Ep. 109: Island Park | Idaho RV travel camping

The area of southeastern Idaho known as Island Park is mostly a large crater, or caldera, named the Henry's Fork Caldera that was created by the same volcanic hotspot that created the later and much larger Yellowstone Caldera nearby. For the July 4th Independence Day holiday we find a boondocking camp right on the water at Island Park Reservoir for a little kayaking and camping with friends, while visiting Mesa Falls and Harriman State Park in this little town with a very unique history, just 25 minutes from Yellowstone National Park.
Filmed: July 1-6, 2019.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
* Our campsite goo.gl/maps/f2uX7XnacbdDN4SQ8
* Mesa Falls www.fs.usda.gov/detail/ctnf/s...
* Grandview Campground www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ctnf/...
* Harriman State Park parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/...
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CREDITS
* All music in this episode is open source and obtained from the KZbin Audio Library / audiolibrary , or licensed from Soundstripe SoundStripe.com.
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Welcome to Grand Adventure, a KZbin channel that focuses on RV-centric outdoor activities including not only of course camping, but also mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, skiing and more, nearly always filmed in stunning 4K.
We're based in Salt Lake City, Utah, and invite you to come along as we travel all around the western U.S. My wife Patricia and I, and our dogs Zoe and Maggie are avid boondockers, so you'll seldom find us in RV parks or even dry campgrounds. Instead, we're usually camped in some of the most remote and beautiful spots that you could ever pull a travel trailer into. And unlike most other RV channels on KZbin, we're not RV dealers or full-timers -- we're weekend warriors just like you!
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[@4blake]

Dude, you rock and have the best locations! Always a learning experience to be sure.

[@selbyjones1840]

Boy. that looked fun. I love the way you take your pupps and let them run....

[@GrandAdventure]

That's one important reason why we prefer boondocking, Selby. We hate having to leash them while we're camping.

[@pegasusteam]

Oh man, now I'm homesick. Born n raised just south of there. I've spent many fun weekends in IP and area.

[@GrandAdventure]

That whole Rexford/Idaho Falls area is very pretty, Ron. You grew up in a wonderful area. Happy that we could bring you back.

[@shore51]

Thank you very much for your videos. I find them really enjoyable. You share a manageable amount of information about the area you are visiting, give an appropriate historical background and then talk about it’s beauty. Very well laid out, honestly

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you so much! We're thrilled that you appreciate our video style, and we're very glad to have you here.

[@0896john]

My family goes up there every year for opening day of fishing and fish Henry's Lake, which is right up the road from Island Park, thank you for letting me see the area..

[@GrandAdventure]

Pity that we never made it to Henry's Lake this trip, although our friends with whom we were camping did. It just saves something for a return visit, right?

[@kimprebish9091]

Mark, I’ve really been enjoying your videos! You responded to me back in March regarding internet for doing business on the road. Since then, I’ve been watching lots of your adventures. I’m very new to camping/RV’s. I purchased a Winnebago Micro Minnie at the end of last summer and have only been out 3 times. So learning! I’ve been watching your Idaho videos as I live I Victor, ID. I’m trying to learn as much as I can about using my travel trailer from camping/boon docking to backing up! ha. Thank you for your very insightful and much needed information!

[@GrandAdventure]

You're most welcome Kim! It's all a learning process for all of us, and it never ends. But that's part of the fun. Best wishes for success with your new Micro Minnie!

[@dramaqueen3306]

Sure am enjoying your videos. This is how I see myself camping. No crowds, just the beauty of nature. Thank you

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks again, Drama Queen! (Geez, it feels funny typing that. 😉) Coming from a lifetime of backpacking and dispersed car camping ourselves, it's natural that this is the type of camping we look for now with an RV.

[@sk-wx1cf]

​I love watching your videos. I appreciate how articulate and informative the narrative is. Great job! Thanks!

[@GrandAdventure]

And we sure appreciate our viewers! Thank you s k!

[@geneblast]

Totally agree!!!!

[@GrandAdventure]

@@geneblast thanks so much!

[@williamkeil8414]

Outstanding video , awesome.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you so very much as always, William!

[@chrislonsberry4571]

Your videos are always over before you know it! They’re so interesting! This place rocks!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you so much, Chris, and yes it does!

[@merlin1477024]

Another great video and thanks for telling about the friendliness of parks toward dogs and so much more. Great job, Marc!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks so much as always, Mark. Appreciate ya!

[@tomaustin4526]

Awesome 👏👍❤️😎🌎thanks for sharing and safe travels

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you as always, Tom! Safe travels and happy trails to you as well.

[@daviddogan7383]

Great Channel thank you

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you, David! We're happy that you've found us.

[@ricfly52]

I am Idaho born and raised. Best fishing in the world on the Henry's Fork. The north and south fork of the Snake, the Yellowstone, and up north the Madison. I was there in May, and will be back in August. Travel on friend. Great video!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks for the native input, Ric! Some day we'll drop a line up there. And we appreciate you watching.

[@fberger54]

Great videos, thanks for sharing the journey.

[@GrandAdventure]

And thanks for coming along on it, Fred!

