ROUTE 66 Road Trip By Pete Zimowsky

In Idaho, camping season almost never ends for RVers. The state boasts such an extreme range in elevations that RV camping can run from February through November, depending on your location. And Idaho’s state parks are known for catering to off-sea- son crowds. With that in mind, we asked a veteran RV camper and outdoor writer for his top must-see list of Idaho state parks and tips for camping by the seasons.

Idaho, by the Seasons

State parks offer f variety is what you seek, of Rocks, near the Utah border. Idaho delivers it with That makes for some amazing spectacular camping drama. From low river — and varied — camping. nearly year-round canyons to high Rocky Of course, even some of the I Mountains, from wind- low-elevation desert state parks shut sculpted sand dunes to glacial down their campsite water supplies alpine lakes — Idaho state parks in the winter because of freezing are a showcase of scenic diversity. temperatures, but that’s hardly a Consider this: Hells Gate State barrier to die-hard campers. Park, along the Snake River bor- Hey, you’re in an RV and there’s dering Washington State, rests at electricity at the parks. an elevation of 713 feet. The ter- It’s not hard to camp by the  rain rises to 6,500 feet at the City season in Idaho. You can start by Scenic Route Vol.1 / No. 4 ROUTE 66 Road Trip

(left) A mountain biker gets a lift at Brundage Mountain Ski Resort, a popular destination for hikers and bikers visiting nearby Ponderosa State Park. don’t forget

• Warm clothes for cool summer evenings • Binoculars for wildlife watching • Mountain bikes • Canoe or kayak for quiet mountain lakes Route 66 Regional ROUTE 66 RV Network Dealers: Bish’s RV Super Center 3911 N. 5th E Idaho Falls, ID 83401 208-529-4386

Bish’s RV Super Center 1515 Garrett Way , Pocatello, ID 83201 Idaho 208-232-4386 Seventh Heaven– Camper Village by the Seasons 4044 Chinden Blvd. Boise, ID 83714 208-336-0213 setting up camp at Bruneau Dunes where we can go (sea) kayaking October or early November when Seventh Heaven State Park in southwest Idaho — and it’s near for hiking,” said Jeff temperatures are still fairly mild for Recreation with all its desert features — in late DeWitt of Boise, who camps with a northern climate. And no matter 3880 Chinden Blvd. February or early March. his family in their travel trailer. where you are, Idaho’s state parks Boise, ID 83714 As the weather warms, most This year, the DeWitt fam- are usually located within minutes 208-343-6203 campers flock to mountain loca- ily was camping by early June at of major towns where you can dine Seventh Heaven– tions, like Ponderosa State Park, in Ponderosa and their travel trailer out, restock supplies and regroup. Meridian the summer. Located at the moun- proved a cozy shelter against cool The state parks also lie along 203 S. Main St. tain town of McCall, it’s a popular evening temperatures. major interstates and north-south Meridian, ID 83642 destination for RV campers who Fall is a good time of the year highways for convenient stopovers 208-846-8844 like sailing or motor boating on to visit mountain locations before on long-distance trips across coun- Payette Lake. the snows hit, and you can revisit try or visits to the West Coast. “It’s right near Payette Lake Bruneau Dunes State Park in late With lush scenery and varied  Scenic Route Vol.1 / No. 4 Heyburn

