Two of us loaded our camping gear into an inflatable kayak and a hard-shell kayak and paddled 15 minutes across Lucky Peak Reservoir to the Chimney Rock Recreation Area on the south side of the lake.

We were there to enjoy a night of camping along the shores of Lucky Peak without the rush of summer crowds.

The 10-acre campground is accessible only by boat and has a picnic area and campsites with sheltered picnic tables, fire pits with grills, and outhouses.

There’s room to accommodate more than eight groups, so finding a camp in the fall isn’t a problem.

But camping there during low reservoir levels means carrying gear from the shore to the flat camping area.

The boat docks at Chimney Rock campground are now on dry land, so we landed at the western edge of the camping area and moved our gear up a few feet of rocky exposed shore, then on to the dock. It was about a 100-foot uphill walk to the grassy shoreline.

Ledge-like steps indicate the various stages of water level as the reservoir was drawn down during the summer.

Two motor boat groups were camping east of us in a small bay, but it felt like we had the campground to ourselves.

At dinner, the low-angled evening sunshine generated beautiful yellow hues, and at night the stars mixed with the passing clouds.

In the morning, we walked up to the plateau on top of Chimney Rock and enjoyed the view of the lake, our campsite and a boat trolling.

As the day warmed, we swam near shore in the invigorating cool water. In the autumn, water temperatures range in the mid 60s.

Chimney Rock Recreation Area is popular for hunting and fishing, but hunting is not allowed in the campground.

Alison Sweet, a seasonal park ranger for Spring Shores Marina, said wildlife in the area includes deer, elk, coyotes, mountain lions, black bears and skunks, but the only problem reported was with skunks. Cattle sometimes graze at the campground.

Fishing for smallmouth bass, kokanee and rainbow trout also is popular.

There’s still time to enjoy the Chimney Rock Recreation Area as long as warm, sunny weather lasts if you don’t mind carrying gear to the campground.

DETAILS

Getting there: The boat launch at Spring Shores is located approximately 18 miles southeast of Boise. Drive past the dam and turn right after High Bridge over Mores Creek Arm. Look for Spring Shores on the right. The Chimney Rock Recreation Area is directly across from East Ramp at Spring Shores.

DETAILS

Æ Go to the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation website at parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/luckypeak.aspx or call (208) 334-4199. For Chimney Rock Recreation Area information call (208) 343-0671.

Æ The marina, ramps, and ramp bathrooms are open year-round. You must pay the $5 per day fee.

Æ Bring your own drinking water. We used collapsible water jugs.

Æ Come prepared with waterproof clothes for the crossing and warm clothes for cool autumn nights and mornings.

Æ Use the established metal fire pits at the campsites.

Æ There is a three-day stay limit and reservations are not required.

Natalie Bartley is a freelance outdoors writer and the author of two trail guidebooks. Email: natbartley@earthlink.net.