Idaho / Fremont County / Caribou-Targhee National Forest

Buttermilk

Closed — Closed for the season. The campground operates from late May through early September, with reservations available via Recreation.gov. Off-season access is weather-dependent, first-come first-served with no fee, but no water or toilet services are provided.

About

Buttermilk Campground is nestled along the scenic shores of Island Park Reservoir in beautiful Island Park, Idaho, approximately 30 miles southwest of West Yellowstone, Montana and 32 miles north of Ashton, Idaho. At an elevation of 6,200 feet within the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, the campground sits in a volcanic caldera landscape covered by lodgepole pine forest that provides partial shade to some sites while others enjoy open sunny views near the reservoir's edge. The campground offers 47 single-family sites, 6 double-family sites, and one group site accommodating up to 150 people. Each site includes a picnic table and campfire ring. The facility provides vault toilets, drinking water, trash collection, and an on-site host. One site features 15-amp electric hookups. Paved access roads lead to gravel interior loops with parking spurs that accommodate RVs up to 50 feet, making it big rig friendly. A concrete boat ramp with docks provides easy access to Island Park Reservoir. Island Park is renowned for world-class fishing, with the Henry's Fork known as one of the nation's premier fly-fishing streams. Anglers target rainbow, cutthroat and brook trout, as well as kokanee salmon in the reservoir. The reservoir also offers boating, waterskiing, and kayaking, though water levels recede throughout summer due to irrigation use. Nearby attractions include Mesa Falls Scenic Byway (13 miles south) with overlooks of 110-foot Upper Mesa Falls and 85-foot Lower Mesa Falls, Harriman State Park (15 miles south) with over 20 miles of trails, and Yellowstone National Park's west entrance just 29 miles north. The area provides abundant wildlife viewing opportunities including moose, elk, deer, bald eagles, and Sandhill cranes.

Directions

From West Yellowstone, Montana, travel south on Highway 20 for approximately 25 miles. From Idaho Falls, travel north on Highway 20 for approximately 79 miles. Turn west onto Yale-Kilgore Road (across from Elk Creek Gas Station), travel 2 miles, then turn left onto Buttermilk Loop Road #126 and continue 3 miles to the campground.

Nearby Campgrounds