Buttermilk Campground

Signs and Info

Campsites

Facilities

Recreation

Name: Buttermilk Campground

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.

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.

Host on Site: Both loops have a host.

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

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

Electricity Available: 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.

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

Handicap Accessible: The outhouses are handicap accessible but there are no handicap sites.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Additional Camping Opportunities: We have reviews for these nearby campground; Henry's Lake State Park, Bill Frome County Park, Big Springs Campground, Flat Rock Campground, Upper Coffee Pot Campground, Buffalo Campground and McCrea Bridge Campground.

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

Nearby Services: Food, pop, gas and other supplies and services may also be found at Mac's Inn and other businesses along Hwy 20.

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

Location/Driving instructions: From Boise, Idaho check out this Google Map.

Coordinates: 44.432397,-111.426221

Elevation: 6336 Feet

Reviewed Date: July 2012

Fees And Reservations: 22 of these sites may be reserved at recreation.gov. 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.

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