Best Campgrounds near Nordman, ID

Nordman, Idaho provides camping options centered around the picturesque Priest Lake region, with numerous developed campgrounds scattered throughout the area. Luby Bay Campground offers tent and RV sites with direct lakefront access in many locations, while Indian Creek and Lionhead campgrounds within Priest Lake State Park provide additional amenities including cabins and glamping opportunities. The camping landscape features both drive-in developed sites and boat-in experiences at Kalispell Island and Bartoo Island campgrounds, where campers can enjoy more secluded shoreline camping.

Seasonal operations typically run from May through September for most campgrounds in the area, with some exceptions like Indian Creek Campground which remains open year-round. "Tent camper here 👋 This specific site wasn't lakefront but was only a short 3 min walk to gorgeous lake views and beach access," noted one visitor about Reeder Bay Campground. Road access varies throughout the region, with some campgrounds offering paved roads and parking pads, while others may have narrower access routes that require careful navigation when backing in trailers or RVs. Campsite availability becomes limited during peak summer months, especially for lakefront sites, making advance reservations highly recommended for popular weekends.

The crystal-clear waters of Priest Lake serve as the primary attraction for campers in the Nordman area. Campers consistently mention the quality of beaches and swimming opportunities, with several campgrounds offering sandy shorelines uncommon in northern Idaho. Privacy between sites varies by campground, with some locations like Luby Bay offering more secluded, wooded sites. One camper described, "The tent sites are private and not too close together. Very nice campground host and clean restrooms." Boat-in campgrounds on Priest Lake islands provide a unique experience with greater privacy but fewer amenities. Bear-proof storage is available at some campgrounds, highlighting the importance of proper food storage in this wilderness area. Bathrooms range from vault toilets at more remote locations to flush toilets and showers at developed state park campgrounds.

Best Camping Sites Near Nordman, Idaho (187)

    1. Luby Bay Campground

    8 Reviews
    Coolin, ID
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 245-6521

    $30 - $64 / night

    "We were on the upper side of the lower loop, near the entrance, and although we couldn’t see the water it was a short walk to the beach, which had sand and beautiful clear water."

    "My family and I go camping every July at Priest Lake. Luby Bay is our favorite because we have boats, RVs, tent and hammock campers."

    2. Lionhead Campground — Priest Lake State Park

    9 Reviews
    Nordman, ID
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 443-2200

    "Ended our tour of Northern Idaho at spot #140. Tons of flat area to put down a tent, mosquito shade (they are pretty bad), and enjoy the amazing view!"

    "I worked at Priest Lake State Park as a residential biologist for the summer of 2016. It was an amazing experience! I had access to parts of the park not allowed to campers."

    3. Reeder Bay Campground

    4 Reviews
    Nordman, ID
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 245-6521

    $30 - $32 / night

    "Our favorite lake in N Idaho. The view of chimney rock is spectacular. Easy access to the sandy beach. Weather in June can be unpredictable, the Spring storms are epic."

    "Tent camper here 👋 This specific site wasn't lakefront but was only a short 3 min walk to gorgeous lake views and beach access. Being on the end, it was hushed with minor road noise."

    4. Indian Creek Campground — Priest Lake State Park

    3 Reviews
    Nordman, ID
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 443-2200

    "We walked up to reserve our site. The sites are pretty close but have nice facilities throughout the campground. Including a nice store with an Ice cream shop, a family favorite."

    "We did get some fishing in for cutthroat and lake trout. Cutthroat are catch and release so we had to be pretty careful, but the lake trout tasted amazing."

    5. Bartoo Island Boat-in Campground

    3 Reviews
    Coolin, ID
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 443-2512

    $10 - $15 / night

    "If you got a boat, get to Priest Lake. The waters are a little cold but crystal clear and on a clear night, you’ll see the bulk on the Milky Way."

    "First come, first serve sites are your best bet for getting a campsite on Priest Lake during peak season. I was able to snag one of the 10ish first come sites last minute for a weekend."

    6. Kalispell Island Boat-in Campground

    3 Reviews
    Nordman, ID
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 443-2512

    $15 / night

    "Storms all around us but the views were beautiful. Nature is beautiful. Set up our hammocks, tents and brought out fishing poles."

