PARKS &
RECREATION

Harriman State Park: Ranch.  Refuge.  Retreat.

Harriman State Park lies within a 16,000-acre wildlife refuge in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.  Known for its beautiful scenery and wildlife, Harriman State Park offers 22-miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails that slink through meadows, meander along river banks and through lush evergreen forests.  Some of the best fly fishing waters in the nation flow through 8 miles of Harriman State Park, known by anglers the world over as “the Ranch.”  Moose, elk and Trumpeter swans, the world’s largest waterfowl species, are a common sight at Harriman. 

Visitors can stay overnight in Harriman’s unique overnight facilities, such as the rustic Yurts or Ranch Manager’s House.  Harriman’s rental facilities are perfect for family events, weddings, retreats and learning conferences.  During the summer, tours of the historic Railroad Ranch buildings and interpretive nature programs are offered on weekends and holidays by our knowledgeable park rangers.  Winter activities include over 24 miles of groomed Nordic skiing trails, snowshoeing, and fat biking.  The historic Jones House serves as a warming hut on weekends, offering views of Henrys Fork and its wintering wildlife.  

Be sure to check out Harriman State Park on Facebook for up-to-date information about what's happening at the park.
 

Jr Ranger Program

Harriman State Park recently released their new Jr. Ranger Program!
Funds for badges and printing costs were provided by FHSP.
Explore the activity book and pick one up at the park visitor center during your next visit.

This park is generously supported by the Friends of Harriman State Park.

The Railroad Ranch was the full-time or part-time home of Roland and Gladys Harriman, ranch managers, cattle foremen and cowboys. Now it can be your part-time home, too. Follow the links below for more details on the various lodging opportunities in Harriman State Park.

Railroad Ranch Dormitory & Dining Hall

• Groups of 15 to 40 can reserve the rustic log dormitory and original Railroad Ranch Cookhouse

Bunkhouse & Cookhouse

• Bunkhouse accommodates up to 13 people

Laura Clarke Scovel Education Center

• The Scovel Education Center is a group facility with 10 cabins and a conference center surrounding a court yard

Boys House

• The Boys House is a completely renovated meeting room with river front views

Ranch Manager's House

• This 4-bedroom fully furnished log home has a modern kitchen, a rustic knotty-pine living room with a stone fireplace and an enclosed sun porch. It's perfect for that once-in-a-lifetime fly-fishing vacation

Cattle Foreman's House

• This is a beautifully furnished three-bedroom cabin located within the historic Railroad Ranch. A wood burning stove, complete kitchen, bunk beds, and two queen size beds make this historic cabin an incredibly comfortable way to enjoy Harriman State Park. 

Harriman Yurts

• Two Mongolian-style domed tents are available near Silver Lake
• Learn more about yurts in Idaho State Parks.

Fat Bikes at Harriman

At Harriman State Park, biking is a year round sport –and Fat Bike riders can now enjoy access to 24 miles of groomed Nordic trails.  With fatter tires that provide traction in snowy conditions, Fat Bikes can ride groomed trails with ease, giving people of all skill levels a new way to explore the park.  With Harriman’s established winter grooming program and unique overnight rental facilities, adding Fatbikes to the park’s recreation experience is a great fit.  Welcoming Fat Bikes into the park has had many benefits, such as the creation of new and unique recreation experiences and opportunities, continued access to recreational trails, and having drawn new user groups to the park.  These benefits not only accomplish many goals of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreations’ Strategic Plan, but will generate revenue to help make Harriman a self-sustaining park that continues to offer exciting and diverse recreation opportunities.  In addition to the daily Motor Vehicle Entry Fee of $5, riders are charged a $5 per day Winter Access Fee, which supports Harriman’s trail grooming program.

Fat Bike Etiquette

Fat Bike riders are the new users on the trails; here are a few tips to keep in mind when riding:

• Please respect others. Bikes yield to all other users. Downhill users yield to uphill users. Stop completely and step off the trail.
• Please have a minimum width of 3.7-inch diameter tires with pressure of 5 P.S.I. or less.
• Trails Conditions– Ride on the most firm part of the track.  Do not ride in soft snow conditions; if you leave a rut deeper than 1 inch, it’s too soft.
• Please be prepared before venturing out.  Check local weather and road reports.
• Dress in layers and bring a headlight if planning on riding into dusk.
• Spread the word about Fat Biking, make it fun, keep it safe.
• Be an ambassador for the sport – stay polite, educate other bikers, discourage bad behavior, follow the rules, and we’ll all have a good time this winter.
• Please remember to pay your entrance and use fees.  Passes are available at the Visitor Center: Daily Winter Access Fee: $5  / Motor Vehicle Entry Fee: $5
• Grooming operations are planned for two days a week (Monday and Friday evenings), weather and snow permitting.  Trail junctions are marked with a map and intersection number.
• This is Harriman State Park’s first winter season building Fat Bike trails; please share your comments and suggestions to help us improve your recreation experience.

For more information, please contact Harriman State Park at 208-558-7368 or har@idpr.idaho.gov.

Download Harriman maps

Location Map

Harriman Trail Map

Location Map for Premium Nordic Area

Connector Map for Harriman / Brimstone Ski Area

Winter Trail Map and Guide (B/W)

Winter Trail Map and Guice (color)

Wildlife Refuge Boundary Map

Wildlife Refuge Boundary Map (B&W)

Trail Update:

Spring has sprung at Harriman State Park and seasonal trail closures are in effect. The John Muir Trail is closed at intersections 1 and 3. The River Trail is closed at intersections 2, 4, 5, and 7, and from the Silver lake dam to 4.  The Big Bend Loop is closed at intersections 10, 13, 14, 15, and 16. The East Gate Trail is also closed from intersection 13 to 13a at East Gate. These trails along the river will be closed for waterfowl nesting until June 15^th.

The Ridge Trail will be closed for elk calving at Intersections 19, 20, and 23, and will reopen July 1^st.

The Golden Lake Loop is also closed at intersections 15 and 16 to the Golden Lake Overlook, due to a dam failure and subsequent repairs.

Trail maps are available at the office. For more information, contact the park office at 208-558-7368.

Harriman Links and Events

Mesa Falls Mesa Falls Recreation Area is owned by the US Forest Service and co-managed by Harriman State Park.

Summer/Spring Big Falls Inn, an interpretive building and store, is open from Memorial weekend to mid-September from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Don't miss Lower Mesa Falls, which is about a mile away.

Winter

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 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 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. 

More information

Harriman State Park - Horseback Riding Concession

The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) is seeking proposals for the operation of a Horseback Riding Concession at Harriman State Park of Idaho, located in Island Park, Idaho. The agreement would be for ten (10) years. Concessionaire is required to; have insurance that is no less than $2,000,000.00 aggregate, pay a percentage of Gross Receipts and pay property taxes on 190 acres of associated grazed pastures.

Interested parties may submit proposals on a provided Qualifications Statement, and must meet the following minimum service requirements: Guided Horseback Rides for families and larger groups, within Harriman State Park and the Harriman Wildlife Refuge; Provide Interpretive/Educational programming in conjunction with guided horseback rides; a promotion and marketing strategy; an accurate accounting system to monitor usage and gross receipts; provisions for the maintenance of utilized trails; an adequate program of Horse care including Vet checks; supply of all required equipment and provide for its maintenance; and a Financial Compensation Package (Percentage % of Gross Receipts) to IDPR.

Parties submitting proposals must demonstrate a verifiable work history of no less than 5 years in providing similar services to the public, and provide references documenting stated work history.

Proposals will be evaluated on the achievement of meeting minimum requirements, the proposals thoroughness in meeting IDPR objectives, the financial compensation proposal, and the technical qualifications and experience of the concession operator. For more information on submitting a proposal, or to obtain a Bidders Package and/or a copy of unassigned agreement, Please download a bid form below or contact the park directly at: Harriman State Park of Idaho, 3489 Green Canyon Road, Island Park, ID 83429, 208-558-7368 and ask for John Sullivan, Park Manager or Bert Mecham, Assistant Park Manager.

An Open House for prospective bidders will be held on January 19, 2016 at 10:00 AM and start at the main Park Headquarters.

All proposals should be submitted to Harriman State Park of Idaho, Attention Park Manager, at the above address and must be submitted by January 27, 2016 at 5 PM.

