Best Campgrounds near Athol, ID

Northern Idaho's Athol region features multiple camping options centered around Farragut State Park, a sprawling recreation area on Lake Pend Oreille. The park contains several distinct campgrounds including Gilmore, Snowberry, Whitetail, Waldron, and Thimbleberry Group Camp, each offering varying levels of amenities and privacy. Beyond the state park, nearby options include Silverwood RV Park adjacent to the theme park, Ravenwood RV Resort, and Camp Coeur d'Alene. Accommodations range from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV spots, yurts, and cabins, with most campgrounds providing picnic tables, fire rings, and access to potable water.

Reservations are essential during the peak summer season from late May through September, particularly for waterfront sites and weekend stays. While Farragut State Park remains open year-round, many private campgrounds operate seasonally, typically closing between October and April. As one camper noted, "Thoroughly enjoyed the spacious site and privacy provided by the various trees and undercover vegetation. Great hiking trails around Lake Pend Oreille that offer spectacular views." Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area, with Verizon providing consistent coverage. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F during the day, while spring and fall bring cooler conditions and occasional storms.

Lake access represents a significant draw for campers in the region, with fishing, swimming, and boating opportunities available at multiple locations. Visitors frequently mention the well-maintained facilities and family-friendly atmosphere at Farragut State Park, which includes hiking trails, disc golf courses, and a Tree to Tree Adventure Park. The campgrounds are described as thoughtfully designed, with one reviewer noting, "The campgrounds are well laid out in that there are many sites but they are situated in a way that still gives each site space." Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, eagles, and various waterfowl. The nearby towns of Bayview and Coeur d'Alene provide additional amenities, including restaurants, grocery stores, and laundromats.

Best Camping Sites Near Athol, Idaho (214)

    1. Gilmore Campground — Farragut State Park

    16 Reviews
    Bayview, ID
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 683-2425

    $31 - $33 / night

    "Gilmore Campground Farragut State Park, Idaho Lake Pend Oreille

    Who Knew?!!

    I crossed the Montana / Idaho state line this morning and was pleasantly surprised at the AMAZING scenery ."

    "And Lake Pend Oreille is simply breathtaking.

    We had limited Verizon connectivity — 2 bars at most."

    2. Whitetail Campground — Farragut State Park

    15 Reviews
    Bayview, ID
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 683-2425

    "There is easy access to both Silverwood and Coeur D'Alene Idaho outside the campground. Apparently there is a former U.S. Naval brig turned museum at the park as well."

    "Farragut State Park in scenic Northern Idaho is a huge campground that is open year-round."

    3. Riley Creek Campground

    23 Reviews
    Cocolalla, ID
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 437-3133

    $35 - $75 / night

    "We were looking for a campsite in the Idaho Panhandle and discovered Riley Creek. After a 10 hour drive we arrived, drove to our spot and was greeted by an attendant who happened to be in the area."

    "Today I check out a great little campground/recreation area on Lake Pend Oreille( locally pronounced Pond Array")."

    4. Camp Coeur D Alene

    45 Reviews
    Coeur d'Alene, ID
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 664-4471

    $39 - $83 / night

    "Very cute campside with free cano’s to use"

    "Even though the sites are small and close together, they are at different levels as you go up the hill combined with the sites and cabins being tucked under the giant pines, gives you a sense of privacy"

    5. Thimbleberry Group Camp — Farragut State Park

    7 Reviews
    Bayview, ID
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 683-2428

    "Being from Kentucky I now rank myself as a lightweight after visiting Farragut State Park and realizing the weather people camp during in Idaho!"

    "My favorite group camps are Thimbleberry (horse friendly) and Locust Grove (lake views). But there are 7 group camps to choose from."

    6. Silverwood RV Park

    7 Reviews
    Athol, ID
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 683-3400

    "It's next to Silverwood theme park, so you can camp the night before, hit the theme park early, and then crash after a fun filled day. The spaces are close and very open."

    "5 minute walk to theme parks under the highway.  Site 74 backed up to a fence. Had no neighbors. But was furthest from the parks."

    7. Round Lake State Park Campground

    14 Reviews
    Cocolalla, ID
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 263-3489

    $12 - $29 / night

    "This spot is very close to the main hiking trail, that leads around the lake and to the beach area. Probably about 15 feet away, down a slight hill."

