Island Park, Idaho Activities

A River Runs Through It

Island Park is the birthplace of the Henry's Fork of the Snake River. The river is the lifeblood of Island Park, providing habitat to many species of fish, plants, birds, & wildlife, & recreation opportunities to residents & visitors. The Henry's Fork headwaters include Henry's Lake, a trophy trout fishery, & Big Springs, a spawning ground for native trout, kokanee salmon, & rainbow trout. The Island Park Reservoir is another trophy fishery with world renowned ice fishing from mid-December to March.

Big Springs

The headwaters of the Henry's Fork are spawning grounds for huge rainbow trout, with moose, muskrat, geese, and great blue herons frequenting the area. Downstream is the Big Springs National Water Trail, a four-hour float trip that offers scenic forest, mountain views, and wildlife viewing. Click Here for more information...

Island Park Reservoir The large reservoir is popular for boating, fishing and water-skiing. Visitors may drive on the top of the dam for scenic views of the Centennial Mountains and Box Canyon.

Spring

In spring we welcome the wildflowers & wildlife There is nothing on earth like springtime in the Rockies, especially in Island Park. Meadows are filled with colorful wildflowers. Streams dance & gurgle with fresh snowmelt. Spawning trout show off their colors & the swans, ducks, & geese return by the thousands. Song- birds & dancing sand hill cranes flock to the forests & meadows, their morning & evening serenades welcome sounds after the long winter. Elk, deer, & antelope come home from their wintering grounds in the lower valleys. Part-time residents return, eager to embrace the peaceful mountain lifestyle they missed all winter. Travelers seeking the special magic of the shoulder seasons revel in the quiet solitude of Island Park evenings, taking day trips to Yellowstone & Grand Teton national parks & other Yellowstone / Teton Territory attractions.

Summer

Island Park is a premiere vacation land, with...

  • Fishing, boating, water skiing, canoeing, camping, hiking, OHV-riding, & plain old deck sitting at sunset, sunrise & all hours in between.
  • Parades & festivals, craft shows & living history, summer theater & song & dance fests in Island Park & nearby towns.
  • Family reunions & dances where people meet & fall in love. -Weddings on the banks of the river or the tops of mountains.
  • Golf & swimming; pleasant hours socializing & working in local organizations.
  • Reading a great book under a fragrant pine tree or on the banks of the river - There's no limit to the memories you make in Island Park!

Fall

In fall we hunt, hike, fish, & relax Fall in Island Park is a time of crisp blue skies, brilliant yellow & orange foliage, a hint of snow on the high peaks, & moonlit romantic evenings. The pace slows down & the fishing gets fantastic. Hunters stalk wild game with bows, muzzleloaders, & rifles. Back country hiking, canoeing, & OHV riding is the best there is.

Winter

Island Park's high elevation means that there is plenty of powder snow from mid-November to mid-March. Island Park's year-round residents are winter folks through & through, coming alive when the snow falls & happy to show visitors how to play in the abundant white stuff. There are 600 miles of groomed snowmobile trails & acres & acres of open meadows to play in. The Chamber of Commerce and businesses sponsor premier races for amateurs & professionals, some with cash prizes, all challenging & exciting.

Cross-country skiing is fantastic too, with groomed trails on the Targhee Forest & in Harriman State Park. In less than a half hour, you can be on the Rendezvous Trail Systemic West Yellowstone, training ground for world class skiers & biathletes. Downhill skiing at Grand Targhee or Big Sky is not far away, & there's plenty of fun to be had snowmobiling, skiing, or snow coach riding in Yellowstone Park.

Something not quite right? .