Best Equestrian Camping near Ione, WA

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.

Spots are clean with fire pit and tables. Dirt trails on the water which is a beautiful little cove on lake Roosevelt. Bald eagles, and lots of bugs. Most often in the summer you can hear the big pow wows going on across the river at night. See a universe of stars and enjoy feeling close to nature in this uncomnercialized quaint small campground. Which btw, is ALWAYS full when I've gone there. The only downfall is that the local teens like to have big ragers there and when that happens its only USUALLY for one night then they leave but they get loud and obnoxious. I've experienced that happening 7 out of 10 times I've camped there. Good spot to fish, kayak, float a sun island, rock hound, bird watch, critter watch, rest, relax, and get, away from people.

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.