Campgrounds in the Coolin, Idaho area offer a mix of shoreline and forested settings on the northern shores of Priest Lake. The lake sits at an elevation of 2,438 feet within the Selkirk Mountains, with summer water temperatures reaching the mid-60s°F. Winter camping options remain limited during the snowy months when temperatures regularly drop below freezing.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Luby Bay Campground provides direct access to nature paths along the lakeshore. "We loved the nature trail by the lake. Beautiful place to enjoy the lake," noted a visitor who appreciated the walkable terrain near their campsite.
Water activities preparation: Bring appropriate watercraft permits when planning boat activities near Bartoo Island Boat-in Campground. "Bring a shovel and make sure your watercraft has an Invasive Species sticker(I bought mine at Cabelas in Post Falls on the way up)," advises one camper who noted permit requirements.
Fishing opportunities: Lake trout and cutthroat trout are common catches in Priest Lake waters. "We did get some fishing in for cutthroat and lake trout. Cutthroat are catch and release so we had to be pretty careful, but the lake trout tasted amazing," reported a visitor to Indian Creek Campground.
Off-season visitation: Consider spring or fall visits to avoid peak crowds. "Off season is best. It's like the Caribbean on north Idaho," commented a Dickensheet camper who found the quieter periods provided a more relaxed experience.
What campers like
Beach quality variations: Different areas of Priest Lake offer varying beach experiences. At Reeder Bay Campground, campers highlight specific waterfront features: "The view of chimney rock is spectacular. Easy access to the sandy beach," one visitor noted about this northern lake location.
Waterfront site advantages: Lakeside sites provide direct water access but require advance planning. "If you can get one of the lakefront campsites, the views are phenomenal! But if you can't, the rest of the campsites are still pretty nice," reported a visitor to Reeder Bay.
Campground privacy levels: Osprey Campground stands out for its secluded sites. "Complete privacy between trees and underbrush, no road noise, walking trails, flushing toilets and beach access where we felt comfortable leaving our SUPs tied for two days," described one camper who valued the separation between sites.
Temperature considerations: Shade becomes important during summer months when daytime temperatures can exceed 85°F. "We visited here during a very warm spell and all the shade was a blessing and it cooled off quickly once the sun went down," noted a Luby Bay camper who appreciated the tree cover.
What you should know
Beach conditions: Sandy beaches are found at select locations. "A tiny little piece of beach, huge tent/picnic area," described one camper about Outlet Campground site 11, noting that beach access varies significantly between individual campsites.
Bathroom facilities: Most established campgrounds offer basic facilities but may lack showers. "Bathrooms are adequate pit toilets," noted one Reeder Bay camper, while another at Outlet mentioned "Bathrooms are okay," indicating serviceable but not luxurious facilities.
Bear safety requirements: Food storage precautions are necessary in this forested region. "Each site comes with a bear-proof locker, which is essential for safety," noted a Luby Bay visitor who found these storage options at their campsite.
Campsite spacing: Distance between sites varies significantly by campground. "The sites are a bit close together, so there's not a ton of privacy," observed one camper at Outlet, while another noted Reeder Bay sites are "spaced apart enough so you're not too close to your neighbor."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly campgrounds: Riley Creek Campground provides extensive recreational facilities beyond just camping. "Lots of fun activities and trails, easy access bathrooms with nice showers. The water is beautiful and the beach is taken great care of. Very calming and the different campsites are separated by lots of beautiful trees," shared one family who found the variety of activities beneficial.
Family activity options: Look for campgrounds with developed recreation areas. "Volleyball basketball court horseshoe pits. Water and electricity all sites," noted a Riley Creek visitor who appreciated the organized activity spaces.
Camp host support: Staff availability varies between locations. "Very nice campground host and clean restrooms," reported a camper at Luby Bay, indicating that staff support enhanced their experience.
Family site selection: Consider proximity to facilities when booking with children. "We were on the upper side of the lower loop, near the entrance, and although we couldn't see the water it was a short walk to the beach," noted one Luby Bay camper who found the location workable despite not being directly on the water.
Tips from RVers
Leveling considerations: Bring appropriate equipment for uneven sites. "Sites 27-38 are fairly unleveled so bring extra leveling blocks if you camp with a trailer in these sites," advised one RVer at Luby Bay who found terrain challenges.
Road width awareness: Some campground roads have limited width for maneuvering larger vehicles. "The road through the campground is paved but narrow, roughly 1.5 vehicles wide, so backing in a trailer requires some finesse," noted a Luby Bay RVer who successfully navigated the tight spaces.
RV size limitations: Certain campgrounds better accommodate larger vehicles than others. "Limited spots for this size rig. No hookups. Dry camping only," reported an RVer with a 26-foot travel trailer at Reeder Bay, indicating the constraints for larger units.
Seasonal access considerations: Most roads to campsites near Coolin close during winter months due to snow accumulation, with only Indian Creek Campground maintaining year-round accessibility.
