Buttermilk Campground

📌 Island Park Area 📍 44.432397,-111.426221 ⛰ 6,336 ft

Buttermilk Campground sits on the northeast shore of Island Park Reservoir. A lodgepole pine forest covers the campground and provides shade for most campsites, some more than others. Loop A is on a hill overlooking the lake while Loop B is lower. Neither loop offers a good beach. There is a public boat ramp giving access for fishing and boating activities on Island Lake Reservoir.

Amenities

Campsites

The 54 campsites are equipped with a picnic table and fire pit with attached grate. There is room for your RV and your tent in most sites. The road and driveways are gravel while the sites are natural. The group site has 9 sites in a circle around the community table, fire pit, and parking area.

Water

Water is available from a pressurized water system with faucets scattered throughout the campground. The water was clear and cool.

Restroom

These may be the nicest vault style outhouses you run into and they are very clean.

Electricity

Campsite 38 in loop B is the only site to offer electricity. In my opinion it is the least desirable site in the campground. There would be foot traffic to and from the boat docks going through your site and there is no shade.

Firewood

Bundles of firewood are available from the hosts for $6 each.

Pets

Pets are allowed but must be kept on a leash.

Picnic Area

No, there is no picnic area in Buttermilk Campground.

Handicap Access

The outhouses are handicap accessible but there are no handicap sites.

RV Dump Site

The nearest RV dump station we found is located near Mac's Inn.

Host On-Site

Both loops have a host.

Phone Service

There is no pay phone but our ATT cell phone had reception here.

Garbage Services

Please use the garbage dumpsters to dispose of your garbage as there are both black and grizzly bear living in these woods.

Recreation

Fishing

Trout and white fish abound in both Island Park Reservoir and Henry's Fork of the Snake River. Check the regulations for restrictions and limits.

Boating

Buttermilk campground has a boat ramp with 2 docks at the ramp, another 2 docks located in loop A, and a good sized parking area for your trailers. I was not able to find out whether the docks in loop A were for mooring or swimming.

Swimming

I found no marked swimming area.

Recreation

Recreation activities nearby include camping, fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, photography, wildlife watching and sightseeing. Remember Yellowstone National Park is only a short drive to the northeast.

Wildlife

We watched 2 moose swim across the lake to the island so there are moose! One might also see deer and other small forest animals. Black and grizzly bear also live in these woods.

Fees & Reservations

Fee Schedule

As of April 2017 singles are $15($21 with electricity), doubles are $30 and the group site is $65.00. Looking at the schedule the group site appears to be almost sold out already.

Reservations

22 of these sites may be reserved at recreation.gov.

Fees & Res.

For the current fee schedule and to reserve a campsite go to recreation.gov.

Getting There

From Boise, Idaho check out this Google Map.

7-Day Forecast

National Weather Service

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This information is accurate as of the date of the review.