PARKS &
RECREATION

Our Mission

The mission of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation is to improve the quality of life in Idaho through recreation and resource stewardship.

Our Vision

We are innovators in outdoor recreation, committed to excellent service and resource stewardship. We foster experiences that renew the human spirit and promote community vitality.

What We Do

IDPR manages 30 state parks throughout every region of Idaho and the registration programs for boats, snowmobiles and other off-highway vehicles (OHV). Money from these registration programs goes back to users to develop and maintain trails, facilities and programs. IDPR also provides free education courses for boaters and OHV operators.  

We also manage several outdoor recreation grant programs that provide facilities and services to a wide variety of recreationists and the local governmental and nongovernmental organizations that serve them. You can learn more about these programs under "Grants and Funding."

IDPR Board and Director

The Idaho Park and Recreation Board provides citizen oversight for the agency. Board members are appointed by the governor to six-year terms. The Board appoints and supervises the agency director. 

Agency Statutes

Statutes directly applying to the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.

Agency Rules

Rules directly applying to the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.

Idaho Recreation and Tourism Initiative

The Idaho Recreation and Tourism Initiative (IRTI) is a coalition of state and federal agencies and others dedicated to providing Idaho citizens and visitors with expanded recreation opportunities. Click here to access information about the intiative.

IDPR Documents and Downloads

Click the titles below to view or download Idaho Department of Parks and Recreations planning documents, rules and more. 

IDPR Organization Chart

IDPR Strategic Plan

State of Idaho Administrative Rules for IDPR

IDPR Board Minutes and Agendas

IDPR Board Policy

IDPR Policies and Procedures

IDPR Rules

Vendor Manual

To search for IDPR Rules, check the Office of the Administrative Rules Coordinator website.

IDPR Grants and Funding

Grant Rules 

Rules governing the administration of the IDPR State and Federal Grant Funds

Grant Manual and Application

FY 2014 Grants Manual

Grant Programs

• Land and Water Conservation Fund
• Recreational Vehicles 
• Motorbike 
• Off-Road Motor Vehicle (ORMV) 
• Recreational Trails Program (RTP)
• Waterways Improvement Fund (WIF) 
• Recreational Road and Bridge 

Funding Programs

• Park N' Ski 
• Snowmobile 
• ATV / Motorbike

History of Idaho State Parks

The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation owes its existence largely to the vision of one man, Governor Robert E. Smylie. He looked into the future and saw a professionally managed system of state parks available for the enjoyment of all Idaho’s citizens and visitors. He kept that vision in mind when Roland and Averell Harriman offered to donate their beloved Railroad Ranch to the state if a professional managing agency was put in place before the transfer of their generous gift would take place.   Others took up this vision and, when the opportunity presented itself, added recreation to the agency’s charge to take advantage of the new federal Land and Water Conservation Fund in 1966. The agency became the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, and through that federal program helped countless cities and counties across the state fulfill their own outdoor recreation visions in their individual communities.

Steve Bly with Gladys and Roland Harriman

Since 1965, the Department has been governed by a six-person board with each member representing a different geographic area of the state. The board has the power "to appoint a director to serve at its discretion" (Title 67, Chapter 42, Idaho Code).

Do What You Love, Love What You Do

How to Apply

Applying for a job with the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation is easy. The Idaho Department of Human Resources allows you to apply online or download the application and exam from the DHR website and mail the information to us at: 

Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation News and Alerts

Check out the latest agency news and alerts.

Media Relations Contact

Jennifer Okerlund
Communications Manager
Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation
Ph: (208) 514-2254
Fax: (208) 334-5232

Idaho Park Visitation and Recreation Statistics

Visitation Statistics

Idaho State Parks Visitation

The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation began using a new counting methodology in 2007 that we believe will provide more reliable figures in future years. Because of that methodology change, 2007 becomes our baseline for visitation. 

Idaho Recreational Vehicle Registration Statistics

Off-Highway Vehicle Registrations (ATV, UTV, SOHV and Motorbike)

Idaho RV Registrations

Idaho Snowmobile Registrations

Idaho Boat Registrations

About the Director

Nancy Merrill became director of the Idaho Depatment of Parks and Recreation in 2009.  

