Kayak Island Park, Idaho

Island Park, Idaho, is a stunning vacation destination filled with beauty and adventure. One of the most popular activities in Island Park is kayaking. With more than 60 miles of scenic waterways, there are plenty of places to explore. Boaters have the opportunity to experience the varied landscapes of the area, from the meandering Henry’s Fork and Buffalo rivers to Island Park Reservoir and Henry’s Lake.

Kayaking in the Island Park caldera is a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. While there are no motorized boating restrictions, most of Island Park’s rivers are more suitable for kayaks, as well as canoes and inflatable rafts. The lack of motorized boats makes time on the rivers a peaceful and tranquil way to spend the day. Island Park Reservoir and Henry’s Lake both provide plenty of opportunities for fishing, swimming, and simply enjoying the outdoors for both kayakers and other boaters. 

Island Park is home to a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, ospreys, and even moose. Kayakers will likely spot a few of these creatures while paddling around Big Springs and the Buffalo River. It’s important to remember to keep a safe distance between yourself and any wildlife you see while kayaking. Animals can still charge in the water and can get to you much faster than you can paddle away. 

A successful kayaking experience in Island Park means planning ahead. You’ll find that once you start paddling, it’s hard to find a reason to stop! Enjoy the day with sunscreen, food, and lots of water. It’s also helpful to bring a map of the river you’re on and to let someone know where you planned on boating before you leave. Doing so will allow you to relax and enjoy everything kayaking in Island Park has to offer. 

In addition to kayaking, many water recreationists will use paddleboards and inner tubes to float rivers while relaxing in the Idaho sunshine. For those looking for a more adventurous experience, there are plenty of challenging rapids and whitewater runs on the Snake River near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and on other rivers in western Montana. 

Getting out on the water anywhere in Island Park makes for an excellent opportunity to take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and rivers. Spend a day, a weekend, or an entire summer kayaking in caldera country, and you’ll never regret it. 

Kayak Rentals

Did you know we can take you on a friendly float down the river in Island Park? We will meet you at the boat dock with our kayaks and help you launch onto the kayak. Then we will float down the river enjoying the beautiful views. ⁣

You can book this memorable experience right through Airbnb when you book your stay. Enjoy a couple reviews and see what people had to say about this fun outing!

Or contact us at info@VisitIslandParkIdaho.com or 385-685-0272 to check availability.

Experiences Close to Yellowstone In Island Park

Written by Sandy Briggs of Island Park, a long time resident and friend of this business with a few additions from us too.

Note about Island Park Experiences: There are several shops that rent ATVs, UTVs, jet skis, etc. that are located some distance apart. If you know where you want to go, it is possible to be miles closer if you use one shop versus another. I’ve tried to include that information below.

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Visit Island Park Idaho Kayak Rental, Island Park,
(385) 685-0272

Rent a kayak and experience the tranquility of Island Park. Contact Andy or Teara for all the details on one of the best experiences in Island Park. *A couple recent reviews: “This was an awesome experience! One of the highlights of our trip! We enjoyed floating down the river soaking in all the beauty around us. We saw moose, bald eagles, pelicans, and tons of fish.” “If you are planning a trip to Island Park this is a must do!! So grateful we went when they suggested… .even spotted a Moose laying with her twin babies…they all stood up to take a peek at us too, it was an amazing moment!! It’s was so relaxing and yet interesting … Favorite part of our trip to Yellowstone!”
Don’t miss this amazing (and best) part of your trip and text or call Teara at 385-685-0272 to set up this experience up.

Dry Ridge Outfitters, Harriman State Park, 3489 Green Canyon Rd., Island Park
(208) 558-7433

Harriman State Park is about 20 minutes down the highway. It was a working cattle ranch and private retreat for the Guggenheims, Eccles, Bancroft, and Harriman’s. It was donated by Averell Harriman (who bought out the other shares in the ranch) and donated it to the State of Idaho at John Muir’s urging. It is a beautiful place to hike, ride horses and bikes, and fish. You also get a nice view of the Grand Tetons from the area. There is a DVD in the console upstairs that tells you the history of “the ranch” that you may enjoy watching.

Eagle Ridge Ranch, 3438 Old Shotgun Rd., Island Park
(208) 558-7077

Eagle Ridge Ranch is about 15 minutes from the cabin. If you’d like a fun experience, they have a trail ride followed by a Dutch Oven Dinner. Call early for reservations. It is also my understanding they have a pond they will let “outsiders” use for a fee. They can also arrange for guides to take you to Sheridan Ranch, for some lake and stream fishing for giant Kamloops rainbow trout. They have a special for evening fishing that is from late afternoon until dark. It is a reasonable fee. Call early for reservations.

Experience Island Park, 3545 Yale Kilgore Rd., Unit 1, Island Park
(208) 558-7221

EIP provides mountain bikes, horseback rides, paddle boards, kayaks, and rafting rentals at reasonable rates. The main areas for floating are Big Springs and for the more adventurous Box Canyon. Call the shop and talk to them about the needs of your group and I’m sure they will steer you in the right direction. If you don’t have a truck or trailer, ask us and if we are available can shuttle you. This location would be closer to Big Springs and the Buffalo which are more sedate floats suitable for most ages.

