Looking for the best Nordman tent camping? You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of Nordman, Idaho's most popular destinations.
Surrounded by clear waters of Priest Lake, the 25 sites on Bartoo Island provide the ideal getaway for people looking for a rugged, but highly rewarding, camping experience on the peaceful shores of Priest Lake. There are 24 single sites on the island as well as one group site known as Sunrise Group Site. This group site has been renumbered from site #001 to site #23 for groups of 10-30 individuals. All sites are only reachable by boat.
Visitors enjoy all types of boating from kayaking to canoeing to power boating up the 3.5-mile thoroughfare, which leads to the Upper Priest Lake Scenic Area. The upper lake cannot be access by car, so water is an excellent navigation option. Fantastic birding and wildlife viewing is available, as well as Huckleberry picking from mid-july to early fall, when the sweet berries can be found in abundance throughout the forests of Northern Idaho. Swimming is a popular summer pastime and with beach access not far from the campground, visitors won't have any problem cooling off during warmer months. Anglers will be excited to know that the waters of Priest Lake are home to record-breaking Mackinaw trout as well as Dolly Varden, Cutthroat and Kokanee.
Visitors enjoy all types of boating from kayaking to canoeing to power boating up the 3.5-mile thoroughfare, which leads to the Upper Priest Lake Scenic Area. The upper lake cannot be access by car, so water is an excellent navigation option. Fantastic birding and wildlife viewing is available, as well as Huckleberry picking from mid-july to early fall, when the sweet berries can be found in abundance throughout the forests of Northern Idaho. Swimming is a popular summer pastime and with beach access not far from the campground, visitors won't have any problem cooling off during warmer months. Anglers will be excited to know that the waters of Priest Lake are home to record-breaking Mackinaw trout as well as Dolly Varden, Cutthroat and Kokanee.
Priest Lake spans 25,000-acres of incredible beauty, fed primarily by the waters of the Priest River. Named after the historical presence of Jesuit priests who settled in the lake area in the mid 19th century, Priest Lake is today a major tourist attraction, drawing water sports enthusiasts, photographers and birders alike. The group campground is located on the east side of Bartoo Island at an elevation of 2,400 feet. Bartoo, spanning 219 acres, is one of nine islands on Priest Lake. Summers at the lake are typically sunny and warm and wildlife in the area includes bears, deer and moose.
Hike the Lakeshore or Beach Trails that traverse along the west shore of Priest Lake. The Beach trail extends between Outlet Bay Campground and the Kalispell Bay Boat Launch. The Lakeshore Trail runs for 8 miles along the northwest shores of Priest Lake. In winter, ice fishing, shoe shoeing and snowmobiling on nearby trails entertain visitors.
$10 - $15 / night
Surrounded by clear waters of Priest Lake, the 52 sites on Kalispell Island provide the ideal getaway for people looking for a rugged, but highly rewarding, camping experience on the peaceful shores of Priest Lake. There are 51 single sites on the island as well as one group site known as Three Pines Group Site. This Group Site is located on the southeast side of the island and has been renumbered from Site #001 to site #29 for groups of 10-30 individuals. All sites are only reachable by boat.A popular activity among visitors is to kayak, canoe, or power boat up a 3.5-mile thoroughfare, which leads to the Upper Priest Lake Scenic Area. The upper lake - just like Kalispell Island - cannot be access by car, so water is an excellent navigation option.
Priest Lake is less than an hour from the Canadian Border, nestled deep below the crest of the Selkirk Mountains. Surrounded by the natural beauty of Northern Idaho and the mile-high mountains, this 25,000-acre lake offers clear, blue waters reaching depths of 300 feet. Fantastic wildlife viewing is available on the 2.5-mile loop trail that encircles Kalispell Island, offering phenomenal lake views and bird watching opportunities. The waters of Priest Lake offer anglers access to record-breaking Mackinaw trout, Dolly Varden, Cutthroat and Kokanee.
Priest Lake is less than an hour from the Canadian Border, nestled deep below the crest of the Selkirk Mountains. Surrounded by the natural beauty of Northern Idaho and the mile-high mountains, this 25,000-acre lake offers clear, blue waters reaching depths of 300 feet. Fantastic wildlife viewing is available on the 2.5-mile loop trail that encircles Kalispell Island, offering phenomenal lake views and bird watching opportunities. The waters of Priest Lake offer anglers access to record-breaking Mackinaw trout, Dolly Varden, Cutthroat and Kokanee.
Kalispell Island is one of seven islands scattered throughout Priest Lake. Kalispell is the largest of these islands, spanning 264 acres, and is shaped like a tooth. Priest Lake, at a 2,400 foot elevation, is one of the top three largest lakes in Idaho. To the north, the lake connects to the Upper Priest Lake, divided by a narrow channel, which can be passed through by boat.
