One of the great things about Idaho (and there are many!) is all of the state parks that are scattered across the state. From remarkable rocks and sand dunes to the most beautiful lakes, there are some fascinating state parks that you don’t want to miss. To help you enjoy some of the best that the state has to offer, we sat down and created this state parks road trip in Idaho. Because of the size of the Gem State and the number of state parks here, we focused our trip on the southwestern part of the state. Hop in your car and let’s start exploring!
Google Maps Our road trip consists of just over six hours of drive time. This means that you will certainly want to plan several days to complete the trip in its entirety. You can use this interactive map to help you customize this road trip to your specific starting and ending locations.
Castle Rocks State Park, Almo
Castle Rocks State Park/Facebook Our state parks road trip in Idaho will begin at Castle Rocks State Park near the small town of Almo. This state park is filled with unique rock formations that date back more than 2.5 million years. You can hike, climb on the rocks, or capture images of this unique scenery with your camera. Spend the night in one of the 37 campsites or stay in a century-old ranch house during your visit. Castle Rocks State Park, 748 E Castle Rock Rd, Almo, ID 83312, USA
Thousand Springs State Park, Hagerman
katie wheeler/Flickr Thousand Springs State Park is absolutely beautiful and a bit unique compared to other state parks on our road trip. This state park is divided into six units and each is quite different than the others. While you can certainly spend all day exploring each of these areas of the park, we recommend checking out the historical structures and waterfalls at Ritter Island, capturing some pictures at Malad Gorge, and going for a hike at Box Canyon Nature Preserve. To learn more about this state park in Idaho, click here. Thousand Springs State Park - Malad Gorge Unit, 2314 S Ritchie Rd, Hagerman, ID 83332, USA
Three Island Crossing State Park, Glenns Ferry
Three Island Crossing State Park/Facebook Located near Glenns Ferry, Three Island Crossing State Park will take you back in time and will be a favorite stop for history buffs. During your visit to this state park, you can see original wagon ruts along the Oregon Trail. Take the time to view Conestoga replicas and learn all about the pioneers and early settlers at the Oregon Trail History and Education Center. This is also a terrific place to spend the night as this state park features a campground with water and electrical services as well as cabins. Three Island Crossing State Park, 1083 S Three Island Park Dr, Glenns Ferry, ID 83623, USA
Bruneau Dunes State Park, Bruneau
Charles Knowles/Flickr Bruneau Dunes State Park is a favorite state park for many Idahoans. This is another unique and absolutely stunning state park that is filled with sand dunes, small lakes, and incredible desert terrain. This state park is also home to the tallest single-structured sand dune in North America. Bring a sandboard to climb up the dunes and then slide all the way down — it’s definitely worth it. Bruneau Dunes State Park, 27608 Bruneau Sand Dunes Rd, Bruneau, ID 83604, USA
Lucky Peak State Park, Boise
Lucky Peak State Park, Idaho - Spring Shores, Sandy Point, Discovery/Facebook If you want to spend the day admiring Mother Nature’s creations, Lucky Peak State Park is the place to go. Head to the Discovery Park area at this state park and spend your day fishing, kayaking, or canoeing. Then, make your way to Sandy Point for a swim on the shores of Lucky Peak Lake and enjoy a picnic lunch. There are also equipment rentals so you can spend all day on the water if you desire. Click here to learn more about this state park in Idaho. Lucky Peak State Park, 9725 ID-21, Boise, ID 83716, USA
Eagle Island State Park, Eagle
Eagle Island State Park/Facebook Eagle Island State Park is located just outside of Eagle and features 545 acres that are worth exploring. If you take this state park road trip in the summer months, you can swim, hike, or enjoy a picnic in a beautiful grassy area. In the winter, Gateway Parks at Eagle Island State Park turns into the ultimate family snow tubing park in Idaho. Eagle Island State Park, 165 Eagle Island Pkwy, Eagle, ID 83616, USA
Lake Cascade State Park, Cascade
Lake Cascade State Park/Facebook The final stop on our state parks road trip in Idaho is Lake Cascade State Park. If you want to spend a day on the water, this Idaho state park will not disappoint. Throw in a line and catch a variety of fish, windsurf, or even sail on the lake. There are also ample hiking and mountain biking opportunities all around this gorgeous state park. Lake Cascade State Park also offers year-round camping opportunities if you want to spend even more time in this area of the Gem State. Lake Cascade State Park, 100 Kelly’s Pkwy, Cascade, ID 83611, USA
So, what did you think of our state parks road trip? Are there any additional stops you would make or things you would do in each state park? If so, let us and your fellow travelers know in the comments!
