Ponderosa State Park ~ Idaho

Some people seek challenging extreme adventures when on vacation, while the goal of others is to just find a comfortable spot that offers rest, relaxation and some fun recreational activities in a safe environment. In recent years, many of the western state parks have filled the mellow summer vacation niche by achieving a high level of comfort that appeals to those who simply want to temporarily escape from the daily grind back home without having to rough it in the wild. In order to appeal to the modern comfort seeking escapists, many state park facilities have been upgraded. For example, the recreational activity options have been greatly expanded by means of onsite rentals and services are now offered that could only be found at fancy resorts in the past. Glamping yurts and vacation cabin rentals have also become a standard, so a visitor does not even have to pitch a tent or rent a motel room in a nearby town. All this comes with a price and the modernized state parks certainly do charge a hefty entrance fee, but for those who seek secure conditions in the great outdoors, the higher cost is well worth it.  

One of the best modernized state park destinations in the west can actually be found in central Idaho not too far away from the Snake River. The Ponderosa State Park is the one to look for and this Idaho recreation area definitely has the appeal of a classic mountain resort. This family oriented park attracts a wide range of visitors that seek a high level of comfort, while in contrast, the parks along the Snake River tend to draw people that only have extreme outdoor adventures in mind, so it is easy to see where Ponderosa State Park fits into the picture.

Ponderosa State Park is located on the north shoreline of Payette Lake, which is a large navigable body of water that attracts summer season boaters. Deep pine forest covered mountains surround the lake, so the setting is quite appealing to the eyes. The park accommodations include full service campgrounds and luxury lakeside cabins, which are perfect for those who are not up to roughing it in the wild. This park has a vast hiking or mountain biking trail system and trail guides actually are available. There is a Junior Ranger program for children with activities that compare to an organized summer camp. Best of all, plenty of equipment rentals can be found on site, which include paddle-boards, kayaks and canoes.

Ponderosa State Park is perfect for doing a lazy afternoon kayak tour, while anglers will find opportunities to fill the creel for dinner. There is plenty of shade under the tall pines and the summer daytime temperatures this far north are never too extreme. When considering the level of comfort that the full service campgrounds and cabins provide, the overall picture is like a dream come true. For those who seek an easy going scenic place for some quality oriented rest and relaxation, Ponderosa State Park definitely belongs at the top of the list!
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