Camping needn’t be over

The sleeping bags are reluctantly tucked away for another year. The tent, camp stove, cooler, dishes, cooking utensils and even the bug repellent are packed away.

The camping season always seems so short. Well-intentioned dreams of spending more time in the Idaho woods have already evaporated into late fall and winter. Idaho State Parks has a winter solution for the deprived camper: Rent a camper cabin in one of the northern Idaho state parks.

Up front, you need to know that they are all heated. There are three parks that offer winter camping shelters: Priest Lake, Heyburn and Farragut. All three state parks have cabins with electric heat. The cabins serve as overnight accommodations for those involved in winter activities such as snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing or simply as a winter kickback and getaway.

Priest Lake State Park

On the east side of the lake, at Indian Creek Campground 11 miles past the town of Coolin, the park offers five cabins for rent. Two of the cabins, the largest, were the first built in the Idaho State Park system. Because of their popularity, there are now camper cabins throughout the state park system. The cabins, Grizzly and Mackinaw, have two rooms, with a double bed and two sets of bunk beds, sleeping a total of six people.

Three cabins, Lynx, Kokanee and Caribou, have one room, with one double bed with a single overhead bunk and a futon sofa which folds down with another double bed, sleeping a total of five people. There is electricity in the cabins. Cooking is not allowed inside. In the winter there are vault toilets available.

Farragut State Park

There are seven cabins next to the Willow day use area. The one-room cabins are small, with a 12-foot by 12-foot living space. They are all situated with a great view overlooking Idlewilde Bay on Lake Pend Oreille. Four of the cabins are near the shoreline. The other three are on a hill above the other cabins. The cabins sleep five, with a log frame fold-down futon sleeping two and a log bunk bed sleeping two on the bottom and one on top. There is a small table with two log benches. Because of heavy snow some of the cabins must be accessed by cross-country skis, snowshoes or other nonmotorized means. There are three cabins available for overnight winter stays: the Kestrel, Nighthawk and Red Tail cabins found in the Waldron Campground. They are open all year while the others are closed. Almost all the cabins sleep five. Pets are allowed in two of the cabins.

Heyburn State Park

Two log cabin rentals are similar to what can be found in the other parks. The 12-foot by 12-foot cabins can sleep up to five on a double futon and a bunk bed. They also have a microwave. They are near a central restroom and water. The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes runs by both cabins.

But Heyburn offers more than the other parks in that there are also three cottages for rent. Each two-bedroom cottage has a full bath, kitchen, dining area and living room. Renters bring their own bedding and pillows. The cottages are expected to be cleaned with the supplied supplies. The three cottages are named Rocky Point, Lakeview and Chatcolet. True to its name, the Lakeview Cottage is a favorite because it is on the bank of Chatcolet Lake with a great view. A $50 refundable cleaning deposit is required for all three.

Winter recreational activities and the cabins are a natural fit. Cross-country skiing and snowmobiling can be done right out your front door. It is convenient to have a quick breakfast and escape into the snow surrounding the cabins.

Farragut State Park is so large that there are several long, wide trails including some hilly terrain that will suit almost any cross-country skiing ability. Priest Lake offers marked cross-country trails within the park. A ski map is available showing distances. Priest Lake is known for its many groomed miles for snowmobiles. The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes that runs through Heyburn State Park offers a level ski trail that extends along the shoreline of Lake Coeur d’Alene for many miles. Skiers can go for an hour or a day.

It turns out it is not too late to go camping. Pull out the sleeping bags and shake those long, dark winter doldrums. Rent a cabin or a cottage in a state park and enjoy the North Idaho winter camping season.