Cottonwood Campground at C.J. Strike Reservoir will be closed through Oct. 31 while Idaho Power Company installs new docks.
Replacing the existing structures with new floating docks is the latest phase of a multi-year upgrade project designed to improve facilities for visitors, the company said. The new floating docks are intended to better withstand changing water levels at the reservoir as well as the frequent waves driven by windy conditions.
“We’ve changed the way we operate the hydro plant the last few years as energy demand has gone up. The result is that sometimes the reservoir level goes down and back up again, more than it did in the past, so these floating docks will accommodate that,” said Brad Bowlin, spokesman for Idaho Power.
C.J. Strike, located south of Mountain Home and about 65 miles southeast of the Treasure Valley, is one of southern Idaho’s most popular recreation destinations for fishing, boating and water skiing. Idaho Power operates four campgrounds at the reservoir, which is open to boating year around, depending on the severity of the winter. I did see the reservoir frozen over one year.
Idaho Power replaced the docks at nearby North Park last year and at the Narrows earlier this summer. Upgrades to the docks at Loveridge Bridge are expected to be complete in the coming weeks.
Reservoir access is still available at North Park and Jacks Creek East. Campers or day-use visitors to C.J. Strike can find more information at idahopower.com/camping.
RECREATION UPDATES
Lake Cascade update - Seasonal campground closures were announced by Lake Cascade State Park, but there’s still plenty of time to get in some fall camping.
Closures include: Sugarloaf, Sept. 17; Sage Bluff/Poison Creek, Oct. 1; Snowbank, Oct. 16; Crown Point/West Mountain, Oct. 31; and Ridgeview, Big Sage/Van Wyck/Blue Heron, Nov. 18.
The state park, about 75 miles north of the Treasure Valley, will turn off campground water on Nov. 18.
Reservoir levels have been dropping so check the availability of boat ramps.
Stanley Ranger Station - The ranger station closed Sept. 2. However, visitors can get information at the Stanley Museum, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 28. Help can also be obtained at the Redfish Visitor Center, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays through Sundays through Sept. 28.
Lucky Peak State Park — Sandy Point hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekends and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Discovery Park and Spring Shores hours are sunrise to sunset.
Enjoy fall camping.