Equestrian camping options near Athol, Idaho provide direct access to miles of riding trails within the region's state parks. Situated at an elevation of approximately 2,400 feet, the area experiences warm summers with temperatures averaging in the 80s and cold winters with frequent snowfall. The combination of forests, meadows, and lake access creates varied terrain for riders year-round.
What to do
Lake activities: At Round Lake State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy swimming and fishing from two dedicated docks. "Spending the hot afternoon floating and fishing the lake was perfect. Morning walks in the trails were peaceful with coffee in hand!" notes Cody H., who mentioned the site's clean bathrooms and showers.
Winter exploration: While most equestrian facilities close seasonally, some nearby campgrounds offer winter accessibility. At Round Lake, one visitor discovered "Only one hookup spot plowed, and its connectivity was not stable. We decided not to stay as our Tesla kept reporting electrical risk every 10 minutes. Not worth the risk to car camp when it's 18 degrees," according to Nic F.
Disc golf and adventure courses: Farragut State Park features recreational options beyond trail riding. "The list of things located in the park make it the perfect vacation site! Peaceful lake views, disc golf, tree to tree adventure course, swimming area, fishing, museums, and horse trails are a few of the things to do," notes Melissa B. from Corral Equestrian Campground.
What campers like
Private riverside sites: Along Pack River Dispersed Site, campers enjoy natural settings away from developed facilities. "A few sites available along this road. Lots of washboard/rutted sections on the road and some steep areas getting to certain campsites. On the river and very peaceful," writes Emma T. These free dispersed sites require self-sufficiency but offer solitude.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple waterways near Athol provide fishing access. At Round Lake, one camper reported, "The swimming area is nice with kind of sandy beach, but there is a bit of seaweed in the swimming area. There are also two docks perfect for fishing. I had a great time casting off from them and even caught a couple of crappies and trout."
Trail connectivity: The equestrian campgrounds offer direct access to extensive trail networks. At Riverside State Park Equestrian Campground, a camper noted, "This area accesses many miles of hiking/biking/horseback trails along the scenic Spokane River, but the campground itself is reserved for equestrians. There is also an arena, round pen, and trail training course a quarter mile up the road."
What you should know
Site spacing concerns: Some campgrounds in the region have limited privacy between sites. At Round Lake, one long-time visitor reported, "We used to camp here in the 80s and it was always peaceful and beautiful... However, there used to only about 34ish spots and now there are 51 spots. Its very crowded and people feel like they are right on top of each other."
Road conditions: Access to some camping areas requires navigating difficult terrain. When visiting Breakwater Campground, be prepared for "no cell service. 0 amenities. it's just a place to pitch a tent and have a fire. And it cost nothing," according to a recent visitor.
Reservation requirements: Equestrian camping facilities fill quickly during peak season. The Riverside State Park Equestrian Campground requires advance planning. A regular visitor stated, "Even though this area is only 20 minutes from our home, we frequently camp there just for fun!"
Tips for camping with families
Educational programs: Round Lake offers children's nature activities. "The camp visitor center has a cool place for kids to learn about the wildlife in the area with foot prints in sand, bird calls, samples of the different types of trees and more. They also have boards to rent and games as well," reports Heather M.
Theme park proximity: Several campgrounds allow families to combine camping with day trips. As one camper at Round Lake noted, "Love staying here, we stay here every summer. Enjoy the lake and it's only 20 mins from Silverwood theme park."
Beach access considerations: Liberty Lake Regional Park provides water access for children but can get crowded. "The camping area isn't really privet... Great place to explore. Lots of hiking trails. Nice beach area for swimming," reports Kris S., highlighting the balance between amenities and privacy.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RVers should carefully research site dimensions. At Bonner County Fairgrounds, one camper advised, "Basic sites, sorta seems like an afterthought or good use of space. Grass and a few trees, but otherwise wide open."
Hookup reliability: Electrical connections vary across facilities. A Bonner County Fairgrounds visitor reported, "Would have said 5 but we had a code on our electric and no way to report it as the host is not here and the phone numbers had full messages so are apparently not checked."
Fairground options: Several fairgrounds near Athol offer RV accommodations with varying amenities. "Great place to stay. Nice back in sites with picnic table. Electric and water at site. Dump station close. Easy bike ride to Sandpoint with lots of bike paths," commented a Bonner County visitor.
