Heyburn State Park (Charcolet Campground)

State: Idaho

Short Name: Charcolet Campground

Address 1: Northern Idaho, S. of Coeur d'Alene

Address 2: 1291 Chatcolet

Open: May 15 - October 1

Number of Sites: 37

Camp URL: http://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/heyburn.aspx

Full Hook: Yes

Dogs Allowed: Yes

Tents Allowed: Yes

Heyburn State Park is the oldest park in the Pacific Northwest. Created in 1908, it is comprised of approximately 5,500 acres of land and 2,300 acres of water. The park includes three lakes; Chatcolet, Benewah, and Hidden Lakes, with the shadowy St. Joe River meandering along the eastern boundary of the park.

Natural and cultural history is plentiful at Heyburn. Before it was a park, the general area was a gathering place for the Coeur d’ Alene Indian tribe. In the 1930’s, the park was a Civilian Conservation Corps camp and those hardworking crews built many of the park’s buildings.

Heyburn is a natural park with a variety of different habitats. Large, tall Ponderosa pines tower over grassy hillsides covered in wildflowers. On shadier slopes, cedar trees mix with hemlocks and huge white pines. On the edges of the lakes, the wetland/marsh areas are home to many types of wildflowers and plants.