(and places to stay – famous campgrounds, lodges, Airbnbs, and boondocking spots)

Note this page is a work in progress. I am slowly making my way from South Island Park to North Island Park and should be done by September 2024. Thanks and if you have any suggestions let us know! Where you decide to stay in Island Park will have a big impact on your trip and what you do while you are here so we’ve put together a little guide to outline some of the most popular areas. We can’t list all the hotels and Airbnbs in each area but hopefully this information can help you plan your trip better and pick a hotel in the right area of Island Park depending on who you are and what you want to do. Remember, the hours of many establishments change in the off-season in Island Park so before you head to your favorite store or restaurant in the off-season we always suggest calling them to make sure they are open. A few questions we will try to answer in this guide on Island park hotels are:

• Where should I stay in Island Park?
• What are the differences in each area?
• What are some of the larger hotels in Island Park and what are they like?
• What are the pros and cons of staying in different areas?

So let’s get started with a map! For reference the top of this map is North and the bottom is South.

First off, if you want to make the most out of your time in the forests of Island Park we do not suggest getting a hotel in Rexburg or even Saint Anthony. We get a lot of disappointed travelers that book rooms there and then commute over an hour or longer into Yellowstone or Island Park each day of their vacation. I’ve never met someone glad that was glad they did this. These two cities are great and a great place to stay on your way to Yellowstone or Island Park for a night but you are going to be in an actual city and not up in the mountains. Both are a long drive up a mountain to the actual forests of Island Park.

Now for more in-depth look at the areas where you can pick a hotel or place to stay in Island Park.

• A=Ashton Hotels and Places to Stay
• B=Pinehaven Hotels and Places to Stay
• C=Last Chance Hotels and Places to Stay
• D=Pond’s Lodge, LakeSide Lodge, Phillips Lodge, and Buffalo River Hotels and Places to Stay
• E=Mack’s Inn Hotels and Places to Stay
• F=Island Park Village and Sawtelle Hotels and Places to Stay
• G=Valley View and Henry’s Lake Hotels and Places to Stay
• H=West Yellowstone Hotels and Places to Stay

A. ASHTON AREA: This isn’t technically Island Park yet, as you haven’t gone up the mountain into the forest but Ashton is a beautiful small town right at the base of the hill where Highway 20 heads up to Island Park. The Snake River flows along its Northern border and it is a lovely place to stay but still about 30 minutes from Island Park and over an hour to West Yellowstone.

Pros:

• Milder weather in winter.
• Most of the amenities of a city (grocery store, health clinic, public park and pool)
• Many people fish down here and even drive down from Island Park to float these larger parts of the Snake River.
• Close to the Fall River and Warm River and an easy 1 hour drive over to Jackson Hole and the Grand Tetons

Cons:

• Doesn’t feel like you are staying in the forest
• Long drive to Island Park and even longer to West Yellowstone
• Can get hot in the summer

B. PINEHAVEN AREA OF ISLAND PARK: This is the first inhabited area in Island Park if you are heading North up Highway 20 you will start to see some campgrounds, cabins, and lodges/hotels. None of the cabins in Pinehaven are allowed to be short-term rentals but there are a few options here such as Henry’s Fork Lodge and Restaurant. This is a world class hotel on the banks of the Snake River and very well known by dry fly fishermen globally. (www.henrysforklodge.com) Here is a picture from their website of the view off the back porch:

Riverside campground is also located here and a favorite of many people as it is right along the river. It fills up quickly on summer weekends just because it is such a neat place to stay. Here is a link to the campground www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232222

Pros:

• Harriman State Park (click for website) is across the street and a beautiful and scenic place to hike and cross country ski.
• Secluded (no stores in Pinehaven), quiet and peaceful retreat are of woods and the Snake River
• Lots of wildlife

Cons:

• No nightlife or restaurants or stores within walking distance (maybe a pro?)
• About a 7-8 minute drive to Last Chance (a neighborhood a few miles North on Highway 20 with all the above amenities.
• Mostly cabin owners and a few full time people stay in Pinehaven. Not a huge tourist destination except for the beautiful Henry’s Fork Lodge.

