Idaho unveils new state park at a former dude ranch. Here’s how you can stay there
Idaho will open a new state park on the site of a former ranch this weekend, marking the first addition to the state Parks and Recreation system since the early 2000s.
State Parks and Recreation will host a ribbon cutting for Twin Peaks Ranch State Park near Salmon on Saturday, and guests will be able to stay at the property soon after.
According to a Parks and Recreation news release, the first 250 attendees of the ribbon cutting will receive access codes for “an exclusive coupon for 50% off a future stay” at the new park as part of a celebration of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States.
The 677-acre property, which is tucked in the mountains off of U.S. 93 about 20 miles south of Salmon, was once a working ranch and in the 1990s was converted to a dude ranch, according to Parks and Rec’s history of the location. Officials said the most recent owners focused on hosting events at the property, like retreats and weddings.
The park is almost completely surrounded by Bureau of Land Management property, and the public land is all that separates the park from the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness — the largest wilderness area in the contiguous United States.
Parks and Recreation’s website calls the new state park “a gateway into the expansive backcountry of Lemhi County” with fishing, hiking, climbing, biking and wildlife watching opportunities.
“This park serves as a gateway to endless outdoor recreation opportunities while creating a premier destination for visitors seeking adventure, relaxation and unforgettable experiences,” Parks and Recreation Director Susan Buxton said in the agency’s news release.
The park has 26 lodging options that open July 1 for a nine-month rolling advance reservation window. Options include single rooms at the park’s cabins, as well as entire cabins or the entire facility for events.
Twin Peaks is the first state park Idaho has opened since 2003, when it added Castle Rocks State Park, near Almo and the City of Rocks National Preserve. With the addition of Twin Peaks, State Parks and Recreation manages 27 properties.
Department spokesperson Will Armbruster told the Idaho Statesman the agency paid $4.75 million for the property, including all its assets, last fall.
The ranch had been on the market since at least 2023, according to archived versions of the website for Live Water Properties, the real estate group that listed the property. In June 2023, the earliest archived date available, the ranch was listed for sale at $6.5 million.
The final active asking price on Live Water’s website was $5.75 million.
