Bell Bay Campground
Idaho Panhandle National Forests — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Harrison, ID, ID
Price: From $26 per night
Price range: $26–$112 per night
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (61 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/bell-bay-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Bell Bay Campground offers prime lake access on Coeur d'Alene Lake with two distinct camp loops—one hillside with views and one shoreline—plus the Bell Bay Trail for lakeside hiking and excellent trout, salmon, and panfish fishing.
Wildlife alert: Osprey are present in the area; moose (Orignal) have been documented within 8km. Watch for Steller's Jays and keep food secured. Garter snakes are common but non-threatening.
Insider tips for Bell Bay Campground: Book early—this is a federal campground with only 16 sites and high demand Choose upper loop for lake views or lower loop for direct shoreline access depending on your preference Bell Bay Trail is a 1-mile foot path around the lake shore—excellent for day hikes without leaving camp No RV hookups available; only self-contained RVs are suitable
Skip Bell Bay Campground if: You need RV hookups—none are available at most sites. You require year-round camping—seasonal operations May through October only. You prefer larger campgrounds—only 16 total sites means limited availability.
Best time to visit Bell Bay Campground: May-October — Campground operates only May through October per official season dates.
Nearby campgrounds: Beauty Creek Campground (Coeur d’Alene, ID), Mokins Bay Campground (Hayden Lake, ID), Shadowy St. Joe Campground (Saint Maries, ID), Honeysuckle Campground (Hyrum, ID).
Cell Phone Coverage at Bell Bay Campground
Cell signal at Bell Bay Campground (Harrison, ID): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage
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.
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.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.
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 16 sites and high demand
Choose upper loop for lake views or lower loop for direct shoreline access depending on your preference
Bell Bay Trail is a 1-mile foot path around the lake shore
excellent for day hikes without leaving camp
No RV hookups available; only self-contained RVs are suitable
Campground operates only May through October per official season dates
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Bell Bay Campground cost per night?+
What season is Bell Bay Campground open?+
Does Bell Bay Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Bell Bay Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Bell Bay Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Bell Bay Campground?+
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Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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