Idaho Panhandle National Forests camping includes sites near lakes and rivers with elevation ranges from 2,100 to 7,700 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F with cooler nights dropping to 45-55°F. Winter camping requires preparation for below-freezing conditions, with many RV parks limiting operations between November and March.
What to do
Water recreation at Lake Pend Oreille: The largest lake in Idaho borders several campgrounds with swimming and fishing access. "There is fishing, playground, pool, tennis courts a Statue of Liberty standing in the lake. Lots of shopping. Good food, including an amazing vegan restaurant, downtown. Breweries," notes a camper at City of Sandpoint, City Beach RV Park.
Family theme park visits: Silverwood Theme Park near Athol offers combined camping and amusement park experiences during summer months. "5 minute walk to theme parks under the highway. Site 74 backed up to a fence. Had no neighbors. But was furthest from the parks," shares a visitor at Silverwood RV Park.
Paddle sports on smaller lakes: Several RV parks maintain private lakes with rentals. At Blue Lake RV Resort, "They have paddle boats, kayaks, paddle boards and a floating trampoline. The little lake is full of catfish and turtles that you can feed," according to one reviewer.
What campers like
Walkable downtown access: Urban-adjacent RV parks provide easy access to shopping and dining. "This best part of this campground is that it is located inside the Sandpoint City Beach Park which is within a short walk to the very cute downtown of Sandpoint. There is a bikepath that follows the river," writes a camper from City Beach RV Park.
Fairground amenities: County fairgrounds offer well-maintained RV facilities with generous spacing. "It's one of the nicest fairground rv park I have been to. This place was very well kept and very friendly campground host. This place is big rig friendly," notes a visitor at Kootenai County Fairgrounds RV Park.
Water access: Direct waterfront sites remain highly valued. "Beautiful location convenient to downtown and on the water. The sites are close to others which for us isn't a big deal but don't expect isolation. It is very quiet after hours except for the rare houseboat that may drive by with music playing," explains a camper at Blackwell Island RV Park.
What you should know
Train noise affects multiple parks: Railroad tracks run near several campgrounds. "A train does run right beside the park. Bring earplugs. But, for all the negatives, you can't beat the location," advises a City Beach RV Park visitor. Another notes, "location is awesome very convenient but being right next to the train tracks is a bummer."
Site spacing varies significantly: Some parks prioritize open spaces while others maximize capacity. At Tamarack RV Park, "Wish there was space to sit outside at the picnic table but spaces are too tight - we would be on top of our neighbor's sewer. Very level spot and no street noise."
Road noise affects perimeter sites: Highway proximity creates noise issues at several parks. "Logging trucks start early and run all day every day, so loud. Heavy traffic Hwy 95," reports a Blackwell Island RV Park camper about perimeter sites.
Tips for camping with families
Theme park convenience: For Silverwood visits, stay at adjacent RV parks. "We stayed here in July. It's next to Silverwood theme park, so you can camp the night before, hit the theme park early, and then crash after a fun filled day. The spaces are close and very open," shares a Silverwood RV Park visitor.
Kid-friendly water features: Some smaller RV parks maintain dedicated swim areas. "The beaches were very nice for both people and dogs. I rented a kayak for a couple of hours from the campground," notes a Blackwell Island visitor.
Playground access: Look for parks with dedicated play areas. "Super convenient to silverwood and wonderful amenities. The amenities are nice - showers, bathrooms, great little store. Spaces feel spaced out. We were in loop F. Kids loved the playground too," mentions a Silverwood RV Park camper.
Tips from RVers
Winter availability limited: Most RV parks near Idaho Panhandle National Forests operate seasonally. Blackwell Island RV Park runs from "Apr 1 - Oct 15" while Silverwood RV Park operates "May 7 to October 31" according to their listings.
Full hookup availability: Water, electric and sewer connections vary between parks. "The sites do have fullhookups. It is a small, just basically a 1 row parking lot with grass. No bathhouse," notes a City Beach RV Park visitor.
Big rig accessibility: Some parks accommodate larger vehicles better than others. Kootenai County Fairgrounds RV Park "is big rig friendly. I stayed in a 45 class A motorhome with a tow vehicle. I had no problem with the access to the rv park. If you are coming off of interstate 90, don't use exit 13. The round about is way to small to handle big rig or any camper. The best route is exit 12 big rig friendly."
