Best Campgrounds near Bayview, ID

The small lakeside community of Bayview, Idaho serves as a gateway to diverse camping experiences centered around Lake Pend Oreille, one of the deepest lakes in the United States. Farragut State Park, located just minutes from Bayview, offers multiple developed campgrounds including Gilmore, Snowberry, Whitetail, and Thimbleberry Group Camp. These established sites accommodate everything from tent camping to RVs with varying levels of hookups. For those seeking more rustic experiences, Whiskey Rock Bay Campground provides primitive camping with fewer amenities but direct lake access. The region balances developed state park facilities with more remote options, all within proximity to the small town services of Bayview and within an hour of larger communities like Coeur d'Alene.

Camping in the Bayview area typically operates seasonally, with most sites open from May through September, though some Farragut State Park campgrounds remain accessible year-round. Summer temperatures average in the 80s with comfortable breezes off the lake, while spring can bring unpredictable weather including significant storms. Cell service varies throughout the region, with most campgrounds reporting limited but functional coverage. "We had limited Verizon connectivity, 2 bars at most," noted one visitor to Gilmore Campground. Reservations are strongly recommended during peak summer months when lakeside sites fill quickly. The small town of Bayview provides essential services including a well-stocked mercantile, laundromat, and several restaurants, making extended stays more convenient.

Lake access dominates the camping experience around Bayview, with water activities ranging from swimming to boating and fishing. Farragut State Park features extensive recreational facilities beyond camping, including hiking trails, disc golf courses, and historical exhibits related to the former naval training station. "The park itself is massive and plenty of fun options from swimming in Lake Pend O'Reille to disc golf there at the course in the park," reported one camper at Whitetail Campground. Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer throughout the area and mountain goats visible across the lake with binoculars. Some campgrounds like Gilmore receive mixed reviews regarding privacy between sites, with one camper noting: "From our campsite, you can see 10 other sites with no barrier between. Zero privacy." Others, like Snowberry, earn praise for "spacious sites and privacy provided by the various trees and undercover vegetation."

Best Camping Sites Near Bayview, Idaho (214)

    1. Gilmore Campground — Farragut State Park

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

    $31 - $33 / night

    "And Lake Pend Oreille is simply breathtaking. We had limited Verizon connectivity — 2 bars at most."

    "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 ."

    2. Whitetail Campground — Farragut State Park

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

    "The park itself is massive and plenty of fun options from swimming in Lake Pend O’ Reille to disc golf there at the course in the park."

    "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."

    3. Riley Creek Campground

    23 Reviews
    Cocolalla, ID
    16 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. Thimbleberry Group Camp — Farragut State Park

    7 Reviews
    Bayview, ID
    2 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."

    5. Whiskey Rock Bay Campground

    7 Reviews
    Bayview, ID
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 263-5111

    "There are quite a few beautiful spots along this bay of Lake Pend Oreille that can be reached only by boat."

    "This lakeside campground is a true hidden getaway, perfect for anyone looking to escape the crowds. The lake itself is stunning—clear, beautiful water."

    6. Waldron Campground — Farragut State Park

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

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

    "Camp host was not around at all but camp ground is great!!!"

    7. Round Lake State Park Campground

    14 Reviews
    Cocolalla, ID
    13 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. Snowberry Campground — Farragut State Park

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

    "Farragut State Park, Idaho Lake Pend Oreille I crossed the Montana / Idaho state line this morning and was pleasantly surprised at the AMAZING scenery ."

    "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."

    9. Green Bay Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED 2024

    12 Reviews
    Kaniksu National Forest, ID
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 263-5111

    $15 / night

    "Lightning cutting across the lake was a real spook. We brought our kayaks into the water in the sunny part of the day, other camping spots available by boat if you can get there!"

    "You do have to walk to your site but it’s not far. Views are magical. Water is crystal clear, you feel secluded and safe!"

    10. Camp Coeur D Alene

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

    $39 - $83 / night

    "The camp is close to the freeway and on the edge of the lake. The camp offers tent camping, full service RV camping, and cabins for rent."

