Heyburn State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Heyburn State Park |
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IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
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Heyburn State Park
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 Heyburn State Park
Location in Idaho
Heyburn State Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Benewah County and Kootenai County, Idaho, United States |
| Nearest city | Plummer, Idaho |
| Area | 8,076 acres (32.68 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,385 ft (727 m) |
| Max. elevation | 3,366 ft (1,026 m) |
| Min. elevation | 2,128 ft (649 m) |
| Designation | Idaho state park |
| Established | 1908 |
| Named for | Weldon B. Heyburn |
| Administrator | Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation |
| Website | Heyburn State Park |
Heyburn State Park is a fun place to visit in Idaho, United States. It is mostly in Benewah County, with a small part in Kootenai County. This park opened in 1908. It is the oldest state or provincial park in the Pacific Northwest region.
The park covers about 5,744 acres of land. It also has 2,332 acres of water. These waters are part of three beautiful lakes: Benewah, Chatcolet, and Hidden. A dam built in 1906 on the Spokane River helped connect these lakes to Lake Coeur d'Alene. The lakes are about 2,125 feet above sea level. You can enjoy many activities here all year round. These include camping, boating, hiking, and fishing.
Contents
Park History: A Look Back
The Coeur d'Alene People
Long ago, the Coeur d'Alene tribe lived in this area. They called themselves "Schitsu'umsh." This means "The Discovered People" or "Those Who Are Found Here." They found lots of fish in the park's three lakes. The Saint Joe River also had plenty of fish.
Wetlands were home to many waterfowl. Deer, bears, and various birds lived in the grassy meadows. Before European settlers arrived, the Coeur d'Alene lived in what is now the Idaho Panhandle.
Early European Encounters
French traders and trappers were the first Europeans to meet the Coeur d'Alene. They saw that the tribe was very good at trading. So, they named them "Coeur d'Alene," which means "heart of the awl." An "awl" is a sharp tool. This name showed how clever and sharp the tribe was in business. One French trader even called them "the greatest traders in the world."
The tribe used to live across a huge area. This land was over 4 million acres. It included grassy hills, camas-prairies, wooded mountains, lakes, and rivers. This area stretched across northern Idaho, eastern Washington, and western Montana.
How Heyburn State Park Was Formed
In 1873, the Coeur d'Alene lands became smaller. President Ulysses Grant set up the Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation. This reduced their land to about 600,000 acres. Later, more government actions made their land even smaller. It became about 345,000 acres.
Heyburn State Park was created from 5,500 acres of land. It also included 2,333 acres of water. This land was given to the state on April 20, 1908. William H. Taft made this official. The park was named after U.S. Senator Weldon Heyburn of Idaho. Senator Heyburn had hoped for a larger "Chatcolet National Park." His idea passed the Senate but did not pass in the House of Representatives.
Building the Park: The CCC's Role
Many of the park's buildings and paths were built during the Great Depression. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) did this work. Members at Camp SP-1 built a lodge, roads, and bridges. They also made trails, picnic areas, shelters, and campgrounds. Many of these structures are still used by visitors today.
Nature in the Park: Plants and Animals
Heyburn State Park has many different natural areas. You can find Ponderosa pine trees on the mountain sides. Some of these trees are over 400 years old. Grassy hills are covered with colorful wildflowers.
Other trees in the park include cedar, hemlock, and white pine. The edges of the lakes are marshy. These wet areas are home to many unique wildflowers and plants. The park's diverse habitats support a variety of wildlife.
Fun Things to Do at Heyburn State Park
Biking and Water Sports
The 72-mile Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes bike path goes right through the park. It crosses the Saint Joe River on a long bridge called a trestle. This trestle is about 3,100 feet long. The river and the lakes are great for boating and water sports. These include Hidden Bay, Chatcolet Lake, and Benewah Lake. They are all connected to the bigger Lake Coeur d'Alene.
Fishing and Boating Facilities
Fishing is a popular activity here. You can catch common game fish like bass, pike, and pan fish. The park has a marina where you can launch your boat. The marina also offers fuel and other supplies you might need for your trip.
