Cabins near Lake Pend Oreille range from simple wooden structures to lakefront accommodations with private docks. The lake, Idaho's largest at 43 miles long and 1,150 feet deep, creates its own microclimate with summer water temperatures reaching the mid-60s. Winter visitors can expect substantial snowfall, particularly at higher elevations, making some cabin access seasonal.
What to do
Watercraft rentals: Camp Coeur D'Alene offers kayaks and paddle boats directly on the lake. One visitor noted, "Great spot to stay for a bit. They have cabins and rv spots and car/tent spots with direct lake access and kayaks/peddleboats to rent."
Fishing opportunities: Mirror Lake: Bigfoot Campout provides excellent fishing from their dock. A camper shared, "The views of Mirror Lake are just phenomenal. The dock is fantastic and the fishing is top notch."
Hiking trails: Camp Coeur D'Alene features trails along streams with potential wildlife sightings. As one reviewer mentioned, "We hiked the trail on the backside of the campground, which followed along a stream. There's nearby wildlife, including a resident moose."
Swimming areas: Many cabins provide direct lake or pond access for swimming. A visitor to Blue Lake RV Resort shared, "Families can enjoy fishing, swimming, yard games, fire pit, and very dog friendly with a fenced dog park."
What campers like
Private beaches: Sedlmayer's Resort & Campground offers exclusive beach access for guests. A reviewer commented, "Peaceful, quiet, and beautiful! Right on the lakefront with your own private beach."
Communal amenities: Some properties provide group facilities beyond individual cabins. One guest at Blue Lake RV Resort noted, "Cute little RV park off the highway. Very quiet with a small lake. Families can enjoy fishing, swimming, yard games, fire pit, and very dog friendly with a fenced dog park."
Mountaintop views: Lunch Peak Lookout provides panoramic vistas from an elevated position. A visitor described, "It's a beautiful spot, with 360 degree views. It's quiet and peaceful. The road up to the lookout is pretty rough and wouldn't recommend it in a car."
On-site dining: Some lakeside cabin properties include restaurant options. At Sedlmayer's Resort, a guest mentioned, "There's a cute little restaurant with a bar and you can get to go drinks."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to some cabin properties requires navigating unpaved roads. A visitor to Lunch Peak Lookout warned, "The road up to the lookout is pretty rough and wouldn't recommend it in a car."
Train noise: Some lakeside accommodations experience railroad disturbances. A Blue Lake RV Resort reviewer cautioned, "One of the major downsides was the campsite's unfortunate location between two railway lines. The constant sound of freight trains passing by throughout the day was quite disruptive."
Fire restrictions: Seasonal burn bans may limit campfire use. A Blue Lake RV Resort guest explained, "We weren't told that campfires were restricted per an ordinance they were given before we made the trip there."
Bathroom availability: Facilities vary significantly between properties. At Waldron Campground, a camper noted, "Each campground only has one main bathroom, so you'll be wise to bring something to ride to get to the restrooms because some sites are 1/3 of a mile away."
Tips for camping with families
Activities for children: Kootenai River Campground offers easy river access and biking paths. A visitor shared, "The trail down to the river was great, the boys had a blast riding their bikes on it."
Swimming safety: Blue Lake provides a controlled environment for younger swimmers. A guest mentioned, "The little lake is full of catfish and turtles that you can feed. They have paddle boats, kayaks, paddle boards and a floating trampoline."
Playground proximity: Consider site location when booking with kids. A reviewer at Little Diamond Lake advised, "If you are camping with kids the spots closer to the playground equipment are perfect."
Local attractions: Some cabin rentals serve as base camps for regional exploration. A Kootenai River Campground visitor recounted, "At their recommendation visited both the Kootenai Falls and Ross Creek Cedars, both very fun and memorable experiences for us and our toddler."
Tips from RVers
Site layout considerations: Little Diamond Lake has unusual utility placement at some sites. A camper explained, "The sites share electric and water, no sewer and are positioned oddly they are on the off side and in front by the road. Some 30 and 50 amp just check the box."
Dump stations: Not all cabin and RV sites include full hookups. A reviewer at Little Diamond Lake noted, "Very few of the KOA campsites have sewer hook ups. There are dump sites available. There is also a mobile pumpout service available if you want to pay for it."
Site dimensions: Check size limitations before booking. At Little Diamond Lake, a visitor observed, "The sites are gravel, somewhat level and size/length varies, a few pull throughs, our 37ft 5ver had no problem."
Cell coverage: Service varies by location and carrier. A Little Diamond Lake camper reported, "AT&T and Sprint were very good. At our site 144."