[@skpjoecoursegold366]

beautiful.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you so much!

[@DrJohn493]

I think you found the Idaho Potato Guy's Big Potato Truck he's been looking for!!

[@GrandAdventure]

😅

[@NigelNaughton]

Wonderful video!! Love how informative you are.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Nigel! We appreciate your watching.

[@Gmar69]

That Silver Lake sign said no fishing...

[@WILDEBILL308]

Great video. We are in ABQ for a couple days as we work our way North. If a place doesn't like dogs I don't think I can like them.🤔

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks, William! As I told another commenter we too were miffed by that, but that's only in the small State Park that we toured because our fee for Mesa Falls also covered the state park entrance -- we had no issues with our dogs anywhere else in the Island Park area.

[@melissamathis2350]

Looks like a great camping spot! Enjoyed the video🙂

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Melissa! It was the perfect spot for the 4th - lakefront and not too busy, even for a holiday week.

[@gringo3009]

Beautiful area. Love seeing the Flag flying in camp. One of the first thing I do when setting up camp.

[@GrandAdventure]

I've got to give Arnie the credit for that one - he remembered and I didn't. But his R-Pod had nothing to attach it to.

[@michaelfitzgerald434]

Henry's Fork! Wow, you are definitely in Mountain Man country. I believe one of the fabled rendezvous was held alone that river!

[@GrandAdventure]

Almost, Michael, but good thought! There's another Henry's Fork, of the Green River where the first Rocky Mountain Rendezvous was held in 1825 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Mountain_Rendezvous . That's on the north slope of the Uinta Mountains where next Wednesday's Episode 110 was filmed. This episode is at the Henry's Fork of the Snake.

[@spellmadam2947]

Wow another spectacular video. We love Idaho so much we call it home. Thanks for highlighting the Island Park area.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Spell Madam! You live in a beautiful state.

[@rhs317]

Great video as usual! Headed to Idaho next month and hope to check this area out. Thanks!

[@GrandAdventure]

You're very welcome, thank you so much!

[@gavinstreetie1473]

Love the upper and lower Mesa falls very colourful area good walking area I would imagine, still a little difficult to appreciate the size of the parks but we are trying ! Great film Thankyou

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you G&Z! Just to clarify we're not actually in a park in this episode. While we're near Yellowstone, Island Park is a community rather than a park.

[@slmishler]

Another great place to add to my list of places to check out! Have come to look forward to your next adventure and another potential place for us to visit in the future. Thanks and keep them coming.

[@GrandAdventure]

We truly appreciate that, Steven!

[@laughingram7287]

Very informative. Beautiful water falls. Have you ever done any bike riding at Harriman Park? Looks like a great place to ride with all the trails. Strange to see a camping area so empty on a Fourth of July. Thanks Marc!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks Ram! We checked out the park but I didn't bring the bike that trip, only the kayak.

[@craigcardwell7118]

Marc, another grand episode!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you for another grand comment, Craig!

[@ericmoore6934]

awesome, love Idaho !

[@GrandAdventure]

As do we, Eric! Thank you.

[@donpence7750]

Great video, I have many memories of that area. Lived there in the 70’s. Need to make a trip there sometime soon.

[@GrandAdventure]

Sounds like it's time for a return visit, Don!

[@stevec2665]

That was so funny. I sit down to eat dinner and watch your video and what am I eating but lamb chops while your sheep come on screen and start bellowing.

[@jeffwilcher3333]

As always ...Great .

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you so much, Jeff!

[@Racnmasn]

Beautiful boondocking spot! 👍 Great information on your camp. 😃

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Mason!

[@hillbillyadventures6557]

Another fantastic video!

[@GrandAdventure]

And another fantastic comment! Thank you Hillbilly Adventures!

[@tdvidpro]

Looks beautiful! Great editing!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you!

[@ellen1498]

I love your videos!! You show all of the out of the way places. We're travelling west next summer and I'll probably be hitting you up for some spots!

[@GrandAdventure]

Any time, Ellen - we'd be happy to help. Thanks so much for your kind comment!

[@karenr67]

Enjoy your videos.

[@GrandAdventure]

Enjoy your comments. Thank you Karen!

[@markreynolds9570]

Marc, Great video. Numbers are looking good.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you very much, Mark! We couldn't be happier.

[@scenicdriveways6708]

Great video Marc, thank you for sharing it with us! JT P.S. I LOVE SPUDS !! :)

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks so much JT! Safe travels!

[@SilverTurtle65]

Excellent video thanks for sharing your journey! I subscribed

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you SIlverTurtle65, thrilled to have you along for the ride!

[@TexomaRoadTrippers]

Great adventure! Strange that the state park doesn't allow camping, beautiful though! Thank you for sharing! Brandon

[@GrandAdventure]

We thought so too, Tex! If anything they're passing on an important revenue stream. I know that there were restrictions put in place when the Harriman and Guggenheim families donated the land to the state, perhaps that was one of them.

[@trbowlin]

I am at Henry's Lake right now!!!

[@GrandAdventure]

Hey TR! We only missed each other by a few weeks!

