225 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Lake Pend Oreille region surrounding Hope, Idaho provides a mix of established campgrounds and dispersed camping areas along scenic waterfront locations. Sam Owen Campground, situated on a peninsula in Hope, offers both tent and RV sites with amenities including drinking water, electric hookups, and sanitary facilities. Nearby, Clark Fork Drift Yard provides dispersed camping options for those seeking a more primitive experience. The area features several waterfront camping locations including Whiskey Rock Bay Campground, which offers free camping with picnic tables and vault toilets accessible by both vehicle and foot.
Camping in the Hope area typically operates seasonally from May through September, with most campgrounds closing during winter months. Road conditions vary significantly, with some areas requiring careful navigation for larger vehicles. Many campgrounds provide amenities such as drinking water and vault toilets, though services are more limited at dispersed sites. Reservations are recommended for established campgrounds, particularly during summer weekends when waterfront sites fill quickly. Cell service can be spotty throughout the region, with better connectivity near larger towns. As one visitor noted about Sam Owen Campground, "We had a huge, level spot at the end of the campground. The lake is just a very short walk away and though there is no cell service within the campground, there is on the far side of the swimming beach."
Waterfront access represents the primary draw for many campers visiting the Hope area, with Lake Pend Oreille offering opportunities for swimming, paddleboarding, and boating. Several campgrounds provide direct lake access, with some featuring sandy beaches and designated swimming areas. Wildlife viewing is another highlight, particularly at Sam Owen Campground where deer are frequently spotted. A camper described their experience: "This is a nice place to go with the whole family! It is known for its huge friendly deer population. Also, very amazing views of Lake Pend Oreille and the mountains which surround you." Campers seeking more solitude might prefer the boat-accessible sites at Whiskey Rock Bay, which offer greater privacy while still providing basic amenities like picnic tables and vault toilets.
"Also, very amazing views of Lake pend Oreille and the mountains, which surround you. It is down a beautiful peninsula in Hope, Idaho."
"The lake is just a very short walk away (great paddle boarding!)"
from $30 - $116 / night
Check Availability"People were friendly in passing but kept to themselves, and it felt like we had the entire lake to ourselves that first night."
"Lightning cutting across the lake was a real spook. We brought our kayaks into the water in the sunny part of the day, other camping spots available by boat if you can get there!"
from $15 / night
Check Availability"Lovely campground, close by Sandpoint, nice hosts, late checkout (2pm), hot showers. Be on time, gate closes between 10pm and 7am"
"We were also very close to the neighboring camp site which ended up be great because they were friendly and our kids all played together, but overall I prefer more space between camp sites. "
from $25 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Train in the near distance, also didn't mind this. The water is wonderful. Very clear. We took our SUP's out one day."
"When we arrived midweek, there were already two campers along the riverbank, but the prime spot right in the corner was already taken with great access to the river but as soon as that person moved the"
"Hopefully, this will help. We stayed here in July. It's a small park and spaces are close together. There is water and power hookups, and a dump station at the exit. The showers are okay."
"We particularly enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere of the campground, with beautiful views of the surrounding nature. What truly sets this campground apart is its convenient location."
from $39 / night
Check Availability"This spot is very close to the main hiking trail, that leads around the lake and to the beach area. Probably about 15 feet away, down a slight hill."
"Super clean, great back-in spots for RVs, awesome walking trails around the lake."
from $12 - $29 / night
Check Availability"It’s close to get back on HWY, there is noise but not horrible. Only 2 other campers when we came through but there’s a few open sections to have some space in between. Porta potty is well kept."
"There is a train near by, but we really didn’t notice the noise."
"We were looking for a campsite in the Idaho Panhandle and discovered Riley Creek. After a 10 hour drive we arrived, drove to our spot and was greeted by an attendant who happened to be in the area."
"Today I check out a great little campground/recreation area on Lake Pend Oreille( locally pronounced Pond Array")."
from $35 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Camp is so close to the day use area. Perfect to go swim or paddle board."
