A Summer at Heyburn State Park

By Victoria Ortega

This summer, I had the amazing opportunity to intern at Heyburn State Park both to fulfill the ENVS internship credit and to research park experts and media for the Heyburn State Park interpretive themes report. I arrived at Heyburn in late May and immediately fell in love with the park’s beauty.

I worked in the visitor center, where I interacted with many visitors. I felt great pride in being able to answer any questions and suggest new spots in the park for visitors to go explore. I enjoyed the programs that a fellow ranger and I put on because people of different ages came up to the table and interacted with us, sharing their stories and connections to the program. The excitement on the visitors’ faces always brightened my day and made me recognize that interpretation and visitor services were the right path for me.

At four o’clock, I would leave the visitor center and explore the park on my own. I enjoyed hiking the trails, paddleboarding, and walking the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes (I didn’t bring a bike but HAD to walk the 7 miles to Harrison to try out the infamous creamery, and yes, the huckleberry ice cream was divine). Sometimes visitors who passed through the VC would come up to me and mention how amazing a certain hike I suggested was and how friendly every single park staff member was. I realized that it takes a lot to keep a park running smoothly, and I am so grateful to have been part of the seasonal staff at such a beautiful park.