Many campers head to Kaniksu National Forest in Idaho for its thick forests and mountain views. Gilmore Campground at Farragut State Park sits near Lake Pend Oreille, where you can swim after setting up camp. Riley Creek Campground has bigger sites than most in the area and includes showers and flush toilets. Sam Owen Campground juts out on a peninsula with water on three sides, making it quieter than other spots. Getting to these campgrounds doesn't require special vehicles - regular cars handle the roads fine, though some sections narrow and twist more than others. Watch for deer and moose wandering through campsites, and hang your food to keep it safe from wildlife. The Forest Service puts fire bans in place during dry spells, so check current rules before planning to cook over an open flame. While you don't need permits for most camping here, the good spots fill up fast in summer, so book ahead when possible. Both easy and challenging trails start near the campgrounds, with some designated for bikes and others for hiking only. Summer days often hit the 80s or 90s, so bring plenty of water bottles and sunscreen. If you're considering winter camping, come prepared with snow gear and a four-wheel drive vehicle - this area gets several feet of snow between November and March.
$15 / 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!"
"You do have to walk to your site but it’s not far. Views are magical. Water is crystal clear, you feel secluded and safe!"
$30 - $116 / night
"Also, very amazing views of Lake pend Oreille and the mountains, which surround you. It is down a beautiful peninsula in Hope, Idaho."
"There are beautiful lakeside campsites with access to the lake. Unfortunately, those were all reserved when we stayed there. This place can get busy in the summertime, so you reserve early."
$25 - $50 / night
"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. "
$35 - $75 / night
"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")."
$12 - $29 / night
"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."
$39 / night
"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."
"There is water and power hookups, and a dump station at the exit. The showers are okay. Could use a more regular cleaning."
"There are quite a few beautiful spots along this bay of Lake Pend Oreille that can be reached only by boat."
"This lakeside campground is a true hidden getaway, perfect for anyone looking to escape the crowds. The lake itself is stunning—clear, beautiful water."
$31 - $33 / night
"Gilmore Campground Farragut State Park, Idaho Lake Pend Oreille Who Knew?!!
I crossed the Montana / Idaho state line this morning and was pleasantly surprised at the AMAZING scenery ."
"And Lake Pend Oreille is simply breathtaking. We had limited Verizon connectivity — 2 bars at most."
"There is easy access to both Silverwood and Coeur D'Alene Idaho outside the campground. Apparently there is a former U.S. Naval brig turned museum at the park as well."
"Farragut State Park in scenic Northern Idaho is a huge campground that is open year-round."
"Pretty lake. Good cell service even though its tucked away from the main road. The owner was very nice and helpful."
"Nice spot close to Sandpoint. Not crowded. Was able to slide right in on the Friday night when Spokane was having wildfires out west."
TravelerCampground is close to boat ramp, paved, big rig friendly, no host in July, no trash service and no water available. Dogs are OK on leash, bear boxes provided. Quiet and beautiful camp. Close to Trout Creek store if you need supplies.
GuideMe and the pup had a lot of fun there only stayed two nights
ScoutIf you'd like a lovely campground standing 3000 ft above the northeast Columbia basin, this would be hard to beat. It's simply beautiful. A couple hundred feet you can peer twenty miles to the east (probably more). The campground is small (8 sites) and compact (you'll have neighbors near), but that's a good design choice --- the little plateau at Bald Knob simply isn't big enough for more.
If you're up for a stroll, then climb (or drive!) to the top of Mt. Spokane. On a clear day you can see three states (WA/ID/MT) and two countries (USA/Canada). If you get to the campground and then *don't* take a side trip to the top of Mt. Spokane, you will need to have your head examined. [N.B. If you're driving a motorhome, do *not* drive to the summit past the campground: the narrow one-lane (paved) road is just not going to let you go up while other cars are coming down.]
If you go there at the right time of year, you can stroll a couple hundred feet and harvest huckleberries. Actual huckleberries. I had waffles with fresh huckleberries, so eat your heart out.
This is one of the pricier campgrounds ($39/night in 2026), but there's potable water and restrooms with flush toilets and even hot water(!). And of course, there are bear-proof food lockers and garbage bins for each site.
TravelerBeautiful and right on the water. Flush toilets and showers.
Guidewe had an encounter with a male huge grizzly bear in our camp we drove away leaving the tent up..we came back an hour later and the tent was shredded... NOPE we will not be going back into this area!!
ScoutIf you'd like an alpine campground with easy access, unbelievable views, and excellent facilities, this is it.
in the TLDR department,
(*) paved road to within the last few hundred feet of your campsite.
(*) potable water
(*) restrooms with flush toilets and hot water (!)
(*) 8 campsites --- kind of cramped, but nice.
(*) 20 minutes drive to summit of Mt. Spokane with "unbelievably spectacular view"
(*) if you're there in mid- late- July, huckleberries are right there. I had them on waffles this morning.
Depending upon where you start, this campsite is about 45 minutes from Spokane WA. You'll have to have some patience with the last 15 miles or so of the (paved) road, as it is pretty curvaceous.
This campsite is at about 5100 ft on a shoulder of Mt. Spokane, whose summit is 5800 ft. Let's just say, if you go to the trouble to get to this campground, and *don't* take a side trip to the summit, there's not much I can do for you. If you're not familiar with the geography in this region, Mt. Spokane stands about 3800 ft above the valley floors in the Spokane Valley and adjacent valley floors. In other words, you'll have a stunning views on clear days. From the summit of Mt. Spokane, you can see two nations and three states.
