Palisades Reservoir is created by an earth-fill dam on the Snake River in eastern Idaho near the WY border. It was completed in 1957. It’s in a scenic valley with forested hillsides rising from the impounded water to the snowcapped mountains, which form the western background. The reservoir has about 70-miles of shoreline, on the east side, and six access roads are provided. Public use facilities include five campgrounds, vault style restrooms, five picnic areas, and six boat ramps. Fishing, motorized and non-motorized boating, are allowed and are popular activities on the reservoir. Swimming is also permitted. The dam is 270 ft. high and 2,100 ft. across. The water is about 20 feet deep, with the deepest water next to the dam. We drove the entire length of the reservoir.

If you are tired of the crowds in Jackson Hole, take your boat about 40 minutes away to Alpine and Palisades Lake. This beautiful, scenic place is actually a reservoir It is HUGE (part in WY but mostly in ID) so you feel like you have the place to yourself. It is cool, not cold, and calm: perfect for your fave water sports. There are a bunch of lovely sandy spots to stop and play or picnic. We launched from the (free!) ramp in Alpine, which was not very crowded. There’s an upscale grocery store across the street that’s a great place to stock your coolers!

It is always nice to take the drive to Palisades Reservoir. We went in September when the leaves were starting to turn and it was very pretty and the day was perfect; just a bit of a breeze and cooler weather so that we could get out and enjoy the beauty of nature. The drive is lined with trees and it is pretty on both sides of the road.

Awesome place! Great fishing, camping and hiking. If you like camping and the mountains, you won't be disappointed