A young girl paddles her kayak across Henrys Lake in Northeastern Idaho, near Yellowstone National Park. She is silhouetted against the deep, blue water, and the sun shimmers and sparkles across the water. Blue sky and mountains can be seen in the distance, the edge of the Targhee National Forest.
Written by on June 25, 2020

Henrys Lake State Park

#PNW . Hiking . Idaho . Outdoor Recreation . Trailer Camping . Travel
A wide-angle view of Henry's Lake at the inlet to the lake, from hiking trails that lead out from Idaho's Henrys Lake State Park. Reeds and other marshland vegetation grows in the foreground, and the Targhee National Forest and mountain range are visible in the distance.

Yellowstone Vacation

The Best Place to Camp Near Yellowstone – Henrys Lake State Park

Idaho’s Henrys Lake State Park sits just 15 miles from the West Gate to Yellowstone National Park. The name of the lake comes from a trapper who arrived a little more than 100 years ago, but there’s no apostrophe in “Henrys”. The Continental Divide surrounds the 6,000-acre lake on three sides. Clean and modern state park facilities are the perfect place for your base camp to explore Yellowstone and the surrounding region.

What to do at Henrys Lake State Park – Our Recommendations

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Hike trails around the lake and the surrounding mountains. Kayak and fish along the marshy inlet or out into the lake. Camp in any of the park’s reservable spots for RVs, trailers, and tents. Click any link in our table of contents above to find information, resources, and recommendations for the best place to camp near Yellowstone, Henrys Lake State Park!

A young girl sits among blankets in a canvas-covered pop-out tent with her puppy, a miniature Australian Shepherd. Sun streams into the tent trailer, a 2012 Starcraft travel trailer RV.

Information About Henrys Lake State Park

Fees & Amenities

Day Use Fees & Passes
  • Motor Vehicle Entry Fee: $5 per vehicle.
  • Annual Idaho State Parks Pass (in-state): $10.
  • Annual Idaho State Parks Pass (out-of-state): $40.
  • Visit the Idaho State Parks Website for information about the annual pass and benefits of the unlimited entry passes:
    • Unlimited day use access and entry into all Idaho State Parks.
    • Boat launch fees included within the State Parks.
    • Access to all hiking, cycling, mountain biking, and Nordic ski trials in the State Park system.
    • Non-transferable and connected to your vehicle registration.
    • Available for purchase from the Idaho DMV.
A cabin that can be reserved for overnight camping at Idaho's Henrys Lake State Park. The park, just 15 miles from the West Gate to Yellowstone National Park, is known for native cutthroat trout, world-class fishing, and gale-force winds.
Serviced Camp Site and Cabin Information and Fees
Serviced camp site$20-$31 per night
Cabins$50-$55 per night
  • 83 Serviced camp sites and 3 cabins can be reserved online through the Idaho State Parks Reserve America website or by calling 1-888-922-6743
    • Reserve online 24/7
    • Call the reservation center 7 days a week: 8:00 am – 7:00 pm Monday through Friday or 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday and Sunday
  • 3 camp sites and 1 of the 3 cabins are ADA accessible.
    • Check in at 2:00 pm (camp sites) and 3:00 pm (other facilities).
    • Check out at 12:00 pm (camp sites) and 1:00 pm (other facilities).
  • Limits to Length of Stay: 15 days in a 30-day period.
Brand new, energy conserving facilities at Idaho's Henrys Lake State Park. The parks restrooms and showers use state of the art technology and are designed in a Mid-Century Modern style. The park, just 15 miles from the West Gate to Yellowstone National Park, is known for native cutthroat trout, world-class fishing, and gale-force winds.

This park was established in 1967. It has a campground with modern restrooms and hot showers, a day-use area, nature trail, and boat ramps and docks. It is usually easier to find a camp site here than at Yellowstone National Park, just 15 miles to the east.”

– Descriptive Sign at Henrys Lake State Park, Idaho State Parks and Recreation
Brand new, energy conserving facilities at Idaho's Henrys Lake State Park. The parks restrooms and showers use state of the art technology and are designed in a Mid-Century Modern style.
Booking Camping Sites and Cabins in Advance – Recommended Timeline
A view of a bright red Ford F-150 Lariat Supercab and a 2012 Starcraft Travel Trailer RV in front of Henrys Lake. Idaho's Henrys Lake State Park sits just 15 miles from the West Entrance to Yellowstone National Park. The Targhee National Forest and mountain range are visible in the distance.
Camping Amenities and Services at Henrys Lake State Park
  • New shower and bathroom facilities, RV dump station, and fish cleaning station available in the park.
  • Spacious camp spots in two sections of the park:
    • One paved and leveled full hook-up section for large RVs and campers overlooking the marsh. The newer Caddis Loop is mostly paved sites for bus-sized Class A RVs.
    • Gravel loops with spacious camping spots for RVs, travel trailers, and tents near the lake.
      • Look for spots in the second loop, Adam’s Loop, or the first, Dun’s Loop.
      • Tents and smaller trailers will be much more comfortable in spots 5-11 near the water or 29-34 on the first loop.
      • Site 9 (above) is our pick for the best views and most protection from the wind with a stand of trees just behind the site.
  • Firewood vending machine, available 24/7 in the lower Adam’s Loop.
A young girl holds the handle of a firewood dispenser at Idaho's Henrys Lake State Park. The park and automated kindling dispenser sit near the Montana border, just 15 miles from the West Gate to Yellowstone National Park.

