Buffalo River Campground
Island Park, Idaho
| Address: | Buffalo River Campground Rd, Island Park, ID 83429, USA |
| GPS: |
44°25'41.6"N 111°21'49.2"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Idaho |
| Trails/Routes: | 0.9 mi |
Restrooms Rivers
Camp, Canoe, Kayak, and Swim
The float here is nice and easy. It's a great early season float. Later in the season the shallow spots will force you to walk a good chunk of the float. The water is super clear and often pretty warm (for a river). The current is often slow enough you can float down in your canoe or kayak and then paddle back up.
Buffalo Campground is located 26 miles south of West Yellowstone, Montana in beautiful Island Park, Idaho along the banks of the Buffalo River at an elevation of 6,200 feet. A mixed growth pine forest provides partial shade; aspens dot the landscape, and summer wildflowers are abundant. The Buffalo River has good brook and rainbow trout fishing. Wildlife can be frequently spotted throughout the area. Buffalo Campground boasts 117 single units, 4 double units, and 1 group site. It has some power hook-ups and is a good fishing spot.Courtesy of fs.usda.gov
More Information
Buffalo Campground
A guide to Buffalo Campground on the picturesque Buffalo River offers camping with access to fly fishing, floating, rafting, wildlife viewing and more.
https://idahocampgroundreview.com/campgrounds/buffaloBuffalo River | Idaho Fishing Planner
Buffalo River in Fremont County is 8.7 miles in length.
https://idfg.idaho.gov/ifwis/fishingPlanner/water/1113936444137
- 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 Island Park, Idaho
- Head north on US-20 E toward Buffalo River Campground Rd (0.2 mi)
- Turn right onto Buffalo River Campground Rd (0.4 mi)
The campground is easy to find just opposite Pond's Lodge. If you want to float, just follow the road all the way back to the left until you get to a parking area just off the river. There is a boardwalk all the way out to where you put-in.
Other Swimming Holes, Canoeing Areas, and Kayaking Areas Nearby
Box Canyon Island Park
Island Park, Idaho
1.7 miles SWPerched on the canyon rim above Henry's Fork, this lodgepole-shaded campground sits steps from short trails leading to dramatic Snake River views below.
Canoe
Upper Coffee Pot Campground
Island Park, Idaho
4.4 miles NHenry's Fork of the Snake River winds through a lodgepole pine forest past this campground, offering fly-fishing for rainbow and brook trout and easy tubing and canoeing.
Camp, Canoe
Mesa Falls
Ashton, Idaho
16.7 miles SUpper Mesa Falls drops 114 feet and spans 300 feet across the Henrys Fork — just 0.2 miles of paved walkway from the parking lot, with platforms, handrails, and morning rainbow mist.
Cross-country Ski, Hike, Kayak 17.5 mi
Tear Drop Lake
Ashton, Idaho
18.3 miles SEA small, lively lake in the Targhee forest for kayaking, swimming, and an easy loop trail — family fun with primitive lakeside camping.
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Mountain Bike, Swim
Horseshoe Lake
Ashton, Idaho
22.5 miles SEA lily-pad-dotted lake hidden in the Targhee National Forest with a gradual beach entry perfect for wading, a floating dock for jumping, and no motorized boats.
Camp, Canoe, Dive, Swim 4.8 mi
Aldous Lake and Hancock Lake
Kilgore, Idaho
24.2 miles WTwin alpine lakes — Aldous and Hancock — on a scenic 1.5-to-2.5-mile hike near Kilgore, with beautiful mountain scenery and heavier weekend crowds.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Horseback, Swim
Porcupine Creek
Ashton, Idaho
24.6 miles SA backcountry hunting, fishing, camping, and swimming spot in Targhee National Forest, surrounded by forests, meadows, a creek, and unmarked trails — bear country, so pack and store food carefully.
Camp, Swim
Cliff Lake
Cameron, Montana
24.7 miles NCliff Lake is a serene, crystal-clear mountain lake in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest of southwestern Montana — the quieter twin of neighboring Wade Lake, tucked into the forested...
Canoe, Kayak
Firehole River
Madison, Yellowstone National Park
28.0 miles NEA thermally warmed Yellowstone river with a calm swim area that is beautiful and historic for anglers — but stay strictly out of the main current, which has been fatal. Check with a ranger before entering.