    "Super clean, great back-in spots for RVs, awesome walking trails around the lake."

    8. Waldron Campground — Farragut State Park

    5 Reviews
    Bayview, ID
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 683-2425

    "Plenty of trails to walk. Three dump and water stations."

    "A nice museum is located here with the history of the naval training base.

    Every site is immaculately maintained with even the gravel being raked between visitors.  "

    9. Snowberry Campground — Farragut State Park

    4 Reviews
    Bayview, ID
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 683-2425

    "Stayed 3 nights in Snowberry Campground within Farragut State Park, Athol, Idaho. Thoroughly enjoyed the spacious site and privacy provided by the various trees and undercover vegetation."

    "Farragut State Park, Idaho Lake Pend Oreille

    I crossed the Montana / Idaho state line this morning and was pleasantly surprised at the AMAZING scenery ."

    10. Ravenwood RV Resort

    3 Reviews
    Athol, ID
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 683-0891

    $45 - $60 / night

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Recent Reviews near Athol, ID

885 Reviews of 214 Athol Campgrounds


  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Beyond Hope Resort

    Great place

    A little pricy but worth it. So clean. Beautiful and full of wildlife. The lake is gorgeous and the hosts were wonderful. A great place to shower and do laundry.

  • BoGwen J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    By the Way Campground

    Okay in a pinch

    Your right next to freeway very noisy. The AC couldn’t drown out the traffic noise. Wore earplugs. Very nice people and a clean spot! Bonus the moose come to visit.

  • Kara S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    copper mountain rd dispersed

    Mountain views

    Nice spot up the road about 10 minutes. Great views. Close to the highway so a little bit of noise from the interstate. Fire ring and that’s it.

  • Reagan M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Camp Coeur D Alene

    Lovely spot with showers and kayak rentals!

    Great spot to stay for a bit. They have cabins and rv spots and car/tent spots with direct lake access and kayaks/peddleboats to rent

  • Anthony T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Tamarack RV Park And Vacation Cabins

    Great Little Tree Covered RV park

    Fantastic little RV park Bathrooms are very clean! Sights are small but the hookups make up for it!

  • Martha H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Wolf Lodge Campground

    Convient location

    Nice Campground right off Highway 90. Some road noise. Nice bathrooms and showers. Horseshoes, corn hole, kayaks for guests.

  • B
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Round Lake State Park Campground

    Well kept with lots of amenities and activities

    60 dollars a night and checkout was at 1. Lots of amenities and we enjoyed the family environment. Definitely glamping but a perfect beginner spot. Lots to do; Fishing, hiking, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding etc. Great spot!

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Blackwell Island RV Park

    Coeur d’Alene Lakefront RV park

    Nicely located and well maintained large rv park on Lake Coeur d’Alene. This park offers both lake front and non-lakefront spaces with full hookups. This park offered free but poor WiFi unless in or near the club house. Kayaks speedboat in pontoon boats are available for rent from the front office. This park could use more foliage between sites otherwise a nice place to stay near downtown, stores and restaurants. We would stay here again.

  • Devon C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Shadowy St. Joe Campground — Idaho Panhandle National Forests

    Great Campground

    The Shadowy St. Joe Campground is a great place to stay. It has 14 sites total. With one taken by the camp hosts, all are paved, with space for 2 vehicles each, have fire pits, and a picnic bench, and electricity. 7 sites to reserve ahead of time on the meadow side that has grass and is spacious. There are 6 first come first serve sites, 2 on the meadow side, and 4 along the river. If looking to reserve a site, the numbers start with #1 closest to the entrance on the meadow side and grow larger in counter clockwise fashion. There is a day use area you can also reserve, with charcoal grills, and multiple picnic benches. There are several vault toilets and all are kept very clean by the 2 wonderful park hosts. There is a boat launch area for day use, with a small fee, but if camping there is no extra charge. There is 2 docks and if staying multiple days you can leave your boat on the dock overnight. It is supposed to be a no wake zone, but the signs have warn down, so we lost a bumper to our boat from crashing into the dock, from passing boat wakes. There is a couple of potable water stations available, with small hose spouts, but no water hookups at the sites. The sites are electric with 50amp, 30amp, and 110 plugs available. No sewer hookup at the sites, but there is a dump station at the fairgrounds in the town of St. Maries about 10 miles away. Phone service is spotty, texting easier and lots of dropped calls, but we like to unplug when camping. Dogs are allowed with no limits, just to stay on leashes at all times. The Lazy St. Joe River is boat passable up to St. Joe City, and all the way to Lake Coeur d'Alene if you want to adventure for a full day in the boat. Great for fishing too. Make sure to have Idaho invasive species tag for the boat if you are from out of state. The Sheriff and Park Rangers patrol daily and check. St. Maries has 2 grocery stores, and sports shop where you can get supplies, and fishing licenses. The town also has great shops, a swimming pool, parks, restaurants, and ATM/banks. This is a great little gem in the Gem State.