    7. Outlet Campground

    4 Reviews
    Coolin, ID
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 443-2512

    "The only problem was people walking thru your site to the house next to the campground. Couldn’t figure that out and thinking it was random."

    "Outlet Campground is a fine place to spend a weekend, but if you’re familiar with Priest Lake, you’ll notice it’s not quite as spacious or scenic as some of the other campgrounds in the area."

    8. Osprey Campground

    3 Reviews
    Coolin, ID
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 245-6521

    $30 - $32 / night

    "We actually left another campground on the lake we had already paid for to come here because it was exactly what we were looking for!"

    "Camp amongst the tall trees and the lake!"

    10. Nordman Campground

    1 Review
    Nordman, ID
    3 miles
    Website

    "Nice swim beach along with lots of trails to explore. Offers both first come and reservable sites. It is on the North West side of Priest Lake and close to the thouroghfare."

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Recent Reviews near Nordman, ID

542 Reviews of 187 Nordman Campgrounds


  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    priest lake dispersed camping

    Priest Lake Dispersed Camping

    Very nice and secluded area right on the river bed. Can be accessed through the boat launching ramp that’s a bit ahead on the road. There are also several different off road paths that lead the some great camping spots in the area.

  • Connie H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 20, 2025

    Boundary County Fairgrounds

    Good for a Rest

    This is a great place for a quick stop to rest or just an overnight. It’s not really a place for camping. This area is the town park and the county fairgrounds… there are no camping signs posted along the fence line, but there is plenty of parking lot space to not block the parking spots by the fencing. There are porta-potties available for use. Down by the tennis courts there is an RV dump station and water available. We were able to get about 50 gallons of potable water for 25 cents!

  • Connie H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 20, 2025

    North Haven Campground

    Cutest Little Campground

    This little campground was an awesome find! We rolled in last minute while passing thru town and snagged a pull thru site with electric and water. Sites have fire pits and picnic tables. They also have adorable cabins, glamping wagons and a tipi avoidable to reserve. The office/camp store is great, they’ve got a good selection of cool stuff to browse through. Firewood was available for sale. Front porch of the office/store has a chest freezer with ice and ice cream for sale. There’s also a foosball table, a table for checkers and a little bookshelf library to take/leave a book. The bathhouse was hands down the nicest camp bathrooms we’ve ever used! Showers were amazing! The laundry was great… $2.50 a load, either wash or dry and conveniently accessible 24 hours a day. There’s a large lighted pavilion with picnic tables, cornhole boards with bags, and a dartboard. There’s also a small playground and a hot tub available to use! This campground was so well maintained, the employees friendly and helpful, and it’s just a really sweet, family-friendly, quiet campground. We loved it!

  • Connie H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Clark Fork River Driftyard

    Great place for an overnight or a couple days!

    We found this spot to be great for an overnight stop. It was a little out of our way… but you can’t beat a free spot with a great view! Camping limit is 3 days. There are no facilities, but there is a porta-potty available (and it wasn’t terrible). This is a pack it in, pack it out area, so no trash cans or dumpsters available! There are small fire rings scattered throughout the area. It was a pretty quiet spot, other than the trains going by, but that didn’t bother us at all. There was one other camper set up when we arrived around 7:00 PM, and a couple others showed up after us. The boat ramp had a lot of visitors in the early morning and you could hear gunshots in the distance from others hunting, which also didn’t bother us at all. Overall, we thought this was a pretty great find!

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Little Pend Orielle Campground

    Out of the way but pleasant

    The directions are right, except make sure you go beyond the Refuge sign. The gate was locked so I found a site next to a Road Grader. Not ideal. But it was quiet and pleasant. No services.

