Bartoo Island Boat-In Campground

Star3.83
29 reviews
32203 Hwy 57, Priest River, ID 83856, USA
Summer Destination

Quick Facts

2,400 ft

Price

$10 - $15/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

25 campsites

Season

Peak season: May 29,...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Idaho Panhandle National Forests site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Bartoo Island Boat-In Campground
$10.00 - $15.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Fees range from $15 per night during peak season (May 29 - September 14, 2025) to $10 per night for group sites during the first-come-first-served...
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Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$15.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
208-443-2512mthom@fs.fed.us
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What Campers Say

3.83

Mixed Reviews

Based on 29 reviews

5 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewsquietcleansites

"User reviews indicate mixed experiences at Bartoo Island Boat-In Campground. While its scenic beauty and secluded location are praised, issues such as rocky beaches, noise disturbances, and insect problems are also highlighted."

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Campground Map

32203 Hwy 57, Priest River, ID 83856, USA

Bartoo Island Boat-In Campground

32203 Hwy 57, Priest River, ID 83856, USA

Driving directionsCampground 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.
Access to the campground is only possible via boat. Kalispell Bay Boat Launch is accessible by paved roads, but no roads connect directly to Bartoo Island. Seasonal closures or navigational challenges are not mentioned.
Nearby places
Priest River (31 miles, approximately 45 minutes driving to boat launch)
Nearby supplies
Supplies can be obtained in Priest River, ID, including groceries, fuel, and camping essentials. Specific store locations are not listed.

Best Time to Camp at Bartoo Island Boat-In Campground

Summer transforms Bartoo Island into a sun-drenched paradise, with warm temperatures perfect for diving into Priest Lake's refreshing waters or lounging on secluded beaches. As autumn arrives, the surrounding forests burst into color while crisp mornings give way to comfortable afternoons. Winter brings a blanket of moderate snow and freezing temperatures, creating a peaceful frozen landscape occasionally blessed with perfectly calm, windless days.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Summer described as sun‑drenched; swimming, boating and group activities peak in season.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.0 / 5

Open as first‑come starting Sept 15; fewer services and mixed reviews for shoulder season.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.0 / 5

Season opens late May; early spring limited access and services before peak season.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground closed outside May 29–Oct 31; island sites not available for winter camping.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 29, 2025 - September 14, 2025. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Peak season: May 29, 2025 - September 14, 2025. First-come, first-served season: September 15, 2025 - October 31, 2025. Closed outside these dates.

About Bartoo Island Boat-In Campground

Escape to your own private wilderness on Bartoo Island, where 25 secluded campsites await those adventurous enough to arrive by boat. This pristine 219-acre island in the heart of Priest Lake offers a true back-to-nature experience—you'll need to bring your own portable facilities and drinking water, embracing the pack-it-in, pack-it-out ethos. Your reward? Unparalleled solitude surrounded by crystal-clear waters, wild huckleberry patches ripe for picking, and some of the finest fishing and swimming in the Pacific Northwest.
Bartoo Island Boat-In Campground provides diverse options for primitive camping, tent camping, and group camping. "There are 24 single sites on the island as well as one group site known as Sunrise Group Site."
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Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
No specific check-in time is provided.
Check-out
No specific check-out time is provided.
Stay Limit
You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit and up to 14 nights total within rolling 30 days.

Amenities available

Fire rings
Picnic tables
Group Sites

Activities you can enjoy

Bartoo Island offers a wealth of recreational activities catering to outdoor enthusiasts. "Visitors enjoy all types of boating from kayaking to canoeing to power boating up the 3.5-mile thoroughfare, which leads to the Upper Priest Lake Scenic Area." Additional popular activities include birding, wildlife viewing, swimming, and huckleberry picking during mid-July to early fall. Fishing is a highlight, with species like Mackinaw trout, Dolly Varden, Cutthroat, and Kokanee populating Priest Lake.
HikingNearby trails include the Lakeshore Trail (8 miles long along Priest Lake's northwest shores) and the Beach Trail, which extends between Outlet Bay Campground and Kalispell Bay Boat Launch.
FishingAnglers can fish for Mackinaw trout, Dolly Varden, Cutthroat, and Kokanee in Priest Lake's waters. "The waters of Priest Lake are home to record-breaking Mackinaw trout."
SwimmingSwimming is a popular summer activity at Bartoo Island, with beach access available for campers to cool off during warmer months.
BoatingBoating is a major activity at Bartoo Island, with options ranging from kayaking and canoeing to power boating. "The upper lake cannot be accessed by car, so water is an excellent navigation option."
Wildlife viewingPriest Lake provides wildlife viewing opportunities with species like bears, deer, and moose commonly observed. "Fantastic birding and wildlife viewing is available."
Beach activitiesBeach-related activities, such as swimming and sunbathing, are popular due to the campground's proximity to Priest Lake's shores.
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsBear activity requires campers to use approved food storage containers. Rocky beaches may pose challenges for boat parking, and campers should be cautious of inconsiderate neighbors playing loud music.
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Weather at Bartoo Island Boat-In Campground

Reviews

3.8
29 reviews
Mixed Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Bartoo Island Boat-In Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews indicate mixed experiences at Bartoo Island Boat-In Campground. While its scenic beauty and secluded location are praised, issues such as rocky beaches, noise disturbances, and insect problems are also highlighted.
Review Summaries
Based on 29 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive aspects frequently mentioned include the campground's stunning views, clean and quiet environment, and suitability for swimming and group camping. "The views from all sites were stunning!"
Based on 29 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include rocky beaches that make boat docking difficult, yellow jacket infestations, and noise disturbances from other campers playing loud music past quiet hours. "No place to park...
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Based on 29 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend bringing portable toilets, reserving adjacent sites for groups, and avoiding sites with rocky beaches if boat docking is essential. "I would highly recommend reserving all 3 sites...
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Based on 29 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer months are favored for swimming, boating, and group activities, while winter activities like ice fishing and snowmobiling are popular in colder months. Yellow jacket problems seem to peak...
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Based on 29 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Bartoo is one of my favorite places. Beautiful beach and clear cool water to swim in." "Very irritating and inconsiderate camper nearby who played loud music incessantly all day and past 10:00 pm."
Based on 29 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site #14: Best swimming area and boat docking facilities. Site #15: Great tent space but difficult for boat parking due to rocky terrain. Site #16: Large beach area ideal for children and swimming....
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Based on 29 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility is limited as the campground is only reachable by boat, and no specific accessibility features for disabled campers are mentioned.
Based on 29 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No user reviews explicitly addressing pet policies or experiences are available.
Based on 29 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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