Bell Bay Campground
Bell Bay Campground is a prime place to set up camp on Coeur d'Alene Lake. The upper camp loop is on a hill overlooking the beautiful lake, while the lower loop sits on a short ridge along the shoreline.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Idaho · 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 | 10 |
| Tent-only | 5 |
| group standard area nonelectric | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 43 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
16 sites in 3 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 002 | LOWER | Standard | Pull-through | 40 | Paved | 8 / 1 | Yes | Yes | ||
| 003 | LOWER | Standard | Pull-through | 24 | Paved | 8 / 1 | Yes | Yes | ||
| 004 | LOWER | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 005 | LOWER | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | 8 / 1 | Yes | |||
| 006 | LOWER | Tent only | 25 | Paved | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||||
| 007 | LOWER | Tent only | 25 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | |||
| 008 | LOWER | Tent only | 25 | Paved | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||||
| 009 | LOWER | Standard | Pull-through | 36 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 010 | LOWER | Tent only | 25 | Paved | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||||
| 011 | LOWER | Tent only | 25 | 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 | 43 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 002, 003 are listed accessible |
Bell Bay campground offers six reservable single family sites and several other sites that are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. There is also a large group campground on the upper loop that can accommodate up to 60 guests. Drinking water, vault toilets and campfire rings are provided. The lower loop has two docks where boats can be moored. The walk from the docks is fairly steep but short.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Season | Late May to Late September |
| Forest | Idaho Panhandle National Forests |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Pinehurst, Idaho, take Interstate 90 west and turn south on Highway 3. Make a right on Highway 97 and continue north for 13 miles. Turn west onto Road 314 (also known as East Point Road) and continue 3 miles to campground.
| Nearest town | Harrison, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 47.4764° N, 116.8414° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 3 mi |
| RV sales & service | Bobby Combs RV Centers ↗ | 15.6 mi |
| Outdoor gear | North 40 Outfitters ↗ | 16.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
A Photographic Tour of Bells Bay Campground on Coeur d'Alene Lake. Www.idahocampground
Worth a stop
The town of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, on the northern side of the lake, is a popular destination. About an hour away, the area offers paddle boat rentals, ferry rides, sea plane rides and more.
- 13 miMineral Ridge Boat Launch ↗Boat launch
- 13.5 miKillarney Lake Picnic Site ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miBell Bay0.5 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
Idaho Panhandle National Forests begins about 3.1 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 3.1 miIdaho 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
- Harrison Commercial Historic DistrictHistoric district · Harrison · 3 mi
- Silas W. Crane and Elizabeth, HouseBuilding · Harrison · 3.1 mi
- Bellgrove School IIBuilding · Rockford Bay · 5.1 mi
Natural features
Located in the Panhandle of northern Idaho, the campground is surrounded by a forest of Ponderosa and other mixed pines. It lies on the southeast shores of Coeur d'Alene Lake just north of Harrison, Idaho. The lake spans 50 square miles, offering countless recreation opportunities and scenic views for visitors.
Recreation
Hikers enjoy the Bell Bay Trail, a foot path that runs for a mile around the lake shore. The lake beach offers plenty of opportunities for fishing, swimming, power boating and canoeing. Anglers enjoy the abundance of trout, salmon and panfish in the vast lake.
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 Bell Bay Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Bell Bay Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Bell Bay Campground have?
16 sites, including 10 standard sites without power, 5 tent-only sites, and 1 group standard area nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Bell Bay Campground?
The longest site here provides 43 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 Bell Bay Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Bell Bay Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Bell Bay Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Bell Bay Campground?
Sites 002 and 003 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 Bell Bay Campground?
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 Bell Bay Campground?
Hikers enjoy the Bell Bay Trail, a foot path that runs for a mile around the lake shore. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Bell Bay Campground?
Harrison, Idaho. The town of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, on the northern side of the lake, is a popular destination.
Source: Getting there
What if Bell Bay Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Beauty Creek Campground (12.1 mi, partly first-come), Mokins Bay Campground (22.8 mi), and Shadowy St. Joe Campground (23.4 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby