Henrys Lake State Park — Attraction in West Yellowstone

Don’t bother if staying more than 2 days. The park is nice. New bathhouses, paved but unleveled sites, and beautiful view of the lake. But, very limited full-hookup sites and dump station is out of order. We could only get a non-sewer site for a 1 week stay. So, while there a full- hookup spot became vacant. I asked if I could dump some of my gray water there and was told no. The only solutions I was given was to leave and go dump at another campground down the road. They were extremely in accommodating. When I asked the reason for not being able to dump there I was given “the boss said so” answer with the ranger standing behind the host, smiling at me.

So, the park is nice looking but broke, and Idaho State Rangers are uncaring!

Give your money elsewhere!

Update I received an email reply from the campground manager. She did offer some solutions that the host or other Ranger provided. But I feel that a dump station, especially at a park that cost this much, is more than just a kind amenity.

“I see and understand that the park’s dump station is broken. But, what I do not understand is why, when there is a vacant full-hookup spot, I am not allowed to dump my gray water there. I have a one week reservation and can go 2-3 days on my gray water tank. It doesn’t seem to be any harm if I were allowed to use my portable tank to empty some of my gray water in, while the full-hookup site is unoccupied. This is very frustrating and extremely unaccommodating. You are charging campers full price to stay at a broken campground and not trying to help anyone deal with YOUR malfunction.  All solutions given are over 10 to over 20 miles away! I’m aware you cannot help the distance to other dump stations but, you could provide customers with a pumping service or have your system pumped periodically.

I am extremely disappointed.

Philip J

Hello, Philip

Thank you for your email.  We have not let anyone use the sewer sites to dump because the system there would be overused.  When the Caddis Loop was designed, it had only 8 reservable sewer sites, because it could not support more.  If the park let all dump there as you suggest, then we would have another problem.

The dump station is not part of the price of your stay, it is only an amenity the park has been happy to supply.  It would have taken $20,000 to pump the dump station tanks each week of the season and then we did not know if that would solve the problem.  The decision was made to close it.

There are gray water cisterns in the Adams and Blue Dun Loops where you can dump gray water or the entrance station has a phone number you can call for a pumping service.  Any...

Henrys Lake State Park has been a favorite of ours for the last three years. Campsites are clean, bath house is clean and the views are stunning. So convenient to Yellowstone National Park (just 14 miles to the west gate). And so many other gorgeous and fun activities. Mesa Falls, Grand Tetons, World Class Fly Fishing, and Four Wheel Drive Razor Trails galore!

However, This memorial day week, we checked in and were told that the dump station was closed as they had let it get too full and now it is out of order. We were dumbfounded!! We had booked a week, with the expectation we could dump tanks at some time during our stay as our black and gray tanks are not overly large. No one called to notify us and no accommodations were made for a full hookup site to be used as backup dump for customers. And on a holiday weekend no less. What a blunder!

We were also told upon check in that they had changed the way they dealt with trash at the campground. Instead of a dumpster they are picking the garbage bags up at the campsites.... no big deal. Got camp set up and enjoyed the evening.

The next morning at 8 am, we put our bag at the curb as directed. Sitting and having our coffee and at 9:30 am there was a knock on the RV door. The garbage man (state park employee/volunteer) said we had to come out and put our own bag of garbage in the truck. WTH? He walked right past the garbage twice just to tell us we had to come out and put it in the truck ourselves? So if you leave the campground for the day before 9:30am they will pick up the trash, but if you are still at the campground when they come by, you have to keep an eye out for them and then come out and put your own garbage in the truck yourself. What a charade!

Not sure if there is new management at the park, but it seemed like the inmates were running the asylum. I am hoping next year there will be some competent leadership, and things will get back to normal.

Normally a five star + campground, but this year...

Such an amazing place to camp!!! Reasons why we loved it : The views!!!!! The lake was absolutely gorgeous!!!! Trails and scenery surrounding campground were breathtaking Cleanest campground I’ve ever visited. Not only were the bathrooms and showers Spotless, nothing even smelled damp or dirty. We watched people check out of sites around us and the staff came by and meticulously cleaned each site, from wiping down the tables to raking the gravel back into place. Staff was very friendly and informative! Pet friendly with doggie potty stations and bags readily available family friendly—- can be a little noisy on nights with lots of kids. -We stayed at site 29 on the blue sun loop and had great views— but site 31 next to us was even better if you can get it— But is very exposed. (these 2 have electricity but no water— water is available in other spots) about 30 mins from West entrance of Yellowstone! Also, the town of West Yellowstone has everything from groceries to gas to souvenirs.

Things to know- -The wind can pick up very very strong at times, if you’re tent camping be sure to bring extra support of some sort. We watched a few go down in the wind. (Only had a few hours of wind over our 4 night stay) -The mosquitoes here are not like what I’m used to in Missouri— they are huge and like little rampant vampires. Be sure to bring any kind of mosquito repellent— the Thermacell repellents really helped when we scattered a few around our site. (They aren’t around when the wind picks up at least lol)

Overall, amazing place. I hope to come back...