Celebration Park

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Idaho's only Archaeological Park, located on the scenic Snake River

5000 Victory Lane
Melba, ID 83641
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Phone: (208) 495-2745
Email: thepark@canyonco.org

Park Overview

Celebration Park is located on the Snake River at the western boundary of the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area and serves as a beginning point for Halverson Bar and Lake trail. Travelers worldwide have come to enjoy the high desert flora, scenic land features, and unique Indian Art dating to 12,000 years ago. Celebration Park was established as Idaho's only archaeological park in 1989. Since then the park has been the recipient of several awards including an Orchid Award In Recognition of Superlative Achievement in Preserving Idaho's Heritage 1997, from Idaho Historic Preservation Council, and Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne's Take Pride in Idaho Award 2002.

Activities

Hiking, Fishing, Boating, Picnicking, Camping, Horseback Riding Trails, Bird watching, Ongoing Interpretive Park Programs, Student Fieldtrips Reservations are available for large group gatherings and tours.

Facilities

  • Visitor Center
  • Restrooms
  • Water
  • Boat Ramp
  • Car and Boat Parking
  • Picnic tables

Fees

  • Annual Pass $15
  • Senior Annual Fee $5
  • Day Use Fee $2
  • Camping Fee $5 (3 Day Limit)

Programs and Features

Celebration Park is fully staffed by Interpretive Specialists knowledgeable in area specific Native American culture, geology, history, and has a Atlatl range expressly designed for competitive use. Walking tours, lectures, and Atlatl instruction are part of a daily routine at the park between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Some programs may be scheduled in advance.

 

School Field Trips

Celebration Park currently books 100% of annual school days available for interactive field trips, accommodating 65% of demand by elementary schools. Programs designed to fulfill the total demand and meet the needs of Jr. High and High school are currently being created. At this time each field trip includes the following programs:

  • LifewaysLifeways:
    An informative talk on how the Indians made their living at Celebration Park for the past 12,000 years. Instruction and real artifacts are used to convey lithic technology and the unique lifestyle of nomadic hunters/gatherers of the area.
  

 

 

  • PetrogylphsPetroglyph Tour:
    There are thousands of petroglyphs on the Bonneville melon gravel that make up the landscape of Celebration Park. Each element is considered Indian Art with many dating as far back as 12,000 years. This tour is a fascinating exploration into the scene of the wintering area used by Paleolithic, Archaic, historic Native Americans, and other visitors.
 

  • Historic Guffy BridgeHistoric Guffy Bridge:
    The bridge tour offers up interesting Idaho historic facts as you walk along the Snake River. Initially built in 1897 the bridge was intended to carry ore from Silver City to Nampa where it would be smelted. The bridge is a true Idaho artifact and has been renovated to allow walking access to the south side of the river and primitive trails beyond.

      

 

 

  • Atlatl-Atlatl throwingAtlatl Throwing:
    The Atlatl is mans oldest machine and has been in use for over 45,000 years. Some scientist claim it was the Atlatl and composite dart that led to the extinction of Pleistocene Mega fauna roughly 7,500 years ago. On the range with a specialist everyone gets a chance to launch darts and learn about this amazing weapon.

 

 

New Programs in the making:

  • Geology/Ecology
  • Travel In Idaho
  • Economics and Technology
  • Entrepreneurs