Island Park, Idaho is home to one of the largest calderas in the world, attracting more visitors every year to its beautiful forests, springs, waterfalls, lakes, wildlife, clear streams, fishing and more. Naturally, a cabin right in the heart of it all should be named Caldera Cottage.

Cabin owners, who have become stewards of Island Park, started to purchase cabins in Mack’s Inn to bring their daughters to enjoy the sites of their father’s family history, and to share their love for the area with visitors from out-of-state and all over the globe. One of their daughters came up with the name Caldera Cottage for the family’s newest cabin that has recently become available for rentals to travelers seeking to experience the astounding beauty of the Greater Yellowstone area.

“We wanted to find a cabin that we can use ourselves and be able to share the magic of the area with others,” she said. According to Galbraith, the Caldera Cottage is close to both the Snake River and the Island Park Reservoir, and the biggest difference is that the Caldera Cottage is pet-friendly. There is even a beach within walking distance of the cabin, perfect for families or couples that love water play.

“The Caldera Cottage was well-built and just the perfect little place for us,” Galbraith said. “It’s located in the Rancho McCrea area just one block from the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River.”

Teara Galbraith has been traveling to Island Park, which she refers to as “magical”, for sixteen years. Her husband Andy grew up visiting the area, as well as his father, and grandfather who worked for the forest service. “So everyone always used his Mack’s Inn cabin,” she said. “By the time I stayed there I was like, oh... I love it so much I need a place to stay more often!” And that’s how Visit Island Park Idaho started. They bought land to build but when the cabin next door to the grandfather’s was listed for sale they bought it—those became The Chalets. Next was The Gathering Place, and now Caldera Cottage.

The Caldera Cottage at Island Park, Idaho

The Island Park Caldera

The Yellowstone Park site states: Two million years ago, an enormous volcano erupted in the area, emitting 2,500 times more ash than Mount St. Helens eruption in 1980. The remains of that ancient volcano formed a large caldera called the Island Park Caldera that actually stretches into Yellowstone National Park. The Island Park Caldera stretches 58 miles in one direction and 40 miles in the other, making it one of the world’s largest calderas. A smaller, relatively newer caldera, which formed 1.3 million years ago, is 23 miles in diameter. It is nested inside of the Island Park Caldera and is referred to as the Henry's Fork Caldera. Today, it is covered in pine trees and wildflowers. It’s a popular site for hiking and fishing in the summer and cross country skiing and snowmobiling in the winter.

Read more about Island Park, Idaho here.

The magic of Island Park is waiting.

But don’t wait…cabins are filling up fast!