Thank you for joining us for another week of our special series, A Walk In the Park, State Park Spotlight. In this series, we journey to a different state and learn about its local state parks. This week we will be visiting the state parks of Idaho. You may not be familiar with these wonderful parks and all they have to offer even if you live there. You may be looking for someplace new to visit. We invite you to join us in learning about the state parks in each of the 50 states. Now, let’s look at some of Idaho’s state parks.

Idaho’s state parks are a symbol of the variety and beauty of the state. The park rangers are happy and proud to share these gorgeous parks with you and welcome you to Idaho. he hope is that you will return over and over again to experience the excitement and splendor of this lovely state. All photographs belong to https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/. You can visit their website for more information on planning your visit and to reserve your stay at a Idaho State Park.

Castle Rocks State Park
748 East 2800 South
Almo, ID 83312
(208) 824-5901
Castle Rocks State Park is 205 miles SE of Boise, ID and it is open all year round. This state park is packed with fun things to see and do. The beauty of nature surrounds you no matter the season and you will never have a moment of boredom while you are here. Not only can you go hiking and biking, but you can also ride a horse, go rock climbing, wildflower watching, ice climbing, showshoeing and cross country skiing. No matter how long you are here, you will always feel like you need more time to experience it all.

During your visit, you will see a large variety of birds, moose, mule deer, mountain lions and coyotes. You can go on walks that focus on birds, wildflowers or geology and learn something new. There is evidence that shows that people have been visiting Castle Rocks State Park for almost 9000 years, and once you visit you will understand why.
Stay in a campsite that is nestled in a pine forest on the east slope of the Smoky Mountains. Rock climbers from around the world come for the challenging landscape of Castle Rocks. When you’re in the park, be sure to see the remnants of Native American Pictographs and the California National Historic Trail to see a piece of history.

Hells Gate State Park
5100 Hells Gate Rd.
Lewiston, ID 83501
(208) 799-5015
Located 110 miles S of Spokane, WA, Hells Gate State Park is open year round for your visiting pleasure. Despite the scary name, Hells Gate is a wonderful place for a family getaway. There are campsites and cottages for overnight stays. If you love the water, you can participate in fishing, boating, swimming and water sports. There is horseback riding, hiking, jet boat trips into Hells Canyon and also a group program for 1st time adventurers. You will love the trails whether hiking, biking, or horseback riding.

Fishing is big here; with bass, catfish and trout. You may also catch a glimpse of swans, deer, otter and bighorn sheep. There is a discovery center with movies and displays and nearby you can find hang gliding, hot air balloons and helicopter tours. In the park you can take a jet boat ride up the Snake River in one of North America’s deepest canyons or have a lazy picnic on the banks of the river after a bike ride on the Snake River trail? Hells Gate State Park has so much to offer all of it’s visitors. This park is sure to become a family favorite.

Lake Cascade State Park
970 Dam Road
Cascade, ID 83611
(208) 382-6544
Lake Cascade State park is located 418 miles NW of Salt Lake City, UT and is open year round. Camping is popular here and there are campsites available for your family to reserve. This is a great park for anyone that loves outdoor activities. In the warmer months your days will be filled with swimming, fishing, hiking, sailing and windsurfing. During the winter months you can experience ice fishing and Nordic skiing. The park is filled with wildlife and if you plan to go fishing there are trout, salmon, bass and perch just waiting to be caught. Be sure to enroll the kids in the Junior Ranger program, summer workshops and the First Time Adventure Program for a fun time while they learn new things. Outside of the park you will find golf courses, whitewater rafting and a tourist train.

Lake Cascade offers group camping as well as individual campsites for your comfort. You can also choose between primitive and advanced camping depending on just how much you want to “rough it” during your stay. During the afternoon when the winds pick up you will see windsurfers on Lake Cascade while fishing happens all year long. The nearby Payette River offers whitewater rafting for beginners or experts if you feel like an adventure.
The campsites in the park are located on 86 miles of shoreline and the views of Lake Cascade are majestic. Lake Cascade has so many different options for camping and recreation; everyone in the family will enjoy their visit.

Ponderosa State Park
1920 N Davis Ave
McCall, ID 83638
(208) 634-2164

Ponderosa State Park is located 107 miles N of Boise, ID and is open year round for day use activities. Campgrounds are closed during the winter months. When camping you can choose to stay at a campsite or in a cabin. The spring and summer months are filled with volleyball, swimming, fishing, boating, biking, hiking and picnicking. During the winter, bundle up and experience snowshoeing, ice skating, Nordic skiing, sleigh riding and cross country skiing. Look out for Osprey, bald eagles, ducks, mallards, deer, beaver, moose, bears, foxes and songbirds. You can also go on a guided tour, visit the education center, and sign the kids up for the Junior Ranger program.

Ponderosa State Park has so much to offer every member of the family. Whether you want relaxation, adventure or a combination of both, Ponderosa has it all. You will be amazed by the beautiful Payette Lake. It’s the heart of the park. In the evenings, head over to the Visitor Center to enjoy a campfire and ice cream. Afterwards, sit outside and enjoy nature and the cool evening air while taking in the sounds of nature. Once you visit Ponderosa State Park you are sure to return. It only takes a few minutes here to understand why the unofficial motto of the park is “There’s always more to explore!”.

Have you been to any of Idaho’s State Parks? I would love to hear about your visit. Please share with us in the comments below.

Additional Walk in the Park State by State Spotlight
Alabama State Parks
Alaska State Parks
Arizona State Parks
Arkansas State Parks
California State Parks
Colorado State Parks
Connecticut State Parks
Delaware State Parks
Florida State Parks
Georgia State Parks
Hawaiian State Parks
Iowa State Parks
Illinois State Parks
Indiana State Parks
Iowa State Parks
Kansas State Parks
Kentucky State Parks
Louisiana State Parks