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Whiskey Rock Bay Campground

    Quiet place of Respite

    The road in is a typical forest road, no big deal if you're familiar with FS dirt roads. Coming in from Clark Fork you go over Johnson pass which can be blocked with snow during the late fall and winter seasons, 4wd only then. Once you're at the campsites, don't cross over the fence, it's private property and Mike DOES have active cameras and he DOES watch the property. There are no sites on the lakes edge. They're all up on the cliff which is beautiful but if you're hauling water, take it slow. Verizon is 3 to 4 bars. The vault toilet was clean with plenty of TP. I wouldn't come down here with anything bigger than 25' as the sites are small but well spaced.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Mt. Baldy-buckhorn Ridge

    Beautiful location amazing views

    Stayed here with a couple of friends, and it was a bit cramped in there, as you might expect. The views were incredible, the morning sunrise was spectacular, and the sunset was amazing. The downside was climbing up a steep set of stairs multiple times each day. There are 2 beds and 2 pads for sleeping on the floor which were not very comfortable but adequate. There is a propane stove and lantern for your usage, which worked fine. Also included is pots and pans. The outhouse bathroom was clean and did not stink. It was a bit windy, but overall, we had a great time. The road up to the lookout is very rough and bumpy and not suitable for cars.


Guide to Nordman

Nordman, Idaho camping options include both lakefront and forest sites at elevations between 2,400-2,700 feet. The area experiences warm summer days with temperatures typically ranging from 75-85°F but cooler nights that can drop to 45-55°F, making layered clothing essential. Winter camping is limited, with only Indian Creek Campground remaining open year-round for hardy cold-weather campers.

What to do

Water activities on Priest Lake: Visitors at Luby Bay Campground appreciate the clear, cold water perfect for swimming. "The LAKE is amazing. Boating to the islands for the day is so much fun. In N Idaho we work hard so we can camp," notes Francie M. The lake's white sand beaches are unusual for northern Idaho.

Island exploration: Priest Lake's islands offer unique camping experiences at Kalispell Island Boat-in Campground. "A group of us stocked up our kayak and we trekked out to Kalispell Island! Storms all around us but the views were beautiful," shares Missy S. Morning and evening paddling is recommended as afternoon boat traffic creates larger waves.

Hiking trails: Several trails around the campgrounds provide opportunities to explore. At Lionhead Campground, a camper mentions, "There are numerous trails to explore and the beach is beautiful white sand with crystal clear water." The Hunt Lake Trail offers a more challenging hike but rewards with scenic views.

Fishing: Priest Lake has excellent fishing opportunities. "You will see lots of moose, and sometimes black bears. If you take the short hike to Moose lake, there is excellent rainbow trout fishing, and gorgeous scenery as well," explains Jeff W., who worked at Priest Lake State Park.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: At Osprey Campground, campers value the seclusion. "Complete privacy between trees and underbrush, no road noise, walking trails, flushing toilets and beach access where we felt comfortable leaving our SUPs tied for two days," reports Angelina H. The campground's natural vegetation creates a buffer between sites.

Stargazing opportunities: The remote location offers exceptional night sky viewing, especially from boat-in sites. "If you got a boat, get to Priest Lake. The waters are a little cold but crystal clear and on a clear night, you'll see the bulk of the Milky Way," says Alen C. about Bartoo Island camping.

Clean facilities: Many campgrounds in the area maintain high standards for restrooms and general cleanliness. "The bathrooms are impressively clean—better than many I've encountered at other campgrounds," notes one Luby Bay camper. Most developed campgrounds offer flush toilets, while more remote locations have vault toilets.

Beach quality: Sandy beaches are a highlight for many campers. "The beach area is phenomenal!!!! Nice sand and amazing afternoon shade!" exclaims Nanette C. about Luby Bay Campground. The sandy shorelines make for comfortable lounging and swimming access.

What you should know

Reservation timing: Competition for sites is fierce, especially for group areas. "Reservations are 9 months in advance and it is a phone call of luck that will get you this prime area," explains a camper about the group camping area at Priest Lake State Park. Booking early is essential for summer weekends.

Fee structure: Idaho state parks have implemented differential pricing for out-of-state visitors. "All the state (not Federal) parks at both Priest and Lake Pend Oreille have become prohibitively expensive for out of staters," notes Buck. Non-resident fees can be twice as high as resident rates, plus additional vehicle fees.

Bear safety: Bear-proof storage is provided at many campgrounds. "Each site comes with a bear-proof locker, which is essential for safety," states a Luby Bay reviewer. Proper food storage is necessary throughout the area to prevent wildlife encounters.

