|
BENEWAH COUNTY - St. Joe River, Heyburn State Park, & Area Lakes |
|
A RIVER RUNS THROUGH - Heyburn State Park, St.
Joe River, & 4 Lakes Area
Click Here For PDF Map
|
|
The Heyburn State Park / 4 lakes area
is one
of the camping and fishing jewels of the state
of Idaho. Heyburn S.P. consists of several large
camping areas, cabins, numerous hiking
trails, 3 boat launch facilities, beaches, and
wilderness area. There are four lakes that were
created/expanded by the Post Falls dam. The largest is
Chatcolet Lake (off of St. Joe River).
To the north of Chatcolet lake is Hidden Lake;
to the
east is Round Lake, and to the south is
Benewah
Lake. The St. Joe River (see info
below) runs through these lakes in a unique
channel system that boaters can use to access
the city of St. Maries and beyond. Connected to the
St. Joe River in the City of St. Maries, is the
St. Maries River. The bike trail called
the Trail of the Coeur d'Alene is connected to
this park.
Lake Chatcolet is the largest of the four lakes.
It consists of 600 acres and has more open water
and boat launches than the other three lakes.
Round Lake, the second largest lake, consists of 410
acres and is known for it's great fishing.
However, due to all the
aquatic vegetation and it's shallow depth, it isn't
suited to high speed boating. Benewah Lake is
the 3rd largest; it consists of 400 acres and is another
shallow lake with lots of aquatic plant life.
This is another excellent fishing lake. The last
and smallest of the 4 lakes is Hidden Lake,
which consists of
90 acres, and is more like a bay connected to Lake Chatcolet
and St. Joe River,
than like a lake.
There are 4 smaller lakes next to the
St. Joe River. |
 |
|
Lake
Chatcolet is the only lake here worth water
skiing or sailing
on due to it's lower level of weeds and deeper
water. The other 3 lakes are perfect for fishing
and kayaking/canoeing.
This would be great place to fish or go exploring
by kayak. And again, the St. Joe River would be great
to either motor or kayak/paddle up. Regardless of
what style boat you use, experiencing being where the river runs through is a credible
experience.
St. Joe River's main city is St.
Marries - Chamber of Commerce
http://www.stmariesidaho.com/info.htm
Maps:
To view a map click on
www.mapquest.com and type in St. Joe River,
Idaho. The red star indicates the start of the
river even though it looks like the star is in
the middle of the lake. Boat Launch &
Park:
Go to the Heyburn State Park website for camping
and boating info Info: St.
Maries
Chamber of Commerce
http://www.stmariesidaho.com/
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benewah Lake
(400 acres)
is a lake connected to St. Joe River within Heyburn State Park area.
There are 3 lakes within the park.
Benewah is the second largest of these lakes.
It can be accessed via 4 locations: First
at the one and only
boat launch at the east end of the lake.
Second, via Benewah Creek access point on the east
end of the lake from HWY 5. Third, from the St. Joe River via a small short
channel on the northwest side of the lake.
And
fourth, on the southwest end of the lake from Lake Chatcolet. The lake is best suited for slow moving fishing boats and
kayaks and canoes due to the amount of aquatic vegetation and wildlife policies. There is an old
rail road bridge that crosses the lake with about a 5' clearance over the lake,
limiting the height of boats which can enter and exit the lake.
Info:
Heyburn State Park
|
|
Benewah Campground Boat Launch
Launch, dock, campground, restrooms, running
water, picnic area...
Directions: On HWY 5 coming from either Heyburn State
Park visitor center or
from St Maries: Take Benewah Lake Road to the Benewah Campground and Boat
Launch. This lake is full of aquatic plants, so is best
suited for slow moving fishing
boats and kayaking. |
|
|
|
Benewah Lake - Channel access from St. Joe River
Directions: Northwest end of Benewah Lake |
|
|
HWY 3
Benewah Creek Access
Launch from creek bank...
