North Idaho Parks

Farragut State Park, located on Lake Pend Oreille, was the second largest naval training station in the world during World War II. President Franklin Roosevelt chose Lake Pend Oreille because it is 1,225 feet deep and therefore suitable for submarine testing. In addition to natural wonders, the park features a natural amphitheater with room for 60,000 people, a model airplane flying field, 2 disc golf courses, multiple hiking/biking trails, campgrounds and a museum. Farragut State Park is four miles east of U.S. Highway 95 at Athol. For information, call 683-2425.

Heyburn State Park became the first state park in the Pacific Northwest in 1908. More than 5,500 acres of land and 2,300 acres of water are home to wildlife of all types. Heron and Osprey are especially common. The park includes three lakes; Chatcolet, Benewah, and Hidden Lakes, with the St. Joe River meandering along the eastern boundary of the park. The park is on State Highway 5 between Plummer and St. Maries. Call 686-1308.

Round Lake State Park, 10 miles south of Sandpoint on Hwy 95, has easy access, two miles from the highway to fishing, swimming and hiking areas. Call 263-3489.

Priest Lake State Park with crystal clear mountain waters is near the Selkirk Mountain range. 155 campsites provide full service to primitive tent areas. Some are open all year. Call 443-2200.

If a skate board is your choice for transportation, skate board parks are open to the public at Northwest Blvd. and Mullan Ave. (near Memorial Field) in Coeur d’Alene, at 3rd Ave. and Mullan in Post Falls and near the Bonner Mall in Sandpoint. Rathdrum’s skateboard park is right on Main Street. Some areas have city ordinances (no sidewalk boarding) as posted.