Kalispell Island Boat-In Campground
Idaho Panhandle National Forests — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Priest River, ID, ID
Price: From $15 per night
Rating: 4 out of 5 (43 reviews)
Season: May through October
Surrounded by clear waters of Priest Lake, the 52 sites on Kalispell 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 51 single sites on the island as well as one group site known as Three Pines Group Site. This Group Site is located on the southeast side of the island and has been renumbered from Site #001 to site #29 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/kalispell-island-boat-in-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Kalispell Island offers 52 tent sites on the peaceful shores of Priest Lake with clean, sandy campsites and water access. Campers consistently praise it as a magical, epic camping destination worth the effort to reach by boat.
Wildlife alert: Gray wolves, bald eagles, pileated woodpeckers, red-necked grebes, and three species of garter snakes present within 8km.
Insider tips for Kalispell Island Boat-In Campground: Book early—this is a popular federal campground that fills quickly. Arrive at the boat launch early for first-come, first-served site selection once on the island. Budget for overnight parking at the boat launch in addition to the $15/night camping fee. Site #7 and the Three Pines Group Site are confirmed options; sites are accessible only by boat.
Skip Kalispell Island Boat-In Campground if: You don't have access to a boat or cannot arrange boat transportation.. You require electrical, water, or sewer hookups—no hookups available at sites.. You need camping outside May through October—seasonal closure applies..
Best time to visit Kalispell Island Boat-In Campground: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only..
Nearby campgrounds: Bartoo Island Boat-In Campground (Priest River, ID), Luby Bay (PRIEST RIVER, ID), Outlet At Priest Lake (Priest River, ID), Reeder Bay (Priest Lake, ID).
Cell Phone Coverage at Kalispell Island Boat-In Campground
Cell signal at Kalispell 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 52 sites on Kalispell 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 51 single sites on the island as well as one group site known as Three Pines Group Site. This Group Site is located on the southeast side of the island and has been renumbered from Site #001 to site #29 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 popular federal campground that fills quickly.
Arrive at the boat launch early for first-come, first-served site selection once on the island.
Budget for overnight parking at the boat launch in addition to the $15/night camping fee.
Site #7 and the Three Pines Group Site are confirmed options; sites are accessible only by boat.
Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
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 →
Access to the campground is by boat only. To reach various boat launches around the lake, travel north from Priest River, Idaho on State Highway 57. 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. Then 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.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Kalispell Island Boat-In Campground cost per night?+
What season is Kalispell Island Boat-In Campground open?+
Does Kalispell Island Boat-In Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Kalispell Island Boat-In Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Kalispell Island Boat-In Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Kalispell Island Boat-In Campground?+
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●Data sources on this page
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