geography, you don’t have to go far park store at Indian Creek carries in Idaho to find a park that’s right supplies, too. for you, whatever the season. Getting there: From Boise take Here are a few to whet your Idaho 55 to New Meadows and appetite: continue on U.S. 95 to Sandpoint. Turn west on U.S. 2 to Priest River. Priest Lake The state park is 33 miles north State Park on Idaho 57. It’s a full day’s drive Want to camp in some of the from Boise to Priest Lake (about most incredible mountain and lake 480 miles). It’s also accessible from country in Idaho? Head to Priest Spokane, Wash. Lake State Park in the northern part Information: (208) 443-2200 of the state this summer. The park or www.idahoparks.org. lies on the shores of Priest Lake, a 19-mile-long lake at the base Farragut of the Selkirk Mountains near the State Park Canadian border. This park sits on the shores Amenities: RV campgrounds of Lake Pend Oreille in northern with dump station, electrical hook- Idaho — easily one of the state’s ups, boat ramps, docks, and hiking most beautiful spots for late-spring About Idaho State Parks and biking trails. Sites are 50-foot through early-fall camping. Lake • Camping fees for RVs: $16 a night for water maximum. Pend Oreille is Idaho’s largest lake, and electricity; $18 a night if sewer hookups Activities: Hiking or mountain sprawling across 94,600 acres and are included. They are available in certain biking on the northernmost tip of reaching 1,150 feet in its deep- parks. All visitors in vehicles must pay an Idaho’s Centennial Trail by Upper est spots. Besides the incredible additional $4 motor vehicle entry fee to get into state parks. Priest Lake which winds through backdrop of the Coeur d´Alene • Length of stay: 15 days in any 30-day period. lush forests. Priest Lake and Upper mountains, the lake offers trophy • Annual State Park Passport: This $25 annual Priest Lake offer incredible boat- fishing for 30-pound trout, nation- pass allows motor vehicle entry into Idaho ing for motor boaters, sail boaters ally rated sailing and wide-open state parks as often as you wish in a year. and canoeists and touring kayak- water skiing. • Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. No generators or other motorized equipment emitting sound ers. White-tailed deer, black bear, Amenities: Full service hook- and exhaust may be operated during quiet moose, waterfowl and bald eagles ups for water and electricity, a hours. can be seen near or around the park. dump station and maximum 60- • Check out time: 1 p.m. Grizzlies and caribou live deep in foot camp spaces. It sports nature • Information: www.idahoparks.org the nearby Selkirk Mountains. trails, boat ramps and lots of places Supplies: Area resorts offer ser- to go bike riding. vices for campers and boaters. The Activities: Hiking, mountain  Scenic Route Vol.1 / No. 4 From top to bottom: Jeff DeWitt, of Boise, Idaho, helps his daughters with their bikes at Ponderosa State Park in early June. The family likes the park’s proxim- ity to Payette Lake for kayaking. Spotting swans in early spring is a highlight for birdwatchers at Heyburn State Park in North Central Idaho. Idaho lakes offer Heyburn nationally rated sailing, water skiing, kayaking and canoeing opportunities. canoeing, and sea kayaking. continue north to Plummer. Take Supplies: The towns of Moscow Idaho 5 east to the park. Expect or Coeur d´Alene are a little over an about a seven-hour drive. It is also hour away, but are worth the drive easily accessible from Spokane and for an evening out or shopping. The Coeur d’Alene. marina store at the park provides Information: Call the park food, gas and camping gear. The at (208) 686-1308 or www.ida- biking, motor boating or sailing are the Civilian Conservation Corps, town of Plummer is the closest hoparks.org. popular. The park also hosts lots the Coeur d´Alene Tribe, local his- place for stores and restaurants. of wildlife. Mountain goats can tory and wildlife. The lakes are also Getting there: From Boise, Continued on page 10 be seen on the mountains across great for motor boating, sailing, take Idaho 55 north to U.S. 95 and the lake. Supplies: Marinas can be found CARRY IT. at the towns of Bayview, Sandpoint and Hope. Sandpoint is the place to dine out and go shopping. Getting there: It’s an all-day drive from Boise. Head north on Idaho 55 to New Meadows, then U.S. 95 to Sandpoint. You can’t miss the lake. It’s also accessible by freeway from Washington and Montana to Coeur d´Alene and then north. Information: (208) 683-2425 or www.idahoparks.org.

Heyburn State Park This park is located on Chatcolet and Benewah lakes and Hidden Bay, which are at the south end of Lake CARRY IT AWAY. Coeur d´Alene. It is said to be the oldest state park in the Northwest, dating back to 1908. Try it anytime 206 Series 205S from March through October. 205B Amenities: The 7,838-acre park includes three campgrounds and The fifth wheel hitch that’s The Gooseneck fifth wheel hitch two boat marinas. Campgrounds there when you need it, not converter that gives you back offer full hookups for RVers, a when you don’t. your bed. When you’re not towing, the Free Ride 206 Series Hitch Assembly dump station and maximum removes completely and easily, leaving your • Ball plate with 2-5/16 ball spins in and out. 55-foot sites. bed flat and clear. • 30,000 lbs. rating. • Rated to 18,000 pounds. • Requires only one 3” hole in truck bed. Activities: Fish for trout, north- • No towing hardware in your bed when • Complete kit, nothing else to buy. you don’t need it. ern pike, bass and panfish. Marshes • No drilling into your truck frame. 205B Fifth Wheel Gooseneck Adapter • No need for a lockout device. Automatic latching coupler attaches to any here are ideal for bird watching, • Side-to-side pivot of 10 degrees. fifth wheel. • Easy on/off design. • Converts fifth wheel hitch to gooseneck hitch. especially waterfowl. To see the • Adjustable height & durable • Drop down style coupler allows full range of powder coated finish. motion for easy hookup and disconnect. swans in early spring is a treat. Thick • 30,000 lbs. rating with 15-1/4” overall height. cedar and pine forests are home to 205S Fifth Wheel Gooseneck Adapter Same as the 205B with a 12” overall height. deer and other wildlife. Check out

