Cabin camping near Blanchard, Idaho offers several options between northern Idaho and eastern Washington. Situated in the mountainous region between Coeur d'Alene Lake and the Pend Oreille River, Blanchard sits at approximately 2,400 feet elevation and experiences warm summers and cold, snowy winters. The surrounding pine forests create natural shade at most campgrounds, with temperatures typically ranging from 40-85°F during the primary camping season from May through September.
What to do
Fishing at nearby lakes: Little Diamond Lake at Thousand Trails Little Diamond provides fishing opportunities with stocked fish. As one visitor noted, "They stock the lake with fish, so fishing is awesome!" The lake is a short walk from campsites.
Boating and water activities: Lakefront cabins at Camp Coeur D Alene include water recreation options. A camper reported, "This place has everything you can ask for from Kayaks on lake CDA to shower, laundry etc and more than one." Some locations offer free canoes or rental equipment.
Hiking trails: Multiple cabin campgrounds connect to trail systems. Liberty Lake Regional Park features several hiking routes through wooded areas. A camper shared, "Lots of hiking trails, a beach where you can swim and kayak and canoe and fish, birds and wildlife around singing beautifully day and night."
What campers like
Private beach access: Cabin stays with direct water access rank highly in reviews. At Sedlmayer's Resort & Campground, campers appreciate the private shoreline. One visitor remarked, "Peaceful, quiet, and beautiful! Right on the lakefront with your own private beach."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers are frequently mentioned in positive reviews. At Waldron Campground, a camper noted, "Very quiet campground with lovely trees. Bathrooms were clean with minimal bugs. Showers available."
Social activities: Many campgrounds offer organized events for guests. According to a review from Liberty Lake Regional Park, "This is more of a family oriented Campground but great for a couple of nights."
What you should know
Varying levels of privacy: Site spacing differs significantly between campgrounds. At Liberty Lake Regional Park, a visitor observed, "I stayed in the tent part of the campground, and the sites (especially the first few) are awfully close. This is a great campground for camping with friends but I don't recommend it for a quiet getaway."
Internet connectivity: WiFi availability varies widely. At Thousand Trails Little Diamond, one camper warned, "At your campsite your internet must be purchased and 90% of the time it is unavailable. A complete waste of money."
Noise considerations: Some locations experience noise from nearby roads or trains. As one visitor noted about Spokane KOA Journey, "This KOA is surrounded by residences and businesses, and also right next to very active train tracks. The trains have been quite frequent day and night."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Tamarack RV Park And Vacation Cabins includes cabin options with activities nearby. As one visitor suggested about Thousand Trails, "If you are camping with kids the spots closer to the playground equipment are perfect."
Swimming areas: Several campgrounds offer swimming facilities with varying depths. At Camp Coeur D'Alene, a visitor mentioned, "They have cabins and rv spots and car/tent spots with direct lake access and kayaks/peddleboats to rent."
Animal encounters: Some cabin locations include farm animals. Amongst The Pines offers a unique experience, as a visitor described: "Robin was unbelievably accommodating with our situation and even introduced my daughters to all the farm animals. On top of that, the space was perfect for a couple young kids to run around and explore."
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Not all cabin and RV sites offer full hookups. One visitor to Thousand Trails Little Diamond noted, "Very few of the KOA campsites have sewer hook ups. There are dump sites available. There is also a mobile pumpout service available if you want to pay for it."
Site selection: For RVers who also utilize cabins, choosing the right location matters. At Tamarack RV Park, a visitor recommended: "Try to get a site in sections A or E. If in B, C or D try to get a high number (farther away from the road)."
Seasonal availability: Many cabin facilities near Blanchard have limited operating seasons. Camp Coeur D'Alene operates from May 20 to September 15, while Thousand Trails Little Diamond runs from April 13 to October 1. Some campgrounds like Tamarack RV Park offer year-round access, with a visitor noting, "It's a campground with pretty trees. Spots are close together. Mostly full time residents."
