Camping near Ponderay, Idaho offers sites surrounded by western cedars and pines with elevations ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 feet. The Pend Oreille area features over 43 miles of shoreline accessible from various campgrounds, with many lakeside locations providing natural shade during summer months when temperatures typically range from 75-85°F during the day.
What to do
Swimming access points: Most lakefront campgrounds provide designated swimming areas with varying amenities. At Riley Creek Campground, campers enjoy "a beautiful beach, and a great play structure" with a separate "Doggie Island (dog friendly area since they aren't allowed on the beach)" for pets to swim.
Mountain biking trails: Several campgrounds serve as gateways to extensive trail systems. Visitors staying in the Sandpoint area can access trails ranging from beginner to advanced difficulty. A reviewer noted that Sam Owen Campground provides "excellent" riding options, mentioning "the ride up Trestle Creek then down Lightning Creek is excellent, top 1/3 of the climb still had lots of wildflowers and high alpine feel/views."
Fishing opportunities: Lake Pend Oreille and surrounding waterways offer various fishing spots. Mirror Lake provides boat rentals specifically for fishing, with one camper commenting, "I wish we were staying longer and we would have rented one of their boats and done some fishing."
What campers like
Large, private campsites: Many campers appreciate the spaciousness between sites at certain campgrounds. At Riley Creek Campground, a reviewer noted, "Camp sites are large and private. Volleyball basketball court horseshoe pits. Water and electricity all sites."
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness ranks high in visitor satisfaction. At Springy Point, campers mention "Showers were clean as was the campground" and appreciate amenities like "The dish washing station with large stainless steel sinks was excellent and the bathrooms were clean and had flushing toilets."
Free amenities: Some campgrounds offer unexpected free services. At Sam Owen Campground, visitors appreciate that "they have firewood you can go and get for free that the staff piles up under a little gazebo thing" and "you can also get a burn barrel and they'll bring one up to your campsite via golf cart, for free."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many popular sites fill quickly, especially during summer months. At Round Lake State Park Campground, a visitor warns: "Highly recommend but reserve your spot early in advance because the spots fill up quick!"
Train noise: Several campgrounds near Sandpoint experience railroad noise. At City of Sandpoint's City Beach RV Park, a camper notes "being right next to the train tracks is a bummer" while another mentions "A train does run right beside the park. Bring earplugs."
Variable site quality: Site conditions can differ significantly within the same campground. At Springy Point, a visitor advises: "We enjoyed this campground overall, but would definitely recommend checking sites in person if possible to get one of the larger ones. Our site was very cramped with a small area in which to pitch tents."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. At Riley Creek Campground, a camper shares: "This is a great place for grandkids. Lots of trails for walking biking. Camp sites are large and private. Volleyball basketball court horseshoe pits."
Activity packs: Some campgrounds provide special items for children. At Springy Point, one family mentioned "Camp hosts brought our two girls activity bags and came by to clean our camp site out before we set up."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer chances to see animals up close. At Sam Owen Campground, visitors note the "huge friendly deer population!! You will see them everywhere!! Which is fun for out-of-towners! People from the city who don't get much wildlife action."
Tips from RVers
Power adaptors: Some sites require adaptors for hookups. At Mirror Lake, a camper mentioned "Owner provided a 120 VAC adapter plug for us to connect to 220 service."
Free overnight RV parking: For those needing just a quick overnight stop, Schweitzer Mountain Fire Station offers free RV parking with a 3-day limit. A reviewer notes: "Big gravel lot with space for dozens of rigs. You shouldn't have trouble finding space. There's a restroom and a number of garbage dumpsters you can use."
Switchback access: Drivers of larger rigs should be aware of road conditions to certain campgrounds. When heading to Schweitzer Mountain Fire Station, "Scenic 15 minute drive up from Sandpoint. It's a paved two lane road with a number of switchbacks - I think even larger rigs should be fine as the hairpins were pretty wide."
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