Jul 21, 20213 min read

Three Island Crossing, Glenns Ferry, Idaho

Updated: Sep 5, 2021

History plus a beautiful location on the Oregon Trail!

Three Island Crossing State Park is an easy day trip from Boise or a nice place for overnight camping. You can visit the Oregon Trail History and Education Center to learn about pioneers who traveled the Oregon Trail and even see the original wagon ruts and Conestoga replicas. At Three Island Ford, pioneers had to decide if they wanted to cross the Snake River, a risky crossing, or continue on the dry, rocky side of the river. About half of them chose to cross the river, using the gravelly sand bars that were in the river. Not all of them were successful, and there were many casualties. For those who did make it across the river, their trip was shorter, with better water and more food for their animals.

Enjoy a picnic lunch under the trees, go fishing in the Snake River or decide to stay and camp overnight! Check out some of the other activities listed below that are available in the area.

LATITUDE/LONGITUDE: 42.9443517844201, -115.31964524306586

STARTING POINT: Boise

DISTANCE FROM STARTING POINT: 74 mi. from Interstate 84, milepost 50 @ I-84 and 184

TIME TO REACH: 1 hour

ROAD SURFACE: Paved

WHEN ACCESSIBLE: All year

FEES: Motor Vehicle Entry Fee: $5 per vehicle. Serviced camp site: $22-$45 per night.

RECOMMENDED VEHICLES: All vehicles

PET FRIENDLY: Yes, on leash

WHEN WE WENT: Summer

TRAILHEADS: Oregon Trail and Snake River and Three Island Crossing Loop

CAMPGROUNDS:

Three Island Crossing State Park has a campground with water and electrical service, picnic areas, historical interpretive programs and a very interesting free interpretive center. You can take a self-guided tour of the park and see original wagon ruts and a replica of Conestoga wagons. Visit the Oregon Trail History and Education Center and learn about early pioneers, settlers and Native American history. Dangle your feet or a line in the Snake River where emigrants made their historic crossings. Or sit under a tree and enjoy a picnic lunch.

SITE CONTACT INFO: Reservations for campsites can be made by phone at: 1-888-922-6743 or online.

CAUTIONS: Pets are prohibited from beaches at most Idaho State Parks.

We went for more than a day trip and decided to test our new iKamper on top of our Mini Cooper! What fun! This roof top camper is so-o-o-o comfy and easy to set up and take down. And, it fits on a Mini! (We included a link to Northwest Mini, the absolutely best team to service your Mini Cooper.)

Getting There

From Boise:

Travel East on I-84 approximately 70 miles to Exit 120, head right on the ramp for I-84 Bus Loop toward Glenns Ferry / Oregon Trail Intr. Center / Three Island State Park. Turn right onto N Bannock St toward Glenns Ferry / Oregon Trail Intr. Center / Three Island State Park. Turn left onto West 1st Avenue. Turn right onto North Commercial Street. Road name changes to South Commercial Street. Road name changes to West Madison Avenue. Turn right onto Three Island Park Drive to enter the park.

I'm Here - Now What?