Harriman State Park

Coordinates: 44°19'21.31"N 111°27'35.82"W

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Most people driving north on US-20 toward Yellowstone blow right past Harriman State Park. They are missing out!

Located just south of Island Park — about 1 hour 30 minutes from Xhale — Harriman is an 11,000-acre wildlife refuge sitting in the heart of the Henry's Fork valley. Open meadows, dense forest, a blue-ribbon trout river, and more wildlife per square mile than most places you'll visit on this trip. It's part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, which means the animals here don't know they've left the park.

The History

Harriman wasn't always public land. From 1902 to 1977 it operated as a private cattle ranch and retreat for Union Pacific Railroad investors — most notably the Harriman and Guggenheim families, who used it as a summer sanctuary and kept it entirely closed to outsiders for 75 years.

In 1977, the Harriman family donated the land to the State of Idaho with a single condition: that it be preserved as a place where "man is in harmony with nature." The park opened to the public in 1982. The original ranch buildings — cabins, barns, a root cellar — are still standing and open to explore. Walking through them gives the place a distinctly different character than a typical state park.

Wildlife

Harriman is one of the most reliable places in Eastern Idaho to see moose, and the Henry's Fork corridor draws trumpeter swans — North America's largest waterfowl — in significant numbers, particularly in spring and fall. Sandhill cranes, bald eagles, osprey, and elk round out what you're likely to see on any given visit. Black bear sightings are occasional but not unusual.

Spring is the most active season for birds, when migratory species return and the swans are most visible. Fall brings elk into the open meadows and drops the crowds significantly.

What to Do

The stretch of Henry's Fork running through Harriman — known among fly fishermen simply as "the Ranch" — has a devoted following of anglers who plan entire trips around it. The river here is catch-and-release only, and the combination of cold, clear water and undisturbed habitat produces the kind of fishing that earns a place a long-term reputation.

For non-anglers, Harriman has over 22 miles of trails through meadows, riverbanks, and forest, open to hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders. In winter, those same trails convert to 25+ miles of groomed Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and fat-tire biking routes. The Ridge Trail in winter offers clear views of the Teton Range on good days.

Practical Details

• Entry: Day use fee applies — confirm current rates at Idaho Parks and Recreation
• Cabin tours: Available seasonally — contact the park directly
• Trails: 22+ miles · Open to hikers, cyclists, and horses · Accessible entry points near the visitor center
• Winter: Groomed Nordic ski trails typically open December through March, snowpack dependent
• Contact: Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation — (208) 558-7368
• Getting there: From Xhale, head north on US-20 approximately 80 miles. The park entrance is on the west side of US-20 just south of Mack's Inn. Well-signed from the highway

Where It Fits in Your Day

Harriman works well as a standalone morning trip from Xhale — leave by 7 AM, arrive by 8:30, spend two to three hours on the trails or along the river, and you're back at Xhale by early afternoon with time for a spa appointment. It also pairs naturally with Big Springs, which is about 10 minutes further north up US-20. Do both in the same day and you have a full Eastern Idaho loop without touching Yellowstone.

Sources

• Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation — Harriman State Park
• Henry's Fork Foundation
• The Trumpeter Swan Society
• Xhale Resort & Spa

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