Summary
Some good reasons to visit include the scenic beauty of the park, the variety of recreational activities available, and the opportunity to relax and unwind in a natural setting.
Specific points of interest at the park include the Snake River, which runs through the area and provides opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming. There are also hiking trails, picnic areas, and a playground for children.
Interesting facts about the area include the fact that it was once home to the Shoshone and Bannock Native American tribes, and that it was a major transportation route for the Oregon Trail pioneers.
The best time of year to visit Ontario State Recreation Site is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and sunny, and the park is bustling with activity. However, visitors should be aware that the park can get crowded during peak season, and may want to plan their trip accordingly.
Weather Forecast
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.
Related References