the Chatq´ele´ Interpretive Center Call toll-free or visit us online in the former Rocky Point Lodge, for the dealer nearest you. which features information about ® 888-CE-HITCH www.colibert.com  Reader Inquiry #104 Scenic Route Vol.1 / No. 4 Winchester Lake State Park Winchester Lake State Park, north of Grangeville, has it all: a lake, woods, trails, and wildlife. It’s a family-friendly camping area, the perfect place to just pitch camp and hang out from late May through Top photos courtesy of Idaho Department of of Department Idaho of courtesy photos Top Recreation and Parks October. Amenities: RV hookups, a dump station and 60-foot maxi- mum sites. There are lots of sum- mer programs for the kids. Be sure to visit the nearby Wolf Education and Research Center. Activities: This is a mellow place with trails for short hikes or bike rides. Winchester Lake is stocked with trout and great to explore by canoe. Wildlife watch- ing for deer, osprey, waterfowl and

Dunes eagles lures many people here. Supplies: Stock up in the towns of Grangeville or Lewiston before heading to the state park. Getting there: Drive about five hours north of Boise on Idaho 55 and U.S. 95 to Winchester. Go through town and follow the signs to the park. It is also accessible from Spokane. Bruneau Information: (208) 924-7563 or www.idahoparks.org.

Bruneau Dunes State Park This park is ideal for early spring and late fall when other campsites are snowbound. Shade trees and shelters also make it palatable for early summer campers. The main attraction is the sand dunes that rise 470 feet above two small lakes. Amenities: Full-service hook- ups for RVs, a dump station and 80-foot maximum campsites. The park is a popular resting area for RVers traveling I-84 across Idaho to points West and Northwest. You’ll find hiking trails, and small docks for nonmotorized boats. Activities: Try skiing or board- Dramatic sand dunes tower nearly 500 feet high at Bruneau Dunes State Park. With lush scenery and varied ing on the dunes, fly a kite or fish geography, you don’t have to go far in Idaho to find a state park that’s right for your needs. Idaho state parks lie for bluegill and bass. Visitors also conveniently near major interstates and highways — usually within minutes of towns for shopping and restocking supplies. enjoy hiking and wonderful pho- tography opportunities of the dunes

10 Scenic Route Vol.1 / No. 4 and surrounding desert at sunrise and sunset. A visitor center features displays on local wildlife and infor- mation about how the unique sand dunes were formed. Supplies: The town of Mountain Home to the north offers full ser- vices with cafes, burger joints and grocery stores. Getting there: Drive east from Boise on Interstate 84 and turn onto Idaho 51 at Mountain Home. The park is just past the Snake River. Access is also available on the inter- state coming in from Salt Lake City and points east. Information: (208) 366-7919 or www.idahoparks.org.

Ponderosa State Park The park occupies a peninsula jutting into the azure waters of Idaho’s Payette Lake near McCall in the west-central part of the state. The view from the top of Brundage Mountain is worth the climb.

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11 Scenic Route Vol.1 / No. 4 Changing seasons brings changing scenery at Idaho State Parks, with Ponderosa sparkling lakes, summer wildflowers and the breathtaking backdrop of rugged mountain ranges.

Priest River

In June, visitors will find wildflow- beaver, muskrat, and bear. Canoeing ers around Meadow Marsh, ranging or sea kayaking close to shore is from blue camas to wild orchids. popular. Try beaching in one of Camping is good from late May the coves for a picnic. The lake is through October. known for water-skiing or wake Amenities: Electric and water boarding, but bring a wet suit. This hookups, a dump station and 80- is a former glacial lake, so the foot maximum sites. It’s a busy water is chilly, even in the summer. Recreation and Parks of Department Idaho of courtesy TPhotos park in the summer and reserva- Nearby, the Brundage Mountain You’ll find high-end grocery stores to McCall and look for the signs to tions are hard to get but worth Ski Resort keeps chairlifts running and hometown drug stores, espres- Ponderosa State Park. it. Fall is a good time to visit as in the summer for mountain bikers so shops and drive-through food. Information: (208) 634-2164 or crowds decrease. and hikers. Camp and enjoy a night on the www.idahoparks.org. [ Activities: Picnicking, nature Supplies: The town of McCall town only a few minutes away. trails, birdwatching and viewing offers a variety of restaurants, from Getting there: McCall is 102 wildlife, including deer, red fox, ethnic cuisine to burger shacks. miles north of Boise. Take Idaho 55

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