List of Idaho state parks Facts for Kids

Idaho is a state in the western United States, known for its beautiful mountains, rivers, and forests. It has many special places where you can explore nature, learn about history, and have fun outdoors! These places are called state parks.

Idaho has 27 state parks that are looked after by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. These parks are great for camping, hiking, fishing, and seeing amazing wildlife. While there are 30 places listed as state parks in Idaho's laws, three of them are managed by other groups:

Veterans Park in Boise is managed by the City of Boise.
Mowry State Park on Lake Coeur d'Alene is managed by Kootenai Parks and Waterways.
Glade Creek near Lolo Pass is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

These parks are still state property, but different groups help take care of them.

Discover Idaho's State Parks and Trails
Images for kids
See also

Discover Idaho's State Parks and Trails

Idaho's state parks offer many different adventures, from towering sand dunes to historic mining towns and beautiful lakes. Here's a look at some of the amazing places you can visit:

Northern Idaho Parks

Coeur d'Alene Parkway State Park is a path along the north shore of Lake Coeur d'Alene. It's perfect for walking and biking.
Dworshak State Park has three areas on the shore of the Dworshak Reservoir. It's a great spot for water activities.
Farragut State Park is a large park on Lake Pend Oreille. It used to be a U.S. Navy training base!
Heyburn State Park is the oldest state park in the Pacific Northwest, opened in 1908. It protects three beautiful lakes.
Old Mission State Park is home to Idaho's oldest standing building, a mission built in 1853. You can learn about its history here.
Priest Lake State Park has three parts around Priest Lake in the Selkirk Mountains. It's a peaceful place to explore.
Round Lake State Park surrounds a 58-acre lake, offering a quiet escape into nature.
Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes is a 73-mile paved path across the Idaho Panhandle. It's a fantastic trail for biking and walking.

Southwestern Idaho Parks

Bruneau Dunes State Park is famous for its huge sand dunes, some rising 470 feet high! You can even sandboard here.
Eagle Island State Park is near Boise and has fun day-use areas. It includes a swimming beach and a water slide.
Hells Gate State Park is at the entrance to Hells Canyon, which is the deepest canyon in North America.
Lucky Peak State Park has three areas east of Boise, located on Lucky Peak Lake and the Boise River. It's a popular spot for water fun.
Massacre Rocks State Park has a field of large boulders along the Snake River. It was a famous spot on the Oregon Trail where pioneers worried about ambushes.
Three Island Crossing State Park tells the story of a place where pioneers on the Oregon Trail crossed the Snake River.

Central Idaho Parks

Harriman State Park protects a huge area for wildlife and a historic ranch. It's also known for fly fishing.
Henrys Lake State Park is next to Henrys Lake, not far from Yellowstone National Park. It's a great place for fishing.
Lake Cascade State Park has many areas around the 86-mile shoreline of Lake Cascade.
Land of the Yankee Fork State Park teaches about Idaho's mining history. You can see old mining towns like Bayhorse and Custer.
Ponderosa State Park is on a peninsula that sticks out into Payette Lake. It's a beautiful spot with tall trees.

Southeastern Idaho Parks

Ashton to Tetonia Trail is a 29.6-mile trail that follows an old railroad path. It's great for walking and biking.
Bear Lake State Park has two areas on the shore of the beautiful Bear Lake.
Castle Rocks State Park features amazing granite rock formations and an old ranch. It's popular for climbing.
City of Rocks National Reserve is known for its granite spires and rock formations, which are very popular for rock climbing.
Lake Walcott State Park is a good spot for water activities at the northwest end of Lake Walcott.
Thousand Springs State Park has many units in the Hagerman Valley. Here, countless springs flow out of the valley walls, creating beautiful waterfalls.

Other Parks

McCroskey State Park offers a scenic drive along a ridge with great views of the Palouse region.
Winchester Lake State Park surrounds a 104-acre lake famous for its rainbow trout fishing.