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Equestrian Camping near Porthill, ID

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    Pack River Dispersed Site offers the only horse camping near Porthill, Idaho, with free riverside campsites that provide ample space for horse trailers and equestrian gear. These free horse campgrounds along the Pack River are well-suited for equestrians seeking a primitive, uncrowded setting with direct water access for horses. The campground features free camping with pets allowed, making it convenient for those traveling with horses and dogs. Access is available via drive-in or walk-in routes, though the road has washboard sections and steep areas reaching certain campsites. The riverside location provides water access for horses, while the remote setting ensures peaceful camping away from crowds. Recent visitors note the area is particularly good for horses, camping, and solitude.

    Trails connecting to Pack River Dispersed Site provide riding opportunities through the surrounding forest and along the river. The remote location offers excellent opportunities for trail riding without encountering heavy traffic or crowded conditions. No designated horse corrals or formal equestrian facilities exist at this primitive campground, so riders must bring their own portable corrals or highline systems for securing horses overnight. The dispersed nature of the camping area allows equestrians to select sites with adequate space for both camping equipment and horse containment. Visitors should practice proper Leave No Trace principles, including packing out all trash and properly disposing of horse manure. The campground's five-star ratings from equestrians highlight its suitability for those seeking a natural horse camping experience in northern Idaho.

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    Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Porthill (5)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Lionhead Campground — Priest Lake State Park

      4.4(11)23mi from PorthillRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Wonderful camping sites, along with sites that accommodate RV campers, pull behind campers, and they even have small cabins to rent!"

      "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!"

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      2. Plowboy Campground

      3.0(1)23mi from PorthillTents
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      3. Pack River Dispersed Site

      5.0(1)33mi from PorthillTents

      "Good for horses, camping and solitude."

      4. Bonner County Fairgrounds

      4.3(9)48mi from PorthillRVs

      "Bonus, there was a Fjord Horse show while we were here. Cool to see the horses."

      "We particularly enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere of the campground, with beautiful views of the surrounding nature. What truly sets this campground apart is its convenient location."

      from $39 / night

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      5. Outlet Campground

      4.0(4)39mi from PorthillRVs, Tents

      "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."

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    Equestrian Camping Reviews near Porthill, ID

    26 Reviews of 5 Porthill Campgrounds

    • Theresa R.
      May. 18, 2026

      Lionhead Campground — Priest Lake State Park

      Tradition for me

      Ever since I can remember I've been standing on the beach every 4th of July! The place is breathtaking and refreshing! Wonderful camping sites, along with sites that accommodate RV campers, pull behind campers, and they even have small cabins to rent! The swimming area and beach are unlike any other I've seen ....soft warm sand between your toes and the water .....ooohhh the water is so clean and cool perfect for summer ⛱️ days!! We always venture outside the campground and pick huckleberries . Pancakes with fresh huckleberries is the best especially from North Idaho! The rangers are super friendly and welcoming always! There's so many trails for hiking and the creek that runs into priest lake is super special!! I can't wait to see it again this year!! See you there everyone!!

    • C
      Jul. 25, 2021

      Bonner County Fairgrounds

      I like

      Would have said 5 but we had a code on our electric and no way to report it as the host is not here and the phone numbers had full messages so are apparently not checked. Clean restrooms and showers, dump station, nice and quiet. Bonus, there was a Fjord Horse show while we were here. Cool to see the horses.

    • T&A Adventures *.The Dyrt PRO User
      Aug. 6, 2024

      Pack River Dispersed Site

      Beautiful remote area

      There are several dispersed sites up here along Pack River. Good for horses, camping and solitude.

    • Cody H.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 12, 2020

      Lionhead Campground — Priest Lake State Park

      You won’t want to leave camp

      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!

      Bathrooms with vault toilets, water pump, and grey water dump all just a short walk away

    • Melissa S.
      Jul. 3, 2023

      Bonner County Fairgrounds

      Five-Star Review for Bonner County Fairground Campground

      My recent stay at the campground at Bonner County Fairground in Pondray, ID was absolutely phenomenal!

