heyburn state park

We stayed here for 4 days/3 nights with kids (8 & 5). It was very quiet since it was the last week of August, but I get the sense that it is always a bit quieter than most state parks we visit. There was a tent section in the Chatoclet circle. Deer visited each evening. There were outhouses with real toilets, but no sinks, lights or showers (which we didn't see as a bad thing, but one should be aware.)We rented kayaks and canoes at nearby Rocky Point and there is also a nice swimming area there with picnic tables and some shade. We hiked a short distance to the bridge that goes over the lake- many others rode bikes to that area. There was a small playground, interesting museum in the park office, and it looked like they did some fun programming for the kids, but we didn't attend. We also didn't have time to walk the marsh boardwalk, though that looked interesting too. We took a day trip to the Emerald Creek Garnet mine near Clarkia - it was a bit of work but really fun!The only downside to the area was near the lake there were a ton of gnats- they didn't bite at all, but were kind of annoying. Don't know if they are there all the time, though.Would definitely return!

I stayed at Hawley's Landing campground and it was average. Spaces are pretty close together. Don't stay in Space 21 next to the camp hosts as the woman talks loud and never shuts up. Lots of nice trails, including the trail of the Coeur d'Alenes. Beautiful scenery and lots of birds.

Our group of five stayed for three days over Friday and Saturday night, as we had planned the camping fairly recently all the reservable sites we looked at near Spokane were taken so we choose Lake Benewah campground because it has all walkin spots. We arrived fairly late at night so most of the spots were taken or too small. We ended up at a site that was less than ideal as it was within 5 feet of other occupied sites on two sides. If you want a good spot go early. The next day we lucked out as one of the big spots overlooking the lake opened up and we moved camp. Although we still had little privacy the site was bigger and had access to the water. The bathroom facilities were great except there was no hand soap in the restrooms so make sure. To bring your own.

This state park has many things to do. A tree-filled park along 3 lakes, it has three campgrounds with room for both tents in some and both tents and campers in others. There are also some quite rustic cabins belonging to the park at one campground. The long Coeur D'Alene bicycle trail passes through the park, and one can have easy access to it near the well-known arched bridge. It is also a great place for kayaking and canoeing with the special attraction of the "river within the lake". For those less adventurous, there is a short nature trail. For a more modern bathroom facility with shower access, stay at the Hawley's Landing campground. It has room for both tents and campers. This campground requires reservations. However, we were able to get a week-night reservation just two days ahead of time. We like to go there for a casual camping trip with many activities.

Large state park on the confluence of three lakes and the St. Joe River. Three campgrounds, quite different from one another. I did not think the campgrounds were all that great, but they were okay. Two of them, closer to the visitor center, take reservations. One has hook-ups for RVs, the other does not. Both of these are also close to the Trail of the Coeur d'Alene - a 72 mile paved trail great for hikers and bikers. There are other hikes as well. Also Plummer Marsh for bird watching. Lots of boating opportunities. We preferred Benewah campground down the road on Benewah Lake. It was a little quieter, did not require reservations. Nice, clean restrooms with showers but the campsites were full of "micro-trash". The RV sites with hook-ups looked okay, but we have a teardrop and do not use hookups. The other sites were pretty small, on top of each other and uneven. BUT it is right near the boat launch and the 3 lakes and "shadow" St. Joe River were an absolute delight to kayak on. Lots of wonderful wildlife and birds too. Nice people and host. We will probably be back for some more paddling.

Within Heyburn State Park, we always stay at Benewah Campground. It sits further off the highway in a forested area; as you turn off the highway on to the road to the grounds, you begin to doubt there is actually a campground because you will pass houses and rental cabins first before dropping down the little hill to the boat launch and back up the other side to the campground entrance. Benewah is further down Highway 5 from the main campground; it's worth the few extra minutes drive. Each site is fairly private with lots of tree shade and shrubbery. They have central bathrooms, which are always clean; both toilets and showers. As well as adequate drinking water access. We go every summer since we discovered the campground. We love to take our dog and ride bikes on the trails around the grounds. There are several locations to enter the lake from off the trails. Plus a small boat launch just outside the entrance to the campground, with a few docks within the campground. We also spend some time at the main Heyburn campground, where there is plenty of beach to play on for kids and boat rentals to spend some time on the water. We also really appreciate the two separate loops, the right loop for trailers and motor homes and the left loop for tents; we are tenters and appreciate not having generators next to us. Our stays have been one night to four nights per stay.