[@trbowlin]

@@GrandAdventure Yea, bummer. I was a Birch Creek for the 4th. Spent 14 days there, fun,FUN fishing! Not sure of my southward route yet, but if I make it through Utah I'll be in touch.

[@GrandAdventure]

@@trbowlin please do!

[@spudbono5747]

Love this area! It's been a couple years since I was there and I'm ready to go back. There was one person on your chat asking about a bug app, and I was going to suggest he might follow some of the fly fishing resources as they usually have very current hatch info.

[@GrandAdventure]

Excellent point! I'll pass that along to Angus, the guy who made the comment.

[@HoneyandMe]

Hi!! Subbed from over on FB at Midlife Rvers group! Loved the sheep!!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you! We're so happy that you did, welcome aboard.

[@TomSpurlock]

Marc, another great location that's going on my bucket-list next year. Thanks for sharing. The drone shots are great, but the canoe camera shots seems to be dropping lots of frames. What kind of camera was used for those?

[@GrandAdventure]

Good eye, Tom. We accidentally left the GoPro at home, so for the kayak shots we only had our phone. Better than nothing, but not by much.

[@mattpeak6634]

I so enjoy and appreciate your videos. Currently I have a class c motorhome but am considering a Lance travel trailer. We too love to boondock. Lance offers a 2 5/8" chassis lift as an option. Do you have issues with your trailer ride height? Wondering if you or any of your other viewers have a opinion about this?

[@GrandAdventure]

And we so enjoy receiving comments like yours! We have had no issues with the ride height, but it will be interesting to see if anyone else chimes in. we have good ground clearance but we also welded on skid plates to protect our stairs and dump valves.

[@getlostoutside6116]

Hey Marc, my wife and I are planning on taking our daughters to this location mid June. I was just curious how the forest service roads were to that area? Thanks and we really enjoy your channel!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you very much! By and large, the forest roads are very good in that area. There are of course exceptions, but most are wide and graded. Have fun, you are sure to enjoy it!

[@getlostoutside6116]

Grand Adventure Great thank you!

[@EvergreenOG]

That’s awesome, the worst park of RVing is the Rv park.

[@GrandAdventure]

We much, much prefer boondocking. On our current #AmericanHeartlandTour2020 though, because we're in parts of the country lacking true boondocking opportunities we're in campgrounds and RV parks for pretty much the first time in our RV lives, aside from the occasional one-nighter.

[@EvergreenOG]

Grand Adventure I have 83 acres wooded land just east of Sarasota Fl 10 miles if you ever want to boondock.. great beaches etc.

[@GrandAdventure]

@@EvergreenOG thanks so much! When we get down that way we'll give you a shout. We know that area well -- we used to live in Lakewood Ranch, Anna Maria and Pass-a-Grille, splitting 8-9 years between those three.

[@EvergreenOG]

Grand Adventure wow that’s amazing, small world. [e-mail]. Gino. Anytime you want to come. I do have a 50 amp in the driveway as well.

[@GrandAdventure]

@@EvergreenOG you're very kind, thank you!

[@daledollins2839]

Silver Lake sign said “ no fishing”.

[@GrandAdventure]

Correct, no fishing in Silver Lake. The fishing within the State Park is primarily along Henry's Fork.

[@bertkelly7650]

I got a sleep around shirt. It's on the way.

[@GrandAdventure]

Excellent!!!! Thank you so much, Bert! Hope you enjoy it, and thanks for helping out.

[@boomerreba3196]

Always looking to boondock with our horses. Do you know of any restrictions?

[@GrandAdventure]

We do not know of any, but the Caribou-Targhee National Forest could confirm.

[@davebarnard928]

We are full timers that work from our RV and would love to stay at island park. Question I have is do they have cell service in that area? Thank You.

[@GrandAdventure]

Data was useless where we were camped, it worked only for voice and text. However, near the dam service was excellent. We were getting 70 megabits per second down on Verizon. The Verizon tower is just east of US 20 near the dam.

[@plugflingah]

Is it reasonable to stay in Island Park and commute to Yellowstone for a few days in a row? And squeeze in a day trip to the Mesa Falls

[@GrandAdventure]

That of course depends on your tolerance for commuting, Matt, but many folks do so and we certainly would.

[@SevenBears1]

Hi.. Sending appreciation today.. What name do i put on check. First tracks or ?

[@GrandAdventure]

You really don't need to do that...but we sincerely appreciate the gesture. It just feels wrong.

[@GrandAdventure]

Better to go buy a mug or t-shirt, or remember us when you need something on Amazon.

[@SevenBears1]

@@GrandAdventure this is my way.. I've made lot's of tip$ in appreciation of my work so i like to give it back to someone that i appreciate. I have the same going out today to Traveling Robert.. My only 2 RVing channels..

[@GrandAdventure]

@@SevenBears1 love ya man! You're way too kind, so "First Tracks!! Online Media" works. And FYI, Robert and I are talking about possibly doing a collab together, potentially in a few weeks.

[@SevenBears1]

Pen in hand.. Stamp on envelope.. What name do i put on line