Howard Spring, Island Park, Idaho, 83429

## Overview Howard Spring is a natural spring located in the Island Park area of eastern Idaho, near the Montana border and just a short drive from West Yellowstone. Situated at an elevation of approximately 6,200 feet in the heart of the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem, this spring emerges in a region shaped by ancient volcanic activity — the Island Park caldera is one of the largest calderas in the world, and the area's geology gives rise to numerous cold-water springs fed by snowmelt filtering through layers of volcanic rock. Visitors have described the water at Howard Spring as exceptionally clean-tasting and delicious. The spring has historically been used as a drinking water source by locals and travelers passing through the Island Park corridor. As with any natural spring, water quality can vary with seasonal conditions, and the water has not been officially tested or certified as potable. ## Directions 1. From West Yellowstone, Montana, head west on US-20 toward Island Park, Idaho. 2. Continue on US-20 for approximately 12–15 miles into the Island Park area. 3. Howard Spring is located near GPS coordinates **44.6687, -111.2871**. Use these coordinates in a GPS or mapping app for precise navigation, as the spring can be easy to miss from the main road. 4. Look for a pulloff or access point near the spring. The surrounding terrain is typical of the Island Park plateau — lodgepole pine forest with meadow clearings. *Note: Cell service in the Island Park corridor can be spotty. Download offline maps before your trip.* ## What to Expect Howard Spring sits in a beautiful, high-elevation landscape surrounded by the lodgepole pine forests and open meadows characteristic of the Island Park region. The area is a popular destination for outdoor recreation year-round, with fishing, hiking, snowmobiling, and wildlife viewing all nearby. Yellowstone National Park's west entrance is just a short drive to the east. The spring produces naturally cold water, consistent with other volcanic-aquifer-fed springs in the region. Visitors have reported the water tastes remarkably fresh and clean. The spring is accessible as a public drinking spring, though there are no formal facilities or signage at the site — come prepared with your own containers if you plan to collect water. The Island Park area experiences long, snowy winters and short summers. The spring is most easily accessed from late spring through early fall (roughly May–October), though road access along US-20 is maintained year-round. Wildlife is abundant in the area — moose, elk, deer, and occasionally bears are commonly spotted, so stay aware of your surroundings.