Site layout: RV sites are close and flat. Some trees, but not great shade for hot weather.
We headed to Lake Walcott State Park after staying at Three Island Crossing SP, stopping at one more portion of Thousand Springs SP on the way. We filled in some more information about that park.
Getting to Lake Walcott SP was easy -- getting off I84 at the Burley area and following the course set by our GPS unit. We knew from the Idaho SP website that this park was undergoing some electrical upgrades and there would be no power, but since the park is open all year, we decided to camp anyway. As we entered, we assured by the posted sign that the showers and water were functional. Again, we were assured when we pulled into the site we chose by a sign on the power box. HAH! No, the water had not yet been turned on for the spring, the bathrooms were locked and therefor the showers were unavailable. We talked with some other campers just leaving and they said it was due to the unavailability of a camp host for another couple weeks. My disgust was in the fact that they could have very easily posted that information on the web and perhaps helped folks make proper preparations... like me... I purposely didn't fill the water tank this morning as I knew I had a bit to drive and who wants to drive with full tanks when there is water at the next camp? So now, we're quite short on water. We walked around trying every faucet, finding only one stand pipe that worked. I only needed a 100' hose to hook up and fill my tank!
Anyway, I'm disappointed at the State Park for not putting this simple piece of information on the web.
Getting on to other experiences in the park: it's a great birding place, with many spring-time birds flitting about. We observed a number of birders scoping around. Additionally, this is a popular fishing lake. My assumption is the spring time bass are just starting up as well as other pan fish. I'm sure the lake is stocked with trout as well.
I think, most interestingly, this is a big park for disc golf with a sprawled 21 station (do they call them holes?) course. We noted a number of folks spending the Sunday afternoon flinging those colored disks about with some raucous "oh's!" coming from them from time to time. They weren't annoying at all, they were just having a good time. They have a big tournament there every year.
We walked about and checked out the facilities. Nice boat launch, excellent day use areas near the lake and under the shade of mature trees, excellent tent camping sites close to the lake, and an expansive group use area. Idaho Power operates the dam and produces some electricity making it necessary to have big, heavy power lines strung through the area. The bathrooms facilities are in need of some maintenance -- at least a good paint job on the exterior. We didn't see the interior of the camping bathrooms, but some of the others were at least accommodating.
This area is managed in conjunction with the US Fish and Wildlife and much of the area is a refuge. With all the miles of shoreline, this is a great place for birds. I assume fall hunting would be excellent as well. Fishing is big here with an excellent boat ramp and facilities. Big small mouth bass, sturgeon, 3 species of trout are all sought out here. There is at least one bass tournament. No walleye, perch, or bluegill.
Nearby activities include:
No comments:
Post a Comment