Surrounded by the Selkirk and Cabinet Mountains, the Bonners Ferry region sits at elevations between 1,800 and 2,500 feet. The area receives 30-40 inches of precipitation annually, creating lush forests that surround most campsites. The camping season typically runs from May through October, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and cooler nights in the 45-55°F range.
What to do
Fishing at Brush Lake: Access the lake's eastern shore where numerous aquatic plants provide habitat for various fish species. Brush Lake Campground offers a peaceful setting for anglers. "The campground is on the east end of the lake where the water is pretty well covered with Lilly pads and other aquatic plants... our camp site was right on the lake," notes one visitor.
Hiking to Yaak Falls: Trek the short trail from the campground to view the unique horizontal rock formation. "You can walk up to the falls either on a trail or along the river on the slate rock," explains a camper who found the experience memorable, adding that "Yaak river road is beautiful worth a night or 4 or 6."
Paddling at Round Lake: Rent boards or bring your own to explore the calm waters at Round Lake State Park. "We paddle boarded and swam the next day," shares one visitor. The lake features a swimming area with "kind of sandy beach" though there is "a bit of seaweed in the swimming area."
What campers like
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forest areas around campgrounds offer chances to spot diverse wildlife. "The wildlife is here!" exclaims a visitor to Brush Lake Campground, while others mention seeing eagles, turtles and various aquatic species throughout the region.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds throughout the region maintain high cleanliness standards. "The bathrooms are kept fantastic, the owners are really friendly and don't treat you as a bother," notes a visitor to Blue Lake RV Resort. Another camper adds, "Super clean bathrooms, nice showers, dish washing station too."
Water recreation options: Many sites offer multiple water activities. "They have paddle boats, kayaks, paddle boards and a floating trampoline. The little lake is full of catfish and turtles that you can feed," shares a Blue Lake visitor. Similarly, at Kootenai River Campground, "They have a path you can walk down right to the Kootanie river with chairs and picnic tables to sit on."
What you should know
Train noise affects some sites: Several campgrounds near Bonners Ferry have railroad tracks nearby. A Blue Lake visitor notes, "One of the major downsides was the campsite's unfortunate location between two railway lines. The constant sound of freight trains passing by throughout the day was quite disruptive."
Seasonal variations in water levels: Late summer can affect swimming and boating access. "The campground is on the east end of the lake where the water is pretty well covered with Lilly pads and other aquatic plants," explains a Brush Lake camper, indicating how aquatic vegetation can become dense later in season.
Yurt camping availability: Yaak River Campground provides yurt accommodations for those seeking a glamping experience near Bonners Ferry. "We stayed in a yurt it was clean and dry," notes one camper, though adding that it can get "a bit over crowded" during peak season.
Tips for camping with families
Lake activities for children: Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly water features. "My boys are ready to return and so am I. It's just one of those peaceful places that I don't think very many know about," shares a Blue Lake camper about their family experience with the lake activities.
Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds offer nature learning stations. Round Lake State Park features a "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."
Spacious sites for family setups: Whitetail Campground offers larger areas for family camping. "Our site had a nice open meadow and was right next to access to the river. We spent the afternoon with our chairs on the riverbank and dangling our feet in the water," explains a camper, describing the family-friendly layout.
Tips from RVers
Site selection importance: Not all sites accommodate larger rigs. "I would not recommend anything over 25 ft but that's me. Our 34RLSA 5er couldn't get in. Deep woods feel with all the trees and shade. Solar would be a challenge," warns a visitor to Yaak River Campground.
Electrical considerations: Check power stability before setting up, especially in winter. A Round Lake visitor noted: "There was 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."
Luxury yurt camping options: For RVers seeking an alternative experience, Elysium Woods offers upscale yurt accommodations. These yurts feature "fifty-amp hookups, modern toilets, and full water connections" for a comfortable glamping experience near Bonners Ferry.
