falls
2. Take the Hitt Road Exit (Exit 313)
3. At the bottom of the exit, take a left
4. Continue straight through the first traffic circle, and then take a left at the second traffic circle (Lincoln Rd.)
5. Follow Lincoln Road straight all the way until you arrive at the park.