Heyburn State Park is the oldest state park in the Northwest, but it ranks up there as one of the best ones I've been to. I could kick myself for missing this one the last time I was in the CDA area. Located on the south end of Lake CDA near Plummer, it is a recreational paradise. Hiking, biking, camping, boating just to name a few. The best place to start is at the visitors center which is small, but it gives you an idea what to expect in the park. It was fascinating to learn that Heyburn was considered for National Park status and the way the park is set up, it's almost like going through a mini National Park. Lots of trails to choose from. The Plummer Creek Marsh area has a nice boardwalk to walk on. At the end of the road in the park is a great place to get on to the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes and walk out onto an old railroad bridge over the lake. Seeing grasses and logs coming out from below the water does make for a fascinating experience. The main trail we took though was the Indian Cliffs trail which was recommended by a lot of travel guides. It's about a 2.5 mile loop trip with about a 500 foot elevation gain. At the top, it does give you a great view of the area and the lake. I'm starting to think one day might be enough to see everything, but we got a great experience here. Don't miss Heyburn like I did the first time.

The headline says it all. Located at the south end of Lake Coeur d'Alene near Harrison, the area offers a treasure trove of wildlife for those interested in Mother Nature at its best. It is not uncomon to see moose, elk, deer, bear, and the occasional wolf. It is a birdwatcher's paridise -- heron, bald eagles, osprey, a variety of halks, Canada geese, pheasant, grouse,and other feathered friends. The park is easily accessed by car, bicycle, or hicking.

We stayed at Benewah campground in Heyburn State Park. It was gorgeous and the bathrooms/showers were great, practically new and very clean. Bring your own handsoap, though, none is provided. Also, the lake is close, but the shore is rocky, so no good place for little ones to play by the water. And the trails for the main part of Heyburn State park are located in Hawley's Landing and Chatcolet campgrounds. We only had one "trail," which was nice, but short. It led to some railroad tracks. So those looking for more adventure might want to try the other two campgrounds. The campground host was so nice, though, and the campground was lush and pretty. We really enjoyed it.

We stayed at Heyburn for a few days. The drive down from the Spokane Valley is gorgeous. The park is nice and pretty clean. We stayed at the Lakeview Cottage. While it's certainly not the ritz, it was fairly comfortable and the view of the lake from the screen porch is wonderful. The cottage is partly on stilts which was slightly disconcerting to me at first. There are several surrounding cabins, and their residents typically own their cabins and lease the land. The closest neighbors are EXTREMELY close, but they are nice and friendly. The land around the the cabins is public land but it's sort of hard to figure that out because the neighbors maintain the property around their cabins so it feels like they own it. The shared dock is just a quick walk away across "the neighbors' lawn" and we fished and waded there. Boat rentals are nearby although we didn't try them. A bridge, which crosses Lake Chacolet and is part of the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, is visible from the house. We stayed in early June. The weather was awesome and bug levels were low..well except for the harmless gnats. One thing I didn't love is that the cabin really has no yard, just a tiny patio and a little weedy lawn. You have to go elsewhere for most outdoor activities that require space. The only other thing I didn't like was the long list of cleaning responsibilities (including disinfecting the toilet and shower) that were downplayed when we talked to the park administration when we rented. Oh, and the rather large (carpenter?) ants in the kitchen, which I think are common fare in lake cabins.. We only saw a few, and they came out mostly when we cut up strawberries. I did find one walking across the counter after my shower, so I had to check my clothes for "friends". I didn't find any, but I definitely got the feel of rustic camping even tho we were in a cabin! We would definitely stay there again.

A lady I ran into frequently at a park told me about Heyburn State Park so we booked a 2 night camp-out there. We have 3 small children at the time were 4,3 and 1 and we had a blast. We took the Trail of the Couer d' Alenes to Harrison (8 miles) got ice cream and rode back. The trail was great. The camp sites at Heyburn were a little small and awkward for my liking but they had flushing toilets! It was absolutely great! There was a little park for my children to play at while we had down time at the camp site. We enjoyed our trip! Entrance was a little difficult to find. We had passed it the first time and had to turn around and look closer to find it.

At the far end of Lake CoeurDAlene Lake on the "Shadowy" St Joe River, This is one beautiful spot. There are nice campsites, picnic areas and a launch. Canoing is possible.A real gem of a place.

While I am more of a backpacker than park ground camper this place is not bad. The campsite are dispersed well and there are lots of options for activities. Hiking, Canoeing, Fishing and Biking are all available. Of course you could just chill out by the campfire.

Great views of a remarkable lake. Access to the most beautiful part of an outstanding bike trail. Camping and rental cabins. Boating access.

We tend to park at Heyburn in order to ride the Trail of the Cd'A. It saves a six mile climb, though it's not steep, up to Plummer. Parking for the day is $5.