Guide to Athol

Farragut State Park dominates the camping landscape near Athol, Idaho, at an elevation of 2,054 feet with Lake Pend Oreille providing the scenic backdrop. The park spans over 4,000 acres and contains five separate campground areas, each with distinct characteristics. Temperatures typically drop into the 40s overnight even during summer months, making proper sleeping gear essential regardless of season.

What to do

Disc golf courses: Farragut State Park features multiple disc golf courses for both beginners and experienced players. "Farragut camping has been a family favorite. The spacious campsites, closeness to the lake, and closeness to the grocery store (when needed) is wonderful," notes Emily B. from Gilmore Campground.

Fishing opportunities: Cast a line at Round Lake State Park Campground where multiple docks provide ideal fishing spots. "I had a great time casting off from them and even caught a couple of crappies and trout which was a nice bonus," reports Jason S., who also mentions the lake has "a bit of seaweed in the swimming area."

Junior Ranger program: Children can participate in educational activities during peak season. "Junior Ranger program available Fri, Sat, Sun nights. 5 min drive to Silverwood!" shares Carlyn N. from Snowberry Campground, though she notes "all playground equipment was removed due to being outdated and unsafe."

Trail system exploration: Navigate the network of trails connecting different areas of Farragut State Park. "The general park map is lacking on the hiking trail venue. If you want to hike, and in my opinion you do, see about getting a trail map or take a picture at one of the information stands," advises Shelly S., who specifically recommends "trail 70 along Idlewilde Bay" as "excellent."

What campers like

Historical features: Waldron Campground preserves the area's naval history. "I wanted to stay here as my father went through Naval basic training here in 1942. Since then the base has been turned into a college and then into a state park. A nice museum is located here with the history of the naval training base," shares Bruce P.

Private island camping: At Camp Coeur D Alene, exclusive spots create memorable experiences. "We were lucky enough to land the island campground which made the whole experience amazing! This place has great amenities (free canoes, hot showers, flush toilets, free firewood) which made it the nicest campground I had been to for awhile," writes Jared.

Spacious group facilities: For large gatherings, dedicated areas accommodate multiple families. "If you have a large group, this is the place to be. This site is massive and can accommodate tents, RV's, trailers, etc. Even with a lot of people, you can still seclude yourself from others. We had around 50 people and still didn't even fill the camp to 1/4 of its capacity," explains Deanna D. about Thimbleberry Group Camp.

Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds offer opportunities to spot local fauna. "Overall really enjoyed staying here. However, there wasn't a lot of foliage in between spots, felt rather exposed. There were tons of whistle pigs making noise the entire time," shares Tanny M. about their experience at Gilmore Campground.

What you should know

Reservation timing: The best places to camp near Athol require advance planning. "Book early as this is a very popular place," advises Ronald about Riley Creek Campground, which features "large, clean sites with electric & water."

Check-in procedures: Some campgrounds have strict policies about arrival times. "Check in is way too late (2 pm), they require you to check in at visitor center, and the parking lot is not large enough to accommodate all the RVs checking in at 2 pm," warns Mary F. about Waldron Campground.

Bathroom accessibility: Facilities may be distant from some campsites. "Each campground only has one main bathroom, so you'll be wise to bring something to ride to get to the restrooms because some sites are 1/3 of a mile away," notes Justin about Farragut State Park.

Cell service variability: Connectivity differs throughout the area. "We had limited Verizon connectivity — 2 bars at most," reports Sarah from Gilmore Campground, while Rick G. mentions "decent Verizon cell service" at Snowberry Campground.