Bid Forms

Bidder's Proposal and Qualification Statement

Harriman State Park: Ranch.  Refuge.  Retreat.

Harriman State Park lies within a 16,000-acre wildlife refuge in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.  Known for its beautiful scenery and wildlife, Harriman State Park offers 22-miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails that slink through meadows, meander along river banks and through lush evergreen forests.  Some of the best fly fishing waters in the nation flow through 8 miles of Harriman State Park, known by anglers the world over as “the Ranch.”  Moose, elk and Trumpeter swans, the world’s largest waterfowl species, are a common sight at Harriman. 

Visitors can stay overnight in Harriman’s unique overnight facilities, such as the rustic Yurts or Ranch Manager’s House.  Harriman’s rental facilities are perfect for family events, weddings, retreats and learning conferences.  During the summer, tours of the historic Railroad Ranch buildings and interpretive nature programs are offered on weekends and holidays by our knowledgeable park rangers.  Winter activities include over 24 miles of groomed Nordic skiing trails, snowshoeing, and fat biking.  The historic Jones House serves as a warming hut on weekends, offering views of Henrys Fork and its wintering wildlife.  

Be sure to check out Harriman State Park on Facebook for up-to-date information about what's happening at the park.
 

Jr Ranger Program

Harriman State Park recently released their new Jr. Ranger Program!
Funds for badges and printing costs were provided by FHSP.
Explore the activity book and pick one up at the park visitor center during your next visit.

This park is generously supported by the Friends of Harriman State Park.

The Railroad Ranch was the full-time or part-time home of Roland and Gladys Harriman, ranch managers, cattle foremen and cowboys. Now it can be your part-time home, too. Follow the links below for more details on the various lodging opportunities in Harriman State Park.

Railroad Ranch Dormitory & Dining Hall

• Groups of 15 to 40 can reserve the rustic log dormitory and original Railroad Ranch Cookhouse

Bunkhouse & Cookhouse

• Bunkhouse accommodates up to 13 people

Laura Clarke Scovel Education Center

• The Scovel Education Center is a group facility with 10 cabins and a conference center surrounding a court yard

Boys House

• The Boys House is a completely renovated meeting room with river front views

Ranch Manager's House

• This 4-bedroom fully furnished log home has a modern kitchen, a rustic knotty-pine living room with a stone fireplace and an enclosed sun porch. It's perfect for that once-in-a-lifetime fly-fishing vacation

Cattle Foreman's House

• This is a beautifully furnished three-bedroom cabin located within the historic Railroad Ranch. A wood burning stove, complete kitchen, bunk beds, and two queen size beds make this historic cabin an incredibly comfortable way to enjoy Harriman State Park. 

Harriman Yurts

• Two Mongolian-style domed tents are available near Silver Lake
• Learn more about yurts in Idaho State Parks.

Fat Bikes at Harriman

At Harriman State Park, biking is a year round sport –and Fat Bike riders can now enjoy access to 24 miles of groomed Nordic trails.  With fatter tires that provide traction in snowy conditions, Fat Bikes can ride groomed trails with ease, giving people of all skill levels a new way to explore the park.  With Harriman’s established winter grooming program and unique overnight rental facilities, adding Fatbikes to the park’s recreation experience is a great fit.  Welcoming Fat Bikes into the park has had many benefits, such as the creation of new and unique recreation experiences and opportunities, continued access to recreational trails, and having drawn new user groups to the park.  These benefits not only accomplish many goals of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreations’ Strategic Plan, but will generate revenue to help make Harriman a self-sustaining park that continues to offer exciting and diverse recreation opportunities.  In addition to the daily Motor Vehicle Entry Fee of $5, riders are charged a $5 per day Winter Access Fee, which supports Harriman’s trail grooming program.

