Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation

Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Improving the quality of life in Idaho through outdoor recreation & resource stewardship. 🏕️

Visit getoutside.idaho.gov to reserve a campsite today!

Idaho State Parks and Recreation manages 30 state parks and recreation areas that span dramatic mountainsides, lake shores, serene forests, wildlife-filled meadows, unique deserts and granite monoliths. We also manage several recreational programs related to motorized and non-motorized trails, Off Highway Vehicles and boating. Welcome to the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation’s Official page

on Facebook! The purpose of this site is to present matters of public interest concerning the Department’s programs, activities, events, stories, and photos. We welcome your comments, however, please note this is a limited public forum. If you need an official source of information about the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, please visit our website at www.parksandrecreation.idaho.gov. Comments made by the public to our page will be reviewed, and while comments will not be edited by our personnel, the Department reserves the right to remove comments that include:

• Comments unrelated to the purpose and topical scope of the page. The page is not meant for comments that do not directly relate to the purpose or topical scope of the page.

• Obscenity.

• Child po*******hy.

• Incitement to imminent lawless action.

• Speech presenting a grave and imminent threat.

• Fighting words.

• True threats.

• Fraud.

• Defamation (libel/slander).

• Solicitations to commit or speech integral to, criminal conduct.

• Promotion or advertisement of a business or commercial transaction.

• Promotion in favor of, or in opposition to, a candidate campaigning for election to a political office.

• Copyrighted material (if posted without the copyright holder’s consent). The Department may take steps to have a comment removed if it falls within one of the foregoing categories. Also, please keep in mind that this is an internet page on facebook.com. Facebook, Inc. owns and operates facebook.com. It has its own policies and standards concerning what may, and may not, be posted and the actions that it may take with regard to unauthorized posts. See “Facebook Community Standards” at www.facebook.com/communitystandards/. The department may also take steps to remove “robo spam” and/or comments by “social bots” (i.e. content posted by automatic software programs, or “bots”) if necessary to ensure access for the general public. Furthermore, while we encourage debate and discussion, we respectfully request that commenters be mindful that this site is open to the public and that commenters be courteous and civil toward one another. The Department is not responsible for, and neither endorses nor opposes, comments placed on this site by visitors to this site. Commenters are personally responsible for their own comments, username, and/or any information placed on this page by the commenter.

Join us for the grand opening of Twin Peaks Ranch State Park, Saturday, June 27th! 🦌
06/15/2026

Join us for the grand opening of Twin Peaks Ranch State Park, Saturday, June 27th! 🦌

The Freedom Truck, Freedom250’s mobile museum, is in Boise this week—and you’re invited to visit! From June 8–10, the Fr...
06/09/2026

The Freedom Truck, Freedom250’s mobile museum, is in Boise this week—and you’re invited to visit!

From June 8–10, the Freedom Truck will be parked at the headquarters of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, at 5657 E. Warm Springs Ave., Boise, ID 83716, and open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., free of charge.

Inside this 18-wheeler, interactive museum, you can:
Walk through immersive exhibits that tell the story of how 13 colonies fought for independence and forged a new nation;
Explore interactive touchscreens and games that bring key battles, ideas, and turning points to life;
Meet AI-powered “talking” portraits of the Founders and other figures from the Revolutionary era;
Take the “Loyalist or Patriot?” quiz and digitally sign your name to the Declaration of Independence; and
Spend time at a wall of American heroes that highlights the people who have defended and expanded our freedoms over 250 years.

Bring your family, neighbors, colleagues, or friend, and discover how the story of 1776 still calls each of us to serve, lead, and strengthen our communities.

Last week we celebrated the ribbon cutting of the new Chatcolet Marina at Heyburn State Park! This incredible partnershi...
05/28/2026

Last week we celebrated the ribbon cutting of the new Chatcolet Marina at Heyburn State Park!

This incredible partnership project creates a premier recreation destination for North Idaho and future generations of visitors.

The new marina offers expanded opportunities to boat, bike, fish, swim, paddle, and explore the beauty of Lake Coeur d’Alene and Heyburn State Park with features including:

148 covered boat slips with electrical hookups
14 additional houseboat slips
A 1,000-foot accessible breakwater for fishing, swimming, lounging, and lake access
Fuel dock and pump-out station
Two-lane boat launch and community dock space
Kayak and paddleboard storage lockers
Plaza promenade connected directly to the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes
Waterfront convenience store with scenic patio views

Built with durable, commercial-grade infrastructure and designed for year-round recreation access, Chatcolet Marina will support local tourism, outdoor recreation, and community connection for decades to come.

