The other day I was asked by a non RV’er how we decide on our travel destinations and how we choose where to camp? It actually took me a few minutes to think about this and I couldn’t come up with just one simple answer. Sometimes our decision-making is easy and other times it can be down right challenging.
I tried to simplify my answer ….. Our interest in an area is usually from a good old-fashioned road atlas/map, or someone’s blog post, or brochures we pick up at a Visitor Center. Once we have a basic idea of where we think we’d like to go and what sights there are to see, we peruse several websites to find camping options in that areas’ general vicinity. Our two favorite websites are RV Park Reviews and Campendium.
When we first arrived in Idaho last May, I managed to visit a very nice Visitor Center in the town of Idaho Falls. It was there that I picked up a ton of information covering some highlights and must see attractions in this beautiful and diverse State.
After glancing through a few brochures, I was reminded that I had read a blog 
post about Yellowstone Bear World, and quickly added it to my list of Idaho places I wanted to see. Since we prefer camping as close to an attraction as possible, I started doing my research……
and that’s when I stumbled across the Beaver Dick County Park. Come on, with a name like that, we had to overnight there.
Say it with me…. “Beaver Dick”. Doesn’t that just want to make you giggle like a silly school child? I know every time I say Beaver Dick, I chuckle. This was an easy camping decision and a decision based purely on the name…. 😄
The Beaver Dick Park is a small nine acre county park popular with the locals. It’s located about 5 miles west of the town of Rexburg, Idaho off Highway 33, and situated on the west bank of the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River.
It also backs up to 400 acres of BLM Land available for hiking and hunting (during hunting season that is).
The park was named after Richard Leigh, a widely known and liked outfitter, guide, and trapper of beaver – thus, the nickname, Beaver Dick.
He married a Shoshone Indian named Jenny. Did you know, Leigh Lake and Jenny Lake in the Grand Tetons were named after these two? I love stumbling upon this kind of whimsical history.
The park offers picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, fifteen dry campsites, and a boat ramp. We stayed for five nights for a total cost of $15. Whoohoo! With that kind of price, the wine fun budget for the month was increased 😉
July 2016 – Beaver Dick Park turned into a great place not only for us to relax but also to explore eastern Idaho. First order of business …. a visit to Yellowstone Bear World, a drive-thru wildlife park.
After paying admission, I was given firm directions (verbal and written) to leave my windows on the truck UP, drive slowly, and not to let a bear climb into the bed of the truck 🤔 Huh? The road first meanders past free roaming bison, elk, and deer. Eventually, I approached another gate where I was stopped by an attendant who once again reminded me to keep my windows up, then I entered the Bear area….
I encountered Bear walking in front of me, to the side of me, and behind me. Although, I did keep the windows in the truck rolled up, the bears quite frankly could’ve cared less about the vehicles driving past and not one wanted to hitch a ride. I’m sure they’re thinking, “Just another day of crazy tourists taking photos”.
After the drive, I parked at the visitor center and browsed the gift shop before venturing into the petting zoo. Upon exiting the building, I was greeted by the cub habitat …. a great little fenced island that was home to three very active bear cubs. Watching these little cubs wrestling with one another was worth the price of admission. For an additional fee, you can sign up to actually bottle feed a bear cub.
The little cubs were so darn cute, but the cuteness didn’t end with them …..
Although the petting zoo itself is extremely entertaining, I found a special treat just beyond ….. in an enclosed area. This little lady (moose are anything but little) was lounging on the other side of the fence at the far end of the petting zoo. I was but a mere twenty feet away from her.
What a treat to see this magnificent animal up close. A very tall chain link fence separated me and Ms. Moose, but I was able to shoot this photo between the links.
Yellowstone Bear World is a relatively small attraction and can easily be explored in 2-3 hours. I thoroughly enjoyed my morning visit in early July, and would definitely return should I find myself near Rexburg, Idaho again.
Let’s see, communing with animals while camped at a relaxing county park – so far, so good. Next up, we wrap up our Idaho visit with a few more interesting places worth mentioning.
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