Holiday Campers Hit Heise
Not everyone chose the hustle and bustle of the fair or wanted to battle the crowds in the shopping malls this Labor Day weekend.
Many Eastern Idahoans went to the mountains to enjoy the quiet of the outdoors.
Hundreds passed through this weekend. Many of them came out to pitch a tent while others just wanted to dive into the cool pool before it closed for the season.
Mild temperatures and clear skies made for a beautiful day at Heise.
Tina Walker brought her boys up to enjoy the pools and zip-line today before it’s back to business as usual on Tuesday.
“We had the boys out of school and we wanted to do something fun with them. It was either go to the fair with the crowds or come to Heise for the last day of the big pool being open,” said Walker.
She said it was a worthwhile decision for all involved.
“We just love it up here. The boys love the pools,” said Walker.
“I just like going on the slide and having a lot of fun,” said one young pool-goer named Josh.
Janean Osmond manages the RV and camping area at heise. She said nearly all of their 165 campsites filled up this weekend. That’s right on par with last year’s numbers.
“It’s a busy weekend. Some family reunions are this weekend. Others are just out for the last chance of summer,” said Walker.
Families were out in full-force soaking up some sun before the weather turns cold., whether it was at the pools themselves or just stopping by for a bite to eat.
“It’s not too hot. We just had a couple sitting on the porch here saying ‘Oh, this is so beautiful!” said Osmond.
And some visitors think the quiet was even better than the weather this weekend. That seems to be why many came out.
“Even when it’s busy, it’s just a peaceful place,” said Osmond.
Unfortunately, our reporter Jessica Crandall was unable to make contact with anyone at the Forest Service to check on our state camping areas as they were out for the holiday.
But, if they saw numbers like Heise did this weekend, they’re in pretty good shape.
Osmond said another big attraction this weekend for campers and visitors are the guided fishing tours they offer at Heise, taking them out on the river.
