Effective Friday, November 22, 2024, Canyon County Parks, Cultural, and Natural Resources is permanently closing day-use parking at Celebration Park East End near campsite E13 to provide sufficient vehicle turnaround space for large vehicles.
For safety reasons, there is a need to formalize adequate turnaround space and circulation for RVs and other long trailers at the dead-end location identified at Celebration Park so that drivers do not have to reverse out of the camping area along an extended portion of the road. In partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, Canyon County Parks, Cultural & Natural Resources will be relocating the parking area for Halverson Trailhead users west. By providing a new parking area, vehicle traffic will be reduced through the camping area, lowering safety concerns for campers and recreationists, while also improving general circulation and safe egress ability for RVs and long trailers.
“These parking changes are extremely important so that we don’t end up in a situation where a large RV or trailer finds themselves having to back down a single lane dirt road for up to ½ a mile to get out,” said Parks Director Nicki Schwend. “Too many things can go wrong reversing RVs and long trailers vehicles; there are significant blind spots when reversing, children and pets are in the campgrounds, and there’s a steep drop-off into the river. We appreciate BLM working with us to make sure we’re providing adequate user parking AND a safe vehicle turn-around area.”
Canyon County has provided a map of the area that will be permanently closed to parking and displays the newly expanded day-use and Halverson Trailhead parking area here; (EastEndParking_TurnAroundMap ). The designated parking area will be located on BLM land just before you enter the Celebration Park East End camping area. Additionally, there are 5 day-use parking spots located north of ADA campsite E1 and E2 and 2 more day-use parking spots next to campsite E3 located on Canyon County property. There is a paved multi-purpose pathway along the river through the campground area that leads users approximately 1/2 mile to the Halverson Bar Trail systems.
By relocating the existing Halverson Trailhead parking area Canyon County Parks, Cultural & Natural Resources along with the Bureau of Land Management vehicles will have alternative and expanded parking sites while eliminating a safety issue. This project will promote safety for all recreationists, reduce traffic through the camping areas, and help circulate traffic throughout the East End camping area. We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation with this relocation of parking areas at Celebration Park East End Camping. For more information related to this press release feel free to contact Canyon County Parks at: parks@canyoncounty.id.gov
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For questions about this project or for construction updates, please contact Canyon County Parks at 208-454-6884, or call the Celebration Park visitor center at 208-455-6022.