Searching for the perfect place to pitch your tent near Porthill? The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of Porthill, Idaho's most popular destinations.
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.
Solomon Lake offers a developed site in a remote area, with moderate road access. Solomon Lake is locally popular and receives heavy use. Facilities are best suited for single families or groups with a focus on day use. Camping and large group use are common, in addition to short term fishing and picnicking.
$7 / night
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.
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.
$15 / night
Photo of the thorofare which connects Upper Priest Lake to Priest Lake and provides access to Upper Priest Lake campgrounds.Plowboy Campground is loacted on the southwest shores of Upper Priest Lake, with majestic views of the Selkirk Crest. Five campsites are furnished with fire rings, picnic tables, and bear-proof storage boxes. Plowboy is easily accessed by boat or by the Navigation Trail. Please note that this campground has a Pack It In, Pack It Out policy on all garbage.
Traveler
This campground seems to be designed for and attract mostly RV campers with boats since there is a boat launch at this facility. There are only 6 small tent camping spots right next to the dam's bright lights. The tent sites are VERY close together so there is a lack of privacy and only 1 tent spot per site. Campsites have a fire ring and picnic table. We noticed that the campground sprinklers come on in the morning and spray the tent sites so beware of where you place your tent. There is a potable water spigot next to where the tent site parking is but the bathrooms are a little bit of a walk. We didn't see any staffing while we were there but the bathrooms, which had flushable toilets and handwashing sinks, were well maintained. There is a picnic shelter area and rocky shore area you can hang out on. Pee Wee Falls is a short paddle (1/4 mile?) around the right side bend from the boat launch area. We went Labor Day weekend and we were the only tent campers the first night (Friday) and then a single tent camper showed up the next day. The RV sites were packed full when we arrived very late Friday night. We had a great stay since we were one of the only tent campers and it's a free campground with all the basic amenities we needed to be comfortable.
Scout
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.
Guide
The tent sites are private and not too close together. Very nice campground host and clean restrooms. We spent the night in the upper section and it was peaceful and quiet.
Guide
Cute little RV park off the highway. Very quite with a small lake. Families can enjoy fishing, swimming, yard games, fire pit, and very dog friendly with a fenced dog park. We are tent campers and had a nice spot on lake. only a few tent sites. Super clean bathrooms with hot shower.
GuideLionhead is by far my favorite campground of hundreds I’ve been to. it’s designed more for tent camping of very small rv’s such as truck campers or tent trailers. There are numerous trails to explore and the beach is beautiful white sand with crystal clear water. Indian Creek is also nice and has a store with everything you could need and ice cream by the scoop. Indian Creek also has full and partial hookup sites - free hot showers- and boat slips to rent.
Guide
Pulled into this campground in our RV in late September and only encountered one other party in the campground. Loved the remote setting. We were able to snag a spot close to the river, so we slept to the sound of rushing water. I’d estimate that half the primitive spots could fit a medium sized RV, the others are car/tent sites.
Scout
We enjoyed our time at this camp. Most sites are for RVs, but we got a tent site. Unfortunately, my two year old son didn’t settle for bed easily when camping. I ended up in hotels a couple nights, just because I didn’t want to bother the other campers. The time I did stay there was nice. The hosts are very helpful and kind as well.
ScoutA very nice small campground. About 2/3 of the sites are full hookups. Rest water and electric. Tent sites. Owners are great people. Very helpful for sure. They have a path you can walk down right to the Kootanie river with chairs and picnic tables to sit on. Very nice. Grounds are clean and tidy. Owners care a lot about their customers. Bathrooms are clean. Showers also clean. Would recommend staying here if your in the area.
ScoutTo start off, I rarely write reviews. We were in the area in August of 2019 and we stopped here to potentially tent camp. We went inside and asked if there was anything available for the night. We wanted a quiet campground with access to the Kootenay River in which they had both. So one of the owners let us check out the sites and trail to the river. However, we wanted something right on the river and it was a little bit of a walk to gain access to it.
