Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Idaho Panhandle National Forests
Riley Creek Campground offers lakefront camping with pet-friendly tent and RV sites, allowing dogs throughout the park with standard leash policies in place. Located near Oldtown, this established campground provides drinking water, electric hookups, and reservable sites that accommodate both tent campers and RVers traveling with pets. Green Bay Campground, temporarily closed for 2024, previously ranked as a favorite location for campers with dogs seeking a more primitive experience on Lake Pend Oreille. Most campers particularly valued the crystal clear water and secluded forest setting that created a peaceful environment for pets and their owners. Pet waste disposal options are available at most campgrounds, with vault toilets at more primitive sites and full restroom facilities at developed locations like Round Lake State Park.
Several hiking trails connect to the campgrounds, giving dog owners opportunities to explore the surrounding Idaho Panhandle National Forests with their pets. Mirror Lake features walking paths where dogs can be exercised on leash, with nearby access to water for dogs to cool off during summer months. The road conditions to some campgrounds, particularly Green Bay, can be rough especially during wet weather, though past visitors report making it with standard vehicles. Campers should be aware that yellow jackets can be numerous at certain sites during summer months. Most campgrounds in this region fill quickly during peak season, especially on weekends, so arriving midweek provides better opportunities to secure pet-friendly sites. Wildlife encounters are possible, requiring pets to be secured at campsites, particularly at dusk and dawn.