Google Maps
Our road trip consists of just over six hours of drive time. This means that you will certainly want to plan several days to complete the trip in its entirety. You can use this interactive map to help you customize this road trip to your specific starting and ending locations.
Castle Rocks State Park/Facebook
Our state parks road trip in Idaho will begin at Castle Rocks State Park near the small town of Almo. This state park is filled with unique rock formations that date back more than 2.5 million years. You can hike, climb on the rocks, or capture images of this unique scenery with your camera. Spend the night in one of the 37 campsites or stay in a century-old ranch house during your visit.
Castle Rocks State Park, 748 E Castle Rock Rd, Almo, ID 83312, USA
katie wheeler/Flickr
Thousand Springs State Park is absolutely beautiful and a bit unique compared to other state parks on our road trip. This state park is divided into six units and each is quite different than the others. While you can certainly spend all day exploring each of these areas of the park, we recommend checking out the historical structures and waterfalls at Ritter Island, capturing some pictures at Malad Gorge, and going for a hike at Box Canyon Nature Preserve. To learn more about this state park in Idaho, click here.
Thousand Springs State Park - Malad Gorge Unit, 2314 S Ritchie Rd, Hagerman, ID 83332, USA
Three Island Crossing State Park/Facebook
Located near Glenns Ferry, Three Island Crossing State Park will take you back in time and will be a favorite stop for history buffs. During your visit to this state park, you can see original wagon ruts along the Oregon Trail. Take the time to view Conestoga replicas and learn all about the pioneers and early settlers at the Oregon Trail History and Education Center. This is also a terrific place to spend the night as this state park features a campground with water and electrical services as well as cabins.
Three Island Crossing State Park, 1083 S Three Island Park Dr, Glenns Ferry, ID 83623, USA
Charles Knowles/Flickr
Bruneau Dunes State Park is a favorite state park for many Idahoans. This is another unique and absolutely stunning state park that is filled with sand dunes, small lakes, and incredible desert terrain. This state park is also home to the tallest single-structured sand dune in North America. Bring a sandboard to climb up the dunes and then slide all the way down — it’s definitely worth it.
Bruneau Dunes State Park, 27608 Bruneau Sand Dunes Rd, Bruneau, ID 83604, USA
Lucky Peak State Park, Idaho - Spring Shores, Sandy Point, Discovery/Facebook
If you want to spend the day admiring Mother Nature’s creations, Lucky Peak State Park is the place to go. Head to the Discovery Park area at this state park and spend your day fishing, kayaking, or canoeing. Then, make your way to Sandy Point for a swim on the shores of Lucky Peak Lake and enjoy a picnic lunch. There are also equipment rentals so you can spend all day on the water if you desire. Click here to learn more about this state park in Idaho.
Lucky Peak State Park, 9725 ID-21, Boise, ID 83716, USA
Eagle Island State Park/Facebook
Eagle Island State Park is located just outside of Eagle and features 545 acres that are worth exploring. If you take this state park road trip in the summer months, you can swim, hike, or enjoy a picnic in a beautiful grassy area. In the winter, Gateway Parks at Eagle Island State Park turns into the ultimate family snow tubing park in Idaho.
Eagle Island State Park, 165 Eagle Island Pkwy, Eagle, ID 83616, USA
Lake Cascade State Park/Facebook
The final stop on our state parks road trip in Idaho is Lake Cascade State Park. If you want to spend a day on the water, this Idaho state park will not disappoint. Throw in a line and catch a variety of fish, windsurf, or even sail on the lake. There are also ample hiking and mountain biking opportunities all around this gorgeous state park. Lake Cascade State Park also offers year-round camping opportunities if you want to spend even more time in this area of the Gem State.
Lake Cascade State Park, 100 Kelly’s Pkwy, Cascade, ID 83611, USA
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