Numerous beautiful and inviting state parks dot Idaho’s Northern territory; several even include winter ice skating, ice fishing and snowmobiling. However, two outstanding parks, Farragut and Heyburn, offer visitors a fantastic environment to fish, hike, bike, camp, play disc golf, swim, boat and cross-country ski.

Farragut State Park

Located near Coeur d’Alene, Farragut State Park is a 4,000-acre park that is ideal for families and boaters. The distance and design between recreational activities and camping provides a balanced and peaceful mixed use. The park’s ample amenities, such as electricity, flush toilets and private lockable tile showers, smoothes over the more rugged aspects of camping.

In addition to primitive and developed camping sites, the park also features ten modern log cabins with electricity and an outdoor grill-covered fire pit. Although a bit small, the charming, clean and lockable cabins are inexpensive. The cabins sleep up to five between bunk beds and a large futon. The cozy units include a themed log table and chairs, with a two-person outdoor porch swing, perfect for reading a book or gazing at the lake. Make reservations well in advance of your visit, the cabins are popular. For optimal solitude, book a week into September.

For boating and swimming in the park, Lake Pend Oreille is the largest in the state and a magnificent sight at dawn. Gentle waves lap against the shoreline and early morning anglers cast from their boats, taking advantage of the calm and quiet. Level wooded trails skirt the edge of the lake and are a picturesque, easy stroll.

Farragut provides several fun activities for visitors, such as a model airplane field, two disc golf courses and interpretive programs, not to mention the famous Silverwood Theme Park that is located only a few minutes away. For history and museum buffs, the Museum at the Brig, located in Farragut State Park, is an intriguing site. Once a training facility of the U.S. Navy in World War II, the buildings now house fascinating paraphernalia of the ‘40s naval base and even a few original cell brigs where the German POWs were kept. Some of the authentic POW cells are a bit creepy, but the overall impression is an excellent representation of the WWII war era. The Brig is a wonderful photo opportunity and the naval museum is definitely worth a visit.

Heyburn State Park

Heyburn State Park, located in Plummer, Idaho, is the oldest state park in the Pacific Northwest. The vast recreation area of the park (5700 acres) provides activities from camping, canoeing and horse trails to wildlife viewing. The first inhabitants of the area were the Coeur d’Alene Indians (Schee Chu Umsh). This beautiful area still reflects the harmony of its origin. Heyburn is reminiscent of state campgrounds years-ago, before the crush of population expansion made over-crowded park conditions discouraging for many campers and outdoor enthusiasts.

An afternoon stroll on Rocky Point by Chatcolet Lake is uplifting. The crunch of tree needles under your shoes releases the aromatic scent of sun-warmed Grand Fir, and the lake view is stellar! The well-maintained facilities are impressive with boat launches, a new interpretive center, public docks, showers, cabins, cottages and a host of activities for all age groups and fitness levels.

Two activities worth a special mention are the Plummer Creek marsh for wildlife photography, and the Heyburn State Park Cruises on the St. Joe River. Plummer Creek is equipped with a wildlife viewing blind for observation and photography. The area wildlife is rich with bald eagles, white tail deer, otters and many other species as well.

For a marvelous experience, take a cruise on the St. Joe River with the Idaho. The boat accommodates up to 87 passengers and tours past scenic and wildlife areas. Tall, fabricated nesting stands line both side of the river at various points for numerous large species of birds. The park cruises provide indoor and outdoor seating with lunch, dinner, special events and sunset voyages available. Try the lunch cruise and make sure to sit at the bow table for an unparallel view.

For additional information on Farragut and Heyburn State Park, visit ParksAndRecreation.idaho.gov

Activities

Silverwood Theme Park is the largest original theme park in the Northwest and is the biggest tourist attraction in Idaho. The distinction is apt for this fun and exhilarating park that sports Garfield as their character mascot. Family owned and operated, Silverwood has created a theme park with great attention to detail and jam-packed the park with fabulous attractions. Giant, wooden, looping roller coasters (the Timber Terror and Tremors) speed past the Panic Plunge Drop Tower and race underground to provide even the staunchest roller coaster critic an impressive ride. The western and Victorian themed park features an array of attractions from sedate to adrenaline-charge and boasts an incredible wet water park, Boulder Beach. From magic shows to pizza parlors, the park offers a full range of attractions and events to keep a family busy for days. With a recent six million dollar expansion on the Boulder Beach Water Park and outbidding Disney for a 1915 steam engine (runs a three-mile loop around the park circumference), Silverwood in now in the theme park big leagues. Most noticeably, Silverwood is kept immaculately clean and is scrupulous about strict maintenance. The park is a blast for all ages and is worth a trip to Idaho alone.

For bicycling and mountain bike enthusiasts, Idaho has a multitude of bike trails. Notably the longest and most spectacular bike trail in the Western U.S. is Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. This 73-mile trail is newly asphalted and was created over an old train route. This is good news, as train routes were rarely graded steeper than two to four percent and that makes for a mostly flat trail acceptable for all levels of bicycling. The bike trailhead begins in Plummer, meanders past the shoreline of Coeur d’Alene Lake, then continues through numerous lakes, marshes, campgrounds, resorts and scenic stretches. The trail goes on to make its way up to the Coeur d’Alene River, and then up into the mountains of Mullen. This truly is a magnificently beautiful bike trail and it can be accessed almost anywhere along the 73-mile path.

For a family bike ride, or take just a shorter scenic route, start in Kellogg, Idaho, at the Kellogg Depot Trailhead. Full mountain bikes aren’t necessary for this paved trail and if you wish to rent a bike, Excelsior Cycle (Phone: 208-786-3751) is located right at the Kellogg Depot Trailhead. This company is reasonably priced, knowledgeable and provides the correct height bicycle for their customers. For additional information on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, visit IdahoParks.org and click on Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes on the right-hand side map.

For a tremendous mountain bike ride, the Route of the Hiawatha is located adjacent to I-90 at the Idaho/Montana state line, 12 miles east of Wallace, Idaho. The route is spectacular and offers a unique experience! Once a railroad stretch, the Hiawatha was graveled and made into a bike route. The route runs 15-miles across the rugged Bitterroot Mountains between Idaho and Montana. The popular route runs downhill at a two percent grade and starts at the East Portal of the Taft Tunnel. Riders follow the path through Taft Tunnel, which is roughly over a mile-and-a-half. Yes, bikes must have headlights and riders need helmets. This route is unique and popular due to the gorgeous scenery, 10 tunnels, seven high trestles and multitude of interesting interpretive plaques along the trail (the Taft tunnel is the longest). The route is seasonal from the end of May to the first week in October and requires a small user fee. The ride is not difficult and presents a splendid opportunity for photography with changing scenery and a chance to see unspoiled wilderness. For additional information, visit SkiLookout.com and click on the Route of the Hiawatha on the right hand side.

Join us next month for part two on Northern Idaho, as we explore additional activities, restaurants, lodging and museums.

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