Directions: This access site is on HWY
5 between Heyburn State Park visitor center and Benewah Lake Road on Benewah Creek.
|
|
|
|
|
Chatcolet Lake (600 acres) is 10-40 feet deep,
making it suitable for deep draft
boats/keelboats. Chatcolet also
tends to have good wind from the east, a large area of unobstructed
open water, and one can easily access Lake Coeur d'Alene from this lake as well
via the St. Joe River channel.
Power boaters find this lake great to cruise and fish on. Sailors also enjoy
this lake for its east thermal winds. The lake is located in Heyburn
State Park. Amenities include 2 boat launch facilities with docks, 3 landings with docks, restrooms, marinas, beaches, campgrounds, cabins, hiking and biking trails
(Trail of the Coeur d'Alene).
Info:
Heyburn State Park |
|
1. Chatcolet Lake Heyburn State Park Boat Launch
Boat launch, docks, rocky beach, restrooms, campground, running water, bike
and hiking trails...
Directions:
From HWY 5, enter the park at the headquarters and drive on Plumber Point Road to
the boat launch; follow signs to boat launch. |
|
|
2.
Plummer Point
Dock, beach, restrooms,
picnic tables, bike and hiking trails (no running water)...
Directions:
From HWY 5, enter the park at the headquarters and drive on Plumber Point
Road; follow the sign to Plummer Point Park. |
|
|
3.
Chatcolet Lake Access
Bank access, dock (no boat launch)...
Located between Hawleys Landing and Rocky Point in Heyburn State
Park.
Directions: (Coming from HWY 5 either passing the entrance road to the park
headquarters or before you get to headquarters) Watch for a turnout with fishing
info sign and dock. |
|
|
4.
Hawley's Landing
Docks, boat
pump-out station, restrooms, picnic tables, running water
(no boat launch)...
Directions: (Coming from
HWY 5, either passing the entrance road to the park headquarters or
before you get to headquarters) Watch for the sign to Hawley's Landing.
Turn on this road to get to land. |
|
|
5. Rocky Point Park,
West Boat Launch
Boat launch, docks, marina, beach, restrooms, fuel
dock, play ground, running water...
Directions: (Coming from HWY 5, either
passing the entrance road to the park headquarters or before you get to
headquarters) Watch for the sign to Rocky Point and Rocky Point Loop Road. Turn on
this road to get to the boat launches and marina. |
|
6. Rocky Point Park, East Boat Launch
Boat launch, docks, marina, beach,
restrooms, fuel dock, play ground, running water...
Directions: (Coming from HWY 5, either passing the entrance road to the park headquarters or before you
get to headquarters) Watch for the sign to Rocky Point and Rocky Point Loop Road.
Turn on this road to get to the boat launches and marina. |
|
|
|
|
|
Hidden Lake (90 acres)
Hidden Lake
is between Lake Coeur d'Alene and lake Chatcolet on the west side of the St. Joe
River. This is the smallest of the four lakes and is appropriate for mid draft
boats even though it is a small lake and not suited for high speed boating. The
lake is fairly free of aquatic plants and a good lake for fishing. There is no
boat access on this lake but one can easily access the lake from the St. Joe River
channel. There are some private homes on its
west shore. This is a no wake lake... Info:
Heyburn State Park |
|
Hidden
Lake
No facilities or shore access...
Round Lake is shown on the
far side of the picture. |
|
|
|
|
Round
Lake (dinghies - 410 acres)
Round Lake (410 acres) runs along the St. Joe river
channel, and isn't part of Heyburn State Park, but is on the parks north and
northeast side. Round Lake is a shallow long lake, and is perfect
for fishing but isn't suited for high speed boating due to all the aquatic plant
life and water foul policies. There are 2 launches on this lake; One has a paved
ramp and the other is a gravel mud combination. |
|
|
1. Round Lake Northeast
Sportsman Access
Boat Launch, restroom, no running
water...
The launch is paved but during low water it does not
long reach the water. Directions: (Coming from S HWY 97
near the junction of HWY 3 & 97) Turn south E. on O'Gara Road. Follow this road for a
few miles, then turn left/south S. Benewah Road. Follow this road to the launch.
Toward the end of this road it gets rough with lots of potholes. The road is also
fairly narrow and has one sharp turn. |
|
|
2. Round Lake East Primitive Boat Launch
Gravel/mud boat launch near the east shore of Round Lake,
old dock, gravel parking area, no restrooms or running water ...
