Land of Yankee Fork State Park History

PARK UPDATE:

Spring 2024 Update:

Starting April 4, 2024, The RV dump station at The Land of the Yankee Fork Interpretive Center is now open for the season

The campground at The Challis Hot Springs opens for the season beginning on March 18th. The campground will be open 7 days a week. The hours of operation for the Office and hot pools will be from 8am-6pm until we go to summer hours. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Fully staffed office summer hours will begin on April 22nd and will be open from 8am-9pm. As a reminder all vehicles entering the Park must have an Idaho State Park sticker or a Motor Vehicle Entrance Fee of $7.00 will be charged daily. Looking forward to another great camping season!

Challis Bison Kill Site

Early inhabitants of the Round Valley acquired bison at the nearby Challis Bison Kill Site. Archaeological excavations in 1970 provided a glimpse into the early use of bison. Several glass beads, many stone tools and points dating to a wide variety of time frames, and the bones of about 30 bison were located during the excavation. Learn more about the history and use of the Challis Bison Kill Site along the short paved pathway at the Land of the Yankee Fork Interpretive Center. More information about the site is found inside the center.

Custer/Bonanza

These two sister cities were once booming with people set on finding their futures in gold. Beginning in 1870, the area attracted gold seekers searching its streams and mountains. Within six years, the mining communities of Custer and Bonanza sprang to life. The 1880s brought rapid growth to the region as the Lucky Boy, General Custer and Montana mines produced abundant ore and the town of Custer reached a population of 600. But the gold eventually played out leaving Custer and Bonanza ghost towns by 1911. Today, restored buildings, the tales of the miners and secluded cemeteries are all that remain.

Yankee Fork Gold Dredge/Sunbeam Dam

Near Custer and Bonanza is the Yankee Fork Gold Dredge, a 988-ton monster barge that searched the gravels of the Yankee Fork for gold as recently as 1952. During its operation it mined 6,330,000 cubic yards of stream gravel, leaving behind 5 miles of dredge tailings and recovering an estimated $1,037,322 in gold and silver at a cost of $1,076,100. Today, interpretive signs describe the beautiful Salmon River and the remnants of Sunbeam Dam, the only dam ever constructed on the Salmon. The dam was built in 1910 to generate electricity for nearby mines. The operation went bankrupt in 1911 and the dam was breached in 1934.

Current Conditions

Contact the Park

Address: 24424 Highway 75 | Challis Hot Springs: 5025 Hot Springs Rd
Challis, ID 83226
Phone: Yankee Fork: (208) 879-5244 | Challis Hot Springs: 208-879-4442
Hours of Operation: Yankee Fork Park Hours: 9 am - 5 pm | Challis Hot Springs Winter Hours: CLOSED MONDAY AND TUESDAY. Wed - Sun 8 am to 6 pm

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