Sam Owen
Sam Owen Campground is nestled on the banks of Lake Pend Oreille in a densely wooded forest of pine and cedar. Popular activities include hiking, canoeing, swimming and boating in summer, and skiing in winter.
More like this: reservable in Idaho · big rigs in Idaho · pets allowed in Idaho · group sites in Idaho
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 78 |
| group shelter electric | 1 |
| group picnic area | 1 |
| Host/management | 2 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 60 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
80 sites in 6 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 045 | DANC | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 046 | DANC | Standard | Pull-through | 48 | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 047 | DANC | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | 8 / 1 | Yes | |||
| 048 | DANC | Standard | Pull-through | 40 | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 049 | DANC | Standard | Back-in | 48 | Paved | 8 / 1 | Yes | |||
| 050 | DANC | Standard | Pull-through | 45 | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 051 | DANC | Standard | Back-in | 42 | Paved | 8 / 1 | Yes | |||
| 052 | DANC | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | 8 / 1 | Yes | |||
| 053 | DANC | Standard | Pull-through | 45 | Paved | 8 / 1 | Yes | |||
| 054 | DANC | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Paved | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 60 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 055, PAV are listed accessible |
Amenities include a picnic area, paved overflow parking areas and an amphitheater for educational programs. Campsites do not have electric hookups but a group picnic shelter has electricity and lights. Accessible flush toilets, drinking water and a dump station are provided.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Season | Mid May to Late September |
| Forest | Idaho Panhandle National Forests |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Sandpoint, take State Highway 200 east 21 miles. Turn right on Peninsula Road (County Road 1028) and continue 1 mile to the recreation area.
| Coordinates | 48.2167° N, 116.2831° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireSilver
33 mi from the campground · 2,593 acres · 30% contained
- WildfireParker Lake
48 mi from the campground · 1,531 acres · 1% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | North 40 ↗ | 13.6 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 22.4 mi |
| RV sales & service | Everything RV ↗ | 35.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Sam Owen Campground, Idaho Panhandle National Forest | Best Campsites
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miSam Owen ↗1.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.3 miStrong Creek ↗7.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 3.8 miMt. Eagen2.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.9 miPorcupine Lake1.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.3 miAuxor Mine OHV2.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 4.7 miBeetop-Roundtop ↗19.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Idaho Panhandle National Forests.
- inIdaho Panhandle National Forests ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,943,333 acres
- 3.8 miKootenai National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,622,202 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- W. A. Bernd BuildingBuilding · Sandpoint · 12.8 mi
- Sandpoint Burlington Northern Railway StationBuilding · Sandpoint · 12.8 mi
- Sandpoint Community HallBuilding · Sandpoint · 12.8 mi
Natural features
Sam Owen Campground is situated on a peninsula on the east side of Lake Pend Oreille in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, at an elevation of 2,000 feet. The lake spans 82,088 acres and has 125 miles of shoreline. The well-loved campground shares a peninsula with the Sam Owen Game Preserve, which provides plenty of opportunities to see wildlife up close. Deer are very easy to spot, and watching for unique birds is a rewarding activity.
Recreation
A beach draws crowds of sunbathers and swimmers. Visitors also like to hike the half-mile, accessible Sam Owen Trail #4. The trail reaches a beautiful vista of Owens Bay, where hikers can rest on benches and take in the astonishing view. Anglers take pleasure in catching kamloops, Dolly Varden, northern pike, trout and catfish. A boat ramp and dock are located on-site.
Nearby
The Pend Oreille Scenic Byway is well worth exploring.
Guidebooks for Idaho
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Sam Owen?
Sites at Sam Owen are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Sam Owen?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Sam Owen have?
82 sites, including 78 standard sites without power, 1 group shelter electric, and 1 group picnic area.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Sam Owen?
The longest site here provides 60 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Sam Owen?
Accessible flush toilets, drinking water and a dump station are provided.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Sam Owen?
Yes, pets are allowed at Sam Owen. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Sam Owen?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 2 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Sam Owen?
Sites 055 and PAV are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Sam Owen?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 4G LTE, and T-Mobile 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Sam Owen?
A beach draws crowds of sunbathers and swimmers. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Sam Owen is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Springy Point (13.9 mi), Spar Lake Campground (15.6 mi, first-come), and Big Eddy Campground (19.5 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby