USDA Forest Service · Idaho

Jensen Cabin

USDA Forest Service · Idaho, United States

Open on the map Drive there Reserve Directions
Sites
1
Hookups
1 with water, 1 no hookups
Season
Year-round
Cost
$95.00 per night.
Drinking water
Yes
Restrooms
Yes
Pets
No
Elevation
5,902 ft
Dark sky
Bortle class 1
Cell coverage
T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
Access road
BEAR CREEK-ELK JENSEN (NFSR 40058) · crushed aggregate or gravel · suitable for passenger cars
Lake
Caribou-Targhee National Forest
Nearest town
Idaho Falls
Address
3659 E Ririe Hwy, Idaho Falls, ID, 83401
Phone
208-523-1412
Activities
Backpacking, Berry Picking, Hunting, Off Highway Vehicle Trails, Off Road Vehicle Trails, Photography, Snowmobile, Snowmobile Trails, Snowshoeing, Wood Cutting

1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.

About

Overview

Jensen Cabin is located 13 miles from the town of Alpine, Wyoming, off the McCoy Creek Road. The current cabin was built in the earily 70's, but the site has been fully remodeled. The 2-room cabin with a loft is made of rough cut lumber and has meatal sideing and a metal roof. This is a NO Pet Facility, Please no dogs.

Guests can drive a vehicle to the cabin from mid-May through early November, although about 10 miles of the trip are on gravel roads. Snowmobiles and cross-country skis are required to access the cabin from approximately mid Novemeber through mid-May. The trek from the nearest available parking at the snowmobile trailhead to the cabin is 10 miles.

Recreation

The Jensen Cabin provides access to a variety of year-round recreational activities, including horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Berry picking is available in late summer. Some of the other activities located within a few miles include off-road vehicle and motorcycle riding, snowmobiling, hiking and mountain biking. Game and game bird hunting is a popular pastime in season.

Facilities

The Jensen cabin sleeps six and includes: two sets of bunkbeds are in one room, two twin beds in the loft, mattresses on all beds, a wood stove with cut firewood for heat, a propane stove for cooking, a table with benches and chairs near the wood stove. There are limited cooking utensils and pots in the cabin. There is no water or sink inside the cabin, but there is a plastic tub available for washing dishes and washing hands, etc. A hand pump for water, a vault toilet, fire pit, and a picnic table are located outside. Electricity is not provided and there is no cell service at the cabin. Guests may wish to bring battery or propane-powered lighting. Bedding, matches, and emergency items like a first aid kit are not provided. A large trash can is provided, but trash bags are needed to pack out garbage. All garbage and food items should be stored inside the cabin at all times to avoid attracting bears and other wildlife.

All vehicles, including ATVs, UTVs, trailers and campers, can only be parked on the gravel driveway into the cabin and in the limited parking area at the cabin. There is no parking, camping or riding (except snowmachines) in the meadows surrounding the cabin.

Natural Features

Jensen Cabin is situated at aproxemently 6,400 feet on the Caribou-Targhee Natoinal Forest. The cabin sits on the edge of a meadow surrounded by pine trees. Guests can enjoy views of the distant mountains. Wildlife in the area includes black bear, elk, moose, and mule deer. McCoy Creek and Jensen Creek are nearby for fishing opportunities.

Nearby Attractions

Jackson Hole, Wy

National Elk Refuge

Grand Teton National Park

Alpine, Wy

Palisades Reservoir

Contact Info

This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (208) 523-1412.

Charges & Cancellations

There will be no changes allowed to stay reservations. If a change is needed you will need to cancel the reservation and make a new one.

Weather, month by month

MonthTypical highTypical lowColdest nightHottest dayYears with a night below 32°F
January28°14°-9°39°11 of 11
February31°18°-8°47°11 of 11
March40°23°10°54°11 of 11
April43°27°12°60°11 of 11
May56°33°25°68°11 of 11
June70°46°32°86°0 of 11
July83°55°41°93°0 of 11
August81°53°46°90°0 of 11
September71°46°29°81°1 of 11
October55°33°14°74°8 of 10
November41°22°-1°58°10 of 10
December30°15°1°43°10 of 10

Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.

Nearby campgrounds

All public campgrounds in Idaho · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-03-11. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.