Lake Pend Oreille spans over 43 miles in length with depths reaching 1,150 feet, making it Idaho's deepest lake. The surrounding camping areas feature diverse terrain ranging from forested lakeshores to mountainside retreats with elevations between 2,000-4,000 feet. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing, affecting water systems at some campgrounds, while summer daytime temperatures typically range from 75-85°F with cooler evenings.
What to do
Hiking trail networks: Round Lake State Park Campground offers multiple connected trail systems including a scenic path that encircles the entire lake. According to one visitor, "A very nice trail runs completely around the lake and nicely maintained," while others mention "extensive trails heading up into the mountain behind the lake as well as a trail to a pond with a dam which is quite peaceful."
Water recreation options: Camp Coeur D Alene provides complimentary watercraft for guests. As one camper notes, "This place has great amenities (free canoes, hot showers, flush toilets, free firewood) which made it the nicest campground I had been to for awhile." Another mentions they "took the paddle boat our for a sunset cruise and it was a very memorable experience!"
Silverwood Theme Park access: Silverwood RV Park connects directly to the adjacent theme park via a pedestrian tunnel. A reviewer explains, "The best thing about the campsite is that it is the closet place to stay near Silverwood theme park. You can easily walk from your tent right into the park, which makes it super convenient." For families with kids, "There's a shuttle to Silverwood!" from Ravenwood RV Resort according to another camper.
What campers like
Convenient lake access: Garfield Bay Campground provides easy water entry points. As one visitor mentions, "It's a short walk down to the lake. The camp grounds is okay." Another camper notes, "Perfect to go swim or paddle board," highlighting the proximity to water activities.
Clean facilities: Ravenwood RV Resort maintains well-kept grounds and amenities. One reviewer states, "This park is very well-maintained by the on-site hosts. Very nice, and green grass areas between all of the sites." Another camper adds, "They have a beautiful pool, basketball court, volleyball area and small playground."
Educational resources: Farragut State Park provides interpretive exhibits and wildlife learning stations. According to a visitor, "The camp 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."
What you should know
Winter utility limitations: Cold weather affects services at some campgrounds. One visitor to Round Lake reports, "Swung by here yesterday (late Dec) after calling to confirm hookups were still functional. There was only one hookup spot plowed, and it's connectivity was not stable. We decided not to stay as our Tesla kept reporting electrical risk every 10 minutes."
Site spacing considerations: Campsite proximity varies significantly between locations. At Round Lake, a visitor noted, "We used to camp here in the 80s and it was always peaceful and beautiful... However, there used to only about 34ish spots and now there are 51 spots. Its very crowded and people feel like they are right on top of each other."
Reservation requirements: Gilmore Campground — Farragut State Park fills quickly during peak season. One camper advises, "Need to book months ahead or get there early to get a spot," while another confirms it's "a very popular place." For yurt camping, Lake Pend Oreille options include Elysium Woods, which was "recognized by Business Insider as the best glamping in Idaho for 2020."
Tips for camping with families
Interactive nature activities: Round Lake offers structured outdoor learning opportunities. A visitor shares, "The camp 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."
Swimming conditions: Lake access points have varying water quality. A Round Lake visitor reports, "The swimming area is nice with kind of sandy beach, but there is a bit of seaweed in the swimming area. There are also two docks perfect for fishing."
Theme park proximity advantage: Camp Coeur D Alene offers varied accommodation types close to attractions. A recent visitor explains, "The camp offers tent camping, full service RV camping, and cabins for rent. There are hiking trails adjacent, a well stocked camp store and laundry facilities."
Tips from RVers
Hook-up availability: Many campgrounds offer limited full-service sites. At Ravenwood, a camper noted, "The owner had mentioned there are only 23 full hook ups a lot of time in the park, so plan your stay way ahead. If you only have a water and electric hook up there is still an on-site dump station."
Site selection for larger rigs: Garfield Bay has specific limitations. One RVer cautions, "Very small spaces and tight quarters. Not for very big rvs at all. Spaces aren't very level." Consider alternatives for yurt camping at Lake Pend Oreille, such as Elysium Woods which provides "upscale yurts with modern conveniences including electric and water hookups plus private toilets."
Seasonal infrastructure changes: Winter camping requires preparation. A visitor in December observed, "The showers were closed for the season and the bathrooms were not well maintained. They had no toilet paper, lots of bugs, and the lights were out." Off-season yurt camping at Lake Pend Oreille properties may offer better winter amenities than standard camping options.