Fat Bike Etiquette

Fat Bike riders are the new users on the trails; here are a few tips to keep in mind when riding:

• Please respect others. Bikes yield to all other users. Downhill users yield to uphill users. Stop completely and step off the trail.
• Please have a minimum width of 3.7-inch diameter tires with pressure of 5 P.S.I. or less.
• Trails Conditions– Ride on the most firm part of the track.  Do not ride in soft snow conditions; if you leave a rut deeper than 1 inch, it’s too soft.
• Please be prepared before venturing out.  Check local weather and road reports.
• Dress in layers and bring a headlight if planning on riding into dusk.
• Spread the word about Fat Biking, make it fun, keep it safe.
• Be an ambassador for the sport – stay polite, educate other bikers, discourage bad behavior, follow the rules, and we’ll all have a good time this winter.
• Please remember to pay your entrance and use fees.  Passes are available at the Visitor Center: Daily Winter Access Fee: $5  / Motor Vehicle Entry Fee: $5
• Grooming operations are planned for two days a week (Monday and Friday evenings), weather and snow permitting.  Trail junctions are marked with a map and intersection number.
• This is Harriman State Park’s first winter season building Fat Bike trails; please share your comments and suggestions to help us improve your recreation experience.

For more information, please contact Harriman State Park at 208-558-7368 or har@idpr.idaho.gov.

Download Harriman maps

Location Map

Harriman Trail Map

Location Map for Premium Nordic Area

Connector Map for Harriman / Brimstone Ski Area

Winter Trail Map and Guide (B/W)

Winter Trail Map and Guice (color)

Wildlife Refuge Boundary Map

Wildlife Refuge Boundary Map (B&W)

Trail Update:

Spring has sprung at Harriman State Park and seasonal trail closures are in effect. The John Muir Trail is closed at intersections 1 and 3. The River Trail is closed at intersections 2, 4, 5, and 7, and from the Silver lake dam to 4.  The Big Bend Loop is closed at intersections 10, 13, 14, 15, and 16. The East Gate Trail is also closed from intersection 13 to 13a at East Gate. These trails along the river will be closed for waterfowl nesting until June 15^th.

The Ridge Trail will be closed for elk calving at Intersections 19, 20, and 23, and will reopen July 1^st.

The Golden Lake Loop is also closed at intersections 15 and 16 to the Golden Lake Overlook, due to a dam failure and subsequent repairs.

Trail maps are available at the office. For more information, contact the park office at 208-558-7368.

Harriman Links and Events

Mesa Falls Mesa Falls Recreation Area is owned by the US Forest Service and co-managed by Harriman State Park.

Summer/Spring Big Falls Inn, an interpretive building and store, is open from Memorial weekend to mid-September from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Don't miss Lower Mesa Falls, which is about a mile away.

Winter

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 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 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. 

More information

Harriman State Park - Horseback Riding Concession

The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) is seeking proposals for the operation of a Horseback Riding Concession at Harriman State Park of Idaho, located in Island Park, Idaho. The agreement would be for ten (10) years. Concessionaire is required to; have insurance that is no less than $2,000,000.00 aggregate, pay a percentage of Gross Receipts and pay property taxes on 190 acres of associated grazed pastures.

Interested parties may submit proposals on a provided Qualifications Statement, and must meet the following minimum service requirements: Guided Horseback Rides for families and larger groups, within Harriman State Park and the Harriman Wildlife Refuge; Provide Interpretive/Educational programming in conjunction with guided horseback rides; a promotion and marketing strategy; an accurate accounting system to monitor usage and gross receipts; provisions for the maintenance of utilized trails; an adequate program of Horse care including Vet checks; supply of all required equipment and provide for its maintenance; and a Financial Compensation Package (Percentage % of Gross Receipts) to IDPR.

Parties submitting proposals must demonstrate a verifiable work history of no less than 5 years in providing similar services to the public, and provide references documenting stated work history.

Proposals will be evaluated on the achievement of meeting minimum requirements, the proposals thoroughness in meeting IDPR objectives, the financial compensation proposal, and the technical qualifications and experience of the concession operator. For more information on submitting a proposal, or to obtain a Bidders Package and/or a copy of unassigned agreement, Please download a bid form below or contact the park directly at: Harriman State Park of Idaho, 3489 Green Canyon Road, Island Park, ID 83429, 208-558-7368 and ask for John Sullivan, Park Manager or Bert Mecham, Assistant Park Manager.

An Open House for prospective bidders will be held on January 19, 2016 at 10:00 AM and start at the main Park Headquarters.

All proposals should be submitted to Harriman State Park of Idaho, Attention Park Manager, at the above address and must be submitted by January 27, 2016 at 5 PM.

Bid Forms

Bidder's Proposal and Qualification Statement