The Park Today
Spring is a beautiful time to visit Harriman State Park. Flowers are emerging and wildlife viewing is spectacular. Historic tours are offered on Fridays and Staurdays 10:30, 2:30, and 4:30 and on Sundays at 2:30 and 4:30. Tours are limited this season as the Harriman Cottage is under renovation. Guided horse rides will be available starting June 13th and the river through the ranch opens to fishing on June 15th. To find infomation on or to make reservations in our overnight facilities you can call 1-888-CampID or through our website.
Park Conditions
July 3rd, 2009,
The Ranch is fishing very well thus far this season. The Henrys Fork River is filled with pleased fishermen enjoying the fresh air and the Green Drake hatch. Check out any local guide shop to get a more in depth fishing report. To see a few photos of opening day on the ranch check out Harriman's Facebook profile page.
There are a lot of wild flowers out right now including Indian Paintbrush, sticky geranium, camas, forget-me-nots, wyethia, and larkspur just to name a few. Check out the the Harriman Facebook page to see photos of some of the flowers in bloom in the park. Moose and elk calves are a more frequent sighting now and there are many bird view opportunities including nesting sandhill cranes, swans, and curlews. We are pleased to announce the arrival of our newest family, the swans on Silver Lake have 4 cygnets in tow.
All of the trails are now open. Please be Bear Aware, carry your bear spray and wear bear bells.
Harriman State Park now has a Facebook page - check it out.
Trail Maps
Harriman State Park Outdoor Concert Series by Mountain and Strings Chamber Music Retreat LLC
Enjoy the tranquility of the Henrys Fork River as you sit outside and listen to any of the following concerts that are being held at Harriman in July.
· Wednesday July 8th 7:30
Faculty Concert
This concert is presented by the Mountains & Strings faculty and staff. All are invited to come and enjoy music at its finest. This year world-class violinist Eric Grossman will give a solo performance as well as join other faculty and staff members for some beautiful chamber music.
· Friday July 10th 7:30
Folk Fiddle Fun Concert
A very popular concert for both audience and performer, the Folk-Fiddle-Fun concert is packed with music to please everyone. The violins, violas, cellos and basses take turns dazzling the audience with fast paced fiddle tunes and other folk melodies. This is also where you'll hear the famous Mountains & Strings Cello Choir led by Brian Ashton.
· Saturday July 11th 7:30
Chamber Orchestra Concert
This concert marks the end of the first session of the Mountains & Strings Chamber Music Retreat. All the participants come together to form a chamber orchestra to share their improved skills and talents with the audience. With only five rehearsals to prepare for this concert, it is astonishing what they can accomplish.
· Wednesday July 15th 7:30
Faculty Concert
This concert will feature Guest Artist Jenny Oaks Baker who will present an evening of beautiful music. The combination of the breathtaking scenery and stunning artistry of Ms. Baker is guaranteed to enrich, uplift, and inspire.
· Friday July 17th 7:30
Folk Fiddle Fun Concert
A very popular concert for both audience and performer, the Folk-Fiddle-Fun concert is packed with music to please everyone. The violins, violas, cellos and basses take turns dazzling the audience with fast paced fiddle tunes and other folk melodies. This is also where you'll hear the famous Mountains & Strings Cello Choir led by Brian Ashton.
· Saturday July 18th 7:30
Chamber Orchestra Concert
This concert marks the end of the Mountains & Strings Chamber Music Retreat. All the participants come together to form a chamber orchestra to share their improved skills and talents with the audience.
Concerts are held behind the Jones House. Park at Ranchview Parking Area and walk down path to Historic Site. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on, and mosquito spray. Although the concerts are free, donations are accepted and appreciated. $4.00 /per vehicle fee to enter the park
Writers Workshop
Writers @ Harriman is a one-week residential camp open to any Idaho student entering grades 11 or 12 in the fall of 2009. The emphasis is upon imaginative writing and the natural world, all taught on-site at Harriman State Park during the first week of August 2009. Students work with professional writers in small groups and one-on-one, receiving encouragement, suggestions, and motivation for their writing. An anthology of student work will be printed and mailed later. Learn more
Ski/Snowshoe Rental: Henry's Fork Anglers in Last Chance (5 miles north of Harriman) $12/day, $65/week. 558-7525.
Fees assessed in addition to $4 Day Use Vehicle Entrance Fee.
Winter Use Fee - $2.00/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. 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.