B. LAST CHANCE AREA OF ISLAND PARK: Welcome to our neck of the woods! This is where the Island Park General Store & Texaco is located so we LOVE it. After Pinehaven you cross the Snake River on Osborne Bridge (popular fly fishing fishing spot), then you pass the road to Mesa Falls on the right, and then you travel about another 1.5 miles and you enter the riverside neighborhood of Last Chance. Technically this is just a part of the city of Island Park just like Mack’s Inn but because Island Park is so stretched out along Highway 20 tourists and locals alike call different sections different names. Last Chance has a lot of amenities including many fly fishing shops, hotels (I’ll list some below), restaurants, food trucks, a weekend farmers market in the summer, and even a new ice cream and coffee shop. Our general store is located towards the end of Last Chance (you can’t miss the Texaco sign) and we have hot food, world famous $1 potatoes, gifts, sporting goods, and more. When Last Chance first started there was a resort here and it was promoted as the last place to stop for 40 miles!

Here is our sign! Gives you a sense of where you are in the world when you are in Last Chance.

This is a great place to stay during your vacation and here are a few tips! This area is world-famous for fly fishing along the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River. Many of the people staying in Last Chance are here to catch trout and many work with local guides and do float trips. The river is beautiful along this stretch and there are amazing views to be seen and places to walk and hike.

Restaurants, Places to Stay, and Hotels in Last Chance, Island Park:

Trouthunter Bar and Grill (click for website): This decade plus old establishment offers a beautiful view of the river, full bar, and really good American breakfasts, burgers, and some gourmet items). This is a favorite among fly fisherman and you can’t miss it just look for the place on the river with 20 guide boats always parked out front. (208) 558-9900

Blue Buffalo Resort (click for website): A long time ago this was a KOA campground! Now in the last couple years the new owner has made awesome improvements including a pizza and sandwich restaurant, and many new single family 1 & 2 room cabins. In summer, they even offer a farmer’s market from early August ish into Fall. In the winter this place is lit up and very lovely in the snow. Stop by and grab a pizza pie if you are staying in Last Chance. The staff are very friendly and great food! (208) 558-7112

Angler’s Lodge & Riverfront Restaurant (click for website): I got married here many moons ago so it’ll always hold a special place in my heart. This beautiful log lodge/hotel/restaurant is located on the North end of Last Chance a few blocks up the old highway. Being off the highway it is a little harder to spot but the 3 blocks drive takes you to a wonderful location right on the river. They offer fine dining for dinner and a full bar with an unforgettable view. Again great staff!  208-558-9555

Pros:

• If you are here to fly fish the Henry’s Fork, Madison, South Fork, Yellowstone (without or without a guide) this is the center of the action. Mike Lawson’s iconic Henry’s Fork Anglers Fly Shop, Trouthunter, and others are all in Last Chance. If you stop anywhere for breakfast in the Summer and Fall you will likely see guide boats and encounter plenty of experts willing to share advice on what flies the trout are biting on and best places to go.
• All of Last Chance runs along the banks of the Henry’s Fork with beautiful views and places to hike and fish right outside your door. Need more places to hike in solitude – you are only across the river from Harriman State park or drive South a few miles to get to the official entrance and ranger station.
• If you aren’t here to ride snowmobiles or ATVs this might be a good spot for you. As you travel North towards Island Park Village the volume of recreational machines on the roads and trails goes up considerably (alternatively this might be a con depending on your preferences).
• You can find most amenities in Last Chance. Our general store provides most groceries, coffee, and hot foods you might want as well as early morning coffee. The Happy Angler food truck offers some more gourmet but still quick sandwich, cinnamon roll, and gourmet coffee options! There are also several bar/grills within walking distance if you need something a little stronger after a day on the river (Trouthunter and Anglers Lodge).
• Last Chance is the best place to stop on the way to Mesa Falls which is truly spectacular whether you are heading there by snowmobile or car.

