Lake Cascade State Park

The Park Today

November 13, 2009

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Attention Park Visitors:

Big Sage and Poison Creek Campgrounds are closed for redevelopment of the campgrounds and day use areas. The new campgrounds and day use areas will reopen in the summer of 2010. Thank you for your cooperation and patience during construction. If you have any questions please call or email: Lake Cascade State Park, 208-382-6544 or cas@idpr.idaho.gov.

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Fall is here with winter just around the corner. This is a great time for the adventurous outdoor enthusiast to enjoy outdoor activities, fishing camping hiking, biking, and relaxing with awesome views and crisp autumn air. Visitors are encouraged to be prepared for all types of weather conditions, from rainy or snowy temperatures from the low 50’s to the low 30’s to warm sunny days in the mid 40’s to mid 50’s. Most night temperatures range from the low 20’s to the mid 30’s.

The migrating birds and raptors are in abundance around Lake Cascade and the Long Valley area. This is a perfect time of year for bird watchers to see a variety of migratory birds and raptors before they head south to their winter homes and for the wildlife enthusiast, this is the perfect time to see animals like elk and deer, as these animals are dropping into the lower valleys.

The lake is approximately 12 feet below full pool. To get the most recent information on the lake level, check out the link on Lake Cascade State Park’s webpage for the online link to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s website. All the handling docks on Lake Cascade have been pulled for the winter. The boat ramps still usable are; Blue Heron and Van Wyck. Boaters need to use caution when launching or boating around the lake and in addition, need to be aware of the sudden changes in the weather; windstorms can produce large waves in a short period of time.

It is a great time to take a hike, bike, or horseback ride on the Crown Point Railroad Grade Trail. This easy 2.7 mile trail has breath taking views and a potential glimpse of the local wildlife. This time of year the trail may perhaps muddy and slippery, use caution. Please keep your pet on a leash.

If you are planning next year's camping trips. Sugarloaf, Huckleberry, Buttercup, West Mountain, and Ridgeview are available for reservations. You can make reservation 9 months in advance or 48 hours prior to your arrival date. To make reservations online through the website or call the call center at 1-888-922-6743. Reservations are available from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day. There is a $10.60 (6% Idaho sales tax included) reservation fee that is nonrefundable and does not apply to the camp fees. Camping fees are $12.72/ $23.32 per night and depending on unit amenities. Extra vehicles (not in tow) are $5.30 per night.

Snowbank Group Use Area is available for reservation by call center only. Toll free number is 1-888-922-6743. Reservations for this area can be made 9 months in advance or 48 hours prior to your arrival date. Reservations are available from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day. This area will accommodate up to 75 people and parking for 25 vehicles. This area is great for large family gatherings. RV’s are welcome to park in the parking lot. Central Water, vault toilets, and large fire ring are available.

The group use yurts at Osprey Point are open year around for group use. The yurts are offer breath taking views of the surrounding valley. This is great time to spend a weekend or weekday at the yurts. Water and vault toilets are available. The yurts can accommodate 30 people. A large fire ring is available for campfires and is great for roasting marshmallows, gazing up at the nighttime sky and sharing camp stories. If you want to try your luck at fishing, from Osprey Point travel 2.5 miles north to Poison Creek Unit and spend the day of relaxing fun in the day use area. To make reservations you can call the call center at 1-888-922-6743. Reservations can be made 9 months in advance or 48 hours prior to your arrival date.

Camping is available at Van Wyck, Big Sage, and Blue Heron. Camping fees range from $9.54 to $12.72 per night (includes 6% Idaho sales tax). Visitors are encouraged to bring their own potable water, the park's potable water systems have been winterized. Ridgeview, Crown Point, Sugarloaf, Huckleberry, Buttercup and West Mountain campgrounds are closed for the season.

Cabarton, Blue Heron, Big Sage, Van Wyck, Sugarloaf, Boulder Creek and Poison Creek Boat Ramp parking area are open for day use. A $4.00 day use pass or Idaho State Park annual passport is required to enter the day use areas. All areas have no garbage service; please pack out what is packed in.

The 2010 Idaho Park annual passports will be available in December, just in time for stocking stuffers or a present for friends or family. The prices for the annual passports are $35.00 for the first and $5.00 for the second. To purchase the Idaho Park annual passports you can go to Lake Cascade State Park office or any park office. Annual passport holders do not have to pay the $4.00 day use fee and can enjoy the day at any Idaho State Park. Please remember the annual passport is not valid for camping or extra vehicle fees.

Come and enjoy the fresh mountain air, wonderful views, and many recreational opportunities available at Lake Cascade State Park.

We are your recreation destination!