Hike the Lakeshore or Beach Trails that traverse along the west shore of Priest Lake. The Beach trail extends between Outlet Bay Campground and the Kalispell Bay Boat Launch. The Lakeshore Trail runs for 8 miles along the northwest shores of Priest Lake. In winter, ice fishing, shoe shoeing and snowmobiling on nearby trails entertain visitors.
$10 - $15 / night
Crescent LakeBeautiful twenty-two acre lake located nine miles north of Metaline Falls, WA and just a mile south of the Canadian border adjacent to Highway 31 which is part of the International Selkirk Loop. Open season runs from the last Saturday in April through October 31. This lake receives annual plantings of rainbow trout. A small rustic three site campground lies just above the lake. Amenities include: tables, fire rings, concrete vault toilet and animal proof garbage can. No potable water is available. It is best suited for small RV's or tent camping. Facilities 3 small campsites with picnic tables, and fire pits No drinking water 1 vault toilet Garbage disposal (animal proof)
A Discover Pass or Washington State Fishing License is required for access, and can be acquired through Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's website.
Navigation Campground is located on the northwest shores of Upper Priest Lake, with majestic views of the Selkirk Crest. Four campsites are furnished with fire rings, picnic tables, and bear-proof storage boxes. Please note that this site has a Pack It In, Pack It Out policy on all garbage.
Trapper Creek Campground is located on the northeast shore of Upper Priest Lake. It has five sites with beautiful views of Plowboy Mountain, all furnished with fire rings, picnic tables, and bear-proof storage boxes. Please note that this campground has a Pack It In, Pack It Out policy on all garbage.
CLOSED FOR 2024
Green Bay Campground features 11 designated sites with picnic tables and fire rings, vault toilets, and a swimming beach.
It is a private secluded location but over priced for tent camping. It made for a nice base camp. The dogs were allowed to be off leash which was real nice. They do not allow pit bulls or Rottweilers but ironic that the camp hosts have a Rottweiler. It was not crowded. The nice hike to the summit to view both lakes was worth going up. Other than the $30/night for tent camping it was okay. Had it been $15 a night I would have given the site a 5 star.
Really well maintained, beautiful campground with great swimming water. Peewee falls is about a 10 minute kayak from the beach. Great stay. Definitely recommend staying during the week. Weekend traffic is intense.
This quiet campground is a nice place to stay. Small and peaceful
We only stayed the one night on a Monday, so the restaurant and bar were closed. The sites are a little close together, but we are used to big private sites in the provincial campgrounds in Canada. The wifi was available, but only close to the restaurant.
Full hookups are available for most sites. There is a private beach that was nice for swimming. Staff is friendly and helpful.
Beautiful area nice camping spot good amount of shade coverage keeps us cool during the summer clean bathrooms and the camp hosts are super nice.
It was my first time camping! Went camping with my fiance.
Pros
Cons
Recommendations
Drove here and where the sites are supposed to be there is now a sign that says it is for day use only and no camping is allowed. Additionally where I'm assuming the sites used to be, large rocks and been placed there to deter people from using it
You can choose ambiance in the first loop or river front in the second loop. Just be aware that the river is noisy. It’s pack it in and pack it out so, no garbage collection. Cell reception for T Mobile is a strong 1-2 bars. No trouble streaming. One of the best forest service campgrounds. $15 a night. $7.50 with senior discount. The only major problem is that dogs are not on leashes and no one is around to enforce the leash law.
Campsite 36 in the Pine loop is just a short walk away from a lovely lake beach that has fire pits and picnic tables. The campsite itself is very nice, large, shaded, with a decent distance from neighboring campers as far as campgrounds go. I didn't do what I usually do and walk around the campground to see what the best site is to book during future visits, but I have zero complaints about this site. We really enjoyed our stay at Lake Sullivan and our excursions to Metaline Falls, Gardner Cave, Peewee Falls, Mill Pond Historic Site, and Crescent Lake.
I love the Colville National Forest and enjoy discovering different campgrounds within it.
I like to camp at Pioneer Park when I am in Newport visiting family and will always choose campsite 14! It is the best out of all the campsites there, very private, incredibly spacious, and with a nice trail to the water. I only tent camp so I don't know how accommodating it is for an RV, however.
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. This site, in particular, backs up against Elkins Road, leading to the next-door resort which has a restaurant, bar, and convenience store - all in walking/stumbling distance. This campground itself has the basics: bathrooms, bear-proof trash, and water stations.
I highly recommend this campsite and will try to book earlier in the season next time to get a lakefront site.
