Winchester Lake State Park

At the base of Idaho's Craig Mountain lies the peaceful waters of Winchester Lake. This 104-acre lake is surrounded by a 418-acre state park that offers a wide range of recreational activities and a peaceful pet-friendly campground.

For many visitors to Winchester Lake State Park, the highlight is fishing for rainbow trout in the lake's cool waters. Perch, tiger muskie, bass, and bluegill can also be caught in the lake, and small boats (but not gas motors) are allowed.

In the summer months, you can rent a canoe to enjoy a leisurely paddle around the lake. If you'd prefer to stay on dry land, you can take a nature hike or go exploring on two wheels, or pay a visit during winter to enjoy some ice skating or ice fishing. And if you're a wildlife lover, check out the Wolf Education Center near the park entrance and observe wolves in a near-natural habitat.

If you're staying the night, the Winchester Lake State Park campground features 46 serviced and 22 standard campsites, and pets are permitted in the campground. Three of the campground's four yurts are also pet-friendly. You'll need to pay a vehicle entry fee of $5 to enter the park.

While the campground is open for year-round use, please note that the restrooms, showers, dump station and all serviced sites are winterized, which means all water and power is shut off from the first week in October. These are then opened back up the first week in May, but if you're visiting during winter, you'll need to be happy using a vault toilet.

You'll also need to follow all park rules regarding pets. These include keeping your dog leashed at all times, never leaving them unattended, sticking to designated pet-friendly areas and responsibly disposing of their waste.

With these simple but essential responsibilities taken care of, the only thing left to do is enjoy a relaxing weekend (or longer) away with your canine companion.