Winchester Lake State Park surrounds a 104-acre lake, nestled in a forested area at the foot of the Craig Mountains, just off US 95 adjoining the town of Winchester.
Winters at the park are long and cold with ample snowfall. Four Yurts are available for rental all year. Please remember you must leave your pets at home when staying in the yurts as they are not allowed at all in the yurt area. Summers are short with warm days and cool, refreshing evenings. Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir are the predominant vegetation. Fishing for perch, tiger muskie, bass and blue gill are popular. Wildlife often seen in the park includes white-tailed deer, Canada geese, muskrats, Steller’s jay, racoons, osprey, bald eagles, and Columbian ground squirrels. The Wolf Education and Research Center is located one mile from the entrance to the park.
The Park Today
January 25,2012
The park office will be closed Thursday, January 26th 2012. Staff will be at Hell's Gate State Park.
The ice fishermen out on the lake today said that there is about 8-14 inches of ice. They were fishing just past the foot bridge. Please take all precautions when venturing out on the ice and do so at your own risk.
Our 2nd Annual Ice Bowl Fishing Derby is almost here! It's on January 28th - this Saturday. Registration will begin at 8:00am at the boat ramp. There are 2 categories: 12 and under and 13 and over. Prizes will be awarded to top three places in both categories. Only trout will be considered and the longest combined length of legal, six fish limit wins. Fish must be measured by 2:00pm at the boat ramp. Bring your own food and beverage. The $5.00 vehicle entrance fee is in effect and park staff will be available selling 2012 annual passes.
The dump station, shower building, camp loop C and water to all sites are closed annually the first full week in October. Loop B has remained open thru October with electricity only, but was shut down as sheduled annually on October 31st.
Camp loop A (no hookups) and the yurts will remain open year round; however, Loops B & C are closed until next spring.
Winter park office hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 am to Noon. Park staff are in the park daily and checking messages regularly, so please stop by or call if you have questions.
The office will not be open on Thursday, December 22nd, 25th or January 1st.
DAY USE
The $5.00 Vehicle Entry Fee is in effect year-round. 2011 Annual Passes are available and may be purchased at the Park Visitor Center during office hours or by using the self collect envelopes at the Entrance Station. Our Visitor Center office hours are Sunday through Saturday 10 am to 4 pm.
CAMPING
We have 4 yurts that are available for reservations. Please remember you must leave your pets at home when staying in the yurts as pets are not allowed in the yurt area at all. Our yurts accommodate 5 people and have electric heat. Lodgepole and Ponderosa are our standard yurts which are $53.00 per night. For $58.30 per night, you can stay in the Snowberry yurt which is the premium yurt that includes a propane barbeque, and a canoe. Tamarack is our deluxe yurt for $68.90. It includes a propane barbeque, microwave, canoe and 2 bikes.
We have 69 campsites that are available. Loop A has 22 sites, which do not include water and electric hookups, but are closest to the beautiful lake. There are 25 campsites available in Loop B, and 22 campsites in Loop C. Both Loops B and C include full water and electricity hookups. There are no sewer hookups available in the park, but there is a dump station in the nearest town of Winchester.
Each campsite is allowed 1 camper, 2 tents, and 1 vehicle free of charge and any additional vehicles will need to pay $8.48 per night at the entrance station.
Do you have a big group that wants to camp together? Come try out sites number 34 & 36 our deluxe sites which are located in Loop B. Each site will accommodate 2 campers, 2 vehicles and 4 tents. The rate is $40.28 per night.
About the Park:
The park offers year-round recreation activities. Canoeing, fishing, picnicking and hiking are popular summer activities. In the winter, enjoy cross-country skiing, ice-skating, and ice fishing.
Canoes are available to rent for $7.42 per hour, and can hold up to 3 people. However the lake must be at least 58 degrees before canoes are allowed in the water. This also applies to the canoes with the yurts.
The most popular activity at Winchester is fishing for rainbow trout, which are planted annually by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Fishing for perch, tiger muskie, bass and blue gill is also popular. The lake provides excellent nutrients and supports large populations of all four species. Small boats are allowed; gasoline engines are not.
Park Restrictions:
Pets are welcome in the park; however they must be on a leash and attended at all times. However, pets are not allowed in the yurts or the yurt area.