Princeton, Idaho camping options are situated in the Clearwater Mountains at elevations between 3,000-4,000 feet. The area experiences warm summers with temperatures typically ranging from 75-85°F and cold winters that drop well below freezing. Camping season runs primarily from May through September, though some heated accommodations remain accessible year-round, including the popular yurt rentals at Winchester Lake State Park.
What to do
Kayaking on lakes and rivers: Camp Coeur D'Alene provides equipment for water recreation with several visitors noting the availability of rentals. "We took the paddle boat our for a sunset cruise and it was a very memorable experience!" reports Angela F. The campground also offers "direct lake access and kayaks/peddleboats to rent," according to Reagan M.
Hiking along riverside trails: Hells Gate State Park features multiple hiking options ranging from beginner to intermediate levels. "The hiking trails are great with lots of options for easy hikes by the water or tougher ones up the mountain. Either way, you can't go wrong," shares Kyle G. Another visitor mentions that "the trail is wheelchair accessible. Great trek along the river. Watch for rattlesnakes in the area!"
Fishing for multiple species: Fishing opportunities abound across multiple lakes and rivers. "Kokanee fishing is great from March to about late July. The spawn begins in August, so the fish move up the reservoir as the season progresses. Smallmouth bass fishing is great! The Idaho state Smallmouth record was caught in this lake," notes a visitor about Dworshak State Park. Winchester Lake offers even more variety where "we caught: blue gill, trout, bass, crappie, perch, cat fish and had a small Tiger Muskie on the line but lost it."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: While many campgrounds in the Princeton area can get crowded during peak season, several offer more secluded options. At Laird Park Campground, "There are two loops at Laird Park campground, which I found to be very different. If you head left to the East loop, there are some nice, shaded and wooded spots." For those seeking quieter experiences, "Further up the road there is dispersed campsites that are large enough for large groups."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the cleanliness of facilities throughout the area. At Winchester Lake State Park Campground, visitors appreciate that "facilities are clean. Lots of trails, picnic areas, and boat docks." Another camper notes the "bathrooms are pit but are kept very clean!" while someone else mentions "There are vault toilets throughout the campground with one building that houses flush toilets and 2 shower stalls. They are older but squeaky clean."
Yurt camping options: Several state parks offer yurt camping near Princeton, Idaho as an alternative to traditional tent or RV camping. Winchester Lake State Park features heated yurts that "are perfect for fall and winter stays when temperatures drop. They come equipped with heaters, beds with mattresses, and access to nearby restroom facilities," according to park information. As one visitor simply stated about their yurt camping experience at Winchester Lake during winter: "I will definitely be back soon, even frozen it was very enjoyable."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak season. At Freeman Creek Campground, "We originally had a reservation for a view site with no hook ups, but upon arrival they had a hookup site(#104) available, and the temps were nearly 100 degrees, so we took it!" For Laird Park, however, one camper mentioned "Only reason for 4 stars is not being able to reserve a spot."
Seasonal considerations: Campground conditions vary dramatically by season. "The wind and rain came blowing in" at Boyer Park & Marina according to one camper. Others note that water levels change significantly throughout the year, affecting access to some areas. At Freeman Creek, a visitor noted that their visit was "Pretty even when the water was out."
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult access roads requiring careful planning. For Freeman Creek at Dworshak, a visitor warns: "THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP::::: Even though we loved the location, we won't be returning simply because of the road to get there. Google maps wrecked us- I selected 'quickest route' and had NO warnings that we would be driving up the narrowest gravel road with a 11% incline!!!!"
Tips for camping with families
Playground availability: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Pines RV Park, "There was a playground on site but other than that it's nothing special." The manager was noted as "very social" which one camper mentioned could be "a bonus" for those with "safety concerns with children."
Swimming accessibility: Dedicated swimming areas provide safer options for families with children. Chatcolet Campground at Heyburn State Park has "areas to swim" and is described as "a great location" if "you have kids." Winchester Lake is noted as "not a great lake for swimming, as it's loaded with thick algae" so families should plan accordingly.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children often enjoy spotting local wildlife. At Camp Coeur D'Alene, there's "nearby wildlife, including a resident moose. We didn't get to see her but enjoyed looking." At Dworshak State Park, "A lot of wildlife viewing too! If you are lucky you may see a black bear feeding on blackberries, deer are numerous, elk frequent the lake, and one of my favorites is to watch Osprey dive in the lake for fish."
Tips from RVers
Hook-up availability: Chief Timothy Park "has wonderful facilities including showers, store, laundry, many full hookup sites and plenty of space between pull through sites." For Winchester Lake, note that there are "No sewer hookups" though "There are 46 water and electric sites and 22 standard sites."
Length restrictions: RV size matters when selecting a campground. Winchester Lake accommodated a visitor with a "40ft RV" while they "had a great time!" However, at Chatcolet Campground, an RVer notes it's "Not big rig friendly. Maybe 30 ft."
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds have on-site dump stations. At Winchester Lake, "We were there for two weeks and they did have electricity and water hookups just no dump so we showered and used the bathroom facilities which were very well kept! So we didn't mind. There is a dump station just in town at the gas station there."
