06/01/2026
New state park opening up on Idaho! Seems like this park they are pulling all the stops and aiming to build something really special!
๐ ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฎ๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ค ๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐จ ๐๐ฉ๐๐ง ๐๐ง ๐๐๐๐ก๐จ
Would you stay here? ๐
Idahoโs newest state park is getting ready to open near Salmon, and this one looks like it could be a pretty incredible mountain getaway.
๐๐ฐ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐๐ค๐ฌ ๐๐๐ง๐๐ก ๐๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ค is expected to open in summer 2026. It sits about 20 miles south of Salmon, above the Main Salmon River, with the Bitterroot and Lemhi mountain ranges around it.
Idaho Parks and Recreation lists the park at 677 acres.
What caught our attention is that this is not just an empty piece of ground being turned into a park. It is built around the former Twin Peaks Guest Ranch, so the place already has more of a mountain ranch feel.
The park is listed with 24 full-service cabins, a lodge, shared dining space, a full-service kitchen, gathering areas, day-use space, an event center, visitor center, Wi-Fi, electricity, fire rings, flush toilets, indoor restrooms, indoor showers, picnic areas, drinking water, and ADA-accessible features.
That is a pretty nice setup for people who want to spend time outside, but still come back to a bed and a shower at the end of the day.
๐ฒ ๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ฎ ๐๐๐ง ๐๐จ ๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐
Idaho Parks and Recreation says the park provides access to more than 2,000 miles of motorized and non-motorized trails throughout Lemhi County.
Activities listed for the park include:
โข ATV riding
โข UTV riding
โข Motorbike riding
โข Biking
โข Hiking
โข Horseback riding
โข Fishing
โข Camping
โข Bird watching
โข Climbing
โข Disc golf
The surrounding area also has public lands, access roads, old mining routes, Forest Service trails, creek valleys, alpine lakes, and high-elevation viewpoints.
โจ๏ธ ๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐๐ฎ๐ญ
Inside the park, the state lists two fishing ponds, a natural warm spring, wildlife viewing, dark-sky stargazing, and big mountain views.
It is also about five minutes north of the Goldbug Hot Springs Trailhead, which will probably make this a popular base camp for people already planning to visit that area.
Nearby recreation includes:
โข Goldbug Hot Springs
โข Salmon River rafting
โข Fishing
โข Dugout Dick Interpretive Area
โข Public land access
โข Nearby wilderness areas
๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ฅ๐ฌ๐จ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ง๐๐
Future RV campground loops are also in the works.
Idaho Parks and Recreation has looked for public input on an RV Fund grant to help design and build two campground loops at the park.
The plan is for areas that would serve motorized trail users, equestrians, and non-motorized visitors looking for a quieter area. The planned loops are expected to include power, central water, limited sewer, and central vault toilets.
๐ ๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ
This is being described as Idahoโs first new state park in about 30 years.
Cabins, trails, fishing ponds, a natural warm spring, mountain views, dark skies, wildlife, Salmon River access nearby, Goldbug Hot Springs just down the road, and thousands of miles of trail opportunities nearby.
That is a lot in one place.
More info from Idaho Parks and Recreation:
https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/state-park/twin-peaks-ranch-state-park/
Would you stay at Twin Peaks Ranch State Park?
And what would you go for first?
Cabins?
Hot springs?
Trail riding?
Fishing?
Rafting?
Wildlife?
Or just a few quiet days out in the mountains? ๐