Cons:

• Last Chance is not yet as developed as the Sawtelle/Island Park Village Area if you and are looking for a few extra shopping and dining options there are more in that area. That said, both are small areas with only a handful of stores.
• Last Chance has historically had less events than the Sawtelle/Island Park Village Area but the Blue Buffalo with it’s new weekend farmers market and Tuesday night concerts is working to narrow the gap.
• Much of Last Chance is devoted to fly fishing. Big groups of recreational vehicles (think snowmobiles and side-by-sides) come through occasionally but in general the Sawtell/Island Park Village area has the most and then the Mack’s Inn area has a lot of residents that ride but is also known as a family area given their access to the Snake River and the family float trips down Big Springs. Indeed, Last Chance = Fly Fishing.

C. Pond’s Lodge, LakeSide Lodge, Phillips Lodge, and Buffalo River area of Island Park: Heading North on Highway 20 from Last Chance you will drive up a small hill and continue about 2 miles. The first structure on your right will be a ranger station. If you need maps, the front door opens to a small lobby with brochures and maps as well as fishing and hunting regulations. Regardless of if the office is open you can usually access the “pamphlet” room. Check the door for times when the office is open. Next, you’ll take the bridge across the Buffalo River. A quick glance up and down stream may reveal moose feeding on underwater plants. This bridge marks the take out of a popular river float for families which starts at the junction of the Buffalo River and Elk Creek. To reach the junction, turn off at the sign for the Buffalo River campground right after the bridge on your right if you are heading North and drive to the end of the campground/road. You can start your float in Elk Creek where the water is much colder than the Buffalo River which warms up in miles of grassy flats. A walkway also leads to the Buffalo River from the parking lot but you will see a few well traveled paths through the willows to Elk Creek which is where most families start their float. In July, you’ll see every type floating blow up boat and/or tire on the river which is slow moving and rarely even four feet deep. It is the safest float in the area for families with small children.

The Buffalo River campground link is large with many sites close to the river. In the summer you’ll need a reservation to make sure you get a site. Clean water and restrooms make this campground popular. It is also a nice place to practice your cast or teach children how to fish.

Ponds Lodge link is easy to spot from the Buffalo bridge. The lodge is almost a hundred years old, built by the Ponds family who loved to fish the Buffalo. In the late 30s Ponds Lodge burned down. Our great grandmother Gene Glasmann was a talented violinist. She stored her violin at Ponds where it was destroyed by the fire. Old man Ponds rebuilt the lodge adding large paintings of fishermen on the Buffalo in a lovely dining room. When Ponds sold the resort the paintings were moved, and many years later no one knows where they are but some locals still remember them. For years, Ponds had dances every Saturday night with local musicians. The New Year Eve’s Party drew residents from miles around. Our family used to drive miles in winter conditions just to attend this grand party. Recent owners have added many more beautiful cabins, and have converted the large historic store to a sports bar and a small convenience store. There is a lot of Island Park history that occured here. Today this is the best place to stop for a beer or drink and watch sport events in the summer or winter. The lodge is known for delicious pizza and has seating for families. The service is always top-notch, food consistently delicious, and several pumps are available for gas. Picture below from the Pond’s Lodge website.

After the turn off to the Buffalo Campground on the right, you will see the road to the Island Park Dam exactly on the other side of the highway to the left. This road accesses two boat docks on the lake, a small campground and access to the reservoir as well as Island Park dam and Henry’s Fork of the Snake River. Go straight down the road to the largest boat dock and you will be at a popular swimming site near the docks. Bait fisherman can try their luck off the docks or around the edges of the lake. Sometimes in the evening or early morning you will see a moose or muskrats in the water doing their thing.

