Osprey Bend River Cabin is a new (2023) log home with 2 acres of wooded privacy on the banks of the gentle, pristine Snake River, just below its source. It's close to Macks Inn, Yellowstone Park, dining, golfing and many other activities. Fishing and kayaking are excellent, as is rafting, just downriver from the clear waters of Big Springs. Beautifully decorated, the cabin has 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms (3 full), loft, kitchen, dinning area, living room, and laundry room. Summer & winter rental! The space Unlike others in the area, this cabin is right on the river. Kayak, swim and fish right off the front porch. Located on 2 private wooded acres, the log cabin sleeps up to 16. There are five bathrooms, including one with both inside and outside access. The cabin includes a kitchen, living room, dining room, and loft (all with a river view), 4 bedrooms, a utility room and a coat room. A small charming log guest cabin is also available for an extra charge of $100 per night for those who prefer more privacy or who want to sleep closer to nature. It has one queen bed and a double futon. Bathroom access is available directly from an exterior door in the main cabin. This is our family cabin, not a "commercialized" business investment. We hope you love it as we do. The cabin is only a few yards away from the 6 million acre Targhee National Forest and only 22 miles from Yellowstone National Park. Wildlife sightings are frequent. There is plenty of room to explore and enjoy the beautiful view of the river and mountains. Float down the peaceful river in a canoe, rafts or kayaks. In the winter season, snowmobile, XC Ski, snowshoe, enjoy view of river and mountain while relaxing by the fire. A children's play set is close by, along with a fire pit. (Get instructions from caretaker.) This cabin has everything your group needs to enjoy the mountain air. Grocery stores, golfing, restaurants and other amenities are within 2 to 5 miles away. The cabin has a canoe, 2 kayaks, internet, 2 washing machines and driers, fire pit, barbecue and much more. Snow machine rentals are nearby, as are excellent XC ski trails. You are right on the river and the fishing is phenomenal. You are also within easy reach of a number of other famous fly fishing rivers: the Madison, the Yellowstone, Warm River, Fall River, and Box Canyon on the Snake, to name some of the main ones. The Trout Hunter in Last Chance offers experienced fishing guides. Henry’s Lake is also great for fishing from a boat. There are nearby rentals of large rubber boats, kayaks, and inner tubes. They will drop you off at the boat ramp just below Big Springs, where the Henry’s Fork of the Snake (a.k.a. the North Fork – the river the Cabin sits next to) comes up out of the ground (technically, the Yellowstone Aquifer finds its way to the surface at that point). It’s a 4 mile float back down to the Cabin. We also suggest a rubber raft trip down Box Canyon, further down on the Snake, coming out at Last Chance. Be sure to visit the bridge at Big Springs where the headwaters of the Henry’s Fork originate. While there, tour the John Sack Cabin – a short walk away, through the campground south of the Springs. There are some truly massive rainbow and hybrid trout that rest under the Big Springs bridge during the summer. The best food for tempting them out from under the bridge is whole kernel corn. As you might suspect, Big Springs is a rigorously enforced no fishing area. There are endless trails for hiking, ATV, motor cycles, bikes and walking in the area. Many local shops have an excellent hiking guide. A car drive to the top of Sawtelle Peak gives breathtaking views of the whole area. For hikers, we recommend Targhee Creek Trail, which is sign-posted off Highway 20 heading north, a few miles after the junction with Highway 87. The trail is moderate and the spring wildflowers in July are abundant. We also recommend Harriman State Park, where you can hike to Golden Lake and see a flock of trumpeter swans. An absolute MUST SEE is Mesa Falls (See below.). There are a couple of rodeos around, depending on the timing of your stay. A very fun one is located on Red Rock Road (about 3 miles north of Mack’s Inn, on Highway 20), then west to the Meadow View Ranch. Your ticket includes a dutch oven chicken dinner or a steak cooked on an open grill. The Island Park Reservoir and nearby Hebgen Lake offer water sports. You can rent boats and wave runners at Island Park Adventures in Last Chance. They also rent various types of ATVs. High Mountain Adventure at Island Park Resort is much closer to theCabin (~1 mile north on Highway 20), and rents similar equipment Harriman State Park, just south of Last Chance on Highway 20, has great nature trails, historical old ranch buildings built by the Harriman family of New York, and is home to a large trumpeter swan flock on its Golden Lake. The $5 fee per car is also good at Mesa Falls. Enjoy groomed XC ski trails with warming huts. A MUST SEE is Mesa Falls, both Upper and Lower. Walk the boardwalks around the magnificent falls, and visit the animal exhibit in the lodge next to the Upper Falls. The road to Mesa Falls takes off from Highway 20, down by Harriman State Park. Eagle Ridge Ranch offers horseback riding for all ages. Try a hike to the Coffee Pot rapids. The trail leaves the Coffee Pot Campground, then follows the river for 2 miles to the rapids. It is a truly beautiful hike. In late July and August, there are often ripe huckleberries along the trail. Golf at Island Park Village. To visit Yellowstone National Park – take Highway 20 north. Just past Henry’s Lake, the highway will turn east and cross the Continental Divide, entering Montana. The Park’s west entrance is in West Yellowstone. West Yellowstone has a number of fun attractions: - The Grizzly and Wolf Center - The Ropes and Zip Line course - White water rafting on the Gallatin River - The IMAX theater Seriously consider the Playmill Theater in West Yellowstone – it can be great fun! It is a regional summer theater, drawing its talent mostly from Brigham Young University Idaho. You will need reservations – surf them out on the web. Back at the cabin, relax on the porch. Wave to the floaters drifting down from Big Springs. Offer them homemade cookies. You will make lots of new friends. Enjoy the view of Sawtelle Peak. Watch for wildlife. Besides moose, animals we have spotted include River otters, beavers, muskrats, mink, pine martins, skunks, squirrels and many bird species, including ospreys, sandhill cranes, blue herons and bald eagles. Guest access Guests are able to access full cabin. Other things to note The nights are still quite cool in early June and again in September, so remember to bring a jacket. Depending on the year, there are usually few, if any, mosquitos, but bring repellent, especially in June. Because the cabin is on the river, young children must be supervised when playing outside. There is a great play house for little kids. An additional summer cottage is available at an extra $100 per night for those who like to sleep closer to nature. It has a queen bed and a double futon. There is no plumbing but it is close to a half bathroom in the main cabin with an outside door.