Beaver Dick Park
Rexburg, Idaho
| Address: | Highway 33 and 6000 West, Rexburg, ID 83440 |
| GPS: |
43°49'30.3"N 111°54'20.7"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Idaho |
Restrooms Picnic Tables Rivers Fishing State Park
Camp, Canoe, Disc Golf, and Swim
Beaver Dick is a park 4.5 miles west of Rexburg, Idaho on Hwy 33. It's a 9.5 acre park that passes next to the west bank of the Henry Fork of the Snake River; it's a popular place for swimming, fishing and other water activities such as boating and canoeing.
Within the campgrounds, there are fire pits, pavilions for social events and gatherings, bathrooms and a playground for the kids. It almost makes for good rounds of walks around the outskirts of the Snake River while enjoying the scenery.
History:
The park was named after an English-American named Richard Leigh. He was reportedly given the moniker "Beaver Dick" by LDS president Brigham Young for his beaver trapping abilities. As a young boy, he left England and moved to the United States to make a living as a fur trapper and eventually, fought in the Mexican war at 17 years old. He traveled throughout the Teton laying traps for beavers for fur, hunting and mapping out the Fire-Hole [Yellowstone Park], Jackson Hole and west of the Tetons in his journal. He became a fluent speaker of the Bannock and Shoshone language, met and married a native American woman named Jenny and had 6 children. The family adopted a child that contracted smallpox; the family of the child died. The family, including the adopted child, died of smallpox and Beaver Dick survived. He later remarried to a Bannock Indian named Susan Tadpole in 1979 and had 3 children. He lived the rest of his life as a mountain man but in 1899, he passed away of a serious illness and was buried beside his family overlooking his ranch in Rexburg, Idaho. He will be remembered as a skilled hunter, trapper and an expert in exploration and settlement of the Tetons, guiding travelers and explorers throughout the mountain west.
Tips:
-Bring water; there are no water fountains
-Bring life jackets in case of strong water currents during swimming
-Beaver Dick is open 7 days a week
-Make camping reservations in advance; first come, first serve
Camping Fees:
- $5 a night or $15 for all 5 day/night stays
For reservations, information, questions or concerns:
-Phone number: (208)-356-3139
-Website: https://www.co.madison.id.us/departments/parks-recreation/30-beaver-dick-park
The use of this field for playing paintball is now prohibited. Please take better care of the fields we are permitted to use.
More Information
Beaver Dick Leigh, Mountain Man of the Tetons | WyoHistory.org
Trapper, ferryman, hunting guide and Mexican War veteran Beaver Dick Leigh lived an active and colorful life on both sides of the Tetons in the mid and late 19th century. Leigh, Jenny and Beaver Dick—now String—lakes in Jackson Hole are named for him and for his first wife, an Eastern Shoshone from Washakie’s band.
https://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/beaver-dick-leigh-mountain-man-tetonsBeaver Dick Park - Rexburg Online
Beaver Dick Park was named after “Beaver Dick” (Richard Leigh) who was one of the last of the real mountain men of this valley. This is a great camping
https://www.rexburgonline.com/things-to-do/beaver-dick-park/Beaver Dick Park: The Legend Behind The Name - Explore Rexburg
If you’ve heard of Beaver Dick Park just west of Rexburg, you’ve surely wondered, as many others have, where in the world a name like that came from. It’s certainly an eyebrow-raiser, no doubt about that. And yet, while it’s been the subject of more than one joke, Beaver Dick is a name that was once both well-known and well-respected by many.
https://explorerexburg.com/beaver-dick-legend-behind-name-2/
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Rexburg, Idaho
- Head north on S 3rd W toward W 1st S (0.2 mi)
- Turn left onto ID-33 W (5.8 mi)
- Turn left (167 ft)
- Turn leftDestination will be on the right(459 ft)
1. From Rexburg, go West on Hwy 33 about 4.5 miles past Hwy 20.
2. The park is on the left just after the river.
3. Parking is immediate when you turn in.
kwhitfield
5/7/20 1:37 pmtasiawhicker
1/17/19 8:30 amsmbrady17
5/1/18 12:34 pmCarla
7/28/17 1:53 pmkatiemia
9/10/16 1:19 pm
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