Tag: Idaho State Parks Challenge
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An Idaho State Parks Challenge: 27 parks in one year is the best way to see the Gem State
The Idaho State Parks Challenge consists of visiting all of Idaho’s state parks in one year. We made up this challenge to see a bit more of our beautiful state and help alleviate the restlessness caused by Covid-19 travel restrictions. It was maybe the best decision we made in 2020. Idaho is a pretty big…
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Missing Idaho State Parks: how many state parks are in Idaho?
Missing Idaho State Parks Overview When B and I started our Idaho State Parks Challenge we were a little confused on how many state parks there actually are in Idaho. It seems like this should be pretty clear. So our first step was to get a list of all of the state parks. Imagine our…
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Ponderosa State Park: water, snow, and crowds
State Park Overview Ponderosa State Park is in McCall, Idaho, which is two and a half hours north of Boise. Boiseans enjoy this park in all seasons, with hiking, boating, cross country skiing and mountain biking accessible in a pretty area. Pros: Lots to do Pretty area Close to Boise Cons: Half of Boise shows…
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Hells Gate State Park: much less scary than the name would imply
Learn a little history or ride a jet boat at the lowest point in Idaho (733 feet) when you visit Hells Gate State Park. The name sounds a lot less inviting than this park actually is. State Park Overview Hells Gate State Park is located near Lewiston and is on the banks of the Snake…
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Heyburn State Park
Heyburn State Park is Idaho’s and the Pacific Northwest’s first state park. Created in 1908 (or 1911, depending on who you ask), this park on the banks of Lake Coeur d’Alene set a great example for parks to come. State Park Overview Heyburn State Park is located at the southern end of Coeur d’Alene Lake,…
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Farragut State Park: wind, frisbee golf, and deep waters
Forces of nature (wind) tried to keep us away from Farragut State Park by knocking over trees and power lines, but we persevered and got to explore (some) of this beautiful park. State Park Overview Farragut State Park in northern Idaho is located on the southern bank of the beautiful Lake Pend Oreille. This part…
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Coeur d’Alene’s Old Mission State Park: Idaho’s oldest building
State Park Overview Coeur d’Alene’s Old Mission State Park (that’s a mouthful so it will hereafter be known as Old Mission State Park) in northern Idaho celebrates the first building in all of Idaho: the Cataldo Mission. Priests came to this part of Idaho to convert the Coeur d’Alene tribe. The park’s main event is…
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Priest Lake State Park: a northern Idaho gem with smaller crowds
State Park Overview Priest Lake State Park is the northernmost state park in Idaho. It is 15 miles from the Canadian border and a beautiful blue lake surrounded by mountains and pine trees. Less visited than its sister lakes (Coeur d’Alene and Pend Oreille), Priest Lake feels like a secret that you are lucky enough…
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Massacre Rocks State Park
State Park Overview Massacre Rocks State Park can be found on the Snake River in southeastern Idaho. This dry stretch of land is full of sagebrush and rattlesnakes, but the Snake River adds variety to the landscape. History is the name of the game here, with some interesting pioneer artifacts. Pros: Not remotely crowded Cool…
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Dworshak State Park, a 700-acre playground in the middle of Idaho
Along the western side of Dworshak Reservoir sits Dworshak State Park. Our visit to this park was fraught with challenges thanks to a wildfire (keep reading to learn more about that experience). Since we did not visit the park under the best of circumstances, I asked someone who knows the park inside and out to…