Tips for camping with families

Water activities: Thimbleberry Group Camp provides access to lake recreation. "If you want to swim, boat, SUP, mountain bike, and hike," Todd B. recommends Gilmore Campground, but advises "if you are going to swim at one of the bays while there get there early. In the peak of summer, the parking lot will fill up by 10 or 11 am."

Beach access considerations: Not all campsites are close to swimming areas. "The lake is not that close. I was about 9 months pregnant when we camped here and the walk down to the boat launch/beach area was okay, but the walk back up the steep hill was painful! I'd recommend driving down to the water if you have a lot of stuff, small children, or are pregnant," suggests Alex W. about Snowberry Campground.

Theme park proximity: For families planning to visit Silverwood, camping options exist nearby. "5 minute walk to theme parks under the highway. Site 74 backed up to a fence. Had no neighbors. But was furthest from the parks," notes Jason S. about Silverwood RV Park.

Seasonal timing: Visit during shoulder seasons for fewer crowds. "It was not busy so it was peaceful - didn't hear other campers but we did hear some coyotes! Perhaps with more people the campsites are close, but I think that's the case when you stay in any state park campground," reports Krystal L. about her spring stay at Whitetail Campground.

Tips from RVers

Hookup availability: Ravenwood RV Resort offers full-service sites. "All sites now have full hook-ups with water, power and sewer and every site has both 30/50amp. No showers but who needs that when you have full hook-ups," shares Marisa S.

Big rig accommodations: Some campgrounds specifically cater to larger vehicles. "Every site is immaculately maintained with even the gravel being raked between visitors. There are hot showers (in private rooms), visitor center, swimming, boating, fishing, and a host of other activities," explains Bruce P. about Waldron Campground, noting "the sites have water and electric hookups and the park has multiple dump stations throughout."

Winter camping limitations: Cold weather restricts available services. "Swung by here yesterday (late Dec) after calling to confirm hookups were still functional. There was only one hookup spot plowed, and its connectivity was not stable," reports Nic F. about Round Lake State Park during winter.

Site dimensions: Site sizes vary between campgrounds. "The sites were nice but basic. Sites had running water, fire pit, and picnic table. The sites were also very close together," notes Katie B. about Peterson campground near Gilmore when it was closed for the season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best campgrounds near Athol, Idaho?

The Athol area offers exceptional camping options with Farragut State Park standing out as a premier destination. Located on Lake Pend Oreille, it features multiple campgrounds with spacious sites, privacy from trees and vegetation, and spectacular hiking trails with lake views. For those seeking water activities, Blackwell Island RV Park in nearby Coeur d'Alene offers waterfront sites on the Spokane River with boat and kayak rentals. Dispersed camping options include North Fork Coeur D'Alene River and Bull Run Access areas. Silverwood RV Park provides convenient access to the theme park, while Sedlmayer's Resort offers lakeside camping at Spirit Lake just minutes from Athol.

Is tent camping available in Athol, Idaho?

Yes, tent camping is readily available in and around Athol. Bumblebee Campground offers wooded, private tent sites with creek access for fishing. North Fork Coeur D'Alene River provides beautiful dispersed tent camping options along the riverbank, though it can be popular during peak season. For a more developed experience, Farragut State Park accommodates tent campers with spacious sites and access to Lake Pend Oreille. Most campgrounds in the area welcome tent campers year-round, though services may be limited in winter months. Reservations are recommended during summer weekends, especially at state park campgrounds.

What amenities are available at Athol, Idaho campgrounds?

Amenities vary widely across Athol area campgrounds. Sedlmayer's Resort & Campground offers full hookups with 20/30/50 amp electrical service at select sites, direct lake access, and resort facilities. Riley Creek Campground provides clean facilities with helpful staff. At Farragut State Park's campgrounds, you'll find water access, restrooms, hiking trails, and decent cell service. For those seeking more amenities, RV parks like Blackwell Island and Ravenwood offer full hookups, shower facilities, laundry services, and WiFi (though connectivity can be spotty). Dispersed camping areas like Bull Run Access have minimal amenities but often include established fire rings. Most developed campgrounds in the area offer potable water and vault toilets at minimum.