The campground itself is small: 8 sites --- so prefer to reserve online.
At each site:
(*) a bear-proof garbage bin
(*) a bear-proof food bin
(*) a potable water source (shared)
(*) a surprisingly nice, clean restroom with (omg) flush toilets and (omg) hot water.
(*) they don't have showers, but gurl: you know what you can achieve with a sink and hot water and some wash cloths.
(*) it's a small thing, but there is some cell-phone coverage there. This means that if you're a smart phone and computer nerd, you can watch Netflix at night.
The thing is, as stupendous as this site is, it's a "one night" site.
However, I will be back next summer, because Bald Knob is just so amazing.
ScoutI was invited to spend a day camping with my girlfriend's family, who had rented their campsite for a week. I really liked the campground itself. The property was beautiful, the beach was great, and we had a wonderful time with family and friends. If I were rating the campground based only on the location and amenities, it would be much higher.
Unfortunately, what stood out most during my visit was our experience with the campground host, Cindy.
Throughout the day, I personally observed several interactions that I felt were unnecessarily confrontational. My girlfriend smiled and greeted Cindy, but Cindy appeared visibly irritated by the interaction. I also witnessed Cindy yell at children who were running the opposite direction on what was a one-way road intended for vehicles. While I understand that rules exist for safety, the way she addressed them came across as unnecessarily harsh.
Shortly after my girlfriend's parents arrived, Cindy confronted them because their boat was parked at their campsite while they were still unloading and setting up their tent. They had only been there about 30 minutes. I also witnessed disagreements between Cindy and other campers over campground rules. Several families we knew, all of whom had paid to camp there, had similar negative interactions with her during the week.
One interaction that especially stood out to me was when Cindy continued explaining an issue to a member of another family's group who has severe mental disabilities instead of directing the conversation to the responsible adults. I found that interaction particularly uncomfortable to watch.
From what I observed, Cindy regularly drove around the campground looking for violations and seemed quick to confront campers over even minor issues, including someone feeding their dog at their campsite. During one of these encounters, I noticed she had a stack of notices, paper, and markers on her golf cart, seemingly ready to issue warnings.
In my opinion, Cindy's management style created unnecessary tension throughout the campground. She came across as overly authoritative and frequently spoke to campers in a way that I felt was disrespectful. She reminded me of the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz because she constantly seemed to be searching for the next problem rather than helping campers enjoy their stay.
The campground itself is beautiful, and I truly enjoyed the location, beach, and time with family. My only complaint is the host. I hope management addresses the way guests are treated because the campground deserves better hospitality than what I experienced during my visit.
GuideWe felt lucky to find a spot and stayed a week. The hostess seems unable to keep up and is overwhelmed. A review on Google maps reported a month ago her dog attacked another dog. Oh my. The toilets are nasty and take tp as it might be out. The lake was fun but we would have to wait till 8 or 9 pm to kayak because of the constant roar of motor boats music and screaming teens speeding up and down. It is surrounded by very large homes with docks. We did bike up to the red cedars. We had to portage our bikes over three large scree mud slides. The trees were stunning. The ross crk trail is gone. The amount of debris pushed by water was hard to to fully comprehend.
GuideNice Campground with showers really nice beach. Unfortunately we can only stay one night being July which I guess is very busy month sites are shady
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best camping spots in Kaniksu National Forest?
Kaniksu National Forest offers several excellent camping options, with Yaak River Campground being a standout choice for those seeking a deep woods experience with plenty of shade and river access. The campground features about 40 sites with water spigots available, though larger rigs over 25 feet may find access challenging. Another top spot is Bumblebee Campground, which offers private sites nestled in the Idaho woods with most campsites positioned next to a creek that's perfect for fishing. For those preferring developed facilities near spectacular scenery, the campgrounds at Farragut State Park along Lake Pend Oreille provide well-maintained sites with stunning mountain and lake views.
Is dispersed camping allowed in Kaniksu National Forest?
Yes, dispersed camping is allowed in Kaniksu National Forest. North Fork Coeur D'Alene River offers popular dispersed camping spots, though it can get busy during peak season. While you might not find complete solitude here, the riverside location makes it worth it—just remember to obtain an Idaho fishing license if you plan to fish. Bull Run Access Dispersed provides another excellent option, with approximately four spots featuring pre-established fire pits. To find this area, take Highway 3, cross the one-lane South Bull Run Road bridge, continue right past a few houses until reaching the Coeur d'Alene Trail access parking area, then cross the trail and continue down West Bull Run Road.
What are the most scenic areas to visit in Kaniksu National Forest?
The most scenic areas in Kaniksu National Forest center around its pristine lakes and rivers. Lake Pend Oreille offers breathtaking views, especially from Snowberry Campground — Farragut State Park, where the combination of mountains and crystal-clear water creates stunning panoramas. Northern Idaho's beauty is often described as a well-kept secret by visitors from other regions. For river scenery, Riley Creek Campground in the Idaho Panhandle showcases the forest's natural beauty with peaceful waterfront settings. Other scenic highlights include the Yaak River corridor, the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River with its clear waters, and the forested areas around Liberty Lake near the Idaho-Washington border, which offer excellent hiking opportunities through diverse landscapes.
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