Your Ultimate Guide To State Parks In Idaho

Idaho is a state filled with hidden gems. There are natural wonders around every corner and many visitors don’t know what they are missing as they drive through. Fortunately, many of these gems are found in some of the best state parks in Idaho. From parks with lakes to those tucked into the mountains and even one featuring a massive sand dune, there is truly no better place to explore. And while you may ask, “How many state parks are in Idaho?” The answer is … oodles! There are 30 state parks scattered from the panhandle to the Utah/Idaho state line. Below are just 15 of the best state parks in Idaho. Which one are you going to visit first?

Most Popular State Parks In Idaho

Many of Idaho’s state parks are favorite getaway destinations for Idahoans and out-of-state guests. People will travel hundreds of miles to enjoy time at some of these incredible destinations. In no particular order, below are only four of the most popular state parks in the Gem State.

Lake Cascade State Park, 100 Kelly's Pkwy, Cascade, ID 83611, USA

Kent McBride/Google

Location: Cascade, Idaho

Wow Factor: This man-made reservoir is the fourth largest body of water in Idaho. It features 47 miles of surface area.

Need To Know: Come prepared for all types of adventures at this state park. It is home to several bucket-list-worthy hiking trails, more than 160 campsites, and beautiful sandy beaches.

When you visit Lake Cascade State Park for the first time, you will quickly see why so many Idahoans love it — it’s beautiful here. Plus, the list of things to do at Lake Cascade State Park is quite long. You can spend your days out on the water or head to the beach. Many of the beaches at this state park feature soft sand and gorgeous views.

Lucky Peak State Park, 9725 ID-21, Boise, ID 83716, USA

Lucky Peak State Park, Idaho - Spring Shores, Sandy Point, Discovery/Facebook

Location: Boise, Idaho

Wow Factor: This state park is not only close to Boise, but it offers a long list of activities from hiking to playing on sandy beaches.

Need To Know: There are three units of this park: Discovery, Sandy Point, and Spring Shores. Each unit offers different amenities and access to activities.

Lucky Peak State Park is just a short 10-minute drive from Boise and it’s the perfect place for a day trip. Plus, there are lots of things to do at Lucky Peak State Park including playing on the beach, kayaking, floating on a paddleboard, hiking, and picnicking. It’s one state park that the entire family will love.

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Eagle Island State Park, 165 Eagle Island Pkwy, Eagle, ID 83616, USA

Eagle Island State Park/Facebook

Location: Eagle, Idaho

Wow Factor: This state park is wonderful to visit all year, but it especially comes to life in the winter due to Gateway Parks, a family-friendly snow tubing hill.

Need To Know: This park can become quite busy, so it is best to avoid visiting on the weekends and holidays.

Just outside of Eagle in Treasure Valley is Eagle Island State Park. This incredible outdoor destination is 545 acres and is sure to delight any time of the year. During the summer, you’ll find things to do in Eagle Island State Park like swim, hike, and play at the disc golf course. But, this is the best state park in Idaho in winter as here you’ll find Gateway Parks, one of the best snow tubing hills in the Gem State.

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Bear Lake State Park - North Beach, 4772 N Beach Rd, St Charles, ID 83272, USA

Aaron Hawkins/iStock Via Getty Images Plus

Location: St. Charles, Idaho

Wow Factor: The water is so blue at this lake that it has earned the nickname “Caribbean of the Rockies.”

Need To Know: Bear Lake State Park is extremely busy during the summer. If you plan to visit during this time of year, you’ll want to book your accommodations far in advance.

Bear Lake State Park is one of the most popular getaway destinations in southern Idaho. This park sits on the Idaho and Utah state line and features beautiful blue water and countless water recreation opportunities. If you aren’t in the mood for boating or fishing, there are many other things to do at Bear Lake State Park from hiking and laying on the beach to diving into a fresh raspberry shake. This is one of the best state parks in Idaho in summer.

Best State Parks In Idaho To Camp

One of the best ways to enjoy Idaho’s state parks is on a camping trip. Whether you stay for a single night or an entire week, the best state parks in Idaho to camp offer everything you need for a night under the stars. So, pack your best camping gear and plan a trip to the following parks.

City of Rocks National Reserve, Almo, ID 83312, USA

City Of Rocks National Reserve/Facebook

Location: Almo, Idaho

Wow Factor: The rock formations create a landscape that is unique in Idaho.

Need To Know: Camping reservations are strongly encouraged. This national reserve is just a short drive from Castle Rocks State Park where you can find even more camping opportunities.

