Heyburn State Park in Benewah County is open for year-round recreation. Founded in 1908, it is the oldest state park in the Pacific Northwest and The Coeur d'Alene were the first inhabitants of the park. Originally members called themselves, "Schitsu'umsh," meaning "The Discovered People" or "Those Who Are Found Here."
The Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes is a 72-mile paved bike trail that passes through the park. It crosses the Saint Joe River in the park on a 3,100-foot trestle. The river and Hidden Bay, Chatcole Lake, and Benewah Lake, all sections of the larger Lake Coeur d'Alene, are open for fishing. Common game fish include bass, pike and pan fish. The lakes are open to boating, water skiing, canoeing and sailing.
Heyburn State Park is home to a variety of habitats. Ponderosa pines, some over 400 years old, are on the mountain sides overlooking grassy hills that are covered with wildflowers. Other trees in the park include cedar, hemlock and white pine. The margins of the lake are marshy homes to wilflowers and plants.
Construction of many of the park's facilities took place during the Great Depression. The Civilian Conservation Corps was one of the many New Deal programs enacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to provide work for the unemployed. Members at Camp SP-1 in Heyburn State Park built a lodge, roads, bridges, trails, picnic areas and shelters and campgrounds. Many of the facilities built by the CCC are still in use.
Worley
Heyburn State Park
57 Chatcolet Lower Rd.
Plummer, ID 83851
208.686.1308