State Park · Idaho
The oldest state park in the Pacific Northwest, established in 1908: 8,076 acres of towering Ponderosa pines, three lakes (Chatcolet, Benewah, and Hidden), the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes running directly through the park, CCC-built structures from the 1930s, and cabins and cottages on the water.
Field briefing
Heyburn State Park starts with access, not mileage.
Before you go
The park is a paddler and cyclist paradise in summer, a quiet lake and pine retreat in fall, and a year-round cottage destination. Note that 2026 windstorms caused significant trail blowdown; check current trail conditions before hiking.
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Cool and green with the lakes rising; trail conditions are muddy in places and wildflowers bloom in the open Ponderosa pine meadows.
Pack Waterproof footwear for muddy trails, layers for variable spring weather, and a reservation for spring camping.
Warm and pleasant with the three lakes ideal for paddling, swimming, and fishing; the campgrounds and cottages are at full use.
Pack Sun protection, water, swimwear, and a paddleboard or kayak from the Rocky Point Marina rental fleet.
Crisp and beautiful with color on the hardwoods mixed through the Ponderosa forest and the lakes calm and quiet.
Pack Warm layers, a camera for lake reflections, and a fishing setup for the fall action on the three lakes.
Cold with the possibility of snow on the trail system; the park is quieter but cottages and cabins are available year-round.
Pack Full insulation, traction for icy trails, and a check on trail conditions given the 2026 windstorm blowdown noted on many routes.
Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes
A paved 73-mile rail trail running through the park along the Coeur d'Alene River corridor and past the shores of Chatcolet Lake, one of the most scenic multi-use trails in the Pacific Northwest, accessible to cyclists, walkers, and inline skaters from the park's trail connections.
Three lakes and the Rocky Point Marina
Chatcolet, Benewah, and Hidden lakes offer paddling, fishing, and swimming, with kayaks, paddleboats, canoes, and paddleboards available for rent at the Rocky Point Marina and a new Chatcolet Marina opening for the 2026 season.
South Side Trail System
A multi-use equestrian and hiking trail system with five interconnected loops totaling about 7.4 miles through open Ponderosa pine forest, wildflower meadows, and ridge-top lake views above Chatcolet and Benewah lakes, built partly on CCC-era infrastructure.
Lock the boat, ferry, tide, or water access first, then fit the route list around that schedule. For one day in Heyburn State Park, make Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes the non-negotiable, add Three lakes and the Rocky Point Marina only if the first stop runs clean, and keep South Side Trail System as the flexible finish.
Turn Heyburn's conditions into water, pack, and sleep-system decisions.
Build around access
Plan the transfer before the trail list.
Plan your trip
4 quick tools, already seeded for Heyburn State Park. Tune the route, pack weight, weather margin, and overnight setup after the access plan is real.
Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.
Kit Authority
Heyburn State Park packing list
0 of 22 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Use this as a constraint check while you are still shaping the trip. The active checklist becomes useful once your route, dates, and sleep plan are set.
Checklist mode
22 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
The buying guides that match what Heyburn asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
Heyburn has 72 standard and 57 serviced campsites, 2 cabins (Osprey and Blue Heron at about $87 to $97 per night each sleeping 5), and 2 fully furnished lake cottages (Lakeview and Rocky Point at about $157 to $222 per night each sleeping 8). All are reservable through the Idaho system. The Scovel Education Center can be rented for groups. The town of Plummer is nearby, and Coeur d'Alene, about 37 miles north, adds the full range of lodging and services.
Camping reservations
The campgrounds, two cabins, and two lake cottages are all reservable through the Idaho state park system. Cottages and cabins have a minimum 3-night stay on weekends. Note that 2026 windstorms caused trail closures; check trail conditions before arriving.
Reviewed June 11, 2026
Booking window
Idaho State Parks uses getoutside.idaho.gov for reservations, available online or by calling 1-888-922-6743. Cottages require a minimum 3-night stay on weekends and holidays.
Where to book or verify
Official Idaho State Parks reservation system for Heyburn camping, cabins, and cottages.
Official Idaho Parks page for the three lakes, Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, and marina details.
Check for federal campground, backcountry, tour, and permit inventory tied to this park.
Campgrounds to know
Treat the vehicle plan as part of the itinerary.
Road distance, road surface, fuel, and daylight can matter as much as the final trail or viewpoint.
Getting there
Car strategy
Heyburn State Park is at 57 Chatcolet Road in Plummer, Idaho, about 37 miles south of Coeur d'Alene and 50 miles southeast of Spokane, Washington, in the northern Idaho panhandle.
Car strategy
Take Highway 95 south from Coeur d'Alene or US-95 north from Moscow and follow signs to Chatcolet Road.
Car strategy
The park entrance is on the shores of Chatcolet Lake.
Pair this with lodging: the closest bed is not always the simplest one if road time, road quality, or fuel stops dominate.
Heyburn is the oldest state park in the Pacific Northwest, established in 1908. It is known for its three connected lakes (Chatcolet, Benewah, and Hidden), the paved Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes running directly through the park, CCC-built structures from the 1930s still in use, and a complete range of outdoor recreation from paddling and fishing to hiking and cycling. The park offers everything from tent camping to fully furnished lake cottages.
Yes. The paved Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, a 73-mile rail trail, passes directly through Heyburn State Park along the Coeur d'Alene River and Lake Chatcolet shoreline. It is open to cyclists, walkers, and inline skaters and is one of the most scenic multi-use trails in the Pacific Northwest. Note that 2026 windstorms caused some trail blowdown; check current conditions before planning a trip.
The Rocky Point Marina rents kayaks, paddleboats, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards for use on the three lakes. The Chatcolet Marina opened new slips for the 2026 season. The park also offers Osprey and Blue Heron cabins (sleeping 5, about $87 to $97 per night) and Lakeview and Rocky Point cottages (sleeping 8, about $157 to $222 per night), all reservable through getoutside.idaho.gov.
Yes, as of 2026. Two major windstorms caused significant damage to the park's trail system, with extensive blowdown on many trails. Park staff do not anticipate having all trails fully open until mid to late summer 2026. Contact the Heyburn Visitor Center at (208) 686-1308 or email hey@idpr.idaho.gov for the most current trail status before planning a hiking trip.