High Mountain Adventures, 4141 Sawtelle Peak Rd., Island Park
(208) 558-9572

High Mountain Adventures rents UTVs, ATVs, float tubes, mountain bikes, kayaks, and rafts. They are typically more reasonable than other rental shops in the area, but we’ve had trouble in the past with motorized vehicles failing. They are the closest rental shop if you want to take an ATV/UTV up to the top of Sawtelle Peak, ride to Big Springs, or Two Tops.

Island Park Adventures, 3342 US-20, Island Park
(208) 558-7581

 Island Park Adventures rents UTVs, ATVs, jet skis, and Sea-Doo’s. Trails to Harriman State Park and Upper and Lower Mesa Falls are easy to get to from their front door. If you want to go up Sawtelle Peak, Big Springs, or Two Top, it is better if you use High Mountain Adventures which is several miles closer.

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Lakeside Lodge and Resort, 3857 Lakeside Lodge, Island Park
(208) 558-9770

 Because we have the dock and Lakeside Lodge is located downstream on the Island Park Reservoir, this is a great place to rent jet skis or boats because you can ride back to the cabin and dock them and use them from here all day. They have ½ day and full day rates but make your reservations early. They also have a jump house, nice deck for beverages and food, and access to their beach. Access to their beach/toys is an additional cost and requires a purchased armband. ***But wait there is more! Lakeside has food and I love the finger steaks. If you are not familiar with finger steaks, this is your time to try them! They are a Boise, Idaho ORIGINAL but this remix is sure delicious! Try them and tell them that Teara sent you and if Sara is working be sure to tell her hello! She is my favorite!

Meadow Vue Ranch, 3728 Red Rock Rd.
 Island Park
(208) 558-7411

Meadow Vue Ranch is located about 20 minutes away off Red Rock Rd. In the summer evenings, they have rodeos and dinners on Wednesday and Saturday nights. The dinners include steak and chicken with all the fixings. You can get reservations on their website. It’s a great family event.

Mountain Mayhem, 3388 US-20, Island Park
(208) 558-7390

Mountain Mayhem rents ATVs, side-by-sides, boats, jet skis, etc. They are in Last Chance. If you are planning on going to Harriman State Park, Upper and Lower Mesa Falls, or anywhere in that vicinity, this is a good place to check for rentals. They also service boats, chainsaws, ATVs, UTVs, etc. 

Yellowstone Playhouse, 5163 US-20, Island Park
(208) 558-7529

Dinner theater with family-friendly musical spoofs. They have been entertaining locals and visitors to Island Park for over 10 years. It is a fun way to spend the evening and have a great dinner. Prime rib, chicken, and mac cheese for the kids. It is possible to go to just the show, but dinner’s the fun part.
**Our family seems to like the plays more than the variety shows, especially if there are younger kiddos with us. The food though… Oh man it is so so so good. I like to think of it as dinner and a free show because it is that good. (Teara gets the chicken.)

For a luxury stay after all the adventures check our our accommodations here.

Float Trips Near Island Park

There are dozens of fun, family-friendly activities near Island Park and many of them revolve around time spent on the water—of these, a local float trip is one of the more accessible and entertaining options.  Regardless of your age, skill level, and group size, there’s a river to match.  The most well-known in the area is Mack’s Inn, where you float from Big Springs down to the take-out near the highway—but there are many more options that will likely have less traffic and some novel scenery.

Any discussion of the float trips near the Island Park area would be remiss if you didn’t begin by discussing the Madison River.  There are three sections that are the commonly floated—and each is tailored to a specific style of float activity.  The Upper Madison, which begins near the end of the closed section of the outflow of Earthquake Lake (where it intersects the highway) and ends at whatever highway pullout fits the desired length of your float trip, is a river with some more substantial whitewater chutes and is best suited to whitewater kayaks and rafts.  While not extremely technical whitewater, the more advanced nature of this section lends itself to those of an intermediate skill level that are seeking to make their foray into self-guided whitewater trips.  Next, the Lower Madison runs from McAtee Bridge on downstream towards Ennis.  This is a much tamer section that has calmer stretches broken up by brief rapid stints.  None of this qualifies as legitimate whitewater, but is still best suited to kayaks, canoes, and the like.  This float takes you through a fairly varied terrain and you’re sure to see wildlife.  The final portion of the Madison worth mentioning is the portion that runs through Beartrap Canyon from the town of Norris, Montana to the city of Bozeman.  This section is a true lazy river—relatively shallow throughout its length and extraordinarily calm, this section is well suited to tubes, floats, and swimming throughout.  It is, however, frequented by both fisherman and groups of students from Bozeman—so share the resource in a respectful manner.

