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.
