Mary Minerva Croskey Memorial State Park

From Washington, follow signs out of Farmington, to either East Pigeon Hollow Road or Mail Route Road. East Pigeon Hollow brings you to the junction of King Valley Road and Skyline Drive. Mail Route Road accesses the park at the Four Corners, farther north.

From Idaho, access is off Highway 95, just north of the Idaho Transportation Department Mineral Mountain Rest Area.

McCroskey State Park

Whenever possible, Virgil Talmage McCroskey spent his time up on the forested ridge during the hot and exposed summers on his family farm outside of Oakesdale, Washington. He would spend his time exploring the ridges of the mountain and formulated the vision for a driving tour along the ridge, providing recreation access to the place. He made it his lifes work to obtain as much of what is now McCroskey (and Steptoe Butte) to preserve and conserve for future generations to enjoy. Virgil donated 4,400 acres to the State of Idaho in 1955 in honor of his mother, Mary Minerva McCroskey. In the late 1800s, Mary made the arduous journey with her ten children from Tennessee to Washington. This remarkable feat inspired Virgil to dedicate this extraordinary monument of nature for his revered mother and all other pioneer women who sacrificed so much for their families. However, the Idaho legislature had serious doubts about the new park and agreed to accept the gift only if Virgil would maintain the park at his expense for the next 15 years. Virgil, then in his 70s, accepted the terms and lived exactly 15 more years, fulfilling his obligation to the State of Idaho just weeks before his death in 1970 at 93.

This park is best known for its 18 mile Skyline Drive that travels through the park. Along the way, there are nine developed campsites and primitive sites. The road is very well graded gravel although the park does recommend a sturdy vehicle with high clearance. The road passes through cedar and ponderosa pine forests on the east side while the west side has views of the Palouse prairie. There are 32 miles of multi-purpose trails for hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikers and all-terrain vehicles. There is no fee to access the roads and roadside camping is allowed. Roads are not plowed in winter, water is available in summer in 2 locations, pit toilets are in campgrounds, no garbage service.