Hot Springs, Swim
Wade Lake
Cameron, Montana
28.1 miles NWade Lake is a hidden gem of southwestern Montana — a spring-fed mountain lake famous for its glassy, aquamarine water, tucked into a forested ravine at the southern end of the Gravelly Range....
Camp, Canoe, Kayak, Swim 15.9-16.6 mi
Union Falls & Ouzel Pool
Bechler Ranger Station, Yellowstone National Park
29.6 miles SEA ~16-mile backcountry trek into Yellowstone's remote Bechler region rewards you with a 250-foot waterfall and Ouzel Pool — a warm-spring-fed swimming hole you can jump into.
Backpack, Hike, Hot Springs, Swim
Loon Lake
Ashton, Idaho
29.9 miles SECamp, Kayak, and Swim near Ashton, Idaho
Camp, Kayak, Swim
Twin Bridges
St. Anthony, Idaho
30.1 miles SAn old abandoned bridge with two jump levels, a rope swing, and a little sandbar upstream — rarely crowded and great for families on warm days.
Dive, Swim
Fall River Bridge
Ashton, Idaho
30.4 miles SA rope swing under a railroad bridge and a swimming hole just north — pull off Highway 20, check the mid-river rocks for water level, and enjoy a quick summer splash.
Dive, Swim
Fun Farm Bridge
Saint Anthony, Idaho
33.4 miles SWJump from road level, the bridge top, or the bars below at the Funny Farm Bridge — still an active road, so stay alert for vehicles, especially large trucks.
Dive, Swim
St. Anthony Sandbar
Saint Anthony, Idaho
35.6 miles SWCLOSED. //// Sand Bar Update //// ***As of 27 June 2019 *** The Sand Bar is still closed to ALL swimming, please do not cross the boundary line. We are closely monitoring the river flows (currently at 2100 CFS) we typically like to see the levels at approximately 1200 CFS before swimmers are allowed in the water. We are anticipating opening the Sand Bar to swimmers very soon, we ask that you be patient and respect the closure until then. SAPD. A community river park with 60-plus years of history — water slide, diving board, floating platform, sandboxes, playground, and roped shallow and deep swimming areas on Henry's Fork.
Dive, Swim
Hog Hollow Bridge
Saint Anthony, Idaho
36.2 miles SA 25-foot jump off an active roadway bridge into deep water — exciting, but stay aware of truck traffic and always check the water for rocks and debris before leaping.
Dive, Swim
Monkey Rock
Saint Anthony, Idaho
36.4 miles SCLOSED. PSA: Monkey Rock is no longer open to the public. The owner has posted "No Trespassing" signs and is asking the Fremont County Sheriff's Office to assist with keeping people out of their private property. We would like to remind those who may choose to ignore the "No Trespassing" signs that trespassing is a misdemeanor and will not be tolerated. A summer waterfall you can wade right up to, with shallow swimming for small children, a popular engagement photo backdrop, and a deeper jump pool down the road at Hog Hollow Bridge.
Swim 0.1 mi
Lewis Lake Campground
Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park
37.8 miles EYellowstone's third-largest lake draws canoeists, kayakers, and serious anglers, with a quiet campground open mid-June through early November on a first-come basis.
Camp, Canoe, Kayak 2.1-11.5 mi
Lewis River Channel / Dogshead Loop
Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park
38.5 miles EA serene hike along Lewis Channel to Shoshone Lake — the largest lake in the continental US without a road to it — with Teton views, driftwood shores, osprey, bald eagles, and ravens.
Canoe, Hike, KayakNearby Campsites
Upper Coffee Pot Campground
Island Park, Idaho
4.4 miles NHenry's Fork of the Snake River winds through a lodgepole pine forest past this campground, offering fly-fishing for rainbow and brook trout and easy tubing and canoeing.
Camp, Canoe
Big Springs
Island Park, Idaho
7.1 miles NEA Big Springs campground shaded by Lodgepole Pines on Henry's Fork — with a 1-mile interpretive trail, fish feeding under the bridge, the historic Johnny Sack Cabin, and access to the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway.
Camp, Hike 17.5 mi
Tear Drop Lake
Ashton, Idaho
18.3 miles SEA small, lively lake in the Targhee forest for kayaking, swimming, and an easy loop trail — family fun with primitive lakeside camping.
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Mountain Bike, Swim 0.3-0.6 mi
Bear Gulch
Ashton, Idaho
19.5 miles SAn abandoned ski hill from 1969 with overgrown runs that still deliver great sledding — the lower run is fast and winding all the way down to the old ski lift.