Our Mission

The mission of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation is to improve the quality of life in Idaho through recreation and resource stewardship.

Our Vision

We are innovators in outdoor recreation, committed to excellent service and resource stewardship. We foster experiences that renew the human spirit and promote community vitality.

What We Do

IDPR manages 30 state parks throughout every region of Idaho and the registration programs for boats, snowmobiles and other off-highway vehicles (OHV). Money from these registration programs goes back to users to develop and maintain trails, facilities and programs. IDPR also provides free education courses for boaters and OHV operators.  

We also manage several outdoor recreation grant programs that provide facilities and services to a wide variety of recreationists and the local governmental and nongovernmental organizations that serve them. You can learn more about these programs under "Grants and Funding."

IDPR Board and Director

The Idaho Park and Recreation Board provides citizen oversight for the agency. Board members are appointed by the governor to six-year terms. The Board appoints and supervises the agency director. 

Agency Statutes

Statutes directly applying to the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.

Agency Rules

Rules directly applying to the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.

Idaho Recreation and Tourism Initiative

The Idaho Recreation and Tourism Initiative (IRTI) is a coalition of state and federal agencies and others dedicated to providing Idaho citizens and visitors with expanded recreation opportunities. Click here to access information about the intiative.

IDPR Documents and Downloads

Click the titles below to view or download Idaho Department of Parks and Recreations planning documents, rules and more. 

IDPR Organization Chart

IDPR Strategic Plan

State of Idaho Administrative Rules for IDPR

IDPR Board Minutes and Agendas

IDPR Board Policy

IDPR Policies and Procedures

IDPR Rules

Vendor Manual

To search for IDPR Rules, check the Office of the Administrative Rules Coordinator website.

IDPR Grants and Funding

Grant Rules 

Rules governing the administration of the IDPR State and Federal Grant Funds

Grant Manual and Application

FY 2014 Grants Manual

Grant Programs

• Land and Water Conservation Fund
• Recreational Vehicles 
• Motorbike 
• Off-Road Motor Vehicle (ORMV) 
• Recreational Trails Program (RTP)
• Waterways Improvement Fund (WIF) 
• Recreational Road and Bridge 

Funding Programs

• Park N' Ski 
• Snowmobile 
• ATV / Motorbike

History of Idaho State Parks

The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation owes its existence largely to the vision of one man, Governor Robert E. Smylie. He looked into the future and saw a professionally managed system of state parks available for the enjoyment of all Idaho’s citizens and visitors. He kept that vision in mind when Roland and Averell Harriman offered to donate their beloved Railroad Ranch to the state if a professional managing agency was put in place before the transfer of their generous gift would take place.   Others took up this vision and, when the opportunity presented itself, added recreation to the agency’s charge to take advantage of the new federal Land and Water Conservation Fund in 1966. The agency became the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, and through that federal program helped countless cities and counties across the state fulfill their own outdoor recreation visions in their individual communities.

Steve Bly with Gladys and Roland Harriman

Since 1965, the Department has been governed by a six-person board with each member representing a different geographic area of the state. The board has the power "to appoint a director to serve at its discretion" (Title 67, Chapter 42, Idaho Code).

Do What You Love, Love What You Do

How to Apply

Applying for a job with the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation is easy. The Idaho Department of Human Resources allows you to apply online or download the application and exam from the DHR website and mail the information to us at: 

Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation News and Alerts

Check out the latest agency news and alerts.

Media Relations Contact

Jennifer Okerlund
Communications Manager
Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation
Ph: (208) 514-2254
Fax: (208) 334-5232

Idaho Park Visitation and Recreation Statistics

Visitation Statistics

Idaho State Parks Visitation

The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation began using a new counting methodology in 2007 that we believe will provide more reliable figures in future years. Because of that methodology change, 2007 becomes our baseline for visitation. 

Idaho Recreational Vehicle Registration Statistics

Off-Highway Vehicle Registrations (ATV, UTV, SOHV and Motorbike)

Idaho RV Registrations

Idaho Snowmobile Registrations

Idaho Boat Registrations

About the Director

Nancy Merrill became director of the Idaho Depatment of Parks and Recreation in 2009.