"Nice, fancy-ish restaurant at the bottom of the camping grounds right on the big beautiful lake. Awesome views! Sit and eat while you watch the amazing sunsets each night!"
"The lake is gorgeous and the hosts were wonderful. A great place to shower and do laundry."
GuideThe only reason I’m not giving it a 5 star is because it’s a high density campground. There are some nice features like a community grilling area and laundry. Plenty of showers and bathrooms and they were clean. There is a small patch of grass between each site and a picnic table for each site. The sites and roads are asphalt. Our site was level. Very clean campground.
GuideLots of room for dispersed camping, pit toilets available, incredible dock and lake access and views.
TravelerThis is a large lot at the fire station. It’s free to stay and easy to get to in our 150 and 21’ coachman trailer. Looks like a fine place.
ScoutVery nice, clean campground. Pit toilets are some of the cleanest I’ve seen. Host is the mostest!😀
ScoutLast year rented the pavilion area for group camping. Campground advertised water available. There were hydrants but the water was not turned on. Pit toilets were awful. You could see that there was no upkeep done to the camp ground.No dumpsters available. You need to manage your own trash. We rented the pavilion again this year thinking things would have improved. They have not just more of the same. No water. Poor toilet upkeep other then toilet paper supply. I think that is the only thing the campground host does there. There are no trash dumpsters so you need to take car of your own trash. You are in bear country so be aware. It appeared that there was no maintenance done to any of the items that needed attention the year before. This is a nice campground location however. whoever is in charge of this campground is doing a poor job. I expect better from our government. I sent an email including my phone number however they never contacted me back.
ScoutArrived in the twilight hours, the long winding road to the camp site felt very claustrophobic with trees lining all the edges stopping any line of site for around a mile. Felt very eerie at the sites and decided to pack up and go elsewhere
GuideTwo parking areas and boat ramp parking with a porta potty. Room for 3-4 units in each parking area. Train pretty loud and traffic from main road noticeable. No water and no trash service. I would stay again.
TravelerRV park is in a beautiful area right where on the Spokane River meets Coeur d’Alene Lake. Amenities are nice and the park is well cared for however the green area around site is not level. It is bumpy and sloped making it hard to set up chairs.
GuideNice little RV spot. Half of the park is closed for new electrical work. We are a little close together, but it works out fine. This is a Thousand Trails/KOA combined park with a little store and nice staff. Hot Tub and Pool at the clubhouse. Small Lake for fishing and paddle boats.
Dispersed camping near Hope, Idaho offers a mix of established and primitive sites with lake and mountain views along the northern shores of Lake Pend Oreille. The camping season typically runs from May through October, with some locations remaining accessible year-round weather permitting. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during the day while dropping to 50-60°F at night.
Hiking trails: Several campgrounds provide access to hiking trails around the lake and into surrounding mountains. At Round Lake State Park Campground, visitors enjoy a peaceful morning routine. "Morning walks in the trails were peaceful with coffee in hand!" notes Cody H. The park offers a complete trail around the lake and additional trails into the mountains.
Fishing opportunities: The lakes and rivers offer various fishing spots with multiple fish species. At Mirror Lake, visitors can rent boats for fishing excursions. Neil T. shares, "I wish we were staying longer and we would have rented one of their boats and done some fishing." The lake is limited to electric motors or no motors, making it peaceful for anglers.
Swimming areas: Most lakefront campgrounds have designated swimming areas with varying beach conditions. Green Bay Campground offers crystal clear water for swimming. "You can walk all the way out to where you cannot touch and still see the rocks on the bottom," notes Melissa G. The granite rock beach provides a distinctive swimming experience compared to other area beaches.
Boat launches: Several campgrounds provide boat launch facilities for various watercraft. At Riley Creek Campground, boaters can access the water via dedicated launches. Phillip C. mentions, "River was peaceful, large grass area, large playground for kids." The campground also features a boat basin where small watercraft can be docked.
