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Camping and Hiking in Idaho
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Farragut State Park
Farragut State Park is nestled at the foot of the Coeur d'Alene
Mountains in the Bitterroot Range. At 4,000 acres, it is one of
Idaho's largest state parks and borders Lake Pend Oreille.
Farragut was the second-largest naval training station in the
world during World War II. This site was chosen by Franklin
Roosevelt as a secure inland naval training site, suitable for
training 30,000 men at a time. Lake Pend Oreille's (Pond Oray)
incredible 1,152 foot depth served as an inland sea for whale
boat training during the war effort. Commissioned in 1942 and
named for Civil War Admiral David Glasgow Farragut, over 293,000
naval personnel trained at this massive inland facility. In
1965, this area became an Idaho State Park. A tour through this
4,000 acre park setting gives visitors opportunities for viewing
whitetail deer, wild turkeys, and snow-white mountain goats on
the rock cliffs above Lake Pend Oreille. There is a Visitor's
Center/Museum with interpretive displays about Athol, Bayview,
and Farragut. Recreation available: boating, camping, fishing,
hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, swimming, wildlife
viewing. For information call: (208)683-2425
Dworshak State Park
Dworshak State Park is located in a forested and open meadow
setting on the western shore of Dworshak Reservoir, a 53 mile
long popular boating and fishing spot. The area is known for its
moderate summer nights and mild winter temperatures. Recreation
available: bike path, boating, camping, fishing, hiking,
swimming, wildlife viewing. For information call: (208)476-5994
Three Island Crossing State Park
Three Island Crossing was one of the most famous spots on the
Oregon Trail. This is where emigrants had to decide to cross the
Snake River or endure the more difficult trail on the south side
of the river. The park features full-service camping and an
Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. Each August there is a
reenactment of the river crossing. Contact the state park office
for dates and times Recreation available: camping, fishing,
hiking, wildlife viewing. For information call: (208)366-2394
City of Rocks National Reserve
Granite columns, some reaching 60 stories tall, loom high above
this 500-acre valley popular with climbers. Established in 1988,
the Reserve encompasses 14,300 acres of land (about 1/2 is
privately owned) renowned for its scenic, geologic and historic
significance. Take a walk to see inscriptions on the spires
written in axle grease by pioneers traveling through on the
California Trail. Many of the granite rock formations that are
the outstanding features of the Reserve are over 2.5 billion
years old, some of the oldest rocks found in North America. The
rocks were shaped by weathering forces to form the fantastic
shapes you see today. City of Rocks is one of the finest
technical rock climbing sites anywhere. About 700 routes have
been described to date. One hundred-to-300 foot spires provide
most of the climbing opportunities, although there are 600-foot
spires which provide all-day adventures. Historical notes:
During the Westward expansion the City of Rocks area was an
important landmark along the California Trail. Many pioneers
left their names written in axle grease on the rocks adjacent to
the trail. The Kelton-Boise stage route also traveled through
the Reserve. Remains of the station site are still visible.
Recreation available: camping, hiking, horseback riding,
mountain biking, rock climbing, rock hounding, scenic drive,
wildlife viewing. For information call: (208)824-5519
Bear Lake State Park
The 120-square mile turquoise blue Bear Lake straddles the
Idaho-Utah border. Bear Lake State Park's two units on the north
and east end features 5 miles of sandy beaches for access to
swimming, power boating, waterskiing, sailing and fishing.
120-square mile Bear Lake straddles the Idaho-Utah border. Bear
Lake State Park's two units on the north and east end features 5
miles of sandy beaches for access to swimming, power boating,
waterskiing, sailing and fishing. The lake is known for its
turquoise waters, especially when viewed from Highway 89 summit
(7,800 feet in elevation) high above Garden City, Utah. Swimmers
will enjoy a two-mile-long beach on the north end of the lake,
plus a mile-and-a-half of beach on the east side. The gradual
slope of the lake bottom provides an enormous swimming area.
Anglers can try for a native cutthroat or lake trout in the
summer. In the winter, they can come back with buckets and nets
when the Bonneville Cisco run. The fish is found nowhere else on
earth. The Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located at the
north end of the park. The 17,600 acres of marsh, open water,
and grasslands provide nesting grounds for duck species such as
mallard, pintail, and canvasback, as well as sand hill cranes,
herons, egrets, Canada geese, and white pelicans. Recreation
available: boating, camping, fishing, swimming, wildlife
viewing, overnight camping. For information call: (208)945-2790
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