Priest River
Priest River Campground is situated on the banks of Priest River, shaded by firs, cedars and pines, just upstream from the confluence of the Pend Oreille River.
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 | 20 |
| group shelter electric | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 48 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
21 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Priest River Shelter | Group | Group Shelter Electric | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 50 / 20 | ||
| 001 | PRIV | Standard | Pull-through | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 002 | PRIV | Standard | Pull-through | 48 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 003 | PRIV | Standard | Back-in | 48 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 004 | PRIV | Standard | Pull-through | 20 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 005 | PRIV | Standard | Back-in | 48 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 006 | PRIV | Standard | Pull-through | 48 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 007 | PRIV | Standard | Back-in | 48 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 008 | PRIV | Standard | Pull-through | 48 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 009 | PRIV | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | 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 9:00 AM, checkout 8:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 72 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Priest River Campground offers 20 campsites with amenities such as flush toilets and hot showers.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Priest River Recreation Area is 1 mile east of the town of Priest River on Highway 2. After the river it will be the first road on the right. The park is also known as the "Mudhole."
| Nearest town | Oldtown, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 48.1792° N, 116.8922° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireSilver
33 mi from the campground · 2,593 acres · 30% contained
- PrescribedLpr Rx - Paulke
42 mi from the campground · 331 acres
- PrescribedSl Rx - Ione
47 mi from the campground
- WildfireParker Lake
49 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 ↗ | 18.4 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 20.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | Blue Dog RV ↗ | 28.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
#528 COE Priest River Recreation Area Campground Review
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
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
On the National Register nearby
- Priest River Commercial Core Historic DistrictHistoric district · Priest River · 0.7 mi
- Hotel CharbonneauBuilding · Priest River · 0.8 mi
- Settlement SchoolBuilding · Priest River · 0.8 mi
Natural features
Albeni Falls Dam was built in 1955 for flood control and power production on the Pend Oreille River. Today, the popular lake has the added benefit of providing visitors with countless year-round recreational activities. Lake Pend Oreille is surrounded by scenic mountains and is one of the largest and deepest natural lakes in the western United States, plunging to depths of more than 1,200 ft. in some areas. Behind the dam, the Pend Oreille River stretches 65 miles through a glacial-carved valley that separates three mountain ranges.
Recreation
Water activities are popular at the campground including kayaking, fishing and swimming. The day-use area includes a picnic shelter, playground, softball field, swim beach, boat ramp and a large grassy area for family fun. Adjacent to the campground is the Priest River Wildlife area, offering excellent fishing as well as birding. Wildlife in the area includes bald eagles, osprey, a wide variety of birds, and deer.
Nearby
The Albeni Falls Visitor Center features exhibits on the history of the dam and the natural features of the area. Tours of the dam are given saturdays during the summer. The nearby town of Priest River, Idaho, offers gas and grocery services.
Guidebooks for Idaho
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Priest River?
Sites at Priest River are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Priest River?
Check-in 9:00 AM, checkout 8:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Priest River have?
21 sites, including 20 standard sites without power and 1 group shelter electric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Priest River?
The longest site here provides 72 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 pets allowed at Priest River?
Yes, pets are allowed at Priest River. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Priest River?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Priest River?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Priest River?
Water activities are popular at the campground including kayaking, fishing and swimming. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Priest River?
Oldtown, Idaho. The Albeni Falls Visitor Center features exhibits on the history of the dam and the natural features of the area.
Source: Getting there
What if Priest River is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Albeni Cove (5 mi), Riley Creek (5.8 mi), and Pioneer Park (7.8 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby