Priest River
Lake Pend Oreille — lakeside, fishing
Location: OLDTOWN, ID, ID
Price: From $10 per night
Price range: $10–$75 per night
Rating: 4.3 out of 5 (114 reviews)
Season: Year-round
Priest River Campground is situated on the banks of Priest River, shaded by firs, cedars and pines, just upstream from the confluence of the Pend Oreille River.Albeni Falls Dam was built in 1955 for flood control and power production on the Pend Oreille River. Today, the popular lake has the added benefit of providing visitors with countless year-round recreational activities. Lake Pend Oreille is surrounded by scenic mountains and is one of the largest and deepest natural lakes in the western U
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, Flush Toilets, Showers, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/priest-river to be notified when sites open up.
Priest River Campground sits on the banks of Priest River surrounded by firs, cedars and pines, with excellent recreation including fishing, kayaking, swimming and a boat launch. Google reviewers consistently praise the clean bathrooms with free showers and safe environment for pets.
Wildlife alert: Bald Eagles, Wild Turkeys, Ruddy Ducks, American Wigeons, Northern Alligator Lizards, and Western Painted Turtles have been documented in the area.
Insider tips for Priest River: Book early — this is a popular federal campground Bring heavy mosquito spray despite clean facilities Off-highway parking and plowed loops available Adjacent Priest River Wildlife Area offers excellent additional fishing opportunities
Skip Priest River if: You need RV hookups — no hookups available at most sites; only suitable for self-contained RVs. You prefer longer stays — one reviewer noted declining satisfaction with extended stays.
Best time to visit Priest River: Year-round — Campground operates year-round; Army Corps handles plowing for winter access.
Nearby campgrounds: Albeni Cove (OLDTOWN, ID), Riley Creek (OLDTOWN, ID), Pioneer Park (NEWPORT, WA), Springy Point (OLDTOWN, ID).
Cell Phone Coverage at Priest River
Cell signal at Priest River (OLDTOWN, ID): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage · AT&T 5G: 100%
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage · T-Mobile 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.
Priest River Campground is situated on the banks of Priest River, shaded by firs, cedars and pines, just upstream from the confluence of the Pend Oreille River.Albeni Falls Dam was built in 1955 for flood control and power production on the Pend Oreille River. Today, the popular lake has the added benefit of providing visitors with countless year-round recreational activities. Lake Pend Oreille is surrounded by scenic mountains and is one of the largest and deepest natural lakes in the western United States, plunging to depths of more than 1,200 ft.
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
Bring heavy mosquito spray despite clean facilities
Off-highway parking and plowed loops available
Adjacent Priest River Wildlife Area offers excellent additional fishing opportunities
Campground operates year-round; Army Corps handles plowing for winter access
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 →
Priest River Recreation Area is 1 mile east of the town of Priest River on Highway 2. After the river it will be the first road on the right. The park is also known as the "Mudhole."
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 — Lake Pend Oreille fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Lake Pend Oreille before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Priest River cost per night?+
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Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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