Gordon Bowen Park
Rate this placeNearby: Mccauley Park Camels Back Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Gordon Bowen Park is a beautiful outdoor recreation area located in Idaho.
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Summary
The park is popular with visitors and locals alike, thanks to its stunning natural scenery, numerous recreational opportunities, and interesting points of interest.
One of the main reasons to visit Gordon Bowen Park is to enjoy its many outdoor activities. The park offers a variety of activities, including hiking, fishing, boating, camping, and picnicking. Visitors can explore the park's many trails, which wind through forests, meadows, and along riverbanks. The park also has several lakes and ponds where visitors can fish, swim, or paddle.
One of the most interesting points of interest in Gordon Bowen Park is the Bowen Lodge. This historic log cabin was built in the early 20th century and is now available to rent for overnight stays. The lodge has been carefully restored to its original condition and offers visitors a unique glimpse into early 20th-century life in Idaho.
Another interesting feature of the park is the numerous wildlife that call it home. Visitors can spot a variety of animals in the park, including deer, elk, moose, and bears. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, making it an excellent destination for birdwatching.
The best time of year to visit Gordon Bowen Park depends on the visitor's interests. The park is open year-round, but certain activities may be more enjoyable during certain seasons. For example, hiking and camping are best enjoyed during the summer months when the weather is mild. Fishing is typically best in the spring and fall when the water temperature is cooler and the fish are more active.
Overall, Gordon Bowen Park is a fantastic destination for anyone looking to enjoy Idaho's natural beauty. With its numerous recreational opportunities, historic points of interest, and abundant wildlife, the park has something to offer visitors of all ages and interests.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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