City of Rocks National Reserve may be found in the middle of nowhere, but it is well worth the drive. This 14,500-acre reserve is home to incredible rock formations and some of the oldest rocks in the West. Rock climbers from around the world come to this park as there are more than 1,000 established rock climbing routes. In addition to rock climbing, there are lots of things to do at City of Rocks State Park including camping. Here, you’ll find more than 60 campsites and many are nestled next to the giant boulders, making it easy to disconnect from the worries of daily life. This is also the newest International Dark Sky Park in Idaho.

Priest Lake State Park, 314 Indian Creek Park Rd, Coolin, ID 83821, USA

Priest Lake State Park/Facebook

Location: Coolin, Idaho

Wow Factor: This park may be one of the most beautiful in the entire state. It is located below the crest of the Selkirk Mountains and along the eastern shore of Priest Lake.

Need To Know: Most camping options are seasonal and fill up quickly during the summer months. Although, limited sites are available for winter camping.

Nestled in Idaho’s panhandle and just a short drive from the United States and Canada border, you will find Priest Lake State Park. This incredible park is 755 acres in the Selkirk Mountains and is the perfect getaway destination. While the list of things to do in Priest Lake State Park includes activities like hiking and boating, we recommend camping. Throughout the park, you’ll find up to 170 campsites including tent and RV sites. There are also unique accommodation options such as cabins if you don’t want to rough it.

Best State Parks In Idaho To RV

Sometimes, you don’t want to rough it and that’s okay. Instead, you can have an adventure and enjoy many of the comforts of home. The following destinations are state parks in Idaho that are perfect for loading up your RV and enjoying some time outdoors. Need to rent a vehicle? No problem! Check out this selection from RVShare.com.

Farragut State Park, 13550 ID-54, Athol, ID 83801, USA

Scott Latimer/Google

Location: Athol, Idaho

Wow Factor: This state park offers more than 4,000 acres to explore and more than 200 campsites.

Need To Know: Despite the large number of campsites, you’ll want to reserve campsites for your RV early – they can fill up very quickly.

Located on the southern tip of Lake Pend Oreille, this is easily one of the best state parks in Idaho, especially if you love to camp. This state park has multiple campsites, resulting in more than 200 campsites in total. You will find approximately 50 campsites with full hookups and 136 campsites with electric hookups. And when you aren’t spending time at your campsite, there is a long list of things to do at Farragut State Park including hiking, mountain biking, fishing, boating, and even learning World War II history.

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Ponderosa State Park, 1920 Davis Ave, McCall, ID 83638, USA

Management/TripAdvisor

Location: McCall, Idaho

Wow Factor: This state park in Idaho is beautiful and is home to one of our favorite overlooks — Osprey Point.

Need To Know: In addition to countless campsites, there are cabin rentals that are open year round.

Ponderosa State Park is not only an excellent destination for a day trip near McCall, but it also offers incredible campgrounds with breathtaking stargazing opportunities. Here, you’ll find campgrounds that range from basic campsites to those with hookups, perfect for a relaxing night in your RV. Just make sure you don’t plan to spend all of your time at the RV campground. This is a popular state park in Idaho and full of recreational opportunities.

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Best State Parks In Idaho For Hiking

While many state parks in Idaho offer a long list of activities, we love to go hiking. Whether you take a short walk or a long trek, this is a great way to discover what many of these state parks have to offer. Plus, in the best parks, you’ll find trails of all lengths and difficulty levels. Just don’t forget your hiking boots!

Harriman State Park, 3489 Green Canyon Rd, Island Park, ID 83429, USA

Reed Tuckfield/AllTrails

Location: Island Park, Idaho

Wow Factor: This is one of the largest state parks in Idaho and is home to more than 22 miles of hiking trails.

Need To Know: This park is located within a 16,000-acre wildlife refuge in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. It is also just a short drive from Henry’s Lake State Park.

Harriman State Park is one of the largest state parks in Idaho. Just a short drive from Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park, this park is an outdoor lovers paradise, especially if you love to hike. From short 1-mile hikes to treks that are miles long, you’ll find trails for every type of hiker. We particularly love Harriman State Park during the winter as this becomes an incredible destination for snowshoes, fat bikes, and cross-country skis.

Bruneau Dunes State Park, 27608 Bruneau Sand Dunes Rd, Bruneau, ID 83604, USA

Cassidy Dooley/AllTrails

Location: Bruneau, Idaho

Wow Factor: Bruneau Dunes State Park is home to the tallest free-standing sand dune in North America.

Need To Know: This is one of the best state parks in Idaho in spring as the cool weather is ideal for walking across the sand dunes.

