The Park Today
It's ski season! Harriman is excited to announce an addition to our trail system called "Harriman Hounds". That's right, we now have a 3 mile groomed loop where dogs will be allowed - the first and only in Island Park. Mark your calendars - our 2nd Annual Feathers 'n' Fins Skiathon is on Feb. 27th. This is not a race but a "thon" to encourage people of all ages and ski abilities to come out and have fun. 7, 10, and 20 km offered. To find infomation on or to make reservations in our overnight facilities you can call 1-888-9-CampID or through our website.
Park Conditions
Feb.9th, 2010
All trails were groomed yesterday, except Brimstone - though Brimstone has had little use and is in great condtion, expect a few snow drifts through Antelop Flats. Light snow is falling this morning. The forecast is calling for a cloudy day. It is currently 6 F(-12 C), highs of 28 F (-1C) for today. Skaters - so you are aware, we groom skate lane late Friday nights and finish around 2:00am so the trails will be crisp for Saturday mornings. On Mondays, skate lane is groomed during daylight hours. The visitor center is now open daily from 8:00am to 3:00pm and the Jones House warming hut is open from 11:00am to 3:00pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Don't forget about our Feathers 'n' Fins Skiathon coming up at the end of this month, the first 50 registrations get a free Skiathon ski wrap.
The Bunkhouse/cookhouse, one of our two new facilities is now available to rent. It sleeps 9 people, has 4 bedrooms (2-queen, 1-twin, and 1-four twin beds) linens are provided, two restrooms, and a common area. The cookhouse, situated next to the bunkhouse, is a fully equipped kitchen with everything you need to cook for your group. It is $150/night and requires a $150 cleaning deposit. Your group is responsible for cleaning this facility. All of our other facilities are booked solid on weekends but this one is wide open. Call 1-888-9-CampID (888-922-6743) to make a reservation.
Our other new facility, The Scovel Center, will not be open until further notice. Serious maintenance issues have arose and we will most likely not be able to make repairs until after the winter season. We apologize for any inconvience and we will keep you posted as we learn more.
Harriman State Park has a Facebook page - check it out.
Trail Maps
Ski/Snowshoe Rental:
TroutHunter: Last Chance Bar and Grill in Last Chance (5 miles North of Harriman) $20/day, open 7 days a week - 558-9900
Henry's Fork Anglers in Last Chance (5 miles north of Harriman) $15/day, $65/week. Call ahead of time for business hours - 558-7525.
Skiathon Information Feb.27th, 2010
Harriman State Park is hosting its 2nd annual skiathon on Saturday, February 27th. The event is designed for ALL people interested in getting out in winter on ski trails. Are you a person that likes to participate in Fun Runs in the summer and misses that exercise in the winter? Well this event is for you. We are offering 7km, 10km, and 20km distances with classic and skate divisions in a timed, mass start event. New this year—1st person to cross the finish line pulling their child in a chariot wins a special prize.
Click here for Brochure
Click here for registration form
Click here for flyer to post
Fees assessed in addition to $5 Day Use Vehicle Entrance Fee.
Winter Use Fee - $4.00/person, per day
(assessed during winter season in addition to all other fees)
Winter Use Fee Season Pass - $35.00 individual/family
Fees go to support our winter program that includes plowing roads/parking lots, and packing and grooming trails for snowshoeing and skiing.
Travel Planning Links
Island Park Weather
Idaho Road Conditions
About the Ranch
Owned by Union Pacific Railroad investors from 1902 to 1977, the park acreage served as a cattle ranch and private retreat of the Harriman and Guggenheim families. Today, Harriman State Park provides the perfect setting to enjoy the park's unique history in a beautiful natural setting.
During the summer there are regular tours of the Railroad Ranch buildings, offered Saturdays at 10:30am and 2:30pm and Sundays at 2:30pm. Tours will take place until August 31st. Fishing, hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking are other ways to experience the beauty of the area. Don’t forget to bring your camera. There are breathtaking wild flower displays in the sage meadows and pasture land which dominate the landscape. Visitors often see elk, deer and moose, particularly in the morning and evening. The views of the Teton Mountain Range are spectacular.
During winter months guests can enjoy Nordic skiing and the Jones House warming hut—open on weekends, offering views of the Henrys Fork, bald eagles and trumpeter swans.
Park Restrictions:
Harriman State Park is a Wildlife Refuge and has the following rules concerning pets:
For overnight visitors - NO PETS ARE ALLOWED!
For Day Use Visitors – PETS MUST BE LEASHED AND ARE ALLOWED IN THE DAY USE PARKING LOTS ONLY.
Harriman Trails are non-motorized
Mesa Falls Recreation Area
Mesa Falls Recreation Area is owned by the US Forest Service and is co-managed with Harriman State Park, Idaho State Parks and Recreation. Big Falls Inn, an interpretive building and resale store, is open from Memorial weekend to mid-September from 9:30am to 5:30pm. In the winter, Scenic Byway 47 does not remain open to vehicles but is groomed for snowmobile traffic. The falls are only accessible by snowmobile or cross-country skies and visitors can park at Bear Gulch on Scenic Hwy 47 east of Ashton and ski or snowmobile the packed road 5 miles to Mesa Falls. Snowmobilers can also reach Mesa Falls from Hwy 20 via Scenic Byway 47, which is a 14-mile scenic ride. The Big Falls Inn is open on weekends from 10:00am to 3:00pm from the first week in January to the second week in March and you can go in and warm up by the fire. The trail down to the falls is very snow packed and icy and visitors should use extreme caution if attempting this scenic view.
For more information on Mesa Falls click here.