Laird Park Swimming Hole
Hiking area
4.4 (32)
Harvard, ID 83834
This location may be clothing-optional or adjacent to adult content. We do not display adult imagery and recommend discretion. Families should verify suitability.
River Swimming Area And CampgroundID
Laird Park
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Plan Laird Park’s Palouse River swimming area and campground with current Forest Service information, including the repaired beach and no potable water in 2026.
Swimming restriction
Use authorized entrances and obey current notices. Do not jump, dive or use rope swings or natural rock slides.
Official sources checked:
Water type
River Swimming Area And Campground
Access
Informal
Fee
Manager posts camping $12 per night and $2 per extra vehicle; confirm day-use terms separately.
Best season
Check the named destination, current notices and weather before choosing a date
Nearby towns
Moscow, Harvard
Water body
Palouse River
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Moscow, Harvard
Access location not verified
HARVARD, ID
Approximate location based on the nearest town. Confirm the exact spot and access before you go.
A closer look
Photos of Laird Park
Photos show past visits, not current water levels or swimming conditions. Select a photo to view it larger.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Official sources checked . See the rules above and check for current closures.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
Laird Park: a supported Palouse River swim area
Laird Park Campground in northern Idaho has a Forest Service-described sandy beach and swimming area on the Palouse River. The manager’s page, updated September 29, 2026, says the beach and swimming area were repaired in summer 2025. Do not confuse this Idaho campground with Laird Regional Park in California.
Bring your own drinking water
The current manager notice explicitly says potable water is unavailable for the 2026 season. River water is not a drinking-water substitute. Pack enough water for your group and carry out trash; the campground does not provide garbage service.
Keep camping and a swim visit separate
The Forest Service lists picnic tables, two group picnic areas and a short interpretive trail. It posts $12 per night camping and $2 per extra vehicle, with a campground camper-length maximum of 30 feet. Confirm current charges and availability before travel. The current conditions section posts seasonal operation from May 19 through October 16 and says the repaired swimming area is open. An older dated season field elsewhere says May 20 through October 30; prioritize the current conditions notice, then confirm today’s access rather than treating either date range as a daily guarantee.
Use the actual manager’s entrance and notices
The archived Palouse River Road approach identifies the campground area, not a surveyed safe water entry. Follow current access signs and swim-area instructions, supervise children and do not jump or dive. Read the Forest Service Laird Park page before departure.
Dam detail in the gallery
The historical image shows concrete dam supports, wooden gates and a rope railing beside river water. It adds infrastructure context but does not show the full swimming beach or establish the condition of the repaired area today. Do not use the dam, gates or railing as a jumping platform. Follow current manager instructions, and bring drinking water because the Forest Service reports no potable water for 2026.
Getting There
Use current Forest Service information and signs for Laird Park Campground on Palouse River Road in Idaho. Archived mileage is not a surveyed water-entry route.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
Named swim area supported; drinking-water system unavailable for 2026. Do not infer current depth or daily opening from repair history.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
Use authorized entrances and obey current notices. Do not jump, dive or use rope swings or natural rock slides. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
What to Bring
Bring sturdy water shoes to protect your feet on rocks and slippery surfaces. A waterproof dry bag keeps your phone, keys, and valuables safe. Pack a quick-dry towel, sun protection, and drinking water - never drink from the natural water source.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
Laird Park Campground
Campground
4.6 (91)
1101 Palouse River Rd, Harvard, ID 83834
Public restroomPublic showerRestroomRunning water
Pines RV Park
Campground
4.7 (81)
4510 ID-6, Harvard, ID 83834
Picnic tablesPublic restroomPublic showerRestroom
Strychinne Camp Trailhead
Hiking area
4.3 (3)
Strychnine Creek Rd, Harvard, ID 83834
Giant White Pine Campground and Trailhead
Campground
4.4 (41)
Clearwater National Forest, Forest Service Rd 3307, Harvard, ID 83834
Public restroomRestroomTent sites
Scenic 6 Park
Park
4.5 (150)
125 6th St, Potlatch, ID 83855
Barbecue grillBaseball fieldBasketball courtCycling lanes
Frequently Asked Questions About Laird Park
Does Laird Park still have a swimming area?
Yes. The current Forest Service page describes the beach and swimming area and says it was repaired in summer 2025. That does not guarantee today’s water conditions.
Is drinking water available in 2026?
No. The manager explicitly lists potable water as unavailable for the 2026 season. Bring your own supply.
What camping charges are posted?
The manager lists $12 per night and $2 per extra vehicle. Confirm current charges and availability separately from day use.
What facilities are supported?
The manager lists picnic tables, two group picnic areas and a short interpretive trail. It does not provide garbage service; carry out waste.
Can I assume the campground is open on a particular October day?
The current conditions section posts May 19 through October 16 seasonal operation, while an older dated field differs. Prioritize the current notice and confirm actual access before an October visit; neither range guarantees today’s conditions.
Is this the Laird park in California?
No. This listing is the Idaho Palouse River campground, not Stanislaus County’s Laird Regional Park.
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Do not jump, dive or use rope swings
- Water appearance does not establish depth, current, water quality, underwater hazards or an exit
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
Respect protected sites and local rules; no invented cultural associations.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
The reviewed historical gallery shows dam infrastructure and adjoining water, not a full view of the repaired beach or current dam controls. Photograph from authorized ground and do not use railings or gates as a jumping platform.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Respect property boundaries, use authorized routes and carry out waste.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Check the named destination, current notices and weather before choosing a date.
Difficulty Level
No verified accessible descent or surveyed route to an informal water entry.
Fee
Manager posts camping $12 per night and $2 per extra vehicle; confirm day-use terms separately.
Facilities
Manager says potable water unavailable for 2026 and no garbage service. Restroom details not specified on current page.
Activities
Swimming at the named beach, picnicking, interpretive walking and separately arranged camping.
Phone
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
Named Forest Service campground; camper maximum 30 feet, with current opening and charges checked directly.
Loading weather data…
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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