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

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Recent Reviews near Bayview, ID

894 Reviews of 214 Bayview Campgrounds


  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Whiskey Rock Bay Campground

    Quiet place of Respite

    The road in is a typical forest road, no big deal if you're familiar with FS dirt roads. Coming in from Clark Fork you go over Johnson pass which can be blocked with snow during the late fall and winter seasons, 4wd only then. Once you're at the campsites, don't cross over the fence, it's private property and Mike DOES have active cameras and he DOES watch the property. There are no sites on the lakes edge. They're all up on the cliff which is beautiful but if you're hauling water, take it slow. Verizon is 3 to 4 bars. The vault toilet was clean with plenty of TP. I wouldn't come down here with anything bigger than 25' as the sites are small but well spaced.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Albert's Landing

    One night stay on the river

    We really enjoyed our one night stay on the river. It’s a beautiful campground and very clean. We will be back at some point. Saw a baby moose eating leaves off of a tree right in front of us. Very cool. The river is beautiful and very relaxing to be near.

  • kenneth K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Bergsparken RV Park

    Nice and clean

    It was a very nice place to camp we couldn't stay the hole time due to a family emergency wish we could of I would differently stay there again and I am going to tell others about the place

  • Meghan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Two Rivers RV Park & Campground

    Two Rivers RV Park & Campground

    Traveling through the area and chose to stay a couple days here based on the fact there's cell service and because the place looked decent based on their website. I have to say... it's a bit more rundown in-person, but the price is reasonable, so I can overlook that. There's a lot of road and train noise here, much like the rest of the campgrounds on this road. At the moment, the laundry is not available (which they should make note of that on their website). The showers have good pressure and are hot (just takes a couple minutes to heat up). The RV sites are the typical sardine row. The tent sites are in a grassy area near the trees. The tent area is a bit of a walk to the restrooms for late at night or early morning... especially since the owners warn about a mountain lion in the area and a bear that's been visiting the campground the last 4 years. The google reviews of the place are quite interesting--I wouldn't say the owners were friendly, but they also weren't mean to us.

  • Meghan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Scotchmans Peak

    Scotchman's Peak

    Did a day hike yesterday up Scotchman's Peak. Did notice just a couple dispersed opportunities up the National Forest Road. Looks like people have quick overnighted at the trailhead before. Saw one obvious campsite most of the way up the hiking trail--saw a couple groups head out on a Friday afternoon.

  • Meghan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Big Eddy Campground

    Big Eddy Campground

    BEWARE! Had I known the trains were going to be so loud and constant, I wouldn't have stayed here. The campground is near an intersection, so every train that went by (which was several in the afternoon, and especially after 10PM through about 5AM, at least once or twice per hour) their horn would blast. But I had the tent already set up, no cell service to see what else was around, and so I just had to deal with it. Definitely would not stay again.


Guide to Bayview

The camping spots near Bayview, Idaho generally sit at around 2,000 feet elevation along the shores of Lake Pend Oreille with summer temperatures dropping to the low 50s during nighttime. Campers can find options ranging from remote, free lakeside sites to fully-developed campgrounds with electric hookups. Cell service tends to weaken considerably at the more secluded areas, especially at Whiskey Rock Bay and Green Bay campgrounds.

What to do

Hiking trails around Lake Pend Oreille: At Snowberry Campground, you'll find accessible trails with lake views. "There are good hikes in the campground but they don't all connect to each other. Nicest one that I did was the one along the lake- beautiful views," notes one camper at Snowberry.

Disc golf courses: Multiple disc golf courses provide recreation throughout Farragut State Park. "The visitor center sells Frisbee/discs for that purpose," explains a visitor to Waldron Campground. The visitor center provides course maps for multiple skill levels.

Water activities beyond swimming: Kayaking, paddle boarding and boating make full use of the lake. "We took the paddle boat our for a sunset cruise and it was a very memorable experience!" shares a camper at Camp Coeur D Alene, which offers boat rentals directly from the campground.

Winter camping options: Several Farragut State Park campgrounds remain open year-round with winter-specific activities. "Farragut is beautiful in the winter and I highly recommend it if you're up for the cold. We were fortunate enough to meet some sled dog trainers at camp and even saw them along the trail," reports a winter camper at Thimbleberry Group Camp.

