Farragut State Park sits at an elevation of approximately 2,050 feet near the southern tip of Lake Pend Oreille in northern Idaho's panhandle region. The park encompasses 4,000 acres of forested terrain with seasonal temperature variations from winter lows of 20°F to summer highs reaching 90°F. Glamping near Bayview, Idaho typically operates from late April through early October, with most luxury camping operations closing during the snowy winter months.
What to do
Hiking trails around Mirror Lake: Mirror Lake's Bigfoot Campout offers excellent access to surrounding forest trails with minimal crowds. "Just far enough away to feel secluded but not too far that it's hard to get to. The views of Mirror Lake are just phenomenal," notes camper Nathaniel.
Fishing from dedicated platforms: Lake Pend Oreille supports 15+ fish species including rainbow trout and Kamloops. At Round Lake State Park Campground, "There are two docks perfect for fishing. I had a great time casting off from them and even caught a couple of crappies and trout," reports Jason S.
Wildlife observation opportunities: The forests surrounding Bayview support deer, moose, and numerous bird species. "There's nearby wildlife, including a resident moose. We didn't get to see her but enjoyed looking," mentions Julie M. about her experience at Camp Coeur D'Alene.
Boat rentals and lake activities: Many campgrounds offer equipment rentals directly on site. "This place has everything you can ask for from Kayaks on lake CDA to shower, laundry etc," shares James C. about local camping options.
What campers like
Clean facilities with regular maintenance: Campers consistently mention well-kept grounds around Bayview. At Gilmore Campground, "The Gilmore campground was clean and well-managed and we found the camp hosts super friendly and helpful. The campground has vault toilets and a few flush toilets as well as private showers with hot water," shares Sarah.
Spacious campsites with privacy: Unlike crowded campgrounds, many sites offer good separation. "The sites were nice and pretty well spaced out. The restrooms are well kept also," reports Todd B. about his Gilmore Campground stay.
Easy access to small town amenities: The village of Bayview provides necessary supplies within short driving distance. According to Sarah, "The village of Bayview, a few minutes' drive or vigorous bike ride away, has a well-stocked little mercantile that carries all the necessities."
Family-friendly recreation areas: Beyond natural features, campgrounds often include dedicated play spaces. "The campground has a big green for frisbee, horseshoes, etc.," notes one Gilmore Campground visitor, while another mentions that Camp Coeur D'Alene "has everything you can ask for" including family recreation options.
What you should know
Limited cell service in most areas: Connectivity varies significantly around Bayview. "We had limited Verizon connectivity — 2 bars at most," mentions Sarah about Farragut State Park.
High season requires advance booking: Summer months fill quickly at popular sites. At Gilmore Campground, visitors warn, "Need to book months ahead or get there early to get a spot."
Temperature fluctuations can be significant: Even summer nights can get cool with elevation changes. One visitor to Garfield Bay Campground notes the primitive nature of the campground but appreciates the short walk to the lake, stating "It's a short walk down to the lake. The camp grounds is okay."
Non-resident fees at state parks: Idaho charges different rates for residents and non-residents. "As out-of-staters, we didn't mind paying twice the in-state rate for our site. Our state income taxes support our own state's parks — not Idaho's," explains Sarah about Farragut State Park fees.
Popular swimming areas fill early: During peak summer days, parking becomes limited. "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," advises Todd B.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with dedicated children's areas: Several campgrounds feature specifically designed family spaces. Silverwood RV Park receives praise from families for its convenience to the adjacent theme park. "Kids loved the playground too," mentions Jennifer H.
Consider water access and beach quality: Some swimming areas are more child-friendly than others. Round Lake State Park offers "a nice swim area with kind of sandy beach, but there is a bit of seaweed in the swimming area," notes Jason S.
Educational opportunities in camp facilities: Look for nature programs and educational displays. "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," shares Heather M. about Round Lake State Park.
Reserve sites near bathrooms for younger children: Campground layouts vary widely. A visitor to Camp Coeur D'Alene comments, "This campground was super cozy and safe. They had firewood for sale, a pool, and clean showers and bathrooms."
Tips from RVers
Check hook-up specifications before booking: RV sites vary in available connections. At Ravenwood RV Resort, "All sites now have full hook-ups with water, power and sewer and every site has both 30/50amp," according to Marisa S.
Site levelness varies significantly: Some campgrounds require minimal setup while others demand extensive leveling. "The site we stayed in was perfectly level from the time we pulled in," notes Alex G. about Alpine Country Store & RV Park.
Consider proximity to roads and rail lines: Noise can impact your stay. "The train is just on the other side of the highway and for whatever reason they enjoy blowing the horn and I will warn you this could happen at any hour of the day/night," warns Alex G. about locations near highways.
Check pet policies carefully: Restrictions vary by location. "My husband and I wanted to stay here because it looks like a nice place to stay awhile. However, the online reservation form only allows for 2 dogs. We have 3," shares Linda about one RV park's limitations.
