Best Tent Camping near Nordman, ID
The forested landscapes surrounding Nordman, Idaho offer diverse tent camping opportunities, particularly around Priest Lake and its islands. Navigation Campground and Plowboy Campground provide walk-in tent sites accessible by a 2-hour hike from Beaver Creek or via boat. Bartoo Island and Kalispell Island boat-in campgrounds feature tent-only sites with lakefront access. Beehive Lake Dispersed camping area offers backcountry tent camping for those willing to hike to higher elevations. Trapper Creek Campground provides free primitive tent camping with both boat-in and walk-in access options.
Most tent campsites in the Nordman area feature basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables, but lack running water. Campers should bring all necessary supplies, including drinking water and proper food storage containers due to wildlife activity. Vault toilets are available at some locations, including Navigation and Plowboy campgrounds, but many sites like Bartoo Island require campers to bring a shovel for waste disposal. Access roads to walk-in sites can be rough and may require high-clearance vehicles. Snow can block higher elevation routes until early summer, particularly at Beehive Lake and some forest service roads.
During peak summer months, first-come, first-served tent sites fill quickly at drive-in locations, while walk-in and boat-in sites often remain available. One camper noted that "while all the drive-up sites on lower Priest Lake were full, there was no one at Navigation." The extra effort required to reach these primitive tent camping areas rewards visitors with greater solitude. According to reviews, Plowboy Campground remains quiet with "only two parties camping" even during hot July weekdays. Tent campers frequently use these areas as bases for fishing, swimming, and hiking. Sites among the trees provide natural shade and protection from summer storms, with many offering direct lake access for cooling off during hot weather.