Winchester Lake State Park
Guide

There are several trails at Winchester Lake where you can get a great workout on your mountain bike, so make sure you pack your bikes in the RV before heading out. The 3.3-mile Lakeshore Trail is the most popular path for biking as well as hiking. It starts at the entrance of the park and takes you around the entire lake and back to the entrance again. You will enjoy some hills and curves, pass the playground and picnic area, and ride over the footbridge. You can make this ride longer if you want to veer off onto the 0.4-mile Black Pine Trail, the 0.2-mile White Tail Trail, and the 0.2-mile Eco Trail.

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 both beginners and accomplished anglers. Anglers and campers enjoy fishing for rainbow trout, catfish, perch, bass, and bluegill in Winchester Lake. The rainbow trout in the lake is stocked by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. The excellent nutrients support the abundant perch, tiger muskie, bass, and bluegill in the lake. Although tiger muskies are quite elusive in the lake, campers take on the challenge of finding them during their fishing fun.

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 during your RV vacation at Winchester Lake State 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 above 58 degrees.

Winchester Lake State Park features numerous trails for you to enjoy hiking while on your 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 3.3-mile Lakeshore Trail that runs along the entire shore of Winchester Lake, connects to a footbridge, and offers scenic views of the lake.

This new activity is becoming more and more popular recently with all the emphasis on getting kids outdoors. Geocaching is just a treasure hunt for the whole world to enjoy together. To join the fun, all you need is a cell phone and some energy, and you can head out into the park to find a treasure (cache). Each cache is typically a waterproof container like a Tupperware bowl or box that has a logbook inside for you to sign and date. Sometimes there are trinkets or tokens inside that you can trade for one of your own. You do have to put it back where you found it so others can find it too. Then you are off to your next cache.

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 whitetail deer, squirrels, muskrats, and bald eagles. Other critters you may see include foxes, black bears, and coyotes. Remember to keep a safe distance from all wildlife.

In the winter, the Lakeshore Trail offers RV campers various Nordic opportunities, including skiing and snowshoeing, so pack those skis and snowshoes in the rig. If you visit Winchester Lake State Park in the winter, be prepared to go skiing on the trail for a great adventure. Campers also get to walk the entire 3.3 miles in their snowshoes while they observe and appreciate the picturesque frozen lake and surrounding vegetation. Keep your eyes peeled for winter wildlife such as whitetail deer and snowshoe hares.

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 the 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.