Everything to Know About Henrys Lake State Park: Near Yellowstone

Every state has some incredible state parks that you simply must visit.  And Henrys Lake State Park in Idaho is definitely one of those parks!  There’s fishing, boating, hiking and over 85 campsites here.  

Additionally, this park is only a 15 mile drive to the western entrance of Yellowstone National Park. With a quick drive like that, you can’t go wrong with staying here a few nights.  

So if you’re thinking of staying here, or at least visiting, you’ll find all the details here!  From location, to fees, to camping prices, we’ll discuss it all.  Let’s dive right in.  

Important Links (Map, State Park Website, Link to Camping Article)

• Henrys Lake State Park website
• Trail Map (PDF)
• Camping Reservations
• Camping Journal – Never Forget Your Camping Trips Details Again!

Location

Henrys Lake State Park is a beautiful state park in the far north-eastern corner of Idaho.  While the park is small, it is only 30 minutes away from West Yellowstone, MT and the western entrance into Yellowstone National Park.  

If you are looking to take a day trip here, you’re looking at a 1.5 hour drive from Idaho Falls, a little over a 5 hour drive from Boise, and a little over a 6 hour drive from Coeur d’Alene. If you’re driving that far, you’ll want to look into one of the options for staying here over night.  But we’ll get to that!

Fees

Like many state parks, there are fees associated with entering Henrys Lake State Park. To enter the park for day use, it’ll cost you $7 per vehicle entry.  

Unfortunately, this fee is NOT waived if you are camping here.  So on top of the camping fees (which we’ll get to later), you will have to pay an additional $7 per day of staying here.  For example, if you are camping for 5 days, you will have to pay an extra $35 in addition to the camping fees.  

Now, this does add up quickly!  But lucky for you, there are a few annual passes that can help you save some money.  

Annual Pass Options

If you are an Idaho resident, the Idaho State Parks Passport is a great way to save a TON of money on entrance fees. This pass can be purchased when you renew your registration at the DMV and it costs $10 per car, per year.  

If you are a non-resident, there is a $80 Motor Vehicle Entry Fee (MVEF) Annual sticker available for purchase. This waives all entrance fees for a 12 month period.  Mathematically, this only makes sense if you plan to visit this state park for at least 12 days, or plan to visit multiple state parks throughout the year.  You’ll have to do a little math if this makes sense for you!

For all the details on Idaho State Park fees, head to this website.  This will give you a good heads up for any extra fees that might show up for you.  

Things To Do in Henrys Lake State Park

Now that you know where to go and how much you’ll have to pay to enter, let’s discuss what all there is to do at Henrys Lake! 

At Henrys Lake State Park there is hiking, fishing, boating and paddling.  You can also go camping here, watch for birds/wildlife, or even come for an afternoon picnic.

Let’s dive right into all of these activities.  

Hiking 

There isn’t much hiking in Henrys Lake State Park.  There are a couple smaller trails that you can loop together and combine to make approximately a 3 mile loop around the park.  

Check out this park trail map for a detailed view of the trails.  Part of the trail that is attached to the campground is paved, but the rest of the trails are dirt and relatively flat.  

Boating and Paddling

At Henrys Lake, there is a great boat ramp and dock where you can launch your boat or kayak.  You can find out everything you would ever need to know about boating at this website. And if paddlesports are more your speed (or budget) you can find everything you’ll need to know at this website.

Remember to wear your life vests and stay safe out on the water!    

Fishing

If you plan to go fishing at Henrys Lake State Park, you are required to have a fishing license from the state of Idaho.  If you are a resident, this is fairly affordable to purchase, however if you are from out of state, you’ll need to read up on the different types of fishing licenses.  

All children under the age of 14 can fish for free in Idaho, but they must be with a legally licensed adult.  For all the fishing information in the state of Idaho, head to this website.   

Picnicking and Wildlife Watching

Before we get to camping and staying the night at Henrys Lake, let’s quickly discuss picnicking and wildlife watching.  

Down by the boat ramp and throughout the park there are picnic tables.  Snagging one of these picnic tables will guarantee you a great view of the lake and the surrounding mountains.

And if bird watching or wildlife watching is something you’re interested in, there are dozens of different types of birds and animals.  From ducks to moose and lots of species in between, you never know what you might see!  

Camping/Lodging

And the final way to spend your time in Henrys Lake State Park is by going camping or renting a cabin.  There are a few options to choose from here so let’s break it down.

