Mary Minerva McCroskey State Park
Dedicated to the hardships of pioneer women, the Mary Minerva McCroskey State Park is a massive 5,300-acre ridgeline park with an 18-mile skyline drive offering spectacular views of the rolling Palouse country and multi-purpose trails for visitors to enjoy. This pet-friendly area embraces dogs of all sizes, so they do not have to be left out should the family decide to venture on the weekend.
Pooches also get to enjoy the sight and sounds of nature with their pet family. The park was given to the state of Idaho in 1955, and you can take DeSmet Road to King Valley Road to get to the premises. The park’s primary feature is the 18-mile drive along the unimproved roads with scenic views of the countryside.
Some of the facilities available at the Mary Minerva McCroskey State Park are three primitive campsites, four developed campgrounds located at Iron Mountain, four roadside picnic areas, a group day-use shelter, 32 miles of multipurpose trails where pooches are allowed as long as they are on a leash, and five developed campsites at the fireplace area.
The loop trail is considered moderate and is best used from May until October with your four-legged best friend. A few of the wildlife you can expect to see at the park are black bears, moose, and deer. There is a series of interpretive signs about the land-management aspects and history of the surrounding countryside along the Skyline Drive.
Do not be confused if you see horseback riders along the drive as they frequent the area too. The road is also home to seven different ecological zones ranging from wet to dry areas. Do keep in mind that park roads are not maintained in the winter so there may be snow blocking access to various areas.
The Mary Minerva McCroskey State Park is unlike others because it does not have trash or water facilities. You need to pack out everything that you bring into the park. This also serves as a further reminder to pet parents that they have to bring their dog scooper bags and take it out with them for disposal.