Planning a trip to Henry’s Lake and Yellowstone soon? Use our links to get discounted flights, RV rentals, and more! Our site is partly supported by affiliate partnerships; your purchases through our affiliate links help support our site and the development of even more great content!

Family Travel, Family Holiday

Getting to Henrys Lake State Park

Driving from Boise

  • Boise to Henrys Lake State Park: 374 miles (602 km).
  • Twin Falls to Henrys Lake State Park: 254 miles (409 km).
  • Pocatello to Henrys Lake State Park: 146 miles (235 km).
  • Idaho Falls to Henrys Lake State Park: 95 miles (153 km).
A google satellite image of Southern Idaho and Western Montana, including Yellowstone National Park, Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, the Sawtooth National Forest, the Salmon Challis National Forest, Jackson Hole, and Henrys Lake State Park.

Driving from Salt Lake City

  • Salt Lake City to Henrys Lake State Park: 307 miles (494 km).
    • Distance via I-80E through Rexburg: 380 miles (612 km).
    • Distance via US 189N through Jackson: 405 miles (652 km).

Hike at Henrys Lake State Park

Explore the Park’s Hiking Trails

Hike Glacial Valleys

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Hiking around Henrys Lake State Park provides changing views of an interesting landscape. A vast glacial valley surrounds Henrys Lake, the result of the last two ice ages. The ridge surrounding the lake is made up of glacial rocks that do not retain water like other types of soil. As a result, very few trees establish roots in the highly porous material, giving the area a stark and dramatic look at the base of the Targhee Mountains in the distance.

A view of hiking trails at Henrys Lake, at the inlet to the lake. The hiking trails encircle Idaho's Henrys Lake State Park. A young girl and her mother walk down a dusty trail surrounded by sagebrush. The Targhee National Forest and mountain range are visible in the distance.

Henrys Lake State Park Trail System

The State Park spreads out along the shore of Henrys Lake, and a series of hiking, walking, and biking trails encircle the park and extend even further along the lake. A shorter loop leads past a marshy inlet and interpretive signs about Trumpeter swans nesting below (back to their native habitat for the first time in years), local wildlife, and the geological origins of Henry’s Lake.

A young girl looks at a sign about nesting Trumpeter Swans near Henrys Lake, at the inlet to the lake. Idaho's Henrys Lake State Park sits near the Montana border, just 15 miles from the West Gate to Yellowstone National Park. Reeds and other marshland vegetation grows in the foreground, and the Targhee National Forest and mountain range are visible in the distance.

Watch for Bears on Your Hike!

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We found out later from one of the park rangers that a large bear camped out under the small walking bridge at the mouth of the lake. And since our visit, a Gizzly Bear attacked a hiker in this area (the hiker survived).

A view of hiking trails and a walking bridge at Henrys Lake, at the inlet to the lake, from hiking trails that lead out from Idaho's Henrys Lake State Park. A young girl, a woman, and a large dog walk across the bridge toward a dusty trail. Reeds and other marshland vegetation grows in the foreground, and the Targhee National Forest and mountain range are visible in the distance.

Kayak at Henrys Lake State Park

A view of Henrys Lake from a kayak. The Targhee National Forest and mountain range are visible in the distance.
A view of Henrys Lake from a kayak. A young girl sits in her blue youth kayak. The Targhee National Forest and mountain range are visible in the distance.

Prepare for Strong Winds

Henrys Lake is known for its world-class fishing and native Cutthroat Trout. It’s also a fantastic lake for boating, kayaking, and paddle boarding, as long as you time it right. Three mountain ranges converge on the lake, so strong winds can – and do – suddenly blow across the lake, turning the calm waters into choppy, menacing waves.

A young girl sits in the front of a two-person, inflatable kayak at Idaho's Henrys Lake State Park. The park, just 15 miles from the West Gate to Yellowstone National Park, is known for native cutthroat trout, world-class fishing, and gale-force winds.

