Winchester Lake State Park Campground offers four-season yurt camping approximately 60 miles from Kooskia, Idaho. The park sits at an elevation of 3,900 feet among dense pine forests surrounding a 103-acre alpine lake. Winter temperatures typically range from 15-35°F while summer averages 75-85°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Campers should note that while yurts and cabins provide shelter from elements, nighttime temperatures can drop significantly even in summer months.
What to do
Non-motorized boating: The lake at Winchester Lake State Park Campground prohibits motorized watercraft, making it ideal for peaceful paddling. "The lake is perfect for kayaking and fishing. You can rent SUPs and canoes to explore around the lake," notes camper Brock W.
Fishing opportunities: Anglers can target multiple species at Winchester Lake. "We caught blue gill, trout, bass, crappie, perch, cat fish and had a small Tiger Muskie on the line but lost it," reports Jennifer R., who stayed for two weeks.
Year-round hiking: Trails around Freeman Creek Campground offer hiking for all abilities. "Sweet little nature trails were pretty and easy for smaller children to walk through," explains Agnes B. Even in winter, campers enjoy the scenery. Megan S. shares, "I will definitely be back soon, even frozen it was very enjoyable."
Wildlife observation: The area provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Cody B. reports at Freeman Creek: "If you are lucky you may see a black bear feeding on blackberries, deer are numerous, elk frequent the lake, and one of my favorites is to watch Osprey dive in the lake for fish."
What campers like
Waterfront access: Three Rivers Resort & Campground offers prime positioning. "The resort is located along a sweeping bend of the Lochsa river, which the highway follows on the opposite side," explains Todd M., who has stayed multiple times while motorcycle touring.
Diverse accommodation options: The variety of lodging at Three Rivers Resort appeals to different camping styles. Todd notes, "The 'resort' has riverfront cabins, double occupancy motel rooms, A frame cabins, RV spots with hookups and a large tent camping area for motorcyclists, bicyclists and hikers."
Clean facilities: Winchester Lake maintains high standards for their bathrooms and showers. Nancy C. reports, "There are vault toilets throughout the campground with one building that houses flush toilets and 2 shower stalls. They are older but squeaky clean."
Privacy between sites: Many campsites at Winchester Lake State Park offer good separation. Rich J. states, "Generally large, separated sites with picnic tables and firepits. Forest setting throughout." Douglas B. confirms, "Clean campground and decent space between neighbors."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Connectivity is minimal in this remote area. At Winchester Lake, Nancy C. reports, "2 bars AT&T LTE." At Three Rivers Resort, Todd M. notes, "There was no cell service for AT&T, but the market and bar had WiFi that you could access by sitting outside the front door."
Seasonal considerations: The area experiences distinct seasons affecting camping options. According to Kendra M., Winchester Lake is a "beautiful setting. Nice campsite options, tent, RV, and yurt," making it suitable for year-round yurt camping near Kooskia.
Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds requires careful driving. Agnes B. warns about Freeman Creek: "We would be driving up the narrowest gravel road with a 11% incline!!!! Once we started the decline it was mercifully paved but signage posted stated '2 road lane can be used as single lane.'"
Reservation recommendations: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. Steven L. found Three Rivers Resort booking "straightforward, checking easy and was as described," but arriving with a reservation is advised, especially for holiday weekends.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water access: Freeman Creek offers supervised water play areas. Agnes B. explains, "Easy lake access is only in the park/play area. The rest of the lake access is a pretty blunt drop off from forest to water. But the play area was pleasant. We still enjoyed the water and had a ton of fun finding tadpoles."
Group camping options: Dworshak State Park provides designated areas for larger family gatherings. Ashley C. shares, "We book a group camp site every year and have a family reunion! The kids love it and the grown-ups worry less at such a family appropriate park."
Site selection for safety: Consider terrain when selecting a site with children. Agnes B. recommends at Freeman Creek: "Be mindful of what site you are signing up for, meadow ones are available" to avoid sites with steep dropoffs that could be hazardous for young children.
Insect considerations: Parents will appreciate lower mosquito presence in certain seasons. "When we went in June, there were next to no mosquitos! My poor teenager usually gets eaten alive anywhere we go and he left unscathed!" notes Agnes B. about Freeman Creek.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Winchester Lake offers partial hookups. Jennifer R. explains, "Not full hookups but lots of fishing... They did have electricity and water hookups just no dump so we showered and used the bathroom facilities which were very well kept!"
Size limitations: Some campgrounds accommodate larger RVs better than others. Rich J. recommends at Winchester Lake, "The longer length ones are best," while Jennifer R. successfully brought her "40ft RV up here and had a great time!"
Dump station access: Plan for waste management if staying at partial-hookup sites. Jennifer R. advises, "There is a dump station just in town at the gas station" near Winchester Lake for RVers needing this service.
