Henrys Lake State Park is in the high in the mountains in Eastern Idaho, 45 miles north of Ashton and is only fifteen miles to the West of Yellowstone National Park. Located on Highway 20, the park offers a quiet and tranquil retreat to those seeking to get away from the hustle and bustle of life in Yellowstone. Henrys Lake State Park is also well-known for being an excellent central location for visitors who wish to explore the Yellowstone area. The park can be safely accessed and utilized in the summer time and opens on Thursday after Memorial Day (usually the 27th of May) and closes on the 31st of October, if the weather permits it. Visitors wishing to visit only during the day can access the park grounds between from 9am and 5pm. The climate in the park and its surrounding areas varies with altitude with temperatures getting as higher than ninety degrees in the summer.
The park is never all that crowded and offers nature loving visitors an opportunity to stay in one of the 44 standard or serviced campsites within the park. Also, there are the camping cabins that are available for rent, they provide the feel of camping without the tents. A serviced campsite offers guests amenities such as water and electricity. Henrys Lake campground bathroom facilities are clean and also provide a facility for those with physical disabilities. The cabin units can sleep five individuals and are air conditioned, heated, with electricity and have lockable doors and windows for added security. In addition, camp and cabin sites have picnic tables and campfire grills
Named after Major Andrew Henry, a famous American explorer and fur trader, the mountain lake offers fishermen an opportunity to angle for brook, cutthroat, and rainbow-cutthroat hybrid trout, anglers often catch fish that weigh up to a whopping 12 pounds. Anglers have the additional benefit of having a fish cleaning station within the facility. However, one needs to have an Idaho fishing license before taking up the leisure activity at the park.
Individuals who are not fishing fans can take leisurely walks in the scenic mountain trails where they can enjoy activities such as bird watching, picnicking and stargazing in the night time. Other activities include horseshoe pitching, power boating, mountain biking and jet skiing. The park features mountains all around, and they are eight to ten thousand feet in height, where guests can also enjoy taking guided nature walks by park rangers. The hiking trails are quick and easy in difficulty making them conducive for individuals of all ages.
Henrys lake state park also offers amenities such as stations where guests can purchase firewood. Thus, saving on time and allowing for a relaxing and non strenuous visit to the park. The park has a kiosk where guests can buy general amenities such as soap and bottled water. Other facilities include an amphitheater and a car maintenance center. Parents visiting with children can enroll their children in the parks Junior ranger program. In case of an emergency, there is a hospital situated within a mile of the park and can be easily accessed at all times.
There is a dumping station for RV’s. For those who travel with their boats, there is a large boat wash that is free of charge thanks to the Idaho Department of Agriculture and Freemont County Weed Control. Using this will assist in keeping the lake free of invasive weeds, snail and other plant species.
Reservations can be made online of the park’s website or via telephone at any time when the park is open. Prices for the camp sites depend on the amenities available to the guests and will vary. Serviced campsites can be rented for $16 per night. Whereas standard campsites that offer only community water access cost $12 per night. Cabins, on the other hand, are slightly more expensive and cost $35 a night. These charges are inclusive of Idaho state sales tax and daily MVEF.
Individuals wishing to enjoy only a day at the park can purchase day passes for $5. It is imperative to make your reservations early enough in order to book the best campsites and cabins in the park.
However, it is worth noting that although the beautiful lake makes this park amazing, guests visiting the park should not swim in it due to leeches. In addition, those who wish to engage in boating and fishing on the lake should also be aware of the unpredictable windy weather in the area that may produce dangerous situations on the water.
As an added precaution, it is also worth noting that Henrys Lake State Park is the heart of bear county, and all food should be secured and made unavailable to bears that may try to access it. This can be done by storing your food in metal food lockers or bear resistant canisters. As an extra precaution, one should also try to cook at least ninety one meters from your tent and never leave food unattended or take it into your tent. This may tempt the bear to tear up the tent to forage for the food and could be an enormous threat to your life.
One of the disadvantages of Henrys State Park is the numerous mayflies that may disturb the peace and tranquility of your stay at the park. Having a screen fitted on your motor home may help keep most of them out. Furthermore, due to a lack of trees, privacy may be limited.
All in all, Henrys Lake State Park, is a terrific vacation spot for individuals, groups and families alike in the summer time. The parks facilities ensure that everyone can enjoy relaxing in this spectacular mountain beauty. Avid sports fishermen can also enjoy the small fishing haven. Children travelling with their parents can also benefit from the parks junior ranger program and improve their survival skills in the process.
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| Address | 3917 E. 5100 N. Island Park, ID 83429 |
