BOISE, Idaho -- There is still snow in the mountains, but that doesn't mean you can't go camping.

Head for low-elevation river canyons and desert areas.

And, if it's still a little too crisp for you at night, just plug in your RV or rent a cabin or yurt at many of the parks located across southern Idaho.

It's a good way to get a head start on your camping season, and you can also find some new places with different attractions, whether it's learning about the Oregon Trail or playing a new disc golf course at Massacre Rocks.

Here's an update on conditions and services at campgrounds in Idaho and Oregon:

THREE ISLAND CROSSING

What's cool in the spring: The Oregon Trail History and Education Center is open and gives a lot of information about the surrounding area and nearby places to see the Oregon Trail.

The park also has a nine-hole disc golf course, and it's a good time for bird watching along the Snake River.

Getting there: Take Interstate 84 east from Boise to Glenns Ferry and follow the signs. Driving time is about an hour and a half.

Amenities: Restrooms and showers will be open by the last weekend in March at Three Island Crossing State Park. Water will be provided to campsites at the same time. Water may be turned on earlier if the weather permits. Electrical hookups are available.

Fees: The camping fee for a single site with water and electricity is $23.32 (tax included) per night. Campers have to add the state park $5 motor vehicle entry fee, or have an Idaho Passport or annual state parks pass.

The cabin fee is $53 (tax included) per night.

Temperatures: 30s at night; 60s during the day.

Information: parksandrecreation.idaho.gov. Go to "Find a park."

BRUNEAU DUNES

What's cool in the spring: The 400-foot dune makes a great hike and playing in the sand will keep the kids busy.

The dunes lakes offer good fishing for bass and bluegills in the spring.

The star-gazing observatory will open April 5 with its first program.

Birds also will be migrating through in the spring. Birders might see bluebirds, a variety of waterfowl, avocets, curlews and other shorebirds.

Getting there: Take Interstate 84 east to Mountain Home and Idaho 51 south to the Snake River. Follow the signs east on Idaho 78 to the park. Driving time is a little over an hour.

Amenities: The park has full-service camping and RV hookups. Showers and restrooms are up and running for the season.

Fees: Standard campsites are $16.96 per night; serviced campsites, $23.32; and cabins, $53. Campers have to add the $5 motor vehicle entry fee unless you have an annual state parks pass.

Temperatures: 30s to 40s at night; 60s to 70 during the day.

Information: parksandrecreation.idaho.gov. Go to "Find a park."

MASSACRE ROCKS

What's cool in the spring: Massacre Rocks State Park's main 18-hole disc golf course is open as is the nine-hole "Ace" course.

Disc golf can be challenging at the park, which is located on a bluff overlooking the rugged Snake River Canyon.

The park's 7 miles of hiking and biking trails are open and go through juniper and sage country.

Access to the Snake River is also available, but the water is low and difficult for launching a boat.

Photographers like the park's canyon and desert rimrock scenery combined with the Snake River.

The area is also known for its numerous climbing routes on nearby cliffs.

Massacre Rocks is rich in pioneer and Native American history. Register Rock, located 2 miles from the park, is home to a huge boulder that holds the signatures of Oregon Trail emigrants who stopped for an evening of rest before continuing on their journeys.

Getting there: Drive 201 miles east of Boise on Interstates 84 and 86. Driving time is about three and a half hours.

Amenities: The park's upper loop campground is open with electrical hookups, however the water to individual campsites won't be turned on until May 1. The showers won't be turned on until the temperatures stay above freezing.

A frost-free water faucet is available near the entrance to the campground, and visitors can use the restrooms at the park's visitor center.

Current fees: Standard campsites are $14 per night; serviced campsites, $22 to $38 and cabins, $50. Campers have to add the $5 motor vehicle entry fee, or have an annual state parks pass.

Temperatures: 30s at night; 50s during the day.

Information: parksandrecreation.idaho.gov. Go to "Find a park."

CASTLE ROCKS

What's cool in the spring: No crowds, good weather, rock climbing is coming on strong, and there are plenty of places to go hiking among the pinyon pines and cliffs.

Wildflowers are popping, and there are plenty of chances for photo opportunities in a land of unusual rock formations.

The area is also rich in wildlife.

Getting there: From the Treasure Valley, drive east on Interstate 84 past Burley to the Declo exit. Head south to Declo and continue on Idaho 77. You'll go through the towns of Albion and Elba to Almo. It's about 200 miles, figure about three and a half hours driving time.

Amenities: The water and showers are expected to be turned on between April 15 and May 1, depending on the weather.

Fees: Smoky Mountain Campground, a state park facility, is $19.08 a night with the $5 motor vehicle entry fee or annual state park pass.

City of Rocks campsites, a federal area, go for $12.72 a night with no passport or motor vehicle entry fee required.

