Lucky Peak State Park
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Lucky Peak State Park, specifically the Sandy Point area, is a popular family destination located just 25 minutes from downtown Boise, offering picturesque scenery, dedicated BBQ facilities (including large reservable shaded gazebos), and water activities like swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking (rentals available). It also features a smooth, protected walking and biking path. However, parents must be prepared for a significant presence of Canadian geese, which are described as noisy, potentially aggressive, and responsible for widespread droppings on the sand and in the swimming water, especially on busy weekends.
Key Highlights
- ✓Sandy Point is an excellent spot for family BBQ and swimming.
- ✓Paddleboards and two-person kayaks are available for rent.
- ✓The park offers gorgeous, picturesque scenery and a peaceful atmosphere, particularly noted as beautiful in the Fall.
- ✓Conveniently located just 25 minutes from downtown Boise.
- ✓Features a fantastic, smooth, and protected walking and biking path with a rail on one side.
- ✓Bathrooms are reported to be clean.
- ✓Large, shaded gazebo BBQ areas are available and can be reserved for group parties.
Standout Features
- ⭐BBQ areas, including large, reservable gazebos that guarantee plenty of shade.
- ⭐Availability of paddle board and two-person kayak rentals.
- ⭐Scenic views and picturesque backdrops both during the drive and within the park.
- ⭐A smooth and protected walking and biking path with a safety rail.
- ⭐Clean and well-maintained bathrooms.
- ⭐Proximity and easy access from downtown Boise (25-minute drive).
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Go early to secure a nice shady spot and potentially minimize interaction with crowds and geese.
- →Make a reservation for the BBQ area/gazebo if planning a group party.
- →Bring cash for the $7 daily park fee.
- →Consider visiting on a Fall day for beautiful scenery and peacefulness, but be aware of potentially lower water levels.
- →Wear appropriate footwear (e.g., water shoes) due to rough sand mixed with rocks and geese droppings.
- →A visit on Thursday reportedly allowed one reviewer to avoid a parking fee.
Things to Consider
- ⚠A 'huge number' of Canadian geese are present, described as 'mean, noisy and poop everywhere,' including in the swimming water, making it 'gross.'
- ⚠The sand is 'a little ruff' for feet, being combined with 'little rocks,' and visitors must 'do slalom to avoid geese feces.'
- ⚠Water levels in the reservoir or river can be low during the Fall season, potentially impacting water activities.
- ⚠Weekends are 'very busy,' leading to increased visible feces in the water for swimmers.
- ⚠One review raises a safety concern regarding a large dam directly above the pond, describing it as narrow and 300' tall, prompting fear of collapse.
Price & Value
A daily fee of $7 is charged to use the park, which requires cash payment. This fee likely covers park entry and potentially parking. Paddleboard and kayak rentals are available at an additional, unspecified cost. For a $7 fee, access to BBQ areas, swimming, water activities (with rentals), and a walking/biking path offers reasonable value, provided the concerns about geese and water quality are acceptable to the visitor.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •The walking and biking path is described as 'smooth and protected with a rail on one side,' suggesting it could be suitable for strollers and potentially some wheelchairs, although specific wheelchair accessibility is not explicitly confirmed.
- •No other specific accommodations for special needs are mentioned in the reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •BBQ's are available, implying that families are welcome to bring and cook their own food for picnics and gatherings.
- •No explicit restrictions on outside food or beverages are mentioned.
🚗Parking Info
- •A daily fee of $7 is charged to use the park, for which cash is required; this fee may include parking.
- •One reviewer noted not having to pay a parking fee on a Thursday, suggesting potential variability in fees or enforcement depending on the day.
- •No details regarding the number of parking spots, ease of finding parking, or specific parking areas were provided.
👥Crowd Levels
- •The park is described as 'very popular' and 'very busy' on weekends.
- •Going 'early' is recommended to secure good spots, indicating it gets more crowded later in the day.
- •Weekends specifically lead to more visible feces in the water due to higher visitor numbers.
🛡️Safety Features
- •The walking and biking path is described as 'protected with a rail on one side,' suggesting a safety measure for path users.
- •A significant safety concern was raised by one reviewer regarding a large, potentially unstable dam located directly above the park's pond area.
- •No mentions of staff monitoring play areas, first aid stations, or specific child safety protocols were found.
⏰When to Avoid
- • If you are easily bothered by a large presence of Canadian geese, their noise, or widespread feces in swimming areas and on sand.
- • Weekends, if you want to avoid significant crowds and increased visible feces in the swimming water.
