Best Campgrounds near Spirit Lake, ID

Spirit Lake in northern Idaho features both developed and primitive camping options, with notable locations like Sedlmayer's Resort & Campground offering lakefront sites with RV hookups and cabin rentals. The surrounding area includes campgrounds within Farragut State Park and along the Coeur d'Alene River, giving campers choices ranging from full-hookup RV sites to more secluded tent camping experiences. Most established campgrounds provide amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and access to water, while several offer direct lake access for swimming, fishing, and boating activities.

Camping seasons typically run from May through September, with some facilities remaining open year-round. Many campgrounds require reservations, especially during summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly. The region experiences warm summers and cold winters, with spring bringing variable conditions including potential storms. Cell coverage varies throughout the area, with stronger signals near larger towns and limited service in more remote locations. Road conditions are generally good to most established campgrounds, though some dispersed sites may require high-clearance vehicles. As one visitor noted, "Northern Idaho is beautiful! I'm from Kentucky so maybe this is a best kept secret or it's just not well advertised, but the amazing scenery was a pleasant surprise."

Waterfront camping represents a significant draw for visitors to the Spirit Lake area. Campers frequently mention the quality of fishing opportunities, particularly along the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River where "the fish were jumping like crazy" according to recent reviews. Farragut State Park campgrounds receive consistently positive feedback for their spacious sites, privacy provided by trees and vegetation, and access to hiking trails around Lake Pend Oreille. The mature cedar trees at Sedlmayer's Resort provide welcome shade and privacy throughout the campground. Wildlife sightings, including deer and various bird species, enhance the camping experience in this region. For families, several campgrounds offer child-friendly amenities including swimming areas with sandy beaches and open spaces for activities.

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Best Camping Sites Near Spirit Lake, Idaho (214)

    1. Riley Creek Campground

    23 Reviews
    Cocolalla, ID
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 437-3133

    $35 - $75 / night

    "We were looking for a campsite in the Idaho Panhandle and discovered Riley Creek. After a 10 hour drive we arrived, drove to our spot and was greeted by an attendant who happened to be in the area."

    "Today I check out a great little campground/recreation area on Lake Pend Oreille( locally pronounced Pond Array")."

    2. Gilmore Campground — Farragut State Park

    16 Reviews
    Bayview, ID
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 683-2425

    $31 - $33 / night

    "Gilmore Campground Farragut State Park, Idaho Lake Pend Oreille

    Who Knew?!!

    I crossed the Montana / Idaho state line this morning and was pleasantly surprised at the AMAZING scenery ."

    "And Lake Pend Oreille is simply breathtaking.

    We had limited Verizon connectivity — 2 bars at most."

    3. Whitetail Campground — Farragut State Park

    15 Reviews
    Bayview, ID
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 683-2425

    "There is easy access to both Silverwood and Coeur D'Alene Idaho outside the campground. Apparently there is a former U.S. Naval brig turned museum at the park as well."

    "Farragut State Park in scenic Northern Idaho is a huge campground that is open year-round."

    4. Silverwood RV Park

    7 Reviews
    Athol, ID
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 683-3400

    "It's next to Silverwood theme park, so you can camp the night before, hit the theme park early, and then crash after a fun filled day. The spaces are close and very open."

    "5 minute walk to theme parks under the highway.  Site 74 backed up to a fence. Had no neighbors. But was furthest from the parks."

    5. Sedlmayer's Resort & Campground

    3 Reviews
    Spirit Lake, ID
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (208) 819-4370

    $49 / night

    "Located in northern Idaho and right on Spirit Lake, this campground has 31 RV sites that can accommodate various sizes of RVs."

    "The wifi was available, but only close to the restaurant.

    Full hookups are available for most sites. There is a private beach that was nice for swimming. Staff is friendly and helpful."

    6. Priest River

    11 Reviews
    Newport, ID
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 437-3133

    $10 - $75 / night

    "The bonus here is that it is close to Sandpoint, one of our favorite places we visited in Idaho."

    "However, there are some downsides to the spot and the campground that cannot be ignored. 1) It is very close to the highway so you hear the cars all day."

    7. Camp Coeur D Alene

    44 Reviews
    Coeur d'Alene, ID
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 664-4471

    $39 - $83 / night

    "Very cute campside with free cano’s to use"

    "Even though the sites are small and close together, they are at different levels as you go up the hill combined with the sites and cabins being tucked under the giant pines, gives you a sense of privacy"

    8. Round Lake State Park Campground

    14 Reviews
    Cocolalla, ID
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 263-3489

    $12 - $29 / night

    "This spot is very close to the main hiking trail, that leads around the lake and to the beach area. Probably about 15 feet away, down a slight hill."

