by Ashley Halligan

Created on: August 14, 2009

Lucky Peak State Park is a phenomenal escape just eight miles east of Boise, Idaho. The state park has four different subdivisions with very different terrain allowing and providing for multiple activities throughout the year. With its vast land area and varying ecosystems, Lucky Peak State Park has several options for overnight accommodations as well varying options for day trips for both seasoned adventurers and novices who simply want to appreciate the beauty the park has to offer. Lucky Peak State Park offers both back-country jewels and roadside parks so it's friendly to all who wish to visit and enjoy its offerings.

Discovery Park is a wonderful roadside park alongside a mild section of river often utilized for canoing and kayaking. It has rocky canyons and towering trees and offers a great scape for picnicking, swimming and fishing. Easy to get to, Discovery Park is a great stop for families or those not wishing to embark on a significant feat into the park's back-country. Pets are also welcome at Discovery Park and are only required to be leashed while not playing in the calm waters. Shelters can be rented for special events as well.

The Spring Shores area of Lucky Peak State Park is a bit further east of Boise (18 miles) and offers lake access and a Marina equipped with both commercial and personal watercraft rentals and storage options for those wishing to bring their own watercraft. The Spring Shores region of the park is heavily visited by boating enthusiasts May through August.

At the base of the Lucky Peak Dam is Sandy Point Beach, featuring many activities that are family friendly, including volleyball courts, a large fountain and an on-site restaurant, all situated on the 34 acres Sandy Point lays upon. Please note, this particular part of Lucky Peak State Park is not pet friendly.

The last section of Lucky Peak State Park is an adventurer's paradise, as it's the back-country of the park, with meandering trails. In the summer months, biking is common on the trails that are used for back-countryand Nordic skiing in the wintertime, and yurts are offered for accommodations in the back-country areas.

Keep in mind, Discovery Park, Spring Shores and Sandy Point Beach are day-use only and do not offer camping. The only overnight accommodations within the state park are the yurt rentals in the back-country area, at approximately $90 per night, for the weekend rate. The other areas of the park close at 9 p.m. during the peak-season (May- September) and at 4 p.m. in the off-season (September- April).

Despite which avenue you're seeking- a day of adventure or a simple day of escape beach or lakeside, Lucky Peak State Park is only a minutes-long drive from Boise and allows for many means of outdoor activities and at just $4 per vehicle per day, it's affordable. With the family or without, one of the four distinct regions should satisfy one's outdoor fix and quite conveniently, year-round.

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