One Of America's Top Fly-Fishing Destinations Is An Idaho City With Stunning Views Near Jackson Hole

A little village along the South Fork of the Snake River in eastern Idaho is a haven for dry-fly anglers with a penchant for mountain views. Just over an hour or so from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a true destination western town with a breathtaking national park with an airport inside of it, Swan Valley, Idaho, rests at the foot of the Big Hole, the Palisades, and the Caribou Mountains, amid the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. For visitors who love to fly fish, it might be among the best destinations anywhere in the West, but it's also a wonderful destination for campers, hikers, mountain bikers, and, in the fall, leaf peepers who will love the blaze orange cottonwood forest come late September.

The South Fork of the Snake River flows clear and cold from the base of Palisades Dam. This tailwater river remains cold all summer long, even during the dog days in July and August, making for outstanding dry fly fishing for brown trout, rainbow trout, and the river's signature native cutthroat trout. A growing recreational destination, Swan Valley offers plenty of camping spots, both for RVers and tent campers, and it's an excellent jumping-off spot for hiking, mountain biking, and even horseback riding. This community, situated just 45 minutes east of Interstate 15 and Idaho Falls and its convenient regional airport, is centered around the river and the stellar fishing it offers to locals and destination anglers alike.

The South Fork of the Snake River is considered by many to be the best dry-fly river in America. Its native cutthroat trout always seem to be looking up, and a well-cast grasshopper pattern slapped against the bank in high summer could very well attract the attention of one of these stunning fish. In addition to its cutthroats, the river is also home to burly brown trout and introduced rainbow trout — both of which can achieve impressive size and put on quite a show when hooked. Early in the year, when water managers are releasing irrigation flows into the South Fork from Palisades Dam, the river is best fished from a boat. Later in the summer, as water levels drop, there are some places along the river that can be accessed on foot.

For Anglers who intend to visit for a few days or even a week, a lodge stay might be in order. One of the nicest fly-fishing lodges in North America is situated on the banks of the South Fork just downstream from Swan Valley. South Fork Lodge is partially owned by Jimmy Kimmel (yes, that Jimmy Kimmel). It's a tough ticket to punch but should anglers be able to get a room for a few nights, they'll enjoy access to the lodge's Machete Bar (a tribute to one of Kimmel's heroes — Evel Knievel), one of the most-lauded whiskey bars in the west. They'll also enjoy top-tier, chef-prepared meals and luxurious accommodations. The lodge's restaurant is open to the public from May through October, and reservations can be made at opentable.com. The lodge and all it offers are just over and down Pine Creek Pass from Victor, Idaho, an underrated city in Idaho's gorgeous Teton Valley.

While it's only about an hour from Jackson, Swan Valley is worlds away in terms of its appeal. There's very little glitz and glamour about this little riverside hamlet. And, no, you can't see the Tetons from the river, but you can take in some impressive scenery, including Fall Creek Falls. Here, just across the river from Swan Valley, visitors can take in the secluded waterfall adventure that offers untouched beauty. And, with easy access to generally uncrowded national forest roads and trails, the adventure can continue away from the river. The Caribou-Targhee National Forest offers more than 1,600 miles of hiking trails that make it an easy escape from the crowds that often come with a visit to the more heralded Jackson Hole and nearby Grand Teton National Park.

In addition, while the river is easily the top fishing destination, the 3-million-acre Caribou-Targhee National Forest is home to countless smaller and remote trout streams — more than 250 miles worth — waiting to be explored by eager fly fishers willing to break in their hiking boots. And, of course, Swan Valley is at the heart of it all. Whether fishing is the appeal or a visit to take in the mountain splendor of eastern Idaho simply sounds divine, this little riverside village is a great under-the-radar destination.