Lionhead Campground, near Coolin, Idaho, is a fantastic spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature while enjoying some modern comforts. With a mix of tent sites and RV accommodations, it’s perfect for families and solo adventurers alike, offering amenities like drinking water, showers, and picnic tables.

The campground is known for its stunning views and proximity to the beautiful sandy beaches of Priest Lake. Visitors rave about the crystal-clear waters and the chance to paddleboard, kayak, or just relax by the shore. One camper shared, “Our spot was about 20 feet from the water,” highlighting the easy access to the lake.

For those who enjoy hiking, there are numerous trails nearby, and the area is rich with wildlife, including moose and black bears. The friendly staff and clean facilities make it a welcoming place for everyone, whether you're a seasoned camper or just starting out. As one reviewer put it, “It’s designed more for tent camping,” which adds to the rustic charm of the experience.

Lionhead Campground is open from May to September, making it an ideal summer getaway. With its beautiful scenery and variety of activities, it’s a great choice for anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy some quality time outdoors.

Priest Lake camping features 151 campsites, and 5 cabins. Priest Lake State Park lies just 30 miles from the Canadian Border, nestled deep below the crest of the Selkirk Mountains. Surrounded by the natural beauty of Northern Idaho and mile-high mountains, Priest Lake State Park sits along the eastern shores of Priest Lake, a 19-mile long, over 300 foot deep lake. Amenities include showers, flush toilets, dump stations, full service park store with gasoline. Activities include hiking mountain biking, cycling, fishing, boating, swimming, horseshoeing, water sports, volleyball, disc gold

Lionhead Campground — Priest Lake State Park

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Nordman, ID is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Nordman, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Discover great camping spots near Nordman, reviewed by campers like you.

Nordman

The Best Camping Near Nordman, Idaho

SO! you get to this campground via boat only. There is a thoroughfare between upper and lower Priest Lake. Once when I camped there, we were in an overloaded canoe in a thunderstorm. I would not advise that route of access :) That trip included an amazing experience though. After the storm blew through, camp had been established and dinner was over, we set out in the canoe. It was Wednesday, in early summer. No other campsites were occupied on Upper Priest, we were the only ones there. As dusk deepened, the stars came out and the lake was so calm is was a perfect mirror. The stars were visible in the lake. Down became up and up was down and all was well in the world for a time that evening on Upper Priest!

Upper Priest Lake 

There are 3 campgrounds. One is a group camp that sells out quick. Reservations are 9 months in advance and it is a phone call of luck that will get you this prime area. The group camp has its own private dock and beach. The cabin has multiple bunk beds and a kitchen with fridge and range/oven. Also a microwave. 2 showers and 2 restrooms. There are RV slots available here. We love the privacy and ability to not worry about any unlocked vehicles or items left in the beach The other two sites are Lionhead and Indian Creek. Indian Creek as a store and laundry facilities. They also have a few cabins to rent. Showers and rv slots available. Lionhead is further up the road (just north of the group camp) and is a little smaller.

Fabulous Family Fun

I worked at Priest Lake State Park as a residential biologist for the summer of 2016\. It was an amazing experience! I had access to parts of the park not allowed to campers. The staff are all very friendly and nice to work with. The hand- scooped homemade ice cream is worth it alone! Kayaking up the thoroughfare to the upper lake is a great workout with some amazing and beautiful scenery and animals along the way. You will see lots of moose, and sometimes black bears. If you take the short hike to Moose lake, there is excellent rainbow trout fishing, and gorgeous scenery as well. Hunt lake trail is a beautiful trail to hike, but not for beginners. Priest Lake itself is a little chilly when first getting in to swim, but is very refreshing in the mountain heat. There are many good places to pick huckleberries all over the area! The campgrounds at the Indian Creek unit, which is where the headquarters and store are located, are very clean. There are plenty of RV and tent camping sites and 5 cabins available to rent. All cabins sleep different numbers of people, ranging from 5 to 9, the moose cabin being the largest and nicest. The cabins have no bathrooms or kitchens but boast fire rings and are right across from communal park bathrooms and showers. The lion head unit on the upper lake is about 12 miles up the road from Indian Creek turning into gravel about 8 miles up right before moose lake. It has a few smaller camper sites and many tent sites available. There is a maintenance shed along with a small ranger booth which also serves as a small store with ice and other foods and small supplies. There are first aid kits and radios available at all campground ranger booths. Priest lake has amazing fishing for rainbow trout, Mackinaw (lake trout), smallmouth bass, and Pike minnow (as the main species). The nearest town, Coolin, UD, is about 12 miles down the road. It is a small town with a store, a diner and a bar/ restaurant. The diner and restaurant have decent staple foods for what they have to offer. The store is fairly small but generally has most of the foods and supplies needed for restocking your camping food or obtaining the odds and ends you may have forgotten or overlooked at home. All around it is a beautiful place to visit with friendly staff and locals and I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking an unforgettable family camping experience.

Worked the State Park for a summer.

Campground was clean and spread out. There was a day use peach nearby so was a little loud with volleyball players and day use people. The Lake is gorgeous! Paddle Boarding, boating, kayaking...all a great time!

Car camping by the lake

Lionhead is by far my favorite campground of hundreds I’ve been to.  it’s designed more for tent camping of very small rv’s such as truck campers or tent trailers.  There are numerous trails to explore and the beach is beautiful white sand with crystal clear water.  Indian Creek is also nice and has a store with everything you could need and ice cream by the scoop.  Indian Creek also has full and partial hookup sites - free hot showers- and boat slips to rent.

Lionhead and Indiancreek state parks 

It is a gorgeous area. Our spot was about 20 feet from the water.  Sandy campsite is a nice change of pace from dirt ( although I love dirt😁). The staff were incredible friendly and welcoming. I am a solo camper +🐶 and I felt very safe here. Very family friendly place. I really just wish more places would allow dogs at the beach or even have a nice sectioned off part for the doggies. Very heartbreaking to be so close to that beautiful water and not be able to enjoy it because I couldn't bring my bestie. 😕 Otherwise, I love it and will return!!

Beeeeeautiful!!

I’ve been to Priest countless times. Camp in the woods or on the beach. Upper or lower Priest Lake. 

Every campers dream

Ended our tour of Northern Idaho at spot #140. Tons of flat area to put down a tent, mosquito shade (they are pretty bad), and enjoy the amazing view! 

Bathrooms with vault toilets, water pump, and grey water dump all just a short walk away

You won’t want to leave camp 

All the state (not Federal) parks at both Priest and Lake Pend Oreille (Farragut) have become prohibitively expensive for out of staters. Per the Boise newspaper a state legislator from Hayden. ID was angered that he was unable to camp the state parks in his area at the drop of a hat 'due to the large number of out of state campers'(who had the foresight to make reservations months in advance). He was able to push a punitive bill through the State legislature which effectively more than doubled out of state camp fees in these two parks. Not only is the camp site at least twice as expensive but there is now a daily vehicle fee added. A basic campsite (no utilities) can now cost upwards of $70 per night.


Photos of Lionhead Campground — Priest Lake State Park

Real photos from real campers