Don’t hibernate all winter! Visit Harriman State Park in Idaho!
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
We moved to a little town called Idaho Falls this year. We have enjoyed easy access to national parks during our time living here. The cold weather season can be tough if you are not into winter sports. Mike and I try to seek out as many activities as possible to get outside, get in some exercise and sunlight, and basically stay active and motivated. Many people that live in colder climates begin to hibernate during these bleak dark months which usually means less exercise. However, if you are willing to try something new you don’t have to slack off in the exercise department no matter how frosty the temps may be outside.
I went cross country skiing for the first time at this great underrated park near Yellowstone called Harriman. There are so many beautiful state and national parks located in this region of the state. Many of these parks offer groomed skiing trails to make it easier for beginners. Cross country skiing is an awesome workout and it’s a lot of fun too. Check your local state park and local park districts for cross country skiing information.
You will need to bring your own skis or rent equipment. Cross country rental equipment is usually pretty budget friendly. Mike and I both went skiing all day for only $30! Using the groomed trails at state parks usually runs somewhere between $5-15, depending on the area. If you don’t get enough snow you aren’t out of luck; you can head over to a ski resort.
Cross country skiing through a winter wonderland
Harriman State is a wonderful choice for first time visitors. There are 24 miles of groomed ski trails ranging in difficulty from novice to advanced. Each trail begins at the visitor’s center and all trails are very well marked along the way.
I like that there were a few small hills and we had fun practicing our downhill skiing trails. I’ve never been skiing (but it has always been on my bucket list) so this was a really fun experience for me. I can’t imagine how scary it would be; I was a bit nervous going down these small hills! There is a warming hut that you can stop at to rest and have a cup of hot chocolate.
The setting is serene and scenic with an absence of noisy tourist crowds. The views are absolutely gorgeous! Seriously, this is one of the most tranquil and gorgeous recreation destinations I have ever come across on my travels. With the lack of crowds and gorgeous isolated scenery, skiing here really feels like an adventure in Narnia.
This is one of my favorite winter scenes anywhere. It’s so barren, but also strikingly beautiful at the same time. We were lucky enough to have the entire park to ourselves.
I highly recommend a skiing adventure here on your first or next trip to the southern Idaho region. Because this park is so close to Yellowstone, it’s a wonderful add on activity. On a side note, I would really love to take a Yellowstone Snowcoach tour in the future!
Where to stay in the area
I recommend choosing Idaho Falls as your base. You can get to pretty much anywhere from here including: Yellowstone, Harriman, Jackson Hole, the Grand Tetons, and much more. We spent the entire summer driving to wonderful parks, hiking, and taking scenic drives (I really recommend Mesa Falls during the summer season).
Additional Details
Address: Green Canyon Road Island Park, ID 83429. For more information on skiing and other wintry activities, visit the park website. The entrance fee is $7 per car. There is also a $6 activity fee. A season pass is available for $50 per person, $75 per couple, and $100 per family.
Other winter activities: Snowshoeing and fat tire biking.
Lodging: There is limited lodging available in Island Park. Idaho Falls, a small city with plenty of amenities of its’ own, is located just an hour away. I lived here and can say that the small town packs in a lot of amenities. There are lots of budget friendly hotels here, plus breakfast and dinner restaurants which you can enjoy after a long day of recreation. If you have extra time, I recommend a stroll along the Greenbelt.
Ski equipment rentals: Idaho Mountain Trading in Idaho Falls offers affordable rentals. Both daily and weekend packages available. As of 2025, weekday ski rentals are $20 and weekend $30. Snowshoe rentals are $16 weekly and $24 on the weekend. Not a bad deal for a day of winter fun.
On a side note, make sure to bundle up. It can get pretty cold out here this time of year. As you can see in the photo below, we were freezing! It’s always best to layer so you can remove different items as needed. You will work up quite a sweat skiing as it is one of the best overall body workouts.