What campers like

Clear water visibility: The lake offers exceptional water clarity. At Green Bay Campground, "You can walk all the way out to where you cannot touch and still see the rocks on the bottom." The granite rock beaches provide ideal conditions for swimming and rock skipping.

Natural privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the vegetation separating sites. "We enjoyed the spacious site and privacy provided by the various trees and undercover vegetation," reports a Snowberry Campground visitor. This natural screening maintains privacy despite the popularity of the area.

Convenient travel stop between destinations: The location serves travelers moving between larger destinations. "We showed up May 1st, the first day they opened! The campground has beautiful treed sites with lots of amenities. We had planned on staying 1 night but loved the atmosphere, so we stayed 2 nights!" shares a Camp Coeur D Alene visitor.

Free amenities at specific locations: Some campgrounds offer unexpected freebies. "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," notes a Camp Coeur D Alene visitor.

What you should know

Campground reservation timelines: Many campgrounds fill months ahead, especially for summer weekends. "Need to book months ahead or get there early to get a spot," advises a visitor to Gilmore Campground. The more remote sites like Green Bay and Whiskey Rock offer first-come, first-served options.

Road conditions to remote sites: Access to secluded campgrounds requires high-clearance vehicles. For Whiskey Rock Bay Campground, "The road in and out is all gravel. While a low clearance vehicle could make it, I recommend a high clearance vehicle." The challenging roads help maintain lower visitation rates.

Wildlife encounters: Expect various wildlife throughout the camping areas. "I remember one day we saw a mother bear and her cubs as we were picnicking in the day area," recounts a visitor to Farragut State Park. Yellow jackets can be numerous in late summer, particularly at Green Bay Campground.

Limited cell coverage: Many campgrounds have spotty service. "T-Mobile gets no coverage in the park," notes a visitor to Gilmore Campground. Verizon typically provides the most reliable, though still limited, service throughout the camping areas.

Tips for camping with families

Child-friendly water access: Seek out camping areas with gradual water entry. "The swimming area is nice with kind of sandy beach, but there is a bit of seaweed in the swimming area," shares a visitor to Round Lake State Park Campground, which features a designated swimming area.

Bathroom proximity considerations: Campground layout impacts convenience with children. "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," advises a Waldron Campground visitor.

Junior Ranger programs: Children can participate in educational activities. "Junior Ranger program available Fri, Sat, Sun nights," reports a Snowberry Campground visitor. These programs typically run May through September and last approximately one hour.

Family-oriented activities beyond water: Multiple recreation options exist for varying interests. "This is a very family friendly place to camp. All the sites are compatible with tent or rv camping...The camp is very clean and very well maintained," notes a visitor to Round Lake, which offers nature trails suitable for young hikers.

Tips from RVers

Site leveling challenges: Prepare for various site conditions. "Our site was somewhat small...Also the end of the site (where we put our tent) is slightly slanted," reports a Round Lake camper. Bringing leveling blocks helps adjust for uneven terrain.

Hookup limitations: Water and electric hookups vary widely between campgrounds. At Riley Creek Campground, "Water and electricity all sites," but many campers note, "No dump in sites, so a little bit of a bummer." Most campgrounds with hookups offer dump stations at entrance/exit points.

RV size restrictions: Many campgrounds cannot accommodate larger rigs. "Sites were nice but basic. Sites had running water, fire pit, and picnic table," explains a Peterson campground visitor, where smaller trailers under 26 feet tend to fit best in the standard sites.

Generator policies: Rules vary regarding generator use. "The electric post was damaged so cord kept coming unhooked. Had to bungee cord it," notes a Waldron Campground visitor. Bringing power strips with surge protection helps manage the sometimes inconsistent power supplies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Bayview, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, Bayview, ID offers a wide range of camping options, with 214 campgrounds and RV parks near Bayview, ID and 22 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Bayview, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bayview, ID is Gilmore Campground — Farragut State Park with a 4.3-star rating from 16 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Bayview, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 free dispersed camping spots near Bayview, ID.

What parks are near Bayview, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 parks near Bayview, ID that allow camping, notably Idaho Panhandle National Forests and Lake Pend Oreille.