This primitive launch is
right next to HWY 3 off of Mission Point Road/Round Lake Road. The great thing about
this launch is that it enters a channel where you can enter either Round Lake or the
St. Joe River. This launch is only suited for kayaks or small fishing boats. The
ground at this launch can be muddy.
Directions: Turn west onto Mission Point Road/Round Lake Road from HWY 3, west of St.
Maries, Idaho. |
|
|
|
|
St. Joe River & Associated East Lakes - The St. Joe River has lakes on either side of it and is the highest
navigable river in the world (120 miles long with Grade 2 & 3 rapids). When
the Post Falls dam was constructed it was believed that the trees and grass along
the river bank would be covered by the water and disappear. But after all these
years they are still there, creating one of the most unique river-lake
environments in the world. |
|
St. Joe River Lake/Marsh |
|
1. St. Joe River Shadowy Campground Boat
Launch
(Traveling on HWY 3 east of St. Maries) Take road 50 almost to the
Benewah & Shoshone County Line. You will see a large sign directing to this
campground. |
|
|
|
2. St. Joe River city of St. Maries Aqua
Park Boat Launch
(From HWY 3 after crossing the bridge that crosses the St. Joe
River into St. Maries) Take an immediate right onto Railroad Avenue, then a
right onto Fourth Street; follow this road to Aqua Avenue to the boat launch and
park. |
|
|
3. St. Joe River, Cherry Bend Boaters
Park
Docks, beach, restrooms, running water, picnic area,
no boat launch...
(From HWY 3 west of St. Maries Idaho) Turn southwest onto
Cottonwood Dr. (no sign for the park from this point); follow this road to your
first left. There will be a white sign with red letters directing you to the
park. |
|
|
Bells Lake
Right off of St. Joe
River - No Access |
Swan Lake
Near St. Joe River - No Access |
|
|
Turtle Lake
No boat launch...
This lake is located right off the St. Joe River.
Directions from road 50: When you see this lake
proceed to the turnout area. This is the place to park. There is no boat launch
but one can launch a kayak/canoe from the shore. |
|
St. Joe Baldy - 5,801 feet (1,768.14 meters) above
sea level.
This photo was taken on a cloudy day with first snow fall
of the year.
|
|
|
|
The St. Maries River river is extremely
popular with fishermen and those just wanting a nice slow float down the river
on a hot July day. This river flows into the St. Joe River within the city
limits of St. Maries Idaho. As you drive southeast along the river on HWY 3, there are
two main areas that can be used to access the river. Only access the river via areas without
signs indicating private land. |
|
|
1. St. Maries River Boat Launch
Boat launch, dock, restroom, parking lot, no running water...
This is the only boat launch on the St. Maries River
in the town of St. Maries Idaho. The launch
pavement is rough and there is an old dock. There is also one smelly restroom
which isn't accessible to those using wheelchairs. Fortunately, there is a gas
station with restrooms just a short distance down the road (west).
Directions: Traveling east on HWY 3 coming from the town of St. Maries
Idaho after crossing the bridge and just pass Gas Station and near Windy Ln. on
the opposite side of the road you will see the launch site. |
|
|
St. Maries River Access
Access from river bank, gravel parking area. No
facilities or boat launch...
This river access point is right off HWY 3 a short
distance west of the HWY 3 bridge. The gravel road to this access site is next
to the business of Triple X Feeds store in the town of St. Maries.
Directions: To access this site turn northeast onto a gravel road right
next to the bridge (west side). The gravel access into the river is fairly steep.
This river access site is best suited for small dinghies, kayaks, and canoes
that are light enough to be manually launched. When in the river from this site
going up stream you will pass under the HWY 3 bridge and going down stream you
will pass under a rail road bridge. |
|
|
|
|
|
STAY TUNED
THERE'S ALWAYS MORE TO COME!
|
| 0 |
|
BACK
TO LOCAL LAKES GUIDE LIST
P.
O. BOX 1143
HAYDEN,
IDAHO 83835
|