Big Springs Warming Hut
Big Springs Warming Hut is located 22 miles south of West Yellowstone, Montana in beautiful Island Park, Idaho at an approximate elevation of 6,300 feet. Visitors love Island Park for its world-class fishing and outstanding scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities.
The group site takes reservations.
More like this: electric hookups in Idaho · first-come in Idaho · reservable in Idaho · group sites in Idaho
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| group standard electric | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Power | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| GS1 | 15 amp | 200 / 100 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
The warming hut can accommodate up to 200 people. It is fully enclosed and has a concrete floor. Several picnic tables are inside, along with a wood-burning stove for cool weather. Electrical outlets and overhead lighting are provided inside the building. Outside there are picnic tables, grills and a campfire circle. A very large parking area is on-site, with 20-amp electric hookups on the edge. Firewood can be purchased there also. A vault toilet is located next to the warming hut.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Caribou-Targhee National Forest |
| Booking | Group site can be reserved by dialing 1-877-444-6777 or Big Springs Grp. Area - Island Park, Caribou-Targhee National Forest - Recreation.gov |
| Fees | Single Site $ 25.00. Group Area (Sun-Thurs) $ 75.00. Group Area (Fri-Sat) $150.00. Extra Vehicle (ea.) $ 7.00 |
Weather by month
Getting there
From West Yellowstone, Montana, travel 22 miles south on Highway 20 to Mack's Inn. Turn east on Big Springs Loop Road and travel 2 miles to the warming hut access road. Turn south into the warming hut parking area.
| Nearest town | Island Park, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 44.4850° N, 111.2997° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Please note that there is no water on-site, but it is available at Big Springs Campground 2.5 miles away.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 15.2 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Eagle's Curios ↗ | 15.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Warm Springs Campground, Bitteroot National Forest, Montana Campsite Photos
Worth a stop
Island Park Reservoir and Henry's Lake are nearby, both offer boating, water skiing, fishing, kayaking and canoeing. Numerous additional small lakes and streams are scattered throughout Island Park. Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are within a short drive, offering additional hiking and fishing, as well as outstanding scenery. Macks Inn is 4.5 miles west. This full-service facility offers boat rentals, rafting, shuttle service, gas, groceries, showers and laundry facilities.
- 5.3 miMccrea Bridge Boat Ramp ↗Boat launch
- 6.7 miBox Canyon Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 6.7 miMill Creek Boat Ramp ↗Boat launch
- 10.6 miLast Chance Fisherman Access Fishing Site ↗Fishing site
- 12.8 miTarghee Creek Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 12.8 miHoward Springs Picnic Site ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 1.6 miBig Springs Interpretive Trail ↗0.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.4 miCoffee Pot Rapids2.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.8 miPonds Trail2.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 4.1 miShotgun Trail0.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 4.3 miShotgun Trail A0.07 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 4.8 miCrows Landing Trail0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
Island Park is composed of two areas of extinct volcanic activity. The Henry's Fork Caldera sits inside the larger Island Park Caldera. The area is known for its dense forests of lodgepole pine, broad grassy meadows bursting with summer wildflowers and a wide variety of wildlife, including black and grizzly bears, moose, elk, deer, bald eagles, Sandhill cranes and much, much more. The warming hut is surrounded by a forest of lodgepole pines. Grasses and summer wildflowers dot the landscape.
Recreation
Big Springs is the headwaters of Henry's Fork and is one of the largest springs in the country. Henry's Fork is considered one of the best fisheries in the nation. Fly-fishermen cast for rainbow and brook trout. Tubing, canoeing, kayaking and rafting are also popular on the river. The Big Springs National Recreation Water Trail can be accessed from the campground and ends 4.5 miles away at Macks Inn. It offers a lazy three-hour float or canoe trip through beautiful scenery. Wildlife, including moose, bald eagles and Sandhill cranes, are often seen along the trail. The charming and historic John Sack Cabin is nearby, noted for its unique location, construction and furnishings. Hiking, biking, horseback riding and ATVing are popular activities. Many miles of trails crisscross Island Park, including the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and the Nez Perce Trail are in the area.
Guidebooks for Idaho
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Big Springs Warming Hut?
For some sites. The group site takes reservations.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Big Springs Warming Hut?
Single Site $ 25.00. Group Area (Sun-Thurs) $ 75.00. Group Area (Fri-Sat) $150.00.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Big Springs Warming Hut?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Big Springs Warming Hut open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Big Springs Warming Hut have?
1 site, including 1 group standard electric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Big Springs Warming Hut?
Big Springs Warming Hut is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Does Big Springs Warming Hut have hookups?
Yes, electric hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Big Springs Warming Hut?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Big Springs Warming Hut?
Big Springs is the headwaters of Henry's Fork and is one of the largest springs in the country. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Big Springs Warming Hut?
Island Park, Idaho. Island Park Reservoir and Henry's Lake are nearby, both offer boating, water skiing, fishing, kayaking and canoeing.
Source: Getting there
What if Big Springs Warming Hut is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Flat Rock (Idaho) (2.1 mi), Big Springs Grp. Area - Island Park (2.3 mi), and Upper Coffee Pot (3.3 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby