Kaniksu National Forest campsites range in elevation from 2,000 to over 7,000 feet across the Idaho panhandle. The forest covers more than 1.6 million acres of terrain, with camping areas that transition between cedar-hemlock forests at lower elevations to subalpine fir zones in higher regions. Fall temperatures can drop below freezing at night even when daytime highs reach the 70s, requiring campers to pack accordingly for temperature swings.
What to do
Fishing at lake edges: Green Bay Campground provides excellent access to Lake Pend Oreille fishing spots where "you can walk all the way out to where you cannot touch and still see the rocks on the bottom," according to visitor Melissa G. The crystal-clear water makes it ideal for spotting fish before casting.
Cliff jumping for adventure seekers: At Green Bay Campground, multiple campers mention cliff jumping opportunities. Michelle B. notes that "our spot has prime access to it, it seemed," making this campground popular with thrill-seekers during summer months.
Explore mountain biking trails: The area surrounding Sam Owen Campground offers excellent cycling options. Celine K. mentions "an excess of hiking and mountain biking in the area" and specifically recommends "Mickinnick and Sam Owen trail" as good options for riders of various skill levels.
Winter cross-country skiing: While many Kaniksu forest campgrounds close during winter, some areas remain accessible for day use. Round Lake State Park maintains winter access, though Nic F. warns that "hookups were not stable" during December, making it better for day skiing than overnight stays.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: At Whiskey Rock Bay Campground, campers appreciate the remoteness. Celine K. reports that "even the week before July 4th, there wasn't a lot of people," making it ideal for those seeking solitude. The campground sits "between several mountain ranges and right on the lake," offering peaceful waterfront camping away from crowds.
Clean shower facilities: Riley Creek Campground receives consistent praise for its maintained facilities. Kasey T. calls it "my favorite Army Corps of Engineers run Campground" and specifically mentions "clean bathrooms, and Showers" as standout features.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Sam Owen Campground has resident deer that frequently visit sites. Bridget L. notes the area is "known for its huge friendly deer population!! You will see them everywhere!!" This creates enjoyable wildlife viewing, particularly for "out-of-towners! People from the city who don't get much wildlife action."
Off-leash dog areas: At Riley Creek Campground, John D. appreciates the "Dog Island allowed dogs off leash and swimming," which gives pets freedom many other local campgrounds don't offer. This dedicated area keeps pets away from the main beach while still providing water access.
What you should know
Book weekday visits when possible: Multiple campgrounds report significant weekend crowding. At Green Bay Campground, William N. advises: "Make sure to arrive early in the week if you want a camp site. Spots filled quickly in the days following."
Cell service varies dramatically: Connectivity depends entirely on campground location. At Whiskey Rock Bay Campground, Kevin C. reports "Verizon is 3 to 4 bars," while at Green Bay, Melissa G. notes "there was no phone service once you get a short ways down slagle rd."
Access road conditions limit some vehicles: Green Bay requires appropriate transportation as "much of the road to the campground is unpacked and bumpy. Would not recommend for a low profile car," according to Melissa G. Similarly, Whiskey Rock Bay requires "a high clearance vehicle" though "a low clearance vehicle could make it," as Brendan reports.
Yellow jacket activity: During late summer, some campgrounds experience wasp problems. Melissa G. warns Green Bay visitors about "a lot of yellow jackets—A LOT. But they weren't too aggressive. Despite being frequently swarmed by them, neither of us got stung while we were there."
Tips for camping with families
Beach selection for swimming: Round Lake State Park offers family-friendly swimming with "a kind of sandy beach, but there is a bit of seaweed in the swimming area," notes Jason S. The beach setup includes "two docks perfect for fishing" that double as swimming platforms.
Educational opportunities: Heather M. notes that Round Lake "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. They also have boards to rent and games as well."
Playground access: Riley Creek offers excellent play structures according to Nanette C., who appreciates "the horseshoe pits, volleyball & basketball courts, as well as the playgrounds were all extremely inviting," making it suitable for children needing activity options.
Kid-friendly hiking routes: The trail at Round Lake circumnavigates the lake with minimal elevation gain, making it suitable for younger hikers. Jason S. describes it as "a lovely trail runs completely around the lake and nicely maintained," allowing for manageable excursions with children.
Tips from RVers
Dump station locations: Bonner County Fairgrounds provides convenient dumping according to mary F.: "dump and water station easy to navigate," which saves significant driving time when compared to some forest service campgrounds lacking this service.
Site length verification: When using reservation systems, Always C. warns Bonner County Fairground campers to "be sure to check site length. There are a few very short ones. We stayed in site 21 and our 34RLSA filled it up."
RV-friendly shade options: Shelly S. notes that at Bonner County Fairgrounds, sites are "nicely forested providing shade to many sites," which helps with summer cooling and reduces generator use. However, she cautions that "sites are small" requiring careful positioning.
Spring and fall camping: Off-season camping provides better site availability. Sarah describes Mirror Lake as "not crowded" and notes she "was able to slide right in on the Friday night" during a time when other campgrounds were fully booked, making it ideal for RVers needing last-minute options.