Turn left off the road right before it goes down a hill to the public boat docks and you will be heading towards the main launch on the Henry’s Fork which is on a small road at a turn off just before you cross the earthen dam. Fly fisherman float down “box canyon” casting to some very good sized trout in the river. Our great grandfather and grandmother were reputed to be some of the most solid fly fishermen on the river. Our 100 pound great grandmother Edris Glasmann would wade the rocky bottom and rapids to cast to a rising trout. Our great grandfather Abe Glasmann landed a 13 pound trout in the box canyon rapids and insisted on serving the fish at a family dinner party instead of mounting the fish on a wall. Those were the days before “Catch and Release” rules were instigated to protect fishing for future fishermen. In fact, our mother tells us that they ate trout from a local river, stream or pond every dinner all summer long. Abe taught his children and grandchildren to fly fish. He would sit on a bank above the river and shout instructions, to cast further, or to change flies or to move quietly to a hole behind a log. In those days, the level of the Henry Fork River was controlled by George Pelcher, the river keeper, who was also a fisherman. George designed and tied the dry flies which attracted the most fish in Box Canyon. If you ever see a box of the flies from those days at an estate sale, grab it. No one makes the Box Canyon specials anymore. We always heard stories that the fishermen would ask George to lower or raise the river to improve fishing.

Today most fishermen in the Box Canyon are in boats with professional guides. Recreationalists also take boats down the canyon. Families also use blow up rafts. We encourage everyone to wear lifejackets. Too often we see young children in inner tubes without life jackets floating through box canyon. At high water in the summer, this is a powerful swift river in the canyon. At low water sharp protruding rocks threaten floaters. Practice swimming in life jackets at the first boat ramp on the reservoir. The jackets are available in all sizes free at the dock. Just be sure to return the life jackets after you swim. We also sell life jackets in all sizes and blow up inner tubes, kaiyaks and small rubber boats at our Last Chance Store.

Box Canyon Trails for Hikers and Cross Country Skiers

After you cross the Island Park Dam, there is a parking lot for hikers and skiers. You will notice trail maps that indicate mileage. These trails lead to the west end of Harriman State Park. Hikers should carry bear spray. Last summer we saw a grizzly near the trail. Skiers need not worry, remember the bears hibernate from late December/early Jan depending on snowpack for about three months. However, if you note steam rising from a pile of logs or a cave, do not peak in. You are allowed to take well managed dogs on forest service land, but not in the Harriman State Park. The boundary is clearly signed. This is a beautiful trail system with views of the Henry Fork Canyon and many giant Douglas Fir trees.

Restaurants, Places to Stay, and Hotels in the Pond’s Lodge, Lakeside, Elk Creek area of Island Park:

Pond’s Lodge (click for website): This establishment was built in 1923 on the banks of the Buffalo River. Their service and hospitality are top-notch and they are open all seasons. This is a very popular spot for snowmobilers and locals alike. Come pull up to the clean, modern, sports bar and catch a game or bring the family and order pizza or a delicious chef cooked dinner or lunch. The Christmas lights in the winter and well plowed parking lot make this a great place to relax on even the snowiest of days. (208) 558-7221

Island Park Medical Clinic (adjacent to Ponds’ Lodge)

The PA that runs Ashton clinic also runs the IP Medical Clinic. Many visitors and most locals have received care at this small family practice clinic. They accept both walk-ins and appointments. They treat sick visits, wellness checks such as blood pressure, do labs which are sent to nearby hospitals, allergy injections, physical exams for sports and answer most medical inquiries. Phone: 208-558-7766.

Buffalo River Campground (click for website): This campground is right past Pond’s Lodge on the right if you are heading North. The campground has six loops of single and double family sites and one loop for group camping, for a total of 127 sites, many of which are reservable. The large group site can accommodate 150 people. One loop has electric hook-ups and all loops are paved.

Accessible vault toilets are provided, as is drinking water and trash collection. A separate parking area is located at the accessible fishing dock and viewing platforms on the east end of the campground. On the very east end of the campround is a parking area with Elk Creek to the East and the Buffalo River to the south. These two rivers merge here and many families enjoy putting in boats and tubes here and floating down to the takeout where the bridge goes over the river. This is a quick 45 minute float and one of the best floats for families in the area. You may even see a moose feeding in the river!