      We had such a wonderful experience from start to finish and we can't recommend this campground enough. First and foremost, the campground is incredibly well-maintained and clean. The facilities are top-notch and it's evident that the staff takes great pride in keeping everything in excellent condition. 

      The campground itself is spacious and well-designed, offering plenty of room for RVs and other camping setups. They do not allow tents at this park. The campsites were level and provided ample space for my RV, as well as a picnic table. We particularly enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere of the campground, with beautiful views of the surrounding nature. What truly sets this campground apart is its convenient location. Being situated at the Bonner County Fairground, we had the opportunity to explore the fairgrounds and attend any events or activities that happened to be taking place during our stay.

      Moreover, the campground is ideally situated to explore the breathtaking natural beauty of Pondray and the surrounding area. I took full advantage of the numerous hiking and biking trails nearby, immersing myself in the stunning landscapes and fresh mountain air. The picturesque scenery and abundant wildlife made every outdoor adventure truly unforgettable. 

      Another aspect that impressed me was the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff. 

      They were always available to answer any questions, provide recommendations for local attractions and dining options, and ensure that my stay was as enjoyable as possible. In terms of amenities, the campground had everything we needed for a comfortable stay. The electrical hookups were reliable, and the availability of potable water and dump stations made it easy to manage my RV's needs. 

      Lastly, I must mention the incredible local attractions in the Pondray area. From the nearby Lake Pend Oreille, perfect for boating, fishing, and swimming, to the charming town with its unique shops and restaurants, there was always something exciting to explore. We also had the opportunity to visit nearby national forests and parks, immersing myself in nature and taking in the breathtaking vistas.

    • K
      May. 16, 2018

      Outlet Campground

      Little gem on the lake

      Wow! What a find! My daughter and I booked site 11 unseen and we jumped for joy when we drove up. A tiny little piece of beach, huge tent/picnic area. 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. Close enough to clean bathroom and the hosts were super friendly.

    • Christon C.The Dyrt PRO User
      Sep. 11, 2019

      Bonner County Fairgrounds

      Unknown Campground/RV Park

      Not very well publicized RV Park. Hopefully, this will help. We stayed here in July. It's a small park and spaces are close together. There is water and power hookups, and a dump station at the exit. The showers are okay. Could use a more regular cleaning.

    • Jeff W.
      Jun. 6, 2018

      Lionhead Campground — Priest Lake State Park

      Worked the State Park for a summer.

      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. The staff are all very friendly and nice to work with. The hand- scooped homemade ice cream is worth it alone! Kayaking up the thoroughfare to the upper lake is a great workout with some amazing and beautiful scenery and animals along the way. 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. Hunt lake trail is a beautiful trail to hike, but not for beginners. Priest Lake itself is a little chilly when first getting in to swim, but is very refreshing in the mountain heat. There are many good places to pick huckleberries all over the area! The campgrounds at the Indian Creek unit, which is where the headquarters and store are located, are very clean. There are plenty of RV and tent camping sites and 5 cabins available to rent. All cabins sleep different numbers of people, ranging from 5 to 9, the moose cabin being the largest and nicest. The cabins have no bathrooms or kitchens but boast fire rings and are right across from communal park bathrooms and showers. The lion head unit on the upper lake is about 12 miles up the road from Indian Creek turning into gravel about 8 miles up right before moose lake. It has a few smaller camper sites and many tent sites available. There is a maintenance shed along with a small ranger booth which also serves as a small store with ice and other foods and small supplies. There are first aid kits and radios available at all campground ranger booths. Priest lake has amazing fishing for rainbow trout, Mackinaw (lake trout), smallmouth bass, and Pike minnow (as the main species). The nearest town, Coolin, UD, is about 12 miles down the road. It is a small town with a store, a diner and a bar/ restaurant. The diner and restaurant have decent staple foods for what they have to offer. The store is fairly small but generally has most of the foods and supplies needed for restocking your camping food or obtaining the odds and ends you may have forgotten or overlooked at home. All around it is a beautiful place to visit with friendly staff and locals and I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking an unforgettable family camping experience.

