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See all 5 routes on Henrys Fork

Idaho | Eastern Idaho / Island Park

Henrys ForkUpper Coffee Pot Campground to McCrea Bridge Campground

A 6-mile Class II-III Henrys Fork itinerary linking the Upper Coffee Pot campground access, the Coffee Pot Rapids, and the paved McCrea Bridge campground ramp.

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 6 river miles
DifficultyHard
Typical timeAbout 2-4 hours plus scouting and shuttle
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Henrys Fork watershed lies below the Henrys Lake Mountains in Idaho.
River contextHenrys Fork watershed context; not the Riverside-to-Hatchery Ford reach or current conditions river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by James Postema via Wikimedia Commons

Need to know

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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 6 river milesUpper Coffee Pot Campground to McCrea Bridge Campground
DifficultyhardDifficulty follows the cited manager guide where stated and otherwise is deliberately conservative. Current flow, debris, diversions, weather, and party skill can materially change the trip.
ShuttleCar shuttleShort Island Park shuttle using Upper Coffee Pot Road and local Forest Service roads; stage McCrea first and account for seasonal gates.
PermitsNone notedNo river permit is listed. Follow Caribou-Targhee National Forest campground rules, Idaho AIS/PFD requirements, dam safety closures, and posted parking/fee notices.
CampingOptions nearbyUpper Coffee Pot and McCrea Bridge are developed Forest Service campgrounds when open; reserve or verify seasonal status and use designated sites only.
SeasonMay-SepLate spring through early fall is the normal planning window. Verify snowmelt, releases, fire or fish-protection closures, water temperature, weather, and access status immediately before travel.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

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Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A 6-mile Class II-III Henrys Fork itinerary linking the Upper Coffee Pot campground access, the Coffee Pot Rapids, and the paved McCrea Bridge campground ramp.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Upper Coffee Pot Campground Put-In
Open mapDirections to put-in

Use only the named public launch or landing; a nearby bank, bridge shoulder, fishing easement, or private campground is not substitute access.

Finish

Take-out

McCrea Bridge Campground Take-Out
Open mapDirections to take-out

Confirm current closures, fire restrictions, seasonal gates, parking capacity, fees, launch condition, and Idaho invasive-species requirements before travel.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Use only the named public launch or landing; a nearby bank, bridge shoulder, fishing easement, or private campground is not substitute access.
  • Confirm current closures, fire restrictions, seasonal gates, parking capacity, fees, launch condition, and Idaho invasive-species requirements before travel.
  • Private banks are common. Do not land, scout, portage, or camp outside a signed public site or manager-designated corridor.

Watch for

  • Coffee Pot Rapids continuous Class III chain
  • dam-release changes
  • wood or damaged footbridge debris
  • Island Park Reservoir transition

Plan this paddle

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

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Gauge detail

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Gauge

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Route gallery

Photos

Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.

The Henrys Fork watershed lies below the Henrys Lake Mountains in Idaho.
Henrys Fork watershed context; not the Riverside-to-Hatchery Ford reach or current conditions river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by James Postema via Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons: CC BY 4.0

Score & sources

Why this score

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Data status
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Why this scoreData reliability: checking

This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.

Why
  • Checking data sources and update times.
Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times

These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.

Gauge siteHenrys Fork near Island Park, ID
DischargeChecking
Gauge heightChecking
24h trendChecking
24h changeChecking
Current bandChecking
Rain last 24hChecking
Rain last 72hChecking
Air tempChecking
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WindChecking
GustsChecking
Rain timingChecking
Preferred range1,000 cfs to 2,000 cfs
Low threshold1,000 cfs
High threshold2,000 cfs
Evidence strength behind the rangeOfficial and local sources
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreUpper Snake basin inventory planning band for Coffee Pot: 1,000-2,000 cfs
Gauge sourceChecking
Weather sourceChecking
Rainfall sourceChecking
NotesWhat to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Official route corridorUpper Coffee Pot Campground to McCrea Bridge Campground; About 6 river miles

    American Whitewater Big Springs / Coffee Pot reach record identifies the endpoint chain, river miles, or managed float corridor.

    Source

  • Public access controlUpper Coffee Pot Campground Put-In to McCrea Bridge Campground Take-Out

    Coordinates represent named public ramps, bank launches, park landings, or an explicitly described staging point.

    Source

  • Direct live gaugeUSGS 13042500 - Henrys Fork near Island Park, ID

    Gauge is on the named waterbody and supplies context only.

    Source

  • Threshold postureGauge-linked range used for live scoring

    The cited route guidance is tied to this gauge and reach; hazards, closures, weather, and local inspection still override the score.

    Source

  • Safety and land managementCurrent manager notices override this record

    The first mile is a calm campground float before Coffee Pot Rapids become continuous Class III water; scout the whole rapid chain from the river-left trail before committing. American Whitewater reports occasional wood and warns that a damaged footbridge or plank can create a serious entrapment or puncture hazard. Carry rescue equipment and use a whitewater-capable craft. Use 1,000-2,000 cfs as a conservative planning band. Check the direct gauge, dam-release notices, campground openings, and the downstream mandatory take-out at McCrea before launch.

    Source

  • Camping classificationendpoint_campground

    Upper Coffee Pot and McCrea Bridge are developed Forest Service campgrounds when open; reserve or verify seasonal status and use designated sites only.

    Source

  • Photo contextHenrys Fork / Henrys Lake watershed context photograph

    The gallery photo is visual context. It may show another part of the same river or watershed and does not show current conditions at every access point.

    Source

  • Overlap decisionRetained as a distinct access-to-access itinerary

    Adjacent cards use different public endpoints and provide a different trip length, hazard set, skill tier, or operating boundary.

    Source

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Keep exploring

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More on Henrys Fork

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Quick answers

Henrys Fork paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Upper Coffee Pot Campground to McCrea Bridge Campground route on the Henrys Fork?

Paddle Today watches Henrys Fork near Island Park, ID and treats 1,000 cfs to 2,000 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does the Upper Coffee Pot Campground to McCrea Bridge Campground route on the Henrys Fork start and end?

This route starts at Upper Coffee Pot Campground Put-In and ends at McCrea Bridge Campground Take-Out, about 6 river miles on the water.

Is the Upper Coffee Pot Campground to McCrea Bridge Campground route on the Henrys Fork suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a hard route. Treat the live score as a planning aid, then confirm conditions, hazards, access, and group skill before launching.

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