Camp, Cross-country Ski, Hike, Sled
Warm River Campground
Ashton, Idaho
21.4 miles SSlow-moving warm water and willow-lined banks make this campground a perfect spot for tubing, trout fishing, and peaceful mountain biking at 5,200 ft elevation.
Camp 14.8 mi
Biscuit Basin to Fairy Falls and Firehole Meadows
Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park
21.8 miles EA nearly 15-mile backcountry hike starting at Biscuit Basin passes turquoise pools, a 70-foot waterfall, Firehole Meadows, Imperial Geyser, and three stunning blue lakes with rust-red shores.
Backpack, Camp, Hike
Horseshoe Lake
Ashton, Idaho
22.5 miles SEA lily-pad-dotted lake hidden in the Targhee National Forest with a gradual beach entry perfect for wading, a floating dock for jumping, and no motorized boats.
Camp, Canoe, Dive, Swim 4.8 mi
Aldous Lake and Hancock Lake
Kilgore, Idaho
24.2 miles WTwin alpine lakes — Aldous and Hancock — on a scenic 1.5-to-2.5-mile hike near Kilgore, with beautiful mountain scenery and heavier weekend crowds.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Horseback, Swim
Porcupine Creek
Ashton, Idaho
24.6 miles SA backcountry hunting, fishing, camping, and swimming spot in Targhee National Forest, surrounded by forests, meadows, a creek, and unmarked trails — bear country, so pack and store food carefully.
Camp, Swim
Pine Butte / The Caldera
St. Anthony, Idaho
25.4 miles SWAn old volcano in the Idaho desert that feels like stepping into a mountain forest — pine-covered hillsides, a meadow ringed by aspen and boulders, and a quarter-mile easy trail to the caldera floor.
Camp, Hike, Horseback
Cave Falls of Yellowstone
Ashton, Idaho
26.8 miles SEA campground right on the Fall River along Yellowstone's south boundary puts you steps from legendary fishing, with fire rings and bear-proof boxes at each site.
Camp, Hike
Sheep Falls on Fall River
Ashton, Idaho
27.6 miles SEA local gem off Cave Falls Road where the river splits into multiple falls tumbling over each other — primitive campsites and beautiful views make it a great picnic stop.
Camp
Wade Lake
Cameron, Montana
28.1 miles NWade Lake is a hidden gem of southwestern Montana — a spring-fed mountain lake famous for its glassy, aquamarine water, tucked into a forested ravine at the southern end of the Gravelly Range....
Camp, Canoe, Kayak, Swim
Madison Campground
Madison, Yellowstone National Park
28.7 miles NEA partly wooded riverside campground at 6,800 feet in Yellowstone, close to Old Faithful and the geyser basins, with great fishing on the Madison River and 270-plus individual sites.
Camp
Loon Lake
Ashton, Idaho
29.9 miles SECamp, Kayak, and Swim near Ashton, Idaho
Camp, Kayak, Swim 0.1 mi
Lewis Lake Campground
Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park
37.8 miles EYellowstone's third-largest lake draws canoeists, kayakers, and serious anglers, with a quiet campground open mid-June through early November on a first-come basis.
Camp, Canoe, Kayak 6.9 mi
Heart Lake Trail
Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park
38.6 miles EAn 8-mile moderate hike to a remote backcountry lake with blue thermal pools, fumaroles, Rustic Geyser, and remarkable fishing for native cutthroat, mountain whitefish, and Arctic grayling.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Hot Springs
Norris Campground
Norris, Yellowstone National Park
39.1 miles NECentrally located in Yellowstone NP, this campground puts you within a short drive of Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Hayden Valley, Old Faithful, and Yellowstone Lake.
Camp
Grant Village
Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park
39.6 miles ENamed for President Grant near Yellowstone Lake's West Thumb, this village has lakeside dining, a geyser basin next door, campfire ranger programs, and tree-lined campsites steps from the water.
Camp, Canoe, Kayak 0.8-3.8 mi
Little Gibbon Falls
Norris, Yellowstone National Park
41.2 miles NEA family-friendly 4.5-mile Yellowstone loop reaches fishing and swimming spots along Gibbon Creek, with kid-safe trail, canoeing options, and bearspray-worthy backcountry feel.
Camp, Canoe, Hike