    • mThe Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 6, 2023

      Bonner County Fairgrounds

      Great little campground

      Pros: nicely forested providing shade to many sites, inexpensive, tons of space to walk dogs, water and electric at sites, dump and water station easy to navigate. Conveniently located with a short drive into Sandpoint and all there is to do there. Cons: sites are small

    Guide to Porthill

    Pack River Dispersed Site offers the only free horse camping option within 40 miles of Porthill, Idaho. Located on Forest Service land at 2,100 feet elevation, these primitive sites have no designated facilities for horses but provide space for trailers and natural water access. Campsites are situated along both sides of the Pack River with areas suitable for tent camping or small recreational vehicles.

    What to do

    River exploration: Access the Pack River directly from camp for wading, fishing, or paddling. "There are several dispersed sites up here along Pack River. Good for horses, camping and solitude," notes a camper from Pack River Dispersed Site.

    Hiking options: Multiple unmarked trails branch out from the main access road, though not all are marked on maps. Priest Lake State Park offers more developed trail options. "I took full advantage of the numerous hiking and biking trails nearby, immersing myself in the stunning landscapes and fresh mountain air," reports a visitor to Bonner County Fairgrounds.

    Lake activities: Travel 45 minutes to reach Priest Lake for swimming and boating. "Paddle Boarding, boating, kayaking...all a great time!" shares a camper who stayed at Lionhead Campground.

    What campers like

    Privacy and seclusion: Pack River campsites offer separation from other campers with natural vegetation barriers. "A few sites available along this road. Lots of washboard/rutted sections on the road and some steep areas getting to certain campsites. On the river and very peaceful," writes one camper.

    Beach access at nearby lakes: While Pack River has rocky shorelines, nearby lake campgrounds offer sandy beaches. "Our spot was about 20 feet from the water. Sandy campsite is a nice change of pace from dirt," describes a visitor at Priest Lake State Park.

    Wildlife viewing: The area around Porthill provides opportunities to see deer, moose and birds. "The picturesque scenery and abundant wildlife made every outdoor adventure truly unforgettable," notes a camper from Bonner County Fairgrounds.

    What you should know

    Road conditions: Pack River access roads have significant washboard sections and become steep near some campsites. High-clearance vehicles recommended during wet periods.

    Limited facilities: No toilets, trash service, or potable water at Pack River. "Remember to leave no trace and pack out your trash!" cautions a reviewer at Pack River Dispersed Site.

    Reservation options: For those wanting amenities, nearby established campgrounds require advance planning. "Reservations are 9 months in advance and it is a phone call of luck that will get you this prime area," explains a camper at Priest Lake State Park.

    Tips for camping with families

    Alternative campgrounds: Families seeking more amenities might prefer established sites over Pack River. "Lionhead is by far my favorite campground of hundreds I've been to. There are numerous trails to explore and the beach is beautiful white sand with crystal clear water," recommends a visitor.

    Day trips: Plan visits to nearby attractions while staying at Pack River. "There's a day use peach nearby so was a little loud with volleyball players and day use people. The Lake is gorgeous!" notes a camper at Lionhead Campground.

    Pack extra supplies: No stores exist near Pack River Dispersed Site. The closest supplies are in Bonners Ferry, 30 minutes away. "We stayed in site 21 and our 34RLSA filled it up. So many things to do and see in this area!" shares a camper from Outlet Campground.

    Tips from RVers

    Size limitations: Most Pack River sites accommodate smaller RVs only due to narrow access roads and limited turnaround space.

    Site selection: Scout potential sites before committing, especially with larger rigs. "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," explains a visitor.

    Dump station access: No dump facilities exist at Pack River. Plan to use stations at established campgrounds. "Dump and water station easy to navigate. Conveniently located with a short drive into Sandpoint and all there is to do there," notes a camper from Bonner County Fairgrounds.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Porthill, ID?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Porthill, ID is Lionhead Campground — Priest Lake State Park with a 4.4-star rating from 11 reviews.

    What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Porthill, ID?

    TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Porthill, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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