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 shares Carlyn N. from Snowberry Campground, though she notes "all playground equipment was removed due to being outdated and unsafe."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.
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