    "Super clean, great back-in spots for RVs, awesome walking trails around the lake."

    9. Thimbleberry Group Camp — Farragut State Park

    7 Reviews
    Bayview, ID
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 683-2428

    "Being from Kentucky I now rank myself as a lightweight after visiting Farragut State Park and realizing the weather people camp during in Idaho!"

    "My favorite group camps are Thimbleberry (horse friendly) and Locust Grove (lake views). But there are 7 group camps to choose from."

    10. Bald Knob Campground — Mount Spokane State Park

    6 Reviews
    Blanchard, WA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 238-4258

    $27 / night

    "It doesn't seem like a heavily used campground, possibly because of it's close proximity to the city or maybe because there are no swimming areas nearby."

    "Lovely views, nice walks, nice camp pads, lots of trees to hang the hammocks, flush toilets, but no potable water."

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Recent Reviews near Spirit Lake, ID

876 Reviews of 214 Spirit Lake Campgrounds


  • B
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Round Lake State Park Campground

    Well kept with lots of amenities and activities

    60 dollars a night and checkout was at 1. Lots of amenities and we enjoyed the family environment. Definitely glamping but a perfect beginner spot. Lots to do; Fishing, hiking, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding etc. Great spot!

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Blackwell Island RV Park

    Coeur d’Alene Lakefront RV park

    Nicely located and well maintained large rv park on Lake Coeur d’Alene. This park offers both lake front and non-lakefront spaces with full hookups. This park offered free but poor WiFi unless in or near the club house. Kayaks speedboat in pontoon boats are available for rent from the front office. This park could use more foliage between sites otherwise a nice place to stay near downtown, stores and restaurants. We would stay here again.

  • Devon C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Shadowy St. Joe Campground — Idaho Panhandle National Forests

    Great Campground

    The Shadowy St. Joe Campground is a great place to stay. It has 14 sites total. With one taken by the camp hosts, all are paved, with space for 2 vehicles each, have fire pits, and a picnic bench, and electricity. 7 sites to reserve ahead of time on the meadow side that has grass and is spacious. There are 6 first come first serve sites, 2 on the meadow side, and 4 along the river. If looking to reserve a site, the numbers start with #1 closest to the entrance on the meadow side and grow larger in counter clockwise fashion. There is a day use area you can also reserve, with charcoal grills, and multiple picnic benches. There are several vault toilets and all are kept very clean by the 2 wonderful park hosts. There is a boat launch area for day use, with a small fee, but if camping there is no extra charge. There is 2 docks and if staying multiple days you can leave your boat on the dock overnight. It is supposed to be a no wake zone, but the signs have warn down, so we lost a bumper to our boat from crashing into the dock, from passing boat wakes. There is a couple of potable water stations available, with small hose spouts, but no water hookups at the sites. The sites are electric with 50amp, 30amp, and 110 plugs available. No sewer hookup at the sites, but there is a dump station at the fairgrounds in the town of St. Maries about 10 miles away. Phone service is spotty, texting easier and lots of dropped calls, but we like to unplug when camping. Dogs are allowed with no limits, just to stay on leashes at all times. The Lazy St. Joe River is boat passable up to St. Joe City, and all the way to Lake Coeur d'Alene if you want to adventure for a full day in the boat. Great for fishing too. Make sure to have Idaho invasive species tag for the boat if you are from out of state. The Sheriff and Park Rangers patrol daily and check. St. Maries has 2 grocery stores, and sports shop where you can get supplies, and fishing licenses. The town also has great shops, a swimming pool, parks, restaurants, and ATM/banks. This is a great little gem in the Gem State.

  • #1 National R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Soaring Hawk RV Resort

    Soaring Hawk Rv Park

    We love the park, people are very friendly. Very close to Heyburn State Park

  • Phillip C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Riley Creek Campground

    Pleasant Surprise

    We were looking for a campsite in the Idaho Panhandle and discovered Riley Creek. After a 10 hour drive we arrived, drove to our spot and was greeted by an attendant who happened to be in the area. They volunteered to help us spot our rig, we were fine. No help needed.

    This was an indication of how this trip would be. Very enjoyable! Power and water close. Level gravel pad, plenty of shade. Walking and biking trails galore. River was peaceful, large grass area, large playground for kids. Fairly full of couples and families surprisingly quiet.

    Close to town for any supplies you might need.
    We plan on returning.

