While scouting for nearby campgrounds using RV Life Trip Wizard, I stumbled on a listing for Beaver Dick Park. Yep—the name gave me a chuckle too. But once curiosity took over, I dug deeper. The single dollar sign caught my eye (we love budget-friendly boondocking!), but the only reviews were two 5-star ratings from 2014, which left me skeptical. So I kept researching.
We first visited Rexburg, Idaho, a few years ago to spend the day at Yellowstone Bear World, where we got to feed baby bears and drive through their wildlife park. Back then, we stayed in a hotel. But this time around, we’re heading to West Yellowstone to Workamp for the summer, and we couldn’t resist stopping at Bear World again on the way north.
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Who Was Beaver Dick?
If the name Beaver Dick Park makes you raise an eyebrow, you’re not alone—and no, it’s not just a nickname for a seasoned trapper.
The park is named after Richard Leigh, better known as “Beaver Dick.” He’s one of the most colorful and legendary mountain men to have ever lived in Idaho.
Leigh claimed to have run away from home in England at the age of sixteen, making his way to America and arriving in Idaho sometime in the 1840s. He eventually settled in what was then known as the “Forks Country”—what we now call the Upper Snake River Valley near present-day Rexburg—around 1860.
Now, you might think the nickname Beaver Dick came from his beaver-trapping skills (and yes, he did trap), but there’s a more humorous origin. According to local legend, it was Brigham Young himself who gave Leigh the nickname—not because of his hunting prowess, but because of his two prominent front teeth, which supposedly looked a lot like a beaver’s. The Bannock and Shoshone tribes also noted the resemblance and affectionately called him “Beaver.”
Leigh lived the rugged mountain man lifestyle and is remembered as one of the last true frontiersmen of the region. Today, Beaver Dick Park serves as a tribute to his wild, adventurous spirit.
Location
Just 7 miles west of Rexburg on Highway 33. After crossing Henry’s Fork of the Snake River, the park entrance is on your left.
Pricing
Camping is limited to five nights in any 30-day period
- $10 per night
- Or $40 for five nights
Reservations
Beaver Dick Park is first-come, first-served.
There’s a pay station at the front, but during our stay, it was labeled out of order (how exactly does a money slot break?). Instead, you can call 208-356-3139 to pay by credit card once you’ve picked your site.
Our Review
We arrived around 1 PM on Wednesday, April 28, 2021, worried we might be too late for a spot. As we passed a 5th wheel heading east, we joked that maybe they’d just gotten turned away.
Crossing over Henry’s Fork, we took the next left into the park. Right away, we were impressed:
- Well-manicured grass (watch out—it’s a $300 fine if you drive on it!)
- A nice playground
- A few folks were enjoying lunch and playing disc golf
We checked the rules at the pay station (out of order), then drove down to the camping area. To our surprise, only one RV was there. We walked the area and picked site B6, a quiet corner spot with great views.
During our five-night stay, there were always campsites available:
- Friday: 6 of 12 sites empty
- Saturday: 8 sites available
- Sunday: 10 sites open
The campsites are level, big rig friendly, and set back from the highway enough to be quiet. Each one comes with a large picnic table and fire ring. Some sites do have low-hanging trees, so just be mindful when backing in.
Amenities
Beaver Dick Park is a basic boondocking campground, but it offers more than you’d expect at this price point:
- No hookups – dry camping only
- Picnic shelters, available for reservation by calling 208-356-3139
- Each campsite has:
- Large picnic table
- Fire ring
- Trash can
- Restrooms – pit toilets throughout the park
- Some are cleaner than others. The one near the entrance was well-maintained; ours, not so much
- Floating swimming dock – for experienced swimmers only
- Life jackets recommended
- Swim only during safe water levels
- Open to the public daily, year-round
Phone & Internet
We use T-Mobile and had 2–3 bars of service.
Our Verizon MiFi pulled in 2 bars. Streaming with the Fire Stick was doable, but occasionally buffered. Our WiFi booster helped a lot.
Recreation
Beaver Dick Park is more than just a place to sleep. It’s a full-on recreation area with:
- Two playgrounds
- Disc golf course
- Horseshoe pits
- Volleyball court
The picnic pavilions were in heavy use every day, with families and groups gathering throughout the park.
Nearby Things to Do
Cartier Slough Wildlife Management Area
Located right next door, this area borders the Snake River and is home to over 200 wildlife species. Great for birding and hiking.
Yellowstone Bear World
Our main reason for stopping in Rexburg again! On our previous visit, we got to feed baby bears—highly recommended. This time, we were a little too early for the feedings, but we plan to return later in the summer.
Kayaking & Fishing Henry’s Fork
We got the kayaks out for a paddle—but our dogs weren’t having it. They kept jumping into the river, making the outing more chaotic than chill. After an hour, we gave up and paddled back to the boat ramp.
Farnsworth TV & Pioneer Museum (Rigby, ID)
At first, we thought “TV and Pioneers?” was an odd combo—until we learned that Philo T. Farnsworth, the inventor of television, grew up in Rigby. Due to COVID, they were doing tours by appointment only, so we skipped it this time, but it’s on the list for next visit.
Final Thoughts
Beaver Dick Park is a hidden gem.
If you’re looking for an affordable, quiet place to stay near Rexburg or Idaho Falls, you can’t beat this park at $10 a night. The spacious campsites, riverside location, and surprising number of amenities make it a no-brainer for budget-conscious travelers.
We’ll definitely stay here again the next time we’re passing through.
Have you stumbled across a great hidden camping spot like this? We’d love to hear your recommendations in the comments below!
What interesting places can you recommend?
We’re always on the lookout for unique, out-of-the-way experiences to add to our list.
Thanks for taking the time to read our article!
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