Harriman State Park - Cross Country Ski, Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike, and Snowshoe near Island Park, Idaho
Island Park,Idaho
44.3224800636, -111.46049954
8.3 miles SW of Island Park, Idaho
GPS: 44°19'20.9"N 111°27'37.8"W
Maps | Directions
State: Idaho
Trails/Routes: 0.6-4.7 mi

Fall Colors

Cross Country Ski, Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike, and Snowshoe

Harriman State Park is found 38 miles from Yellowstone along Henry's Fork. This 11,000-acre wildlife refuge is open year round for most activities. In addition to having beautiful scenery and wildlife, the area also has several houses that were built when the park was a privately owned ranch. The area is home to one of the best fly-fishing streams in the country, an eight mile portion of Henry's Fork river. There are many activities here including horseback riding, hiking, tours of the ranch, and fly-fishing.

During the summer, the trails through Harriman are a great place to hike and explore. There are plenty of wildflowers growing and the lakes and rivers flow nicely. Visitors will be able to see plenty of small wildlife, including swans on Silver lake, and there might even be a chance to see a moose or a bear. Part of the park crosses into the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. Along the river, there are beautiful views of the Tetons and the Yellowstone Plateau. 

In the winter, the park is home to more than 24 miles of Nordic ski trails. The trails all vary in level of difficulty and distance. Most of the trails will go around Silver Lake and loop back towards the ranch houses. Other winter activites include fat biking and snowshoeing. The ranch houses are great in the winter because several have large fireplaces to warm up by. 

The ranch houses can be rented out by visitors and have different accommodations for each house. Some of the houses include large gathering areas great for large groups of people. During different seasonns of the year the park offers events for the general public including star gazing and music camps. 

This is an Idaho State Park and there are day use fees. Passes have reciprocity with Mesa Falls State Park which is only about 20 minutes away.

2.7K Edited by cteicheira

Never modify trail features. Ride trails when they're dry enough that you won't leave ruts. Speak up when you see others on the trail and always yield to hikers, horses, and others coming uphill. Always ride on the established trail.

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Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.

Read More
  1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
  2. Travel & camp on durable surfaces
  3. Dispose of waste properly
  4. Leave what you find
  5. Minimize campfire impacts
  6. Respect wildlife
  7. Be considerate of other visitors

Directions

From Island Park, Idaho

  1. Head south on Hwy 20 W toward Riverside Dr (8.6 mi)
  2. Turn right (0.3 mi)
  3. Continue onto 167/Green Canyon Rd (0.2 mi)
  4. Turn right (0.1 mi)
  5. Turn left
    Destination will be on the left
    (95 ft)
or

Located 18 miles north of Ashton, ID on Highway 20 between mile markers 379 & 380, or 40 miles south of West Yellowstone, MT on Highway 20. 

Turn off on the Green Canyon Rd. and travel 1/2 mile to the Park Entrance.

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Guest Review/Comments

/5
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camilledupar

9/6/17 2:31 pm 5/30/15
I went with my family over the long weekend, and we were able to rent a cabin together there. We took a short hike that started near the cabin, but couldn't go too far since we had young children with us who got tired. We heard what sounded like an engine revving, but it turned out to be a bird called the ruffled grouse; they flap their wings really fast, making the sound. On Saturday, we woke up to see 2 moose across the field from behind the cabin, just on the edge of the tree line beside the marsh. After breakfast, we found the rangers doing a fun activity for the kids, which included several stations with activities like a race across a big field, and measuring their 'wingspan' to compare their arms to a bird's wings; these were to teach about the kinds of animals in the refuge. I returned the next weekend with my aunt to participate in a nature journalling activity that the rangers had advertised, and it was a wonderfully peaceful chance to tune in to nature and out of the commotion of everyday life. Along the river, we saw a marmont swimming, which was pretty cool.
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netjim1

7/13/17 12:42 pm 7/1/17

nlrventures

7/13/17 12:23 pm
Had one of the best nights of my life here. We packed in on horses in the fall and heard the Elk Bugling all around us with amazing dutch oven food. Does it get better? If you've never heard the Elk this is the place to go!!!
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endovereric

6/23/17 9:38 am 7/9/16
Harriman is very beautiful and there are a lot of trail options, many of which a pretty flat and there is almost something beautiful to look at. It was great for a family nature walk but I think I'll need to head up one of the higher trails next time. I'd really like to come in the early morning during elk rut to see the fall colors and hear (and hopefully see) the elk.
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cteicheira

4/24/17 10:35 am 2/15/14
Went cross country skiing out there for the first time. I had not gone cross country skiing before, and the trails were not too difficult for a first time skier. The views of the lake and other scenery was beautiful. We were able to see some swans on the lake and learn more about the history of the park. I would love to go again in the summer or fall and hike around someday.
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Henry's Fork courtesy of Courtney Teicheira Henry's Fork courtesy of Courtney Teicheira↗
Silver Lake Trail courtesy of Courtney Teicheira Silver Lake Trail courtesy of Courtney Teicheira↗ Harriman Silver Lake courtesy of katiemia Harriman Silver Lake courtesy of katiemia↗ Harriman Summer Trail Map Harriman Summer Trail Map

Trails

Distance ?

3.3 miles

Elevation Gain ?

-8 feet

Real Ascent ?

113 feet

Real Descent ?

121 feet

Avg Grade (0°)

0%

Grade (-5° to 5°)

-9% to 8%

Distance ?

2.8 miles

Elevation Gain ?

1 feet

Real Ascent ?

178 feet

Real Descent ?

177 feet

Avg Grade (0°)

0%

Grade (-8° to 9°)

-15% to 16%

Distance ?

1.6 miles

Elevation Gain ?

0 feet

Real Ascent ?

91 feet

Real Descent ?

91 feet

Avg Grade (0°)

0%

Grade (-4° to 4°)

-6% to 7%

Distance ?

0.6 miles

Elevation Gain ?

-251 feet

Real Ascent ?

10 feet

Real Descent ?

261 feet

Avg Grade (-4°)

-8%

Grade (-14° to 5°)

-25% to 8%

Distance ?

2.7 miles

Elevation Gain ?

-9 feet

Real Ascent ?

451 feet

Real Descent ?

460 feet

Avg Grade (0°)

0%

Grade (-17° to 18°)

-30% to 33%

Distance ?

1.2 miles

Elevation Gain ?

1 feet

Real Ascent ?

74 feet

Real Descent ?

73 feet

Avg Grade (0°)

0%

Grade (-10° to 6°)

-18% to 10%

Distance ?

4.7 miles

Elevation Gain ?

-1 feet

Real Ascent ?

357 feet

Real Descent ?

358 feet

Avg Grade (0°)

0%

Grade (-7° to 11°)

-13% to 19%

Distance ?

0.7 miles

Elevation Gain ?

2 feet

Real Ascent ?

50 feet

Real Descent ?

48 feet

Avg Grade (0°)

0%

Grade (-5° to 5°)

-10% to 8%

Distance ?

2.4 miles

Elevation Gain ?

-1 feet

Real Ascent ?

93 feet

Real Descent ?

94 feet

Avg Grade (0°)

0%

Grade (-6° to 3°)

-10% to 6%

Distance ?

2.8 miles

Elevation Gain ?

0 feet

Real Ascent ?

191 feet

Real Descent ?

191 feet

Avg Grade (0°)

0%

Grade (-5° to 8°)

-9% to 14%

Elevation differences are scaled for emphasis. While the numbers are accurate, the cut-away shown here is not to scale.