Kayaking Henrys Lake – Pro Tips

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Be careful on the water at Henrys Lake, though. Frequent strong winds can quickly turn a peaceful paddle into a scary ordeal! The glacial valley at Henrys Lake is the meeting point for three mountain ranges, so strong winds are common.

A young girl sits in her hardshell youth kayak and floats on the lake at Idaho's Henrys Lake State Park. The park, just 15 miles from the West Gate to Yellowstone National Park, is known for native cutthroat trout, world-class fishing, and gale-force winds.

Kayak Rentals at Henrys Lake State Park

  • Bring your own kayak, canoe, or paddle board, or reserve one of the many kayaks and canoes available at Henrys Lake State Park.
  • Forget to bring your own raft, kayak, or canoe? Don’t worry; you can reserve one at the park, down by the launch ramp or online.
  • There are also loaner life jackets if you forget to throw those in, too.
A close-up shot of kayaks and canoes for rent and reservation at Henrys Lake State Park.
A wide-angle photo of kayaks and canoes for rent and reservation at Henrys Lake State Park.

“Fabulous Fishing, Powerful Gales: Although Henrys Lake is famous for its great fishing, it is also known for its infamous, unpredictable strong winds that can capsize even large boats. The geology and topography of the area cause storms to develop suddenly and without warning. Storms are directed at the lake by three mountain passes – Targhee, Raynolds and Red Rock – and the Continental Divide which can make recreating on Henrys Lake very dangerous.”

– Descriptive Sign at Henrys Lake State Park, Idaho State Parks and Recreation
A young girl sits in her hardshell youth kayak and paddles hard to glide quickly over the water. Her parents and sister float nearby in a two-person, inflatable kayak at Idaho's Henrys Lake State Park. The park, just 15 miles from the West Gate to Yellowstone National Park, is known for native cutthroat trout, world-class fishing, and gale-force winds.
A young girl sits in her hardshell youth kayak at Idaho's Henrys Lake State Park. The park, just 15 miles from the West Gate to Yellowstone National Park, is known for native cutthroat trout, world-class fishing, and gale-force winds.

Relaxation and Recreation at Henrys Lake

Sunsets and Campfires at Henrys Lake State Park

Sunsets and campfires are two of the best things about Henrys Lake State Park. The natural landscape and confluence of the towering mountain ranges at the Continental Divide make for dramatic light and color at dusk. And as long as the wind isn’t howling across the lake, you can build a cozy campfire at your camp spot near the lake. Henrys Lake State Park is one of Idaho’s incredible state parks, and this is a great way to unwind and enjoy every last minute of your stay.

Red and orange clouds at sunset contrast with the dark mountains and lake at Idaho's Henrys Lake State Park. The sunset reflects in the windows of a camping van parked by the lake. This photo was taken at Henrys Lake State Park in Eastern Idaho, near West Yellowstone, Montana and Yellowstone National Park.
Red and yellow flames lick a charred, burning log. Red sparks fly upward in this slow shutter speed image. The bright colors of the flame contrast against a dark black background and the blackened coals of a campfire. This photo was taken at Henrys Lake State Park in Eastern Idaho, near West Yellowstone, Montana and Yellowstone National Park.
Red and yellow flames lick a charred, burning log. Red sparks fly upward in this slow shutter speed image. The bright colors of the flame contrast against a dark black background and the blackened coals of a campfire. This photo was taken at Henrys Lake State Park in Eastern Idaho, near West Yellowstone, Montana and Yellowstone National Park.

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Papa Jack

This is a great vacation destination which we can always have the family together.

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Razena

I can’t imagine any place more idyllic that how this state park looks. Lake, mountains, log cabins… bliss.

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solrazo.com

Wow, absolutely amazing! How I wish to see places like this together with my family!

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Sushmita

Henry Lake park is on my list for so long! I hope to go there soon!

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Kathy Kenny Ngo

My family would definitey enjoy this place. I hope I get to see it one day with them.

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Rebecca

Looks beautiful, I love these photos! Looks like a great place to visit.

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Fabulous Perks

This looks like a beautiful place for a vacation. I so need one but can’t take one as yet. Hopefully, next year.

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Rachel

This looks like such a great place to visit! I’ll keep this in mind.

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Doibedouin

Great place. Yellowstone: It’s on half the world’s bucket list, I tell you. I saw this movie recently which showed Jackson valley Wyoming and I hope to do this soon. Until then, the virtual visit is my favorite. I love the lake views. It’s so blue…. Even the kayak is blue.

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Krysten Quiles

Oh my goodness that place looks AMAZING. I would love to get away there sometime soon!

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