We are grateful for the strong collaboration between the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, project contractors, engineers, construction crews, Idaho Parks and Recreation staff, and the many community supporters who helped make this vision a reality.

Moorage opened Memorial Day Weekend 2026! Visitors can reserve slips and learn more at getoutside.idaho.gov

Join Us! We still have volunteer opportunities open for the 2026 summer!There are multiple positions available across ou...
05/22/2026

Join Us! We still have volunteer opportunities open for the 2026 summer!

There are multiple positions available across our 30+ state parks including:

• Camp host
• Visitor support
• Maintenance
• Park store support
• Kiosk support
• Housekeeping
• Special projects and events

We look forward to welcoming you to our volunteer team.🌄

👉 Apply to volunteer:
https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/park-activity/volunteering/

Looking for the perfect Memorial Weekend getaway? Look no further! Use our discount codes at checkout to get 25% off you...
05/20/2026

Looking for the perfect Memorial Weekend getaway? Look no further! Use our discount codes at checkout to get 25% off your reservations statewide!

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day, we hope to see you at your favorite state park! 🇺🇸

🏕️ Ready to make this your daily view? Volunteer with us as a campground host! Volunteering in Idaho State Parks is a jo...
05/13/2026

🏕️ Ready to make this your daily view? Volunteer with us as a campground host!

Volunteering in Idaho State Parks is a joyful way to give back—meet great people, spend time outside, and help keep our parks beautiful for everyone. All our parks welcome volunteers, and every hour makes a real difference.

Right now, these locations are in extra need of support: Priest Lake, Farragut, Old Mission, Wi******er Lake, Lake Cascade, Lucky Peak, Eagle Island, Three Island Crossing, Thousand Springs, Bear Lake, Harriman, Massacre Rocks, and Twin Peaks.

If you are ready to spend time outdoors while giving back to the places you enjoy, we would be thrilled to have you join our volunteer community!

✨ Learn more and sign up:
https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/online-volunteer-application/

Farragut State Park is seeking Hosts for the 2026 Season for the following positions:• Kiosk host pair - Full season• 2 ...
05/13/2026

Farragut State Park is seeking Hosts for the 2026 Season for the following positions:

• Kiosk host pair - Full season

• 2 Kiosk Host Pairs couples or 4 individual Kiosk Hosts - August & September

• Whitetail Campground Host - Full Season

• Whitetail Campground Host - September

• Gilmore Campground Host- August

• Waldron Campground Host

Please Call (208) 514-2493 for more information or to apply!

The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation is accepting applications to fill vacancies on the following Advisory Commi...
05/12/2026

The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation is accepting applications to fill vacancies on the following Advisory Committees in the following areas:

· Recreational Vehicle Program (RV) Advisory Committee

· Waterways Improvement Fund (WIF) Advisory Committee

· Off-Road Motor Vehicle (ORMV) Advisory Committee

· Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Advisory Committee

These committee members evaluate grant applications based on established criteria and make recommendations to the Idaho Park and Recreation Board for funding. View the full announcement, a district map, and get application information on our website.

Following the passing of former Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne, the Idaho Department of Parks and Recrestion wishes to e...
05/07/2026

Following the passing of former Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne, the Idaho Department of Parks and Recrestion wishes to extend its gratitude to Governor Kempthorne and his family.

Governor Kempthorne led a life dedicated to public service and was a champion of state parks.

In 2005/2006 Governor Kempthorn led an effort called Experience Idaho in an effort to support Idaho’s State Parks, and connect visitors with Idaho’s great outdoors.

One of the long-standing programs that still serves visitors today is the Experience Idaho Loaner Backpack Program. Governor Kempthorne knew that getting children outside and exploring the natural world was and is one of Idaho State Park’s most important goals.

This program is indicative of Kempthorne’s dedication to Gem State’s Crown Jewels—its parks. The program is a small part of Kempthorne’s monumental legacy.

Ponderosa State park is home to the Dirk Kempthorne visitor center. If you’re ever visiting Ponderosa, be sure to take the time to read and learn more about Kempthorne’s contributions to our parks system.

Address

5657 E Warm Springs Avenue
Boise, ID
83716

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+12085142430

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