The state park also has yurts, a bunk house and lodge for rent.

Temperatures: 30s to 40s at night and 60s during the day.

Information: parksandrecreation.idaho.gov. Go to "Find a park."

COTTONWOOD PARK

What's cool in the spring: Fishing and boating is popular on C.J. Strike Reservoir because it is one of the earliest places available in spring.

The reservoir offers some of the best crappie and bass fishing in spring.

There's lots of bird life along the reservoir and Snake River.

The campground can be a jumping-off point for hiking or dirt biking along the Owyhee Front.

Getting there: It's located on the south side of the Bruneau Arm of the C.J. Strike Reservoir and can be reached from Grand View or Bruneau, south of Mountain Home. Figure about an hour and a half drive time.

Amenities: No hookups. Two vault toilets, marina and piers, fishing pier, 40-foot wide boat ramp, boat docks, group shelter and day-use area. Water is available at the park but not to individual campsites.

Current fees: $8 a night starting in April. Currently, $4 a night winter rates.

Temperatures: 40s at night and 60s to 70 during the day.

Information: idahopower.com/recreation.

COVE RECREATION AREA

What's cool in the spring: It's popular for trout, bass and crappie fishing and boating in the spring.

The surrounding area also offers good bird watching. There are hiking areas nearby and places to explore the Owyhee Desert to the south.

Getting there: From Grand View, travel southeast on Idaho 78 approximately 15 miles. Figure about an hour and a half drive time.

Amenities: It's a developed campground with RV sites, restrooms and a boat ramp on C.J. Strike Reservoir. There is a boat ramp and docks at the camp ground.

Fees: $12 a night, RV/trailer camping; $5 per night for tents.

Temperatures: 40s during the night and 60s to 70s during the day.

Information: Google Cove recreation site BLM.

NORTH PARK

What's cool in the spring: The area offers quick access to boating and fishing at C.J. Strike Reservoir. There are also two other parks located below the dam with access to the Snake River.

Getting there: C.J. Strike Dam is located off Idaho 78 between Grand View and Bruneau. Figure about an hour drive time.

Amenities: Idaho Power's North Park occupies 18 acres on the northwest corner on the banks of C.J. Strike Reservoir.

Tent camping, RV camping, two restrooms with flush toilets, fish-cleaning station, group shelters, boat mooring, two-lane boat ramp and central water.

Current fees: RV area, $5 a night; tent area $4. Summer rates begin in April 1 and prices go up to $10 per night for RVs and $8 for tents.

Temperatures: 40s at night; 60s to 70s during the day.

Information: idahopower.com/recreation.

FAREWELL BEND

What's cool in spring: Fishing in Brownlee Reservoir for catfish is a hit in the spring. Oregon's Farewell Bend State Park offers easy access to the reservoir with a boat ramp.

(An Oregon fishing license is needed to fish from the bank, but you can launch a boat there and use your Idaho license so long as you fish from the boat.) Bird watching is good along the reservoir and at the park.

Antelope and deer can be seen in the foothills near the park.

Getting there: Take Interstate 84 west from Treasure Valley to Ontario, Ore., and continue west toward Huntington. Look for the exit to the park along the Snake River. It's about 90 minutes driving.

Amenities: Water and power hookups and showers are available in the Brownlee loop of the park. All other loops are closed until May 1.

Current fees: $17 for sites with water and power; $14 for tent sites.

Cabins are $42 a night, but not open until May and by reservation only.

The park has a boat ramp on upper Brownlee Reservoir, but water levels have been low.

Temperatures: 30s and 40s during the night; 60s during the day.

More information: (541) 869-2365; www.oregonstateparks.org.

WOODHEAD PARK

What's cool in the spring: Fishing at Brownlee, Oxbow and Hells Canyon reservoirs is definitely popular in spring. Idaho Power's parks in Hells Canyon offer access to the three reservoirs.

There's plenty of hiking in the low-elevation mountains and wildlife watching is good. You may see bighorn sheep, eagles and deer. From the recreation site below Hells Canyon Dam you may see mountain goats on the ridges.

A highlight is to hike the trail below Hells Canyon Dam on the Oregon side of the Snake River.

Getting there: From Cambridge, take Idaho 71 west to Woodhead Park along Brownlee Reservoir. It takes about two and a half to three hours to drive from the Treasure Valley.

Amenities: Showers, electrical hookups and water are now available. You'll also find restrooms, picnic areas, shoreline walking paths and a boat ramp.

Current fees: $16 per night RVs; $10 for tents starting April 1. It's half price through March.

Note: Nearby Copperfield, McCormick and Hells Canyon parks farther down the road are other options.

Temperatures: 40s at night; 60s during the day with possibilities in the 70s.

Information: idahopower.com.

• Read more articles by PETE ZIMOWSKY

Order Reprint