The Park Today
It’s nearly Memorial Day and the park is getting more active! Lucky Peak Reservoir is below full pool, but is rising. The boat ramps at Spring Shores Marina are now available. Boat rentals, gas sales, and other marina services will be available starting on the Memorial Day weekend. The Discovery unit has been experiencing potable water quality problems. Potable water will not be available at Discovery when you visit for your picnic. It is recommended that you bring your water with you. We are currently accepting reservations for Discovery’s three group picnic shelters for the 2008 season. Please call 334-2432 to inquire about a reservation. Sandy Point is currently open Monday through Friday, 8 am until 4 pm. Please remember that pets and glass containers are not permitted at Sandy Point.
It was a “banner” year for snow at the Idaho City Trails System, but the snow is now leaving quickly. The Rocky Ridge yurt road is open to the summer parking area. Summer access to the other four yurts should be available within two weeks. There will be snow fields in the forest between the Banner Ridge and Elkhorn yurts until late June. Early summer is a wonderful time to visit any of the yurts for a pleasant stay among vibrant wildflowers. Morel mushrooms should be coming out for “shroomers” to find mid to late June. Once the trails dry out by mid June, they will offer a great escape for mountain bike enthusiasts. Availability of the backcountry yurts during the summer is filling up on weekends so call 1-866-634-3246 or visit the web site to “browse maps” on the reservation page to see availability and make a reservation.
The Boise Ironman Triathlon will be held at Lucky Peak on June 1, 2008. Portions of Sandy Point will be used for athlete parking on May 31 and June 1, so plan to arrive early on Saturday or later in the day on Sunday. The Barclay Bay and Turner Gulch boat ramps will be closed to the public from noon on Friday, May 30 through early afternoon on June 1. This will lead to overflow crowds at Spring Shores on those days. If you plan to launch your boat at those times, please arrive early in the day and remain patient.
Spring Shores Marina
Spring Shores, located 18 miles east of Boise off State Highway 21, is situated on the shore of Lucky Peak Reservoir. The facility includes a full-service marina, which provides long-term moorage, fuel, a convenience store, marina supplies and recreation equipment rentals. The large parking lots provide access to two boat ramps with parking for trailers.
Marina Details: There are 298 moorage slips for rent that become available for use May through August. They are rented and renewed on an annual basis.
2008 Rental Fees
18-foot slip--$404 per year (maximum vessel length of 21’)
24-foot slip--$537 per year (maximum vessel length of 27’)
28-foot slip--$672 per year (maximum vessel length of 31’)
To be placed on a waiting list, please call the Spring Shores office at 208-336-9505. You can also download and print an Adobe Acrobat form to mail to the park.
Lucky Peak is a reservoir, which means the water level varies. You may want to check boat ramp access before bringing your boat to the park.
Commercial boat and personal watercraft rentals for use at Spring Shores are available through Outdoor Adventures Incorporated
Sandy Point Beach
If you like fun in the sun, Sandy Point Beach is the place for you and your family. Enjoy a dip in the cool water after a scenic bike ride on the Boise River Greenbelt!
This 34-acre site at the base of Lucky Peak Dam features a large sandy swimming area complete with giant fountain and two beach volleyball courts. This area offers lots of cool grass and shady trees.
A new food concession will be open from Memorial Day Weekend through mid-September. Mustard's Grill will offer a variety of sandwiches, hamburgers, hotdogs, cold drinks and frozen treats and will be open daily from 11:30 am until 7:30 pm.
Restrooms, changing areas, showers, charcoal grills, and picnic tables are available for use.
No one likes to get a surprise underfoot at the beach, so we do not allow pets. Also, glass containers and fishing are prohibited. Since Sandy Point is often crowded, we do not allow hard bottom boats in the swimming area and recommend Discovery Park for fun in the water.
Sandy Point is “first come, first served” and does not accept reservations.
Hours of Operation:
Peak Season (May - September) 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Off Season (September – April) 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Discovery
Just 8 miles southeast of Boise, Discovery Park is a great place to picnic, fish, and relax among the magnificent trees and the rocky canyons which offer beauty and solitude.
This section of the river is an excellent flat water area often visited by canoeists and kayakers. You can usually see waterfowl, song birds, and even our resident owl during the summer while bald eagles are common in the winter.
Available for use are restrooms, picnic tables, grills, and three sheltered picnic pavilions perfect for hosting family reunions, weddings, receptions, or corporate parties. Shelters can be reserved for $40 a day. Please call (208) 334-2432 for reservations.
Discovery is an excellent place for dogs to play! Please clean up after your pet (doggy bag dispensers are located by the dumpsters) and please keep your four-legged friends leashed when not playing in the water.
Hours of Operation
Open Sunrise to Sunset year-round
Idaho City Backcountry Yurt and Park N' Ski Program
Solitude, cozy, comfortable accommodations with over forty miles of multi-purpose trails invite you to create your own lasting memories. For additional information on backcountry yurt experiences, click here. Enjoy Nordic skiing? The Idaho City Park N' Ski area has great cross country opportunties. You can even ski into a yurt for a unique overnight stay.