Beautiful one of the best stops on my travels
Right on the Lake, has water Filling Station and Dump Also Boat ramp A bunch of small Flies, they don’t bite
Arrived to find an available site. Nice view of Lake Leo. Clean site, vault toilet's were clean and well stocked. The grounds were checked up on by the Forest Service and camp host. There are no services at the sites other than fire pits. Water is available. However, it needs filtering. Camp sites are far enough away from Highway 20 that traffic wasn't heard.
This site #8 is one of the larger sites at Sullivan Creek.
It’s right next to the river and about 150 yards from the road.
At the site: Fire Ring, and a bear box. Across the road there is a vaulted toilet along with a few campsites there next to each other.
Pack in and pack out! Sullivan lake is about 2-3 miles west and priest lake is 20+ miles to the east. If you do not have a 4wd vehicle I wouldn’t recommend driving on the service road to Priest, and depending the time of year the snow pack about 10 miles in will stop you!
What a beautiful spot! We arrived the weekend before Memorial Day weekend and stayed 3 nights. Saw eagles and deer right from our site. The vaulted toilets made life easy and the camp host was beyond friendly and helpful. The very small hike to the falls was only steps away from our site, and one of the sites you could even see the falls! We didn’t choose that one cuz it was full shade and a little noisy for my taste. The sites are roomy and pretty darn spaced out so we couldn’t hear the neighbor we had for a night. It’s about 10 min from colville, but make sure you get wood before hand, you can gather from the area, but stopping at a store to grab it costs a fortune. We might have to make this a regular spot, we loved it so much.
Love JOJ, I have been coming here since I was 5 or so, beautiful location, fishing, camping; cabins, tents or RV. Swimming with floating dock, and playground area.
We try to get in here at least once or twice a year. Not easy have to book way ahead of time. But many great campsites, good privacy for the most part once you’ve learned your spots and beautiful surroundings. Love that it’s close by !!
Great
Worked well to connect spots that were next to each other for a larger group. But most of the ground was hard and difficult to find good tent spots. The only level spots were the parking spots. Access to water was nice.
Great site to connect with the lake, but didn't enjoy the tent spots available. Ground was hard and mostly prepared for RVs.
Arranged for my girls to join us on the lake. Boat launch, beautiful forested, campsite, clean bathrooms . Some want showers. Has a handy dump and water refill. Great weekend!
General: 67-site US Army Corps of Engineers campground in two loops along the Pend Oreille River. All sites are water and electric and have gravel driveways.
Site Quality: All sites were nicely wooded, level and spacious. The roads are paved but the sites themselves are gravel. A BBQ grill/fire pit and large picnic table complete each site.
Bath/shower house: There is one ADA-accessible all-in-one bath/shower plus regular restrooms. Clean if a little dated. I don’t take long showers but in the middle of mine, the water turned ice cold for the remainder of my shower, however, hubby did not have the same experience!
Activities/Amenities: Water activities including boating, fishing, and swimming. Non-water activities include paths, including one around the campground that is approximately 1.4 miles, nice for walking, running, or biking. Partially paved and partially gravel. Other activities include two playgrounds (one for younger children, one for older), volleyball, horseshoes, sport court, and a “doggie island” (pet area). Between the restrooms are two dishwashing sinks with hot water, a nice amenity. There is also a dump station.
We were still setting up when the host came by to give us a map, remind us there was a fire ban, and see if we had any questions or concerns. We stay at many CoE campgrounds and this one certainly measures up!
Campsites are pretty close together but easily accessible from the shore. Left kayak on the beach and brought the packraft to the table. Vault toilet is close and easy to find in the dark. Beautiful sunsets!
Unfortunately we had to leave early but lesson learned. I was camping with my 4 sons and at 1255 am a big cougar walked right into our camp. I was fully prepared for bears but not a big cat. Next time I camp here I'm bringing a solar strobe to deter the cats
Nice spot close to Sandpoint. Not crowded. Was able to slide right in on the Friday night when Spokane was having wildfires out west. Aside from the heavy smoke at the time, I enjoyed my stay and will return if in the area again.
Loud, obnoxious and drunk boaters who trash Priest Lake. If you suffer one night of this nonsense, you will never go back. USFS complicit with this behavior.
We had a full hookup site, but unfortunately stayed too close to one of the toilets, who are very loud (also at night). A swim in the river was amazing because of the heat
Camping near Nordman, Idaho, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, this area has something to offer.
Camping near Nordman, Idaho, offers a variety of experiences, from serene lakes to family-friendly activities. Whether you're in a tent or an RV, there's a spot waiting for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Nordman, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Nordman, ID is Bartoo Island Boat-in Campground with a 5-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Nordman, ID?
TheDyrt.com has all 46 tent camping locations near Nordman, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.