First up are the Walk-In Tent Sites.  These walk in sites are in the Wooly Bugger area and they are for tents only.  There are no fire pits or picnic tables at these sites and the only water available is at a central spigot.  

Next are the Electric & Shared Water Sites which are in the Adams Loop.  These sites have electric and shared water that you cannot stay connected to.  Each site has a picnic table and a fire pit.  Be aware, that sites 29 and 31 are ELECTRIC ONLY, so if you book these you will have to fill up your tanks on the way in.  

The third type of campsite are the Electric & Water Sites.  These sites are in the Blue Dun Loop and the Caddis Loop.  They have a firepit, picnic table and a patio sort of area.  

And the final type of campsite at Henrys Lake State Park are the Full Hook-Up Sites.  These sites are just a select few in the Caddis Loop and they are a few dollars more.  They have electric/water/sewer hook-ups, as well as the typical firepit and picnic table.  

Cabins   

If camping isn’t your thing, there are also 3 camper cabins available to book.  These cabins can sleep up to 5 people with a double bed and a bunk bed with a double bed on the bottom.  

The cabins include beds for up to 5 people, AC/Heating, Electricity, Lighting, Water, a Front Porch, an Outdoor Grill and a Small Table in the cabin.

The cabins do not include bedding, restrooms, or a kitchen.  These cabins are essentially 1-room wooden tents.  So you will still need to bring all of your camping accessories to be able to cook and sleep in this little camper cabin.  

You can book the Pelican or Snowfly Cabins, which are waterfront(pictured above).  Or you can book the Cut Bow Cabin, which is in the Adams camping loop and is handicap accessible.  

Amenities

• Electric/Water Hook-Up Sites
• Full Hook-Up Sites
• Dump Station
• Showers and Bathrooms
• Picnic Area
• Boat Ramp
• Cabins
• Hiking Trails
• Wildlife and Birding
• Fishing

Camping Prices

**Disclaimer, these are the prices for the summer of 2026.  Prices are subject to change based on holiday, weekend, price increase, etc.  This section is just to give you an idea of what to set your budget at.**

Walk-In Tent Sites

• $12 per night (Idaho Resident)
• $24 per night (Out-of-State Resident)

Electric & Shared Water AND Electric/Water Sites

• $35 per night (M-F) (Idaho Resident)
• $42 per night (Sat/Sun) (Idaho Resident)
• $70 per night (M-F) (Out-of-State Resident)
• $84 per night (Sat/Sun) (Out-of-State Resident)

Full Hook-Up Sites

• $44 per night (M-F) (Idaho Resident)
• $46 per night (Sat/Sun) (Idaho Resident)
• $90 per night (M-F) (Out-of-State Resident)
• $92 per night (Sat/Sun) (Out-of-State Resident)

Up to 5 Person Cabin

• $80 per night (Idaho Resident)
• $90 per night (Out-of-State Resident)

Again, these prices are just to give you an idea of what you’ll have to pay to stay here.  

Once you’re here, what is there to do in the area?

Things to do in the area

Considering you’re only 30 minutes from Yellowstone’s western entrance and the town of West Yellowstone, there is so much to do!

If you’re heading into West Yellowstone, there are amazing shops to hop through and there are dozens of tasty restaurants.   There are also plenty of companies that you can book with to guide you around Yellowstone National Park.  Remember, this town is NOT particularly cheap, but it’s a very cute place to explore if you’re staying in Henrys Lake State Park.

And of course Yellowstone National Park is a major highlight!  If you have the time to drive all around the park, you’ll want to check out the Grand Prismatic, Old Faithful, Yellowstone Falls, and the other beautiful geysers in the area.  And for wildlife, you’ll want to check out Hayden Valley and Lamar Valley for wolves, bears, elk, bison, and other animals.  

There are other things to do in the state of Idaho as well, such as hiking, chasing waterfalls, and exploring Rexburg, Idaho Falls, and other similar towns.  

Conclusion

Henrys Lake State Park is a great place to go fishing, boating or simply sit around a campfire and relax.  And if you’re looking for a great homebase for Yellowstone National Park, without being in the hustle and bustle of town, you’ll love camping here.

There are several ways to camp or stay here, however, be aware of the out-of-state increased prices.  There isn’t much hiking here, but these mountain views are stunning.  

Regardless of how you spend your time at Henrys Lake State Park, there is something for everyone here.  If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me at averagewildexperience@gmail.com and I’ll do my best to help.

-Happy Camping!