Dworshak State Park
Deep Reservoir in Idaho’s Clearwater Country — State Park on 53-Mile Dworshak Reservoir in the Clearwater Mountains, One of the Deepest Reservoirs in North America at 630 Feet Deep, Full-Service Campground With Hookups and Cabins on the Forested Shoreline, Fishing for Smallmouth Bass Kokanee Salmon and Bull Trout, Boating and Water Sports on 19,000-Acre Reservoir, Swimming Beach and Picnic Areas, Hiking Trails Through Ponderosa Pine and Douglas Fir Forest, Near Orofino Clearwater County North-Central Idaho
Dworshak State Park is a state park on the western shore of 53-mile-long Dworshak Reservoir in Clearwater County, north-central Idaho, managed by Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. The park features a full-service campground with electric hookups and rental cabins on the forested shoreline, Dworshak Reservoir — one of the deepest reservoirs in North America at 630 feet deep, impounded by the third-tallest dam in the US, fishing for smallmouth bass, kokanee salmon, and bull trout in the deep cold water, boating and water sports on the 19,000-acre reservoir with marina and boat ramp, swimming beach and picnic areas along the shore, hiking trails through ponderosa pine and Douglas fir forest, and a secluded mountain-lake atmosphere far from major population centers in Idaho’s rugged Clearwater Country.
The reservoir’s depth is staggering — at 630 feet deep, Dworshak is one of the deepest reservoirs in North America. The Dworshak Dam itself is the third-tallest dam in the United States and the tallest straight-axis concrete dam in the Western Hemisphere.
The kokanee salmon fishing draws anglers from across the region — these landlocked sockeye salmon thrive in the deep, cold water and provide excellent sport fishing especially during late summer when they school near the surface.
Things to Do
- Fishing — bass, kokanee, bull trout
- Boating — 19,000-acre reservoir
- Camping — hookups, cabins
- Swimming beach — shoreline
- Hiking — forest trails
- Dam — 3rd tallest in US
Park Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Near Orofino, Clearwater County, ID |
| Reservoir | 53 mi long, 630 ft deep, 19,000 acres |
| Dam | 3rd-tallest in US |
| Camping | Hookups + cabins |
| Fishing | Smallmouth bass, kokanee, bull trout |
| Managed By | Idaho Parks & Recreation |
| Coordinates | 46.5167° N, 116.3000° W |
Frequently Asked Questions
Wildlife & Nature
Dworshak SP — on Dworshak Reservoir — behind the tallest straight-axis gravity dam in the Western Hemisphere (717 feet). The park’s reservoir, conifer forest, and mountain terrain support elk, black bears, and bald eagles.
Nearby Attractions
Orofino — adjacent. Clearwater River — nearby. Nez Perce-Clearwater NF — surrounding.
How deep is Dworshak Reservoir?
Dworshak Reservoir is 630 feet deep — one of the deepest reservoirs in North America. The 53-mile-long, 19,000-acre reservoir is impounded by the third-tallest dam in the United States. Dworshak State Park on the western shore offers camping with hookups and cabins, fishing for smallmouth bass and kokanee salmon, boating with marina, and swimming. Near Orofino, Clearwater County, Idaho.
The park occupies a remarkably secluded setting for such a large reservoir. The Clearwater Mountains surrounding the lake are sparsely populated, and the forested shoreline remains largely undeveloped. On weekday visits, you might share this 19,000-acre playground with only a handful of other boaters, creating a genuine wilderness-lake feeling that is rare for reservoirs this size.
Last updated: May 2026
