Pend Oreille State Park
Rate this placeNearby: Kaniksu National Forest Mix City Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Pend Oreille State Park is a popular destination located in the state of Washington.
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Summary
The park covers over 400 acres of land and offers a variety of recreational activities. Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, swimming, boating, fishing, picnicking, and camping. There are several picnic areas throughout the park, as well as a boat launch and a swimming area with a designated swimming beach.
One of the main attractions at Pend Oreille State Park is the Box Canyon Dam, which is located within the park. The dam was built in the 1950s and generates hydroelectric power for the area. Visitors can take a guided tour of the dam to learn about its history and how it works.
Another popular area within the park is the Pend Oreille River, which runs through the park and offers excellent fishing opportunities. The river is home to a variety of fish species, including trout, bass, and salmon.
Pend Oreille State Park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, elk, and black bears. Visitors should be cautious when hiking or camping in the park and should take proper precautions to avoid attracting wildlife.
The best time to visit Pend Oreille State Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and sunny. However, the park is open year-round and offers activities during the winter months, such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Overall, Pend Oreille State Park is a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. With its stunning natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and interesting points of interest, it is a must-visit destination in the state of Washington.
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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.
Related References
Kaniksu National Forest
MIX City Park
Bear Lake County Park