07/15/2025
The power is out at Celebration Park. The park is open but restrooms are closed. Vault toilets are still available, however!
Preserve the cultural and natural resources of our County as recreational & educational opportunities
Canyon County Parks, Cultural and Natural Resources was created “to preserve the cultural and natural resources of our County as recreational and educational opportunities for our citizens and visitors”. With that mission in mind, our parks and facilities include: Celebration Park, Lake Lowell Park, the Lower Dam Recreation Area at Lake Lowell, Lake Lowell boating facilities, Jubilee Park, Ward Memorial Park, Wilson Springs Nature Area and Fishing Ponds and Martin’s Access.
07/15/2025
The power is out at Celebration Park. The park is open but restrooms are closed. Vault toilets are still available, however!
05/27/2025
Celebration Park Visitor Center will be close May 28th, 2025. Park access, camping, fishing, and all other self-guided activities are still available. Contact [email protected] or call (208) 455-6022 with any questions.
03/19/2025
Canyon County Parks is hiring for a Camp Host at Martin Landing! Contact Alex Eells at [email protected] or (208) 454-6884 for more information!
The bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, has been a frequent visitor at Lake Lowell this winter!
This magnificent raptor is known for its distinct solid white head and tail. However, for the first four years of a bald eagle’s life, they are mostly brown in color and have varying amounts of white plumage that is typically on the underside of their bodies. This coloring can mean young bald eagles are commonly mistaken for golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos). Like most raptors, the female is about 30% bigger than the males. These birds can range from 2 ½ to 3 ½ feet tall and can boast an impressive 6-8 foot wingspan!
Bald eagles typically over-winter near areas with large bodies of water, such as Lake Lowell! Since the eagles are often near water, fish are a primary source of food. However, bald eagles are also known to take advantage of more easily obtained resources such as carrion and roadkill. While some nesting pairs will remain in Idaho year-round, many of Lake Lowell’s occupants have migrated south from Canada and Northern Idaho.
The bald eagle is also a symbol of America’s strength and freedom. In 1776, it made its first appearance on an American coin, and in 1782, it was chosen for the Great Seal of the United States. Emblems have been seen on warplanes and even on spacecraft that traveled to the moon! They are also a popular choice for mascots for sports teams across the country.
Come on down to Lake Lowell Park to try your hand at spotting one of these stunning birds of prey!
Video is credited to Canva Pro
01/06/2025
Celebration Park Snake River Boater Improvement Project – SCOPE CHANGE
Canyon County Parks, Cultural & Natural Resources is preparing a grant application to be submitted to the IdahoDepartment of Parks and Recreation Waterways Improvement Fund (WIF) grant, for its Celebration Park SnakeRiver Boater Improvements project. Due to permitting and design related issues we will be requesting a scopechange to the original grant project that was awarded back in 2023. This scope change will help to improve the existing barb that helps to protect and reinforce the boat ramp area from river scour and foot traffic. We are requesting support from users on a project which will improve boating access at Celebration Park. The Snake River access area near Celebration Park’s boat ramp is over 30 years old and was severely damaged during the flooding and high-runoff in spring 2017, following a severe winter. This project will greatly improve our motorized boating access and help to protect our boater infrastructure from further scour and erosion overtime.
Goals for Grant Project:
1. Improving and replacing existing boat ramp
2. Replacing existing boat dock and gangway system
3. Increasing ADA accessibility of boat dock and boat ramp approach via pathways and gangway
4. Reconfiguring boater/public parking area to improve traffic flow and increase designated “boater only”parking spaces
5. Scope Change: Request cost increase to improve the barb design and reinforce boat ramp area to preventscour and meet design/permitting requirements
For questions or comments regarding this project, please contact Outdoor Recreation Planner- Alex Eells at [email protected] or contact Canyon County Parks at 208-455-6022
01/06/2025
Happy holidays!!
The staff of Canyon County Parks wishes everyone a great New Year and hopes you had a Merry Christmas!
The coyote, Canis latrans, is seen across most of Idaho, including Celebration Park!
These canines are often confused for wild dogs; however, they should not be treated as such. Their behaviors closely match those of foxes, wolves, and other canine predators. Coyotes are primarily carnivorous, preying upon deer, rabbits, and nearly any animal they can catch. They often use a technique called “mousing” where they use their large ears to pinpoint the location of the prey and then do a high leap to capture them. This method is also seen in foxes and occasionally wolves. Besides mousing, coyotes will chase after their prey, reaching speeds up to 43 miles per hour. These medium-sized canines are closely related to wolves, including the grey wolf.
Coyotes can range in color including grey, red, or light tan. The subspecies found in northern Idaho tend to be darker in color while southern coyotes are lighter with a greater variety of tans. Here at Celebration Park, coyotes are lighter in color and use their tan tones to help blend into the surrounding desert.
While coyotes are not an everyday visitor at Celebration Park, they are still regularly seen around the park. They are most often seen using binoculars from a greater distance away.
Come out to Celebration Park to view wildlife in the park and beyond!
Video is credited to Canva Pro
12/04/2024
The northern harrier, Circus cyaneus, has been a frequent visitor at Celebration Park this past month!
This beautiful raptor is distinct with its large size, white banding along the tail, and owlish face. While all northern harriers share similar characteristics, the male and female have different appearances. The male can be a grayish-white with some brown spots along its chest while the female and juveniles are solid brown with more distinct banding.
Within Idaho, northern harriers will either remain year-round or they will migrate south for the winter. We are lucky at Celebration Park to see many of these stunning raptors flying around. We can often see one right outside our windows in the Visitor Center! Besides our Visitor Center view, northern harriers can also be found around wetlands or in open fields. You can even see them carrying frogs, small birds, mice, and other small creatures that they prey upon. Northern harriers are also known as marsh hawks and ring-tailed hawks!
Come down to Celebration Park’s Visitor Center from 10 am to 2 pm and we can point out the raptor from our windows or direct you where to look!
All photos are credited to Canva Pro and Wikimedia Commons
12/04/2024
Welcome to Celebration Park!
We are Idaho’s first Archeology Park located along the Snake River just south of Melba, Idaho. Our Visitor Center and free tours are available daily from 10 am to 2 pm. Come down to the park to learn more about the petroglyphs, atlatls, lithic technology, or the historic Guffey Bridge! We also have numerous hikes as well as boating, camping, and fishing access. Spend the night, the day, or a few hours enjoying nature and history!
6530 Hot Spot Lane
Melba, ID 83641
09/29/2023
Please be advised, construction on the parking lot at Celebration Park will continue through October 2nd.
09/11/2023
Construction crews will be making improvements to the main parking lot at Celebration Park starting tomorrow, Tuesday, September 12. Construction is expected to last until Friday, September 22. During this time, the parking lot and boating access will remain open to visitors, but sections of the parking lot will be closed to allow crews to complete their work.
We ask the public for their patience and cooperation while construction is underway. Boat trailers and passenger vehicles are asked to park away from the construction zones. Visitors should be prepared to move their vehicles if requested to do so by park staff.
For visitors heading to the East End camping area and the Halverson Trailhead, we recommend entering the park from Victory Lane (see attached map).
For more information, please visit: https://www.canyoncounty.id.gov/parking-lot-at-celebration-park-will-be-under-construction-september-12-22-visitors-should-expect-congestion/