Camping cabins near Coolin, Idaho are situated in the Selkirk Mountain range at elevations between 2,400-2,700 feet. The area experiences warm summers with July temperatures averaging 85°F and cold winters dropping to 20°F. Priest Lake State Park offers two separate units—Indian Creek and Lionhead—with distinct camping experiences and lake access opportunities.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The lakes near Coolin provide excellent fishing for various species. At Indian Creek Campground, "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."
Water activities: The clear waters of Priest Lake are perfect for swimming and boating. At Lionhead Campground, one camper notes, "The beach is beautiful white sand with crystal clear water. Indian Creek is also nice and has a store with everything you could need and ice cream by the scoop."
Hiking trails: Several trails offer chances to explore the surrounding wilderness. The Hunt Lake trail provides scenic views but is "not for beginners." A shorter hike to Moose Lake offers "excellent rainbow trout fishing, and gorgeous scenery as well."
What campers like
Lake proximity: Many campers appreciate direct lake access. At Blue Lake RV Resort, "We got a spot with hookups for our van right by the river. Clean bathrooms, nice showers, dish washing station too. Very friendly people! I got to do yoga by the lake at sunrise, not too buggy and I saw lots of turtles."
On-site amenities: Campgrounds offer various facilities to enhance your stay. One visitor to Blue Lake RV Resort mentioned, "They have paddle boats, kayaks, paddle boards and a floating trampoline. The little lake is full of catfish and turtles that you can feed."
Family-friendly atmosphere: The campgrounds welcome families with activities for all ages. At Thousand Trails Little Diamond, "We had 3 spots all next to each other with plenty of room in between. Lots of activities for the kids and all around fun."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Peak season requires advance planning. For Thousand Trails Little Diamond, "Thousand Trails Member, this is a first come, first served, so get here early, they fill up fast! Electric/Water only, does have dump station available."
Weather conditions: Be prepared for changing mountain weather. Thunderstorms can occur during summer months, as one camper at Indian Creek noted: "We were blessed with a few amazing thunderstorms that put a damper on fishing, but had a great time watching the storms pass."
Noise factors: Some campgrounds may have unexpected noise sources. At Blue Lake RV Resort, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: For families with young children, choose sites with play equipment. At Thousand Trails Little Diamond, "If you are camping with kids the spots closer to the playground equipment are perfect."
Swimming areas: Look for safe swimming spots designated for children. Beaver Lodge Resort offers "Perfect lake to swim in that is connected to a larger ski lake with a channel so there is not heavy boat traffic on the ski lake."
Cabin options for mixed comfort levels: For families with varying camping comfort, cabin rentals provide a middle ground. Beaver Lodge Resort cabins are described as "rustic but clean" where "we now bring our RV and really enjoy our stays here. There a lake, a restaurant and small store and lots of trails for hiking and biking."
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Pay attention to utility placement at your site. At Beaver Lodge Resort, "The hookups were not in good spots. The electric was at the front and shared, only one 30 and one 50, and the water/sewer was at the back end. We needed a 50' hose to reach and the electric was tight."
Dump station access: Not all sites offer full hookups. At North Haven Campground, "They have several back in and pull through sites with more on the way. Choice of full hookups, or water and electric."
Site size considerations: RV lengths determine suitable camping locations. At Kootenai River Campground, "About 2/3 of the sites are full hookups. Rest water and electric. Tent sites. Owners are great people. Very helpful for sure."
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