  • andrew The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Crystal Gold Mine

    Ok, let’s try it

    We booked this campground as a stop on our way through and to the northwest. You can’t beat access from I-90. It’s so close you will listen to traffic your whole stay. That does not bother us at night, but kind of spoils the peaceful day. The spaces are big and open. There seem to be a lot of long timers but that’s fine. No laundry or bathhouse. Would probably pass next time and keep going to Cour d’alane to find a something a little nicer as a vacation spot. But if you need a place to stay for a night or two this will work ok. Very accessible. Young man at check-in very friendly. If you need to stop for the night and want FHU instead of a state park or rec area this place works.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Luby Bay Campground

    Relaxing in the trees by the lake

    We were here for one night in late August. The lake is beautiful and a great place to cool off just a short walk from our site. Very nice campground, clean and well maintained with paved roads and parking pads. We visited here during a very warm spell and all the shade was a blessing and it cooled off quickly once the sun went down. Maybe the best part there are very few bugs this time of year.

  • Matt S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Sam Owen Camnpground

    Decent Stop

    Stayed at site 80 in Scented Leafs section. Decent campground with mix of full sun/semi shaded sites. Campground was prob 50% full but many reserves signs starting Friday. Lake was excellent, warmer than expected. If you’re a cyclist, 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.

  • Matt S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Beehives Lakes

    Beehives Lake Dispersed

    Awesome single site adjacent to the Beehive Lakes trailhead parking lot.


Guide to Spirit Lake

Camping near Spirit Lake, Idaho, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Swimming and Boating: Many campgrounds, like Riley Creek Campground, provide access to the Pend Oreille River, perfect for swimming and boating. One camper mentioned, "Great swim area for families. And a boat launch."
  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Liberty Lake Regional Park for some great hiking. A visitor noted, "Great halfway between Rainier and Glacier," highlighting the park's accessibility and beauty.
  • Fishing: The area is known for its fishing spots. Campers at Camp Coeur d'Alene enjoyed the amenities, saying, "We really enjoyed using the free canoes," which adds to the fishing experience.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Bowl and Pitcher Campground stated, "Bathrooms were in AMAZING condition and staff was so friendly."
  • Privacy: Many campers enjoy the spacious sites. One visitor at Riley Creek Campground said, "All sites were nicely wooded, level and spacious," making it a great choice for those seeking a bit of solitude.
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Campgrounds like Gilmore Campground offer various activities. A camper mentioned, "This park has a lot of options. You can swim, boat, SUP, mountain bike, and hike."

What you should know:

  • Reservations Recommended: Popular spots can fill up quickly. A camper at Riley Creek Campground advised, "Not easy have to book way ahead of time."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may lack certain amenities. A review for Spokane KOA Journey noted, "The tent sites are not very good at all. The ground is so hard the stakes can't even go into the ground."
  • Noise Levels: Be prepared for some noise, especially near roads. A visitor at Bowl and Pitcher Campground mentioned, "Only complaint would be car noise."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with activities for kids. Campers at Camp Coeur d'Alene loved the pool and free firewood, saying, "Pool. Free wood. Free boats so much fun!"
  • Pack for Comfort: Bring extra gear for comfort. A family camper at Liberty Lake Regional Park noted, "Felt very safe for solo camping," which can be reassuring for families.
  • Plan for Meals: Some campgrounds have limited food options. A visitor at Spokane KOA Journey mentioned, "The office closed very early and was mostly not around," so plan meals ahead.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Gilmore Campground said, "Paved roads and level camp spots. Lots of room between sites."
  • Be Aware of Hookups: Some campgrounds may not have full hookups. A review for Thousand Trails Little Diamond pointed out, "There is no sewer at any of the sites which was not advertised."
  • Bring Extra Supplies: RVers recommend bringing extra hoses and cords. A camper at Spokane KOA Journey noted, "Had what looked like some permanent or long-staying folks," indicating a need for self-sufficiency.

Camping near Spirit Lake, Idaho, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. With a little planning, you can enjoy the great outdoors and make lasting memories.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Spirit Lake, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, Spirit Lake, ID offers a wide range of camping options, with 214 campgrounds and RV parks near Spirit Lake, ID and 17 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Spirit Lake, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Spirit Lake, ID is Riley Creek Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 23 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Spirit Lake, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 free dispersed camping spots near Spirit Lake, ID.

What parks are near Spirit Lake, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 parks near Spirit Lake, ID that allow camping, notably Idaho Panhandle National Forests and Lake Pend Oreille.