The Caribou-Targhee National Forest will begin renovation operations at the popular Mesa Falls Recreation Area beginning Aug. 10, 2026. During construction, the entire Upper Mesa Falls area will be closed. The project is scheduled to continue into winter.
Although fall is a beautiful time to visit Mesa Falls, it also provides the window needed to complete this necessary renovation project, which includes road repairs and chip sealing.
“The timeline was chosen to minimize the impact to the public while still offering environmental conditions needed for success of the project,” said Steve Jenkins, Forest Engineer. “We want to get the word out early so visitors aren’t surprised at the end of summer.”
During the closure, visitors can still explore the nearby Lower Mesa Falls area, located just under a mile to the south along the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway, which includes hiking trails and scenic overlooks.
For more information contact the Ashton/Island Park Ranger District at 208-652-7442.
About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.