We went back in and said we wanted something along the river and the owner recommended a different campground further down the road. (Which ended up being a great recommendation.) She didn't have to do that. She wasn't greedy whatsoever. That's how businesses should operate. That what makes people want to come back because of little stuff like this. I even offered to buy some firewood because she recommended a different campsite and she told us to get it at the camp in which we were staying.
That's why I'm writing this review because it's hard to find good service like that anymore. Although we didn't stay here, I highly recommend this campground. Great service, very clean, and nice atmosphere.
GuideEnded 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
GuideMy family and I go camping every July at Priest Lake. Luby Bay is our favorite because we have boats, RVs, tent and hammock campers. There is a white sand beach (unusual for N ID) and we can tie up our boats there for easy access. The campgrounds are safe for kids, well maintained and supervised by camp hosts. The toilets have running water and are clean. 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.
Guide
A real gem of a find! Although the campsites are not lakefront, it's only a short walk to the day use area with a fishing dock, boat launch and dock, and a nice public area. Although the lake isn't particularly large, the people we saw fishing were catching. There appears to be 8 sites, one of which is outside of the gate which may be locked after the end of September. At least half of the sites have a nice sized tent area. Most people were tenting when we were there. We arrived at 2pm on a Wednesday and had 4 sites to choose from
Guide
Showers, laundry, WiFi, small store. River access and a swimming pond. Owners are really nice. 4 tent spots or overflow parking. Nice and long with electric and water spouts
Traveler
Great site to connect with the lake, but didn't enjoy the tent spots available. Ground was hard and mostly prepared for RVs.
Scout
Clean bathrooms and water close by. The tent pads are level and usually rock free. The park keeps the campgrounds clean and accessible. We spend a lot of our summer here. 🤙🏼
Guide
The most beautifulest place in the world. Really busy. Off season is best. It's like the Caribbean on north Idaho.
Guide
If you like paved and well maintained camping this is a very nice spot. Lot of camping spaces, many along the river. Nice, clean facilities. They have firewood available for you. RV and tent spots. The Yaak is a beautiful area!
Guide11 camp spots , pit toilets and 1 yurt. The yurt was $25/night with reservation and the tent spots where $7.
Easy accsess to the water.
There are four campground along this road. Yaak falls, red top (only 3 spots) white tail, and Pete’s creek.
Scout
Johnie and his staff are over the top to accommodate. We stayed in the cabin and it was clean, warm, comfortable. Located central to sights in Idaho as well as Montana. We will be back next year. Guided fishing tours available as well as great food.
Guide
The best of both worlds! Who loves kayaking and car camping? Why not both?? A group of us stocked up our kayak and we trekked out to Kalispell Island! Storms all around us but the views were beautiful. Nature is beautiful. Set up our hammocks, tents and brought out fishing poles.
Traveler
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.
Traveler
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. Camp hosts are almost invisible, but there if you have questions. Lots of children playing and riding bikes through the campground makes this one of our happy places.
Traveler
If you enjoy seclusion and remoteness this is a wonderful place. Beautiful scenery with spectacular sunsets overlooking the lake from the camping areas. Not intended for big rigs 20 to 25-ft maximum. And only two spots out of the five will accommodate anything larger than a van. The other three spots are great for tents or van campers.
RangerThis campground has camping on both sides of the Yaak river. I would not recommend anything over 25 ft but that's me. Our 34RLSA 5er couldn't get in. Deep woods feel with all the trees and shade. Solar would be a challenge. 40 or so sites water spigot available. Beautiful area. 6 miles east if Idaho border.
Traveler
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.
TravelerWe camped here on the last night of our Flathead area trip and I have to say this site was easily my favorite place we stayed. We pulled in around 2 PM on a weekend and had no problem finding a spot. This campground works best for tents but you could pull in with a small trailer. The short walk to the river makes for great swimming and picture taking. There is some highway noise but it is not a heavily used road. Would highly recommend this campground.
LegendTent 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.
Tent camping near Porthill, Idaho offers a serene escape into nature, with a variety of campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts seeking tranquility and adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Porthill, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Porthill, ID is Brush Lake Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 34 tent camping locations near Porthill, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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