Fantan

Difficulty: Moderate
Trip Type: 4x4 / Off-Road Drive
Distance: Roadside access
Elevation: ~9,620 feet
Coordinates: 44.92984, -109.47952
Time: ~15-20 minute drive from the main road
Access: Bumpy off-road track. High-clearance vehicle or truck recommended.
Bugs: Minimal (little to no bugs)

Getting there

Turn off the main highway onto the bumpy off-road track. The drive takes about 15 to 20 minutes to reach the lake. While a stock truck can make the journey, the road is quite rough and you will likely encounter some rugged obstacles along the way.

The hike

There is no hiking required to reach this destination. The rough off-road track brings your vehicle directly to the water's edge, making it an accessible spot to unload gear or launch a watercraft right from the shoreline.

Tips & safety

• Activities: This is an excellent family getaway spot for paddling. You can easily launch a kayak and float out to the small island to swim, build a campfire, or construct rock cairns on the shore.

• Weather: The area frequently experiences windy or rainy conditions, so come prepared with extra layers and wet-weather gear.

• Nearby Exploration: If you want to seek out additional adventures, Cliff Lake is located just a short jaunt directly up the inlet creek from Fantan Lake.

• Fishing: Because the weather is usually windy or rainy during our visits, we never really got a lot of fishing in.