Phillips Lodge (also known as The Pines at Island Park) (click for website): Since 1947 this lodge has been offering up hospitality to travelers. It provides some great cabins in the woods with hot tubs and is in a central location in Island Park. The Lodgepole Bar and Grill is also located in the main building. This lodge is a little off the highway – located on the old highway (always plowed in the winter) so it is a bit quieter than places right on the new Highway 20. There is good access from here to all the area’s snowmobile and UTV trails. 208-558-0192

Lodgepole Bar and Grill (click for website): Lodgepole is back and whipping up some delicious breakfasts and dinners! I haven’t eaten there recently but I see a lot of happy people posting about it on the local Facebook page so it must be good! The ambiance has always been great with that historical wood lodge feeling. For dinner reservations are recommended: 208-558-9379

Lakeside Lodge (click for website): Lakeside Lodge offers 1 and 2 bedroom cabins right on Island Park Reservoir. The inside of the Lodge is gorgeous and offers great dining options including a breakfast buffet on certain days and a great lunch and dinner menu. Eating on the terrace overlooking the reservoir is a great experience and their bison burger is delicious. Many folks come from all over the region to enjoy their 4th of July fireworks show over the lake and they often have live music in the evenings at the well stocked bar. In the winter this place is an oasis for snowmobilers and a great place to warm up and have a hot beverage or lunch. Definitely worth the short drive off Highway 20 down Yale-Kilgore road. If you cross Osbourne Bridge you’ve gone too far!  (208) 558-9770

Lakeside Lodge photo from their website:

Elk Creek Station (click for website): this clean, well managed station has been a hub of Island Park for many years. They offer a bit of everything including food, groceries, beer, and more. They also offer propane and are used by snowmobilers and side x side riders because they provide ethanol free fuel which many modern machines require. The staff is always friendly and the parking lot is great for trailers and RVs and always well plowed. (208) 558-7571

Island Park Landfill: Island Park can be proud of their professionally managed landfill. Unlike many small towns it is not a chaotic dump, instead they have organized areas for all types of garbage. As of my writing this (and for a long time) they have been closed Sundays and Mondays but open the rest of the week at 7am. We do accept bags of trash if the landfill is closed or you don’t have time to go there. For a large (think big black normal 30-50 gallon trash bag) here at the General Store we charge $3 .

Shotgun Bar: This is an Island Park institution! Live music many nights, cold beers on tap, and a great place to watch a game. Shotgun bar is a few miles down Kilgore Road (same road as the turnoff for the landfill and right across from the Phillips 66 station at Elk Creek. Recently (in 2024) they have started serving some really good breakfasts inside at a a newer place called Buckshot Bistro. I haven’t been there yet but I hear it is worth the slight drive and great owner. Before heading there make sure they are open by either looking on Google or calling them at (208) 520-1734.

Pros:

• This is essentially the middle of Island Park – from here up to Mack’s Inn where the Snake River crosses the highway. This section begins where the Buffalo River crosses Highway 20. There are numerous places to stay including Pond’s Lodge’s hotel and cabins, Lakeside Lodge, Phillips Lodge and numerous Airbnbs up the Buffalo River (accessed by the turnoff on the old highway across from Phillips Lodge.
• The Southern portion of Island Park reservoir (including the spillway, some docks, and a campground on the lake) are all accessed via the road just to the North of Pond’s Lodge. This is a great reservoir for bait fishing along the bank. In the late summer the water recedes significantly and reveals long beaches you can walk on and swim from. Across the spillway are also some great fishing spots.
• If you intend to float and fish Box Canyon (catch-and-release) the road down to the main launch is right before you cross the dam/spillway on your left. It is hard to miss and this is a great place to put in with a boat. Most people take out and/or leave a car down in Last Chance where there is a parking lot and boat ramp.
• Bills Island causeway is also accessed from this area. Bills Island is a great place with wonderful cabins, many with docks, and year round snow removal and a guard station. If you aren’t renting a cabin on the Island there is no point to go there as it is private property and they likely won’t let you in. If you are lucky enough to be renting a cabin on Bill’s Island you are in for a treat and are right across the causeway from Lakeside Lodge and its bar and grill.
• Plenty of snowmobiling and UTV trails all over this area! Easy to head North or South from this middle location.

