Bartoo Island Boat-In Campground
Idaho Panhandle National Forests — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Priest River, ID, ID
Price: From $10 per night
Price range: $10–$15 per night
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (14 reviews)
Season: May through October
Surrounded by clear waters of Priest Lake, the 25 sites on Bartoo Island provide the ideal getaway for people looking for a rugged, but highly rewarding, camping experience on the peaceful shores of Priest Lake. There are 24 single sites on the island as well as one group site known as Sunrise Group Site. This group site has been renumbered from site #001 to site #23 for groups of 10-30 individuals.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: AT&T. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Drinking Water, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/bartoo-island-boat-in-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Bartoo Island offers 25 tent sites on the peaceful shores of Priest Lake with clear waters ideal for boating and fishing. The boat-in-only access provides a genuinely remote experience for campers seeking rugged solitude.
Wildlife alert: Gray wolves have been observed in the area within the past year. Bald eagles and red-necked grebes are common around the lake.
Insider tips for Bartoo Island Boat-In Campground: Book early — this is a federal campground with only 25 sites and high demand Bring your own boat or arrange water transportation before arrival; all sites are boat-access only Site #23 is the Sunrise Group Site for groups of 10-30 people if you're camping with a larger party
Skip Bartoo Island Boat-In Campground if: You need RV hookups or electrical service — no hookups available at any sites. You don't have reliable boat access to Priest Lake. You're planning to visit November through April — campground is seasonal.
Best time to visit Bartoo Island Boat-In Campground: May-October — Campground operates May through October only per verified seasonal schedule.
Nearby campgrounds: Kalispell Island Boat-In Campground (Priest River, ID), Luby Bay (PRIEST RIVER, ID), Outlet At Priest Lake (Priest River, ID), Osprey (PRIEST RIVER, ID).
Cell Phone Coverage at Bartoo Island Boat-In Campground
Cell signal at Bartoo Island Boat-In Campground (Priest River, ID): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: AT&T.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage · AT&T 5G: 100%
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Surrounded by clear waters of Priest Lake, the 25 sites on Bartoo Island provide the ideal getaway for people looking for a rugged, but highly rewarding, camping experience on the peaceful shores of Priest Lake. There are 24 single sites on the island as well as one group site known as Sunrise Group Site. This group site has been renumbered from site #001 to site #23 for groups of 10-30 individuals.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with only 25 sites and high demand
Bring your own boat or arrange water transportation before arrival; all sites are boat-access only
Site #23 is the Sunrise Group Site for groups of 10-30 people if you're camping with a larger party
Campground operates May through October only per verified seasonal schedule
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: AT&T.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
Campground is only reachable by boat. Travel north from Priest River, Idaho on State Highway 57 to various boat launches around the lake. To access the Kalispell Bay Boat Launch, travel on Highway 57 for 31 miles to Kalispell Bay Road. Turn east (right) until you reach West Lakeshore Road. Head south .5 miles to the boat launch.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Idaho Panhandle National Forests fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Idaho Panhandle National Forests before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Bartoo Island Boat-In Campground cost per night?+
What season is Bartoo Island Boat-In Campground open?+
Does Bartoo Island Boat-In Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Bartoo Island Boat-In Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Bartoo Island Boat-In Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Bartoo Island Boat-In Campground?+
What season is Bartoo Island Boat-In Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
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