There are a lot of things to do at Bruneau Dunes State Park. From sandboarding to camping, this state park may be one of the best and most unique places to explore in Idaho. However, it’s also a fabulous place for a hiking adventure. There are several hiking trails found in this state park, but we love the Bruneau Dunes Loop. This 2.3-mile loop trail takes hikers over a steep sand dune but the lake and dune views will make every step worth it. Just make sure you prepare properly for the trek – the sandy trails can certainly challenge you.

Heyburn State Park, 57 Chatcolet Lower Rd, Plummer, ID 83851, USA

Daniel Mitchell/AllTrails

Location: Plummer, Idaho

Wow Factor: There are miles of hiking trails in this state park, as well as the Coeur d’Alene Bike Trail.

Need To Know: Come prepared to spend a few days at this state park. With multiple lakes, trails, and more, there is too much to see in a single day.

With up to 8,000 acres to explore, Heyburn State Park is easily one of the best state parks in Idaho. This northern Idaho park is home to three lakes and the St. Joe River, providing plenty of water time. However, we love to visit the trails. With miles of hiking trails, there are plenty of options depending on your mood, energy, and fitness level. You may also want to hop on your bike and tackle a portion of the Coeur d’Alene Bike Trail that travels right through the park.

Hells Gate State Park, 5100 Hells Gate Rd, Lewiston, ID 83501, USA

Hanna Sihler/AllTrails

Location: Lewiston, Idaho

Wow Factor: This state park is home to diverse, yet extraordinary scenery. You’ll find large fields, massive canyons, and beautiful river views.

Need To Know: With all there is to do at this state park, you may want to plan several days to discover and explore.

Hells Gate State Park has something for every interest — outdoor recreational opportunities, history, adventure, and remarkable natural beauty. However, one of the best ways to explore this state park is on your own two feet. There are several trails at this park, some much more difficult than others. For an easy trail, consider Charlie’s Peak. This 2.4-mile trail features beautiful open spaces and views that will inspire.

Little-Known State Parks In Idaho

Many of our favorite state parks in Idaho are those that very few Idahoans actually know about or have ever visited. These are destinations where it is easy to find a little peace and quiet, and just because they may not be as popular, it doesn’t mean they don’t have plenty to offer. The following are three little-known state parks in Idaho that we love to visit.

Moscow, ID, USA

McCroskey State Park/Facebook

Location: Near Moscow, Idaho

Wow Factor: This is one of the oldest state parks in Idaho.

Need To Know: You can take a scenic drive on Skyline Drive to see much of this park. However, if you do choose to tackle the drive, know that it is rough and a high-clearance vehicle is strongly recommended.

Mary M. McCroskey State Park, better known as McCroskey State Park, is one of our favorite destinations in the Palouse Region. This is one of the oldest state parks in Idaho and home to incredible hidden gems like breathtaking overlooks of the Palouse, thick forests, and picture-perfect picnic areas. This state park also has a rich history that makes it even more special.

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Land of Yankee Fork State Park, 24424 ID-75, Challis, ID 83226, USA

Land of the Yankee Fork State Park and Historic Area/Facebook

Location: Challis, Idaho

Wow Factor: This state park has incredible historical sites to check out including three ghost towns and hot springs.

Need To Know: Portions of this state park are seasonal and it is best to check its current hours before you visit.

Land of Yankee Fork State Park may be a lesser-known state park in Idaho but after a single visit, it may just become your new favorite. This park is home to multiple historical sites including three ghost towns and Challis Hot Springs. Stop into the visitor center to learn more about the area and its history. This is an extraordinary place that you won’t want to drive by.

Three Island Crossing State Park, 1083 S Three Island Park Dr, Glenns Ferry, ID 83623, USA

AZtraveler777/TripAdvisor

Location: Glenns Ferry, Idaho

Wow Factor: This is one of the few destinations in Idaho where you can view original wagon ruts from travelers along the Oregon Trail.

Need To Know: There are several camping opportunities at this state park. The Wagon Wheel Campground can be reserved throughout the year.

History buffs will love a visit to Three Island Crossing State Park. This is one of the best destinations in the Gem State for viewing original wagon ruts left behind by those traveling on the Oregon Trail decades ago. And that’s not all. As you explore the park, you’ll find wagon replicas, excellent camping, and short hiking trails. We recommend you step into the Oregon Trail History and Education Center where stories of these travelers come to life.

Are there other state parks in Idaho that you would add to this list? What are some of your favorites? Let us know in the comments.

The above list only features 15 of the best state parks in Idaho, but there are so many more to explore. Check out our collection of state park articles for even more destinations that you will be sad to miss.