Cons:

• Not a ton! This area is a bit more spread out than Island Park Village and the Sawtelle area so if you have a hotel here (like Pond’s or Lakeside) you will likely be spending a bit of time enjoying their facilities and eating there. In the summer this is a great place to stay and all the AirBNBs are within a few miles of the highway. There are places down Yale Kilgore like Shotgun and Kilgore that have a lot of cabins and are also nice but a bit further from the highway. Anything on or right near the lake like Centennial Shores is going to be beautiful but a bit pricey.
• This area does not have any major summer events like they hold in Island Park Village (except the awesome 4th of July show at Lakeside Lodge) or winter events but that might be a Pro if you are looking for a more quiet location.

C. Mack’s Inn area of Island Park:

You’ll hear locals still refer to Mack’s Inn, but unfortunately the beautiful log hotel burned down in 1989. In 2020 Mariott hotel built the 111-room SpringHill Suites on the banks of the Henry Fork river where the Inn once was the finest lodge in the area. Marriott Hotel also restored remaining cabins to code to create a historic resort on the Snake River that dates back to the early 1900s.  Our great grandfather Abe Glasmann built his cabin on the Buffalo about the same time that William H. Mack built the resort at its current location between 1914 and 1916. Eventually they both drew on the skills of two famed wood carvers, Johnny Sachs and Ed Channel. If you take the road to Big Springs south of SpringHill suites you’ll reach the place where the Henry’ s Fork pours out of the ground. It is a beautiful spot where Johnny Sachs built his cabin and where spring water supports large trout which tourists feed from a bridge. Be sure to visit the cabin and see Sach’s work then, take a walk on a boardwalk trail down the river. The water is clear and the water plants are as lovely as any garden.n The trail ends at a dock where many boaters begin their float back to “Macks Inn.” The float downstream takes about 2 hours or more depending on the wind. Take extra jackets, weather can change quickly in Island Park. The spring-fed Henry’s Fork is joined by the Henry’s Fork Outlet from Henry’s Lake about halfway downstream. At that point the Henry’s Fork becomes wider and deeper. This float is the most popular in Island Park. Ed Channel’s cabins have not been preserved but his carved furniture is scattered across Abe’s descendants. Ed Channel and Johnny Sachs were friends, gathering knotty tree branches in the summer and carving in small heated rooms during the long Island Park winters.

On the road to Big Springs you will pass two churches, the Latter Day Saints ward and the Little Church of the Pines. where Sunday services and community events take place. You will also pass Island Park Builders where most supplies you need for building, remodeling and repairing cabins can be found as well as some really great gifts and locally made furniture at fair prices.. The Island Park Charter school offering Pre-kindergarten and Grades Kindergarten thru 6th Grade school is also on the Big Springs road. Locals speak highly of the teachers who deal with Island Park’s long winters to teach.

Pros:

• TBD
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Cons:

• TBD

Coffee Pot Campground

Between Elk Creek and Springhill Suites you’ll notice a sign for Coffee Pot campground. Looking out on the Henry’s Fork, makes this campground the most scenic small campground in Island Park. The river is idyllic and draws fly fishermen. You may view moose, deer, osprey, heron and eagles while drinking coffee in your camp. A nice hiking trail follows the river to the coffee pot rapids. Our mother met an aggressive mother black bear near the giant boulders in the river where she was fly fishing. She emptied her creel of fish but the bear still crawled onto a rock and stood on hind legs next to mom. She claims she tried to scream and then hit the bear on the nose several times with her fishing rod. Fortunately they parted ways and Mom returned to the parking lot with an empty creel.

I am slowly working my way up and not done adding Hotels or places to stay. If you want to make any suggestions let us know! We will try to have this guide completed by end of 9/24. Thanks!