Boat-in camping preparations: When planning to camp on islands, prepare accordingly. "Bring a shovel and make sure your watercraft has an Invasive Species sticker (I bought mine at Cabelas in Post Falls on the way up)," advises Saraj B. about Bartoo Island. There are no facilities on some islands, so pack accordingly.

Tips for camping with families

Day-use beach access: For campsites without direct lake access, Reeder Bay Campground offers alternatives. "This specific site wasn't lakefront but was only a short 3 min walk to gorgeous lake views and beach access," shares Saraj B. Some campgrounds allow day-use parking near beaches for a fee.

Kid-friendly amenities: Ice cream is available at Indian Creek's store, making it a hit with families. "All the state parks at Priest Lake have a store with everything you could need and ice cream by the scoop," mentions Scott B. The campground also features a new frisbee golf course.

Site selection for families: When booking, consider sun exposure throughout the day. "When choosing a site remember sunrise and sunset as I was lucky to have a place on the south side so there was shade during the hottest parts of the day and less sun at 5am when you want to sleep," advises Callie B. about Kalispell Island.

Beach activities: The sandy beaches at many Priest Lake campgrounds provide safe play areas. "The campgrounds are safe for kids, well maintained and supervised by camp hosts," states Francie M. about Luby Bay. The shallow water entry at many beaches is ideal for younger children.

Tips from RVers

Site dimensions and access: Many campgrounds have limited space for larger RVs. At Outlet Campground, the sites are "a bit close together" according to Saraj B. At Reeder Bay, Roger L. notes, "A little tight for our 26 foot grand design travel trailer. Limited spots for this size rig."

Road conditions: The narrow roads at some campgrounds can make maneuvering difficult. "The road through the campground is paved but narrow, roughly 1.5 vehicles wide, so backing in a trailer requires some finesse," warns a Luby Bay reviewer.

Hookups and facilities: Most campgrounds offer limited or no hookups. "No hookups. Dry camping only," states Roger L. about Reeder Bay Campground. For those needing full hookups, Indian Creek Campground at Priest Lake State Park is one of the few options with water, electric, and sewer connections.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the camping options near Priest Lake in Nordman, Idaho?

Nordman offers diverse camping options around Priest Lake. Lionhead Campground — Priest Lake State Park provides spacious sites with beautiful lake views, water pumps, vault toilets, and grey water disposal. For those seeking a more developed experience, Indian Creek Campground — Priest Lake State Park offers reservable sites with water, toilets, and big-rig accessibility. Outlet Campground near Coolin combines drive-in access with boat-in options. For RV camping, several resorts around the lake provide full hookups. Dispersed camping can be found in the surrounding Kaniksu National Forest, though specific regulations apply. Campgrounds typically fill quickly during summer weekends, so advance reservations are strongly recommended.

What activities can I do while camping in Nordman during summer?

Summer in Nordman offers abundant outdoor recreation centered around Priest Lake. Swimming and sunbathing on sandy beaches are popular, especially at Reeder Bay Campground where the views of Chimney Rock are spectacular. Hiking trails wind through the surrounding forests, while fishing for trout and other species attracts anglers. Boating, kayaking, and paddleboarding are excellent ways to explore the lake's clear waters. Mountain biking on nearby trails, wildlife viewing, and photography opportunities abound. Evening activities include stargazing, campfires (when permitted), and relaxing lakeside. The area's natural beauty makes it perfect for families seeking a quintessential Idaho summer outdoor experience.

Are there any waterfront campgrounds in Nordman with boat access to Priest Lake?

Yes, Nordman offers several excellent waterfront camping options with boat access to Priest Lake. Bartoo Island Boat-in Campground provides a unique experience accessible only by boat, offering a more secluded setting perfect for those who want direct water access. Kalispell Island Boat-in Campground features reservable sites with toilet facilities and gorgeous shoreline views. These island campgrounds offer the quintessential Priest Lake experience with immediate shoreline access. Additionally, Outlet Campground combines drive-in convenience with boat access options. Most waterfront sites fill quickly during summer months, so securing reservations well in advance is essential, especially for weekend stays.