PARKS &
RECREATION

Our Mission

The mission of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation is to improve the quality of life in Idaho through outdoor recreation and resource stewardship.

Our Vision

We are innovators in outdoor recreation, committed to excellent service and resource stewardship. We foster experiences that renew the human spirit and promote community vitality.

What We Do

IDPR manages 30 state parks throughout every region of Idaho and the registration programs for boats, snowmobiles and other off-highway vehicles (OHV). Money from these registration programs goes back to users to develop and maintain trails, facilities and programs. IDPR also provides free education courses for boaters and OHV operators.  

We also manage several outdoor recreation grant programs that provide facilities and services to a wide variety of recreationists and the local governmental and nongovernmental organizations that serve them. You can learn more about these programs under "Grants and Funding."

IDPR Board and Director

The Idaho Park and Recreation Board provides citizen oversight for the agency. Board members are appointed by the governor to six-year terms. The Board appoints and supervises the agency director. 

Agency Statutes

Statutes directly applying to the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.

Agency Rules

Rules directly applying to the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.

Idaho Recreation and Tourism Initiative

The Idaho Recreation and Tourism Initiative (IRTI) is a coalition of state and federal agencies and others dedicated to providing Idaho citizens and visitors with expanded recreation opportunities. Click here to access information about the intiative.

IDPR Documents and Downloads

Click the titles below to view or download Idaho Department of Parks and Recreations planning documents, rules and more. 

IDPR Organization Chart

IDPR Strategic Plan

State of Idaho Administrative Rules for IDPR

IDPR Board Minutes and Agendas

IDPR Board Policy

IDPR Policies and Procedures

To search for IDPR Rules, check the Office of the Administrative Rules Coordinator website.

History of Idaho State Parks

The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation owes its existence largely to the vision of one man, Governor Robert E. Smylie. He looked into the future and saw a professionally managed system of state parks available for the enjoyment of all Idaho’s citizens and visitors. He kept that vision in mind when Roland and Averell Harriman offered to donate their beloved Railroad Ranch to the state if a professional managing agency was put in place before the transfer of their generous gift would take place.   Others took up this vision and, when the opportunity presented itself, added recreation to the agency’s charge to take advantage of the new federal Land and Water Conservation Fund in 1966. The agency became the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, and through that federal program helped countless cities and counties across the state fulfill their own outdoor recreation visions in their individual communities.

Steve Bly with Gladys and Roland Harriman

Since 1965, the Department has been governed by a six-person board with each member representing a different geographic area of the state. The board has the power "to appoint a director to serve at its discretion" (Title 67, Chapter 42, Idaho Code).

Do What You Love, Love What You Do

Applying for a job with the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation is easy. The Idaho Department of Human Resources allows you to apply online or download the application and exam from the DHR website and mail the information to us at: 

Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation News and Alerts

Check out the latest agency news and alerts.

Media Relations Contact

Jennifer Okerlund
Communications Manager
Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation
Ph: (208) 514-2254
Fax: (208) 334-5232

Idaho Park Visitation and Recreation Statistics

Visitation Statistics

Day Use
2012/2013

Camping
2012
2013

Day Use / Camping

2014

2015

Idaho Recreational Vehicle Registration Statistics

Idaho RV Registrations

Idaho Snowmobile Registrations

Idaho Boat Registrations

Idaho Recreational Vehicle Registration Data

Please read: How to interpret this data

Boat Data

Snowmobile Data

Economics

Off-Highway Vehicle Economic Impact in Idaho

About the Director

David Langhorst became director of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) in August, 2014.

Prior to joining IDPR, Langhorst served as a Commissioner for the Idaho State Tax Commission. He also served as a State Senator in the Idaho Legislature from 2002 to 2008, and on several Boards of Directors throughout Idaho and on a national level.

Langhorst has a long history of public service, a strong desire to move the mission of the agency forward, and is excited to begin relating and interacting with all of the diverse groups that IDPR serves.