Privacy levels: Campgrounds vary significantly in how much separation exists between sites. Sam Owen Campground offers sites with good separation. Jason S. notes, "All the sites are nice and private with lovely trees and open grassy space between them." This contrasts with more densely packed campgrounds in the area.
Campsite size: Sites range from small tent spots to large RV pull-throughs. At Riley Creek Campground, Roger L. comments, "The sites are large, with plenty of shade. Partial hook ups (no sewer). Some sites can be dark under the canopies of fir, cedar and pine trees."
Natural features: Many campers highlight the natural elements that make their camping experience memorable. Green Bay Campground offers unique geological features. Michelle B. shared, "Sweet spot for cliff jumping! Our spot has prime access to it, it seemed." The site also provides excellent rock skipping opportunities according to other visitors.
Wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds are known for wildlife sightings. While Sam Owen Campground is known for its deer population, other parks offer bird watching opportunities. Mike E. notes that at Clark Fork Drift Yard, "The log jam is a good spot for bird watching."
Reservation systems: Campgrounds have varying reservation policies that change seasonally. At Springy Point, Kris S. notes it's "a first come first serve campground." Others require advance booking, especially during peak summer months.
Noise factors: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby roads, trains, or day-use areas. The Bonner County Fairgrounds campground has occasional train noise. Dan S. mentions, "Only drawback would be there are train tracks and siding within hearing distance."
Cell service coverage: Coverage varies significantly throughout the region. Neil T. reports about Mirror Lake, "Good cell service even though it's tucked away from the main road." At Sam Owen, Quinn Z. notes, "Since I've been lucky enough to be able to work remotely, I just needed to find a campsite that had cell reception so I could tether my laptop, and this one does (at least on Verizon)."
Water conditions: Lake levels and conditions change throughout the season. At Green Bay Campground, visitors should note the water access. Melissa G. cautions, "Bring your own way to dispose of trash, and have a way to lock it up, or animals WILL get into it."
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. Riley Creek Campground has extensive facilities for children. Nanette C. explains, "The horseshoe pits, volleyball & basketball courts, as well as the playgrounds were all extremely inviting."
Swimming beaches: Look for campgrounds with safe, gradual-entry swimming areas. Riley Creek Campground features dedicated swimming areas. Roger L. notes, "Great swim area for families. And a boat launch. There is also a pet area, and you can take your dogs for a swim."
Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds offer nature programs or interpretive displays. Round Lake State Park has educational facilities. Heather M. explains, "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."
Off-season timing: For families wanting more space, consider timing your visit. William N. advises about Green Bay Campground, "Our stay was perfect. We arrived on a Wednesday and had the place nearly to ourselves. This was a perfect place to camp with a family or with friends. Make sure to arrive early in the week if you want a camp site."
Site leveling: Many RVers note the importance of checking site leveling. At Sam Owen Campground, Sarah reports, "We had a huge, level spot (#56) at the end of the campground (not all sites are so level). A little tight to get into with a 40' 5th wheel, but doable."
Hookup placement: The position of water and electrical hookups varies by site. At Bonner County Fairgrounds, Tige P. warns, "Shared water needs a long hose." This campground offers paved sites with water and electric connections.
Dump station access: Most campgrounds with RV sites offer dump stations, though locations and fees vary. Riley Creek Campground provides a dump station, and campers report it's well-maintained. Nanette C. recommends using this feature as part of the campground's comprehensive amenities for RVers.
Low clearance roads: Some campground access roads present challenges. Melissa G. notes about Green Bay Campground, "Much of the road to the campground is unpacked and bumpy. Would not recommend for a low profile car." This advice applies to RVs as well, particularly those with lower clearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Hope, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, Hope, ID offers a wide range of camping options, with 225 campgrounds and RV parks near Hope, ID and 25 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Hope, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hope, ID is Sam Owen Camnpground with a 4.1-star rating from 16 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hope, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 25 free dispersed camping spots near Hope, ID.
What parks are near Hope, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near Hope, ID that allow camping, notably Kaniksu National Forest and Lake Pend Oreille.
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