Big Springs Grp. Area - Island Park
Big Springs Group Area 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.
More like this: reservable in Idaho · big rigs in Idaho · group sites in Idaho
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Group sites | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS1 | 45 | Paved | Partial | 50 / 9 | Yes |
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 | None |
| Max vehicle length | 45 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The campground provides one accessible group site that can accommodate up to 40 people, with picnic tables, a campfire circle, grill and tent pads. Accessible vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided. 30-amp electricity is available for a fee. Firewood is available for purchase from the host. Roads and parking spurs are gravel.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
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 4.5 miles to the campground.
| Nearest town | Island Park, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 44.4978° N, 111.2556° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 13.2 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Eagle's Curios ↗ | 13.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Big Springs in Island Park Idaho: A Must see
Worth a stop
Macks Inn is 4.5 miles west. This full-service facility offers boat rentals, rafting, shuttle service, gas, groceries, showers and laundry facilities. Island Park Reservoir and Henry's Lake are nearby, both offering 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 hiking and fishing, as well as outstanding scenery.
- 7.6 miMccrea Bridge Boat Ramp ↗Boat launch
- 8.8 miBox Canyon Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 9.1 miMill Creek Boat Ramp ↗Boat launch
- 12 miHoward Springs Picnic Site ↗Day use
- 12.2 miTarghee Creek Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 12.6 miLast Chance Fisherman Access Fishing Site ↗Fishing site
Show all 7Hide
- 13.5 mi
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miBig Springs Interpretive Trail ↗0.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
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 campground is situated in a clearing 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 fly-fishing streams in the nation. 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 Grp. Area - Island Park?
Sites at Big Springs Grp. Area - Island Park are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Big Springs Grp. Area - Island Park?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Big Springs Grp. Area - Island Park have?
1 site, including 1 group site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Big Springs Grp. Area - Island Park?
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Can I have a campfire at Big Springs Grp. Area - Island Park?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Big Springs Grp. Area - Island Park?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 4G LTE, and T-Mobile 4G LTE 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 Grp. Area - Island Park?
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 Grp. Area - Island Park?
Island Park, Idaho. Macks Inn is 4.5 miles west.
Source: Getting there
What if Big Springs Grp. Area - Island Park is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Big Springs Warming Hut (2.3 mi, partly first-come), Flat Rock (Idaho) (4.2 mi), and Upper Coffee Pot (5.5 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby