Priest Lake State Park
Looking for a place to stay during your Selkirk Mountains adventure? Well look no fur-ther than Priest Lake State Park! One of northern Idaho’s true gems, pitching your tent at Priest Lake won’t require you to sacrifice too many of your creature comforts. Many sites feature electricity and RV hookups, including water and sewage, and the campgrounds all have access to showers and a dump station. There’s also a small general store on-site, so there’s no need to waste precious luggage space on provisions!
Not only that, but Priest Lake offers many different ways to stay. There are three different campgrounds to choose from -- Dickensheet, Indian Creek (which is open year-round), and Lionhead. Lionhead is the cheapest, as it contains primitive campsites only. You can also rent cabins, some of which are pet-friendly, and boat docks are available. There’s a $5 per vehicle entrance fee to the park, and primitive sites start at $12.
You and your buddy are sure to sniff out something to do at Priest Lake! The stream-fed lake itself provides plenty of opportunities for keen anglers, as it’s well-stocked with rainbow trout, some of which grow up to trophy size. It's also something of a hotspot for fly fishing!
As you might expect from this part of northern Idaho (tucked away in the mountains, just 30 miles from the border), the area around Priest Lake is something of a haven for hound-dog hikers, boasting a trail for almost all ages and abilities. Laid-back lapdogs and older furry friends might enjoy strolling a stretch of the eight-mile-long Lakeshore National Recreation Trail, an accessible pathway that features lovely views of the lake and is shaded by stately mature trees. Four-pawed fitness freaks looking for a challenge will find one on the Hunt Lake Trail, a steep route through wooded wonderland with mountain vistas at the end. All this, and spectacular scenery to boot! Priest Lake is also rich in history, taking its name from a Jesuit settlement founded in the 1800s.
WiFi isn’t available at Priest Lake State Park, and cellular coverage varies from network to network. Fires are permitted, and you’ll find drinking water at all campgrounds. Remember to bring waste bags for your pupper, and have a pawesome time!
