Boise, ID

A few weeks ago, my daughter-in-law and I grew bored and decided to get the kiddies out of the house and into the great outdoors. I don’t usually have a problem finding something or somewhere to go, but two weeks ago, I didn’t have a clue.

My daughter-in-law-Liz, mentioned Eagle Island State Park, which is only about a half hours drive from our home in Boise. Although I had been to the park often as a young man, it had been at least twenty something years, since I had been there.

We packed up the kiddies, some food for a pick-nick and a few chairs to sit on and headed out to Eagle. To get to the park, we headed West on State Street, pass the town of Eagle then several miles to Linder Road. We turned South on Linder Road. It’s probably less than a mile to Hatchery Road, where you turn back to the East towards the park.

The park charges a small fee of $4.00. Pretty reasonable, considering it gives you day use of a 545 acre park with plenty of parking, a swimming beach and grassy pick-nick area, not to mention a waterslide-(10 rides for 5 bucks or an all day pass for $10.00)! and five miles of open trails. It also has nice small playground for the kids and a disc golf course for those so inclined. Shelters can be reserved for 40 bucks. (For reservations, call 208-939-0696).

We parked Liz’s car in the expansive parking lot, loaded up our gear and packed the kiddies to a small bridge that entered the park. We decided to go to the west end, which was closest to our vehicle. The waterslide and restrooms are centered between the parking lot to the South and the lake to the North. The lake snakes from the West to the East, so there is not excuse not to find yourself an spot to relax.

Eagle Island State Park Map

We found a nice shady area, on a cool grassy knoll overlooking the pedestrian walk and the beach beyond. We blew up a small vinyl raft which the kids sat on, then fed them lunch. Afterwards, the little tykes headed full bore for the water. Two older cousins kept and eye on the little ones, while Liz and I relaxed under the cool shade of a large tree.

Unfortunately, a glitch with my memory card, caused me to lose most of my images. Too bad, as I missed some really good shots of the kiddies in the water. At any rate, the pictures here are all that remain of a wonderful time at Eagle Island State Park!