Introduction
Enveloping the beautiful 103-acre Winchester Lake replete with rainbow trout, catfish, tiger muskie, and other fish species, is Winchester Lake State Park, a popular spot for fishing and other water activities. Located a quarter of a mile west of Winchester town, off Highway 95, Idaho, this state park is a wonderful place to visit on RV vacations to enjoy hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, and ice fishing. Even more, you have the opportunity to meander around the lake in a rented paddle board or canoe. Boating is also allowed on the lake, particularly small boats and electric boats. Gasoline engine boats are however not allowed.
The 418-acre Winchester Lake State Park sitting at an elevation of 3,900 feet features serviced campsites, standard campsites, ADA campsites, and yurts, including one ADA-accessible yurt. Partial and full hookup options are available for RVs at the campsites in the park. The campsites in Winchester Lake State Park are peaceful and surrounded by beautiful Ponderosas with a number of sites having a view of the lake. Flush toilets and restrooms, showers, playground, boat ramps and docks, picnic areas, and dump stations are also available in the park. In addition, a group shelter and an amphitheater are available for group occasions and events.
Nearby facilities include Nez Perce National Historical Park, Museum of Winchester History, and Historical Museum of St. Gertrude.
Camping Accommodations
RV Rentals in Winchester Lake State Park
Transportation in Winchester Lake State Park
Winchester Lake State Park is located a quarter of a mile west of Winchester town, off Highway 95, Idaho. The park is easy to access by paved roads using RVs, trailers, and other motorized vehicles. Within the park, local paved roads connect the different areas. A part of the park in the south is accessible using a foot bridge that crosses the Winchester lake. There are no driving restrictions for RVs and trailers in the park.
Winchester Lake State Park has only one designated parking area for RVs and trailers in the southwestern part of the park. All boats, trailers, or other motorized vehicles are required to fit entirely within the campsite parking spur provided. Any equipment that does not fit entirely within the sites designated parking area are required to be parked outside the campground in designated areas only.
There are no public transportation facilities available at Winchester Lake State Park.
Campgrounds and parking in Winchester Lake State Park
Campsites in Winchester Lake State Park
Appaloosa Loop
Appaloosa Loop in Winchester Lake State Park consists of 22 standard pet-friendly campsites available for RVs and tents. There are no hookup facilities for RVs in the loop. RV length limit at the loop is 57 feet. Restrooms are available in the loop, and the driveway surface is gravel. Fireworks are prohibited and campfires are allowed in designated areas only. Quiet hours are enforced from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am. Generally, stays are limited to 15 days in a 30-day period.
Bitterroot Loop
Bitterroot Loop in Winchester Lake State Park features 24 standard pet-friendly campsites available for RVs and tents. Two of the campsites are serviced with electric, water, and sewer hookups for RVs. Also, two of the campsites are companion campsites serviced with electric and water hookups for RVs, while the remaining 20 campsites are serviced with electric and water hookups for RVs. RV length limit at Bitterroot Loop is 74 feet. Restrooms are available in the loop, and an amphitheater is nearby. Fireworks are prohibited and campfires are allowed in designated areas only. Quiet hours are enforced from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am. Generally, stays are limited to 15 days in a 30-day period.
Camas Loop
Camas Loop in Winchester Lake State Park consists of 22 standard pet-friendly campsites available for RVs and tents. The campsites are serviced with electric and water hookups for RVs. RV length limit at Camas Loop is 62 feet. Restrooms are available in the loop, as well as proximity to the parking lot in the park. Fireworks are prohibited and campfires are allowed in designated areas only. Quiet hours are enforced from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am. Generally, stays are limited to 15 days in a 30-day period.
Seasonal activities in Winchester Lake State Park
Fishing
The most popular activity at Winchester Lake State Park for RV campers and visitors is fishing. The docks and fishing platforms enhance fishing opportunities for beginners and accomplished anglers. Anglers and campers enjoy fishing for rainbow trout, catfish, perch, bass, and blue gill in Winchester Lake. The rainbow trout in the lake are planted by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. The abundant perch, tiger muskie, bass, and blue gill fish species are supported by the excellent nutrients in the lake. Although tiger muskies are quite elusive in the lake, campers take on the challenge to find them during their fishing exercise. A fishing access to the lake is available in the park. In winter, the Winchester Lake State Park offers ice fishing opportunities to RV campers and park visitors.
Boating/Canoeing
Winchester Lake State Park features five boat docks usable by RV campers and visitors, as well as a boat launching ramp into Winchester Lake. So, you have numerous opportunities to enjoy boating on the 103-acre lake on your RV vacation at the park. Small boats and electric boats are allowed on the lake; however, gas engine boats are not allowed. Canoes are available for rental to enjoy paddling on the lake when the water temperature is 58 degrees and above.
Hiking/Biking
Winchester Lake State Park features numerous trails for you to enjoy hiking and riding your bikes on while on RV holiday at the park. These include the 0.7-mile looped Discovery Nature Trail which passes through forested regions in the southwestern area of the park, the 0.2-mile Eco Trail, the 0.2-mile White Tail Trail, and the 0.4-mile Black Pine Trail. By far the most popular trail in the park is the three and a half-mile Lakeshore Trail that runs along the entire shore of Winchester Lake, connects to a foot bridge, and offers scenic views of the lake.
Wildlife/Wildflower Viewing
When you visit Winchester Lake State Park, the forests and woodlands in the park as well as the beautiful lake will offer you the opportunity to see various wildlife along the trails. Some of the common wildlife in the park that RV campers see in the park include white-tailed deer, muskrats, and bald eagles. In addition, you should look out for wildflowers on the Discovery Nature Trail in the park.
Skiing/Snowshoeing
In winter, Lakeshore Trail offers RV campers various Nordic opportunities, including skiing and snowshoeing. If you visit the park in winter, be prepared to go skiing on the trail for a great adventure. Campers also get to walk the entire three and a half miles in their snowshoes as they observe and appreciate the picturesque frozen lake and surrounding vegetation.
Park Programs
Winchester Lake State Park offers various programs for RV campers throughout the year for RV campers to enjoy and participate in, such as Jr. Ranger Programs, Wolf Education and Research Center evening programs, and First Time Adventure Program. The Jr. Ranger Program, for example, is designed for children to have fun while learning about the park and how it connects to nature. Kids get to take hikes, identify plant and animal species, hear park stories and learn how to be safe on trails, rivers, and lakes in the park.