- • If you expect pristine, soft sand for bare feet, as the sand is described as rough and mixed with rocks and droppings.
- • During Fall, if high water levels for swimming or extensive water sports are a priority, as water levels can be low.
- • If you have significant safety concerns regarding dams, due to one reviewer's specific dam safety worry.
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
Discovery Lower Shelter Rental
$75.00Duration: per day
Sheltered picnic pavilion at Discovery Park.
Includes:
- •$25 non-refundable reservation fee
Discovery Middle Shelter Rental
$75.00Duration: per day
Sheltered picnic pavilion at Discovery Park.
Includes:
- •$25 non-refundable reservation fee
Discovery Upper Shelter Rental
$75.00Duration: per day
Sheltered picnic pavilion at Discovery Park.
Includes:
- •$25 non-refundable reservation fee
Sandy Point Amphitheater Rental (Up to 100 people)
$75.00Duration: per day
Natural turf amphitheater with paved stage area, ideal for larger events.
Includes:
- •$25 non-refundable reservation fee
Sandy Point Amphitheater Rental (101-200 people)
$150.00Duration: per day
Natural turf amphitheater with paved stage area, ideal for larger events.
Includes:
- •$25 non-refundable reservation fee
🍎Food Policy
- • Alcohol requires an Alcohol Permit Application.
- • Fires must be completely extinguished in the grill to avoid cleaning/damage fees.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Pets are NOT allowed (not even in vehicles) at Sandy Point from May 1– October 1.
- • Failure to pay Motor Vehicle Entrance Fee (MVEF), parking anywhere other than a designated parking space, or vehicles remaining after park closure will be subject to fines and/or towing.
📅Booking Policy
- • Reservations for shelters can be made online at getoutside.idaho.gov or by calling 1-888-922-6743.
- • A Group Use Permit Application is required for groups of 25 or more, even if not using a shelter.
- • The reserved area for shelters is limited to the immediate footprint of the shelter. Exclusive use of the surrounding area (e.g., event tents, shade structures, event arch, directional signs, additional seating, additional tables) requires prior approval.
🚗Parking Information
- • All vehicles entering park are required to pay the Motor Vehicle Entrance Fee (MVEF) or have a valid Idaho State Parks Passport properly displayed.
- • Fees are required even when kiosk is not open; plan on bringing exact change (cash or check) for the self-pay fee tube at the entrance station.
- • Checks should be made out to Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation.
- • Parking is limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- • No spaces are to be held in reservation.
- • Failure to pay, parking anywhere other than a designated parking space, or vehicles remaining after park closure will be subject to fines and/or towing.
- • Sandy Point Amphitheater has the largest parking area.
What People Say
What's Great
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 4 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 3 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Market Solution Services
9 months agoSandy Point is a great spot to go BBQ and swim. We take our paddle boards and rent a two person kayak. This place is fun for all!
Moira Casey
6 months agoGorgeous place to visit on a Fall day, not much water in the reservoir or river at this time but beautiful and peaceful.
Laurie Lane
10 months agoWhile this is a great place for families and obviously very popular, the huge number of canadian geese rooming around was a turn off. They are mean, noisy and poop everywhere... including the water people swim in. Gross. However, the surrounding landscape is beautiful and if you go early and get a nice shady spot it can be quite nice for awhile. No pets allowed. Bbq's available. Paddle boards to rent.
Hugo Moreno
3 years agoSuch a great destination, just 25 minutes from downtown Boise! Picturesque both the drive and the park itself, gorgeous backdrops paired with a soothing sound of running water. Please make a reservation for their bbq area ( theirs is a big gazebo to guarantee plenty of shade ) for group parties! There’s a fantastic walking and biking path that is smooth and protected with a rail on one side. Bathrooms were clean and the daily fee to use the park was seven dollars. Make sure to bring cash for the service fee. So go, what are you waiting for! You won’t regret it!
Jack Le Trucker
a year agoNot worth it. 94 outside made the ride to cool down from Boise to take a look and to feel the water. Well here it goes... the park is more for the geese and seagulls than for us, but there is some watergames in that pond for children to play with. Sand is a little ruff for your feet, sand is combined with little rocks not a great feeling, also u have to do slalom to avoid geese feces. Water is cold but very clear so there's no problems to see feces in the water. Weekend is very busy so the feces will be for all of us who wants to swim. The park should get rid of those geese. Also the pond is right below a huge dam tha is no wider than a two way trafic road at the top, from the bottom up of that dam is probably 300'. If that dam breaks up you can kiss your behind goodbye. The only good things about it is that I did'nt have to pay the parking fee on thursday.