Our Mission

The mission of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation is to improve the quality of life in Idaho through outdoor recreation and resource stewardship.

Our Vision

We are innovators in outdoor recreation, committed to excellent service and resource stewardship. We foster experiences that renew the human spirit and promote community vitality.

What We Do

IDPR manages 30 state parks throughout every region of Idaho and the registration programs for boats, snowmobiles and other off-highway vehicles (OHV). Money from these registration programs goes back to users to develop and maintain trails, facilities and programs. IDPR also provides free education courses for boaters and OHV operators.  

We also manage several outdoor recreation grant programs that provide facilities and services to a wide variety of recreationists and the local governmental and nongovernmental organizations that serve them. You can learn more about these programs under "Grants and Funding."

IDPR Board and Director

The Idaho Park and Recreation Board provides citizen oversight for the agency. Board members are appointed by the governor to six-year terms. The Board appoints and supervises the agency director. 

Agency Statutes

Statutes directly applying to the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.

Agency Rules

Rules directly applying to the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.

Idaho Recreation and Tourism Initiative

The Idaho Recreation and Tourism Initiative (IRTI) is a coalition of state and federal agencies and others dedicated to providing Idaho citizens and visitors with expanded recreation opportunities. Click here to access information about the intiative.

IDPR Documents and Downloads

Click the titles below to view or download Idaho Department of Parks and Recreations planning documents, rules and more. 

IDPR Organization Chart

IDPR Strategic Plan

State of Idaho Administrative Rules for IDPR

IDPR Board Minutes and Agendas

IDPR Board Policy

IDPR Policies and Procedures

To search for IDPR Rules, check the Office of the Administrative Rules Coordinator website.

History of Idaho State Parks

The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation owes its existence largely to the vision of one man, Governor Robert E. Smylie. He looked into the future and saw a professionally managed system of state parks available for the enjoyment of all Idaho’s citizens and visitors. He kept that vision in mind when Roland and Averell Harriman offered to donate their beloved Railroad Ranch to the state if a professional managing agency was put in place before the transfer of their generous gift would take place.   Others took up this vision and, when the opportunity presented itself, added recreation to the agency’s charge to take advantage of the new federal Land and Water Conservation Fund in 1966. The agency became the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, and through that federal program helped countless cities and counties across the state fulfill their own outdoor recreation visions in their individual communities.

Steve Bly with Gladys and Roland Harriman

Since 1965, the Department has been governed by a six-person board with each member representing a different geographic area of the state. The board has the power "to appoint a director to serve at its discretion" (Title 67, Chapter 42, Idaho Code).

Do What You Love, Love What You Do

Applying for a job with the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation is easy. The Idaho Department of Human Resources allows you to apply online or download the application and exam from the DHR website and mail the information to us at: 

Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation News and Alerts

Check out the latest agency news and alerts.

Media Relations Contact

Jennifer Okerlund
Communications Manager
Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation
Ph: (208) 514-2254
Fax: (208) 334-5232

Idaho Park Visitation and Recreation Statistics

Visitation Statistics

Day Use
2012/2013

Camping
2012
2013

Day Use / Camping

2014

2015

Idaho Recreational Vehicle Registration Statistics

Idaho RV Registrations

Idaho Snowmobile Registrations

Idaho Boat Registrations

Idaho Recreational Vehicle Registration Data

Please read: How to interpret this data

Boat Data

Snowmobile Data

Economics

Off-Highway Vehicle Economic Impact in Idaho

About the Director

David Langhorst became director of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) in August, 2014.

Prior to joining IDPR, Langhorst served as a Commissioner for the Idaho State Tax Commission. He also served as a State Senator in the Idaho Legislature from 2002 to 2008, and on several Boards of Directors throughout Idaho and on a national level.

Langhorst has a long history of public service, a strong desire to move the mission of the agency forward, and is excited to begin relating and interacting with all of the diverse groups that IDPR serves.