Priest Lake is a beautiful body of water located in the northernmost part of Idaho’s panhandle, just 80 miles away from Spokane, Washington. The lake stretches 19 miles in length and boasts a depth of over 300 feet.
Its northern end is located just 15 miles away from the border between the United States and Canada. In addition to the main part of the lake, which is known as lower Priest, there is also an upper Priest section that is connected to the lower part by a 2.5-mile thoroughfare.
Priest Lake is a popular destination for those who enjoy outdoor activities such as swimming, boating, and fishing. It is also a great spot for relaxation and taking in the area’s stunning natural beauty.
Priest Lake resorts and campgrounds offer an ideal vacation spot no matter what your preference may be. If you’re the type who enjoys roughing it out in the wilderness, then you’ll love the rugged camping opportunities available here.
On the other hand, if you prefer a bit of luxury as you take in the stunning waterfront views, Priest Lake has plenty of options to cater to your needs. In other words, this place has something for everyone!
The Inn at Priest Lake
The Inn at Priest Lake is an excellent choice for travelers visiting the charming town of Coolin, Idaho, located at the southern end of Priest Lake. This inn is ideal for leisure travelers as well as those in town for business.
It offers a budget-friendly environment and a range of amenities to ensure a comfortable stay, including a sun terrace and a pool for guest enjoyment. The hotel’s rooms feature a kitchenette, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and free parking available on-site.
During your stay, be sure to check out some of the nearby restaurants, such as Ardy Bakery & Cafe, Moose Knuckle, and Tyee Coffee Co, and don’t forget to explore the beautiful lake, all within walking distance of the hotel.Elkins Resort
Elkin’s Resort
Elkins Resort, a 4-star rated log cabin vacation resort that has been family-owned since 1932, offers guests the chance to experience the best in Priest Lake lodging. Located along the sandy shores of Reeder Bay on the west side of Priest Lake, this resort is set in the quiet and serene beauty of the forest and mountains.
Their 30 cedar cabins offer guests the chance to enjoy a touch of elegance while surrounded by nature, each featuring comforts such as granite fireplaces and HD TVs. This scenic hideaway is home to old-growth cedar forests, towering granite peaks, and pristine waterfalls, inviting you to relax and escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Elkins Resort is the perfect destination for family gatherings, long weekends, and quick romantic getaways.
Hill’s Resort
By far the most popular destination located on Priest Lake, and our personal favorite, Hill’s Resort sits directly on the shores in the midst of towering trees. The resort offers a variety of rustic accommodations, including condos, chalets, and cabins, many of which feature wood-paneled walls and stone fireplaces.
During the summer, the resort’s lakeside dining room serves American cuisine. Several amenities are available, such as tennis courts, a pickleball court, beach volleyball, playgrounds, loaner boats and kayaks, on-site beaches, and a marina.
The area offers a range of outdoor activities, such as huckleberry picking, hiking, biking, fishing, and water sports. The resort is also great for relaxing and soaking up the sun. In the evenings, guests can enjoy a meal at the resort’s restaurant and spend time with loved ones around a beach bonfire.
During the winter, Hill’s Resort is a cozy place to stay with cabins featuring warm fireplaces. The resort is also the starting point for over 400 miles of snowmobile trails, and there are plenty of opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the area.
For those who prefer indoor activities, the resort is a comfortable place to relax with a warm drink and a good book. Overall, Hill’s Resort is a special place where families can create memories and experience the beauty of nature throughout the year.
Lionhead Campground
If you want to get as far from civilization as possible, check out the northernmost campground in Priest Lake State Park, Lionhead. The campground is located at the far northern end of lower Priest Lake.
Keep in mind that this campground is quite remote and has basic amenities (such as pit toilets, but no plumbing or hookups). However, the surroundings are stunning, with a beautiful beach and campground.
The campsites are quite spacious and offer a good deal of privacy, but the car pads/parking spaces are relatively small. Additionally, there are very few sites in the park that can accommodate RVs. Even tent trailers will find it somewhat challenging to fit into the allotted space.
It’s a good idea to bring all of your food and beverages with you, as the drive back into town can be quite long. The camp host does sell ice, firewood, and ice cream for the kids, though.
Bartoo Island Campground
Bartoo Island is a true ‘off-grid” camping experience. The island offers 25 campsites that are perfect for those seeking a rugged but fulfilling camping experience on the serene shores of Priest Lake.
The island features 24 single sites as well as a group site, Sunrise Group Site, which can accommodate groups of 10-30 people and has been renumbered from site #001 to site #23. All of the sites on Bartoo Island can only be accessed by boat.
Campers are required to bring their own portable toilets and can check out toilet buckets at the Kalispell Boat Launch. Please note that this is a “pack it in, pack it out” facility with no drinking water available.
However, picnic tables and campfire rings are provided for your convenience. Matt spent time camping on this island with his family as a kid and his older brother, David, spent his honeymoon there.
A Must for Your Vacation Wishlist
Priest Lake is a stunning location that offers a range of attractions and activities for all types of travelers. From rugged camping to relaxing vacations, there is something for everyone at this amazing destination.
This is a great place to experience nature’s beauty and enjoy all it has to offer. If you are ever in the area, be sure to visit Priest Lake for a memorable experience.
I’ve never heard of Priest Lake Resorts before. From what I’ve read, it looks like a great place to go travel in the Northwest side of the country.
I’ve been more into doing outdoor stuff the last couple years, and I’m hoping to travel to a place that I’ve never been to before soon.
The Bartoo Island Campground looks like a good place to go camp out. I’ve been someone who’s been wanting to camp for some time.
For anyone new to camping, do you think it’s one of the best camping sites to go visit? Or would you put it at the top of your “best of” list?
Overall, a great article. I’ve never heard of this resort before- but it’s something I’ll consider. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Eric,
Thanks for the question!
I would say it’s just as good as any campground out there, even if you are new to camping. The fun part is that you have to take a boat there and that just adds to the adventure! Let me know if you ever make it up this way and try it out.
Priest Lake Resorts seem like the perfect get-away place for my sister who has a very hectic work schedule. She has been nagging me to find a place she could spend a few days in before filing for an official vacation leave.
My sister is very adventurous and enjoys the outdoors so much. She has been to many destinations but I don’t think she knows about Priest Lake Resorts. I am pretty sure she would fall in love with this place.
By the way, what would be the best time to visit Priest Lake and how many days should my sister spend there to take full advantage of all the fun adventures the place offers?
I think your sister would love Priest Lake! Especially if she craves the beauty of mountains and forests and, of course, lakes. Priest Lake is a very unique ‘get away from it all’ destination for sure. For an optimal experience, I’d say spend at least a couple of days and nights there. You won’t see everything it has to offer in that time, but you won’t leave disappointed either. Let me know if she ever gets up that way and what she thought about it.