Raynolds Pass Fishing Access Site

This was a great spot for a couple of nights right on the water. Multiple spots for larger rigs.

I have been staying at Raynolds on and off during the summers for about 30 years now. This is where I polished my fly fishing skills. This is where I have met some of my best friends. This is where I caught my largest river trout (23" brown). This is a fishing access site first, campsite second. The spots along the river are great with a view of the river, mountains. There are a few sites to the side; even though you aren't directly on the river, you still get a great view of the sunsets. The one, vault toilet gets a lot of use (and abuse), but is generally in good condition. It's a mere 32-mile drive to Yellowstone Park's west entrance. There is no water, garbage pickup, camp host and often privacy. Occasionally a game warden will come through checking licenses. There is one bear storage container, which some use as a garbage receptacle. If you ever stay here, please pack your garbage out and realize that others will be using this facility as well. A true treat here on the Madison River in this glacier-carved valley are the summer thunderstorms that are seen growing and approaching.

Raynold's Pass Fishing Access Site offers free camping.  The six sites on right on the Madison River and right next to each other.  The only thing separating you from the next site is you vehicle, so don't expect any privacy at this campsite.  Each site does have a picnic table and metal fire ring.  A vault toilet is available.  Like almost all of the Fishing Access Site camping areas in the state their is no water or trash service, so pack in your water and pack out your trash.  Their are no trees in the area so no wind or sun protection.  One bear locker is available for food storage.  The site has a gravel boat launch and a good size parking area for boaters.  This is the first point on the Madison River that you can launch a fishing boat, raft or canoe.

I chose this spot for how dark it is light pollution wise. It doesn’t even register on my light pollution map. There is the Madison River flowing at the eve of the camping sites, which was very lulling to sleep to. The River almost completely drowns out any of the occasional passing vehicles on the roadway nearby.

Free camping right off the main road. Super easy to get to :)

We stayed here only one night, but could have stayed much longer! There are about six campsites most of which have a fire pit. There is also one out house that is kept clean. The river is right there and bugs weren’t an issue.

Arrived on a Tuesday evening thinking it wouldn’t be very busy and I was wrong. There’s 3-4 official sites then everyone else was cramming between sites and camping in the gravel lot. I believe there were at least 12 other campers outside of the official spots. Had vault toilets and right along the water but due to the lack of space & cell service, I relocated. Very beautiful spot surrounded by the mountains.

Great spot by the river. There are 2 larger sized spaces that fit a 20ft camper very easily and an additional 6 sites that look to be more for tents. There is also a small parking lot. No hook ups, no trash, but there is one vault toilet and Verizon has soild cell phone reception. The road could be a little rough in snow or ice. Highway 87 is a bit of a climb out of Idaho Falls towards Bozeman but it is through Targhee National Forest and it is beautiful. Not a lot of hiking trails but if you like fishing this is a great spot. There is also a small boat launch.