Now, in Island Park itself, the Box Canyon float runs from the out-flow below the Island Park Dam on to the point that the Snake brushes up against the highway at Last Chance.  You can access it by driving towards Island Park Dam and turning to your left on the first road that goes to your left prior to crossing the river, here you can follow the road down to the boat launch at the bottom of the canyon and launch your trip. This is a beautiful float that takes you through some beautiful and varied country and is best attempted utilizing a canoe, raft, or river kayak.  Opportunities for wildlife viewing abound and the water is typically cold and clear.

Finally, near St. Anthony, south of Island Park, the Snake river runs closer to the highway.  Here, there’s ample opportunities to float and you can largely decide the length of the trip you want to attempt.  The water here is very calm and warmer than Island Park, although there are some deeper spots and one should exercise caution regarding several large impoundments along the river. There are numerous spots to pull off and do some bridge jumping and plenty of other activities nearby, so this is a great option for those who may not know how long they intend to float for.  

Overall, there are several different opportunities to float one of the many rivers we have in the area—some are very accessible, others are a bit more off the beaten path, but all are unique in their own way.  As you create your own adventures in our area, please utilize the resources responsibly and respectfully, understand that you’re utilizing a shared resource with both people and wildlife, and take the time to seek out local knowledge and guidance prior to starting out.  Enjoy your float!

A day at Johnny Sack’s cabin.

We love the views here at the beginning of the snake river.

It is a little magical piece of the area. Sometimes you can even tour the cabin for free (we always leave a donation in the box inside though) between 10am-4pm if the rangers are there. You can get more details here.

Johnny saCk’s cabin image by this aUthur

Some Of the trolls under the bridge

Fly Fishing For All Levels Close To Yellowstone

When Mike Tubbs sent me this image, I had to know the story of this day….”I was fishing in front of Staley Springs on Henry’s Lake early in the morning. It was dead calm as the sun was coming up. A friend was behind me fishing and and I took a picture of him. Two top mountain is behind him. I lived on Staley’s so I have many pictures of the sunrise here. This friend is passed on and is on the memorial at Staley’s Springs now.” Thank you Mike.

Of the many breathtaking attractions that draw visitors to the Island Park area, the myriad of angling opportunities have been a part of the culture for generations —and while there’s a place for every type of sport fishing, above all else, this is fly country. From dredging big Showgirls along the cliffs at Henry’s Lake, to presenting a delicate Emerger pattern on the Upper Snake's famed Henry's Fork, to swinging a stonefly nymph through the Warm river, there are no shortage of locations to wet a fly—regardless of your preferred style and skill level.

Sami Chadaz

If you’re a new hand at throwing a fly line, three places immediately come to mind. First, Teardrop Lake, located off of the old Fish creek road is slightly off the beaten path yet is convenient for families and those who want an easy and productive day of fly fishing. Here, there are numerous sites to set up for the day, facilitating a family friendly environment for those that want to fish as well as swim, kayak, or simply hang out. The lake is relatively small and has plenty of shore access and the fish, although generally small, are numerous and willing to take nearly any pattern. Still, I recommend a mobile approach, strolling along the shore and throwing a small bugger or leech pattern at promising points. Next, Warm River, a relatively small stream, runs from Island Park to Ashton and provides ample opportunity to practice both dry fly and nymphing presentations. Finally, the Upper Snake meanders through Island Park, passing through several different population centers as it goes.  Here, you’ll be able to find plenty of other anglers who will likely give you some pointers…especially if you make it clear you’re new to the sport. Once again, this is a convenient body of water to explore, due to its proximity to the amenities of the area, meaning it’s fantastic for those who are interested is fishing as well as those who just want to soak up nature.

image used with permission by Dan Ahlstrom

Now, if you’ve got enough time on the water to know the difference between a shooting cast and a double haul, then you’re likely looking for a more complex body of water that holds some bigger fish. Here, one could hardly go wrong by crossing the state line and going to the Madison River. Whether you intercept it above Hebgen, between Hebgen Lake and Quake Lake, or on one of the many miles between Quake lake and Ennis, Montana, you’d be hard pressed to find more rewarding fishing conditions. If you’re feeling like targeting trophy sized fish in a lake setting, Henry’s Lake grows truly massive Yellowstone cutthroat, cutbows, and brookies. There are several access points around the lake and people have done well trolling large streamer patterns along the deeper portions of the west edge. Finally, to pair fantastic fishing with staggering beauty, Box Canyon is where the Snake River flows out of Island Park Reservoir. Here, nymphing and dropper rigs are the way to go--there’s great potential for big fish and some of the prettiest country in the area.

Henrys Fork at sunset……this stellar image is provided by tracy river. an amazing landscape photographer

Regardless of your skill level, Island Park is the place to go if you want to experience western fly fishing at its finest. Come, enjoy our beautiful lands and waters, and settle in for a uniquely wild experience!

A great big Thank you to Mike Jennings for his contribution for this post

Another glorious image from Mike Tubbs

To get updated information for when, where and all the rest check out Idaho Fish and Game site here.