Outlet At Priest Lake

Star4.38
124 reviews
5538 W. Lakeshore Road, Priest River, ID 83856, USA
FishingSummer Destination

Quick Facts

2,500 ft

Price

$30 - $60/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

3 campsites

Season

Open from May 16 to ...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Scenic Canyons Recreational Services, Inc. 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
Outlet At Priest Lake
$30.00 - $60.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Facility rates vary by season and campsite type, ranging from $30 to $60 per night during peak season. Fees do not reflect discounts, taxes, or...
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Standard Site Fee$30.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
435-245-6521
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What Campers Say

4.38

Recommended

Based on 124 reviews

46 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewscleanspaciouslake

"User reviews for Outlet at Priest Lake are mixed, with most praising the cleanliness of the bathrooms, scenic views, and spacious campsites. However, complaints about camp host behavior, overflowing trash cans, and poorly managed quiet hours are common. Sentiment ratings average at 4.189."

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Campground Map

5538 W. Lakeshore Road, Priest River, ID 83856, USA

Outlet At Priest Lake

5538 W. Lakeshore Road, Priest River, ID 83856, USA

Driving directionsFrom I-90, turn at Post Falls Highway 41 north to Newport, WA. Take Highway 2 east to Priest River. At the junction of Highway 57 and Highway 2, turn left. Drive 26 miles to Outlet Bay Road. Turn right for approximately 0.5 mile. Turn left on Lake Shore Road. Proceed 0.5 mile to Outlet Campground on the right.
The campground is accessible via paved roads. Roadways and parking spurs within the campground are also paved. There are no reports of seasonal closures or challenging terrain.
Nearby places
Priest River (approximately 26 miles), Kalispell boat launch (approximately 7.5 miles north)
Nearby supplies
A public dump station is located 5 miles north of the campground at Upper Luby Bay on Highway 57. Kalispell boat launch is about 7.5 miles away and may offer additional supplies for boating and fishing enthusiasts.

Best Time to Camp at Outlet At Priest Lake

Summer transforms Outlet Campground into an outdoor paradise, with July bringing those perfect camping days you dream about—warm sunshine filtering through pine boughs, temperatures climbing to a comfortable 65°F, then cooling to a crisp 42°F for ideal sleeping weather. The dry mountain air and gentle breezes create conditions that outdoor enthusiasts cherish, while minimal rainfall means more time for adventures. Even on the warmest afternoons, the elevation keeps things refreshingly cool, making this an ideal retreat from sweltering valley heat.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.5 / 5
Top 23% in ID

Summer described as 'outdoor paradise' with warm days, many activities and positive seasonal reviews.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.5 / 5

Open through Sept 28; early fall likely pleasant though peak-season issues and closures later in fall.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.0 / 5

Open starting May 16; limited spring season and mixed reviewer notes about early-season conditions.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground closed to reservations from Sep 28 to May 15.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 16 - September 28. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open from May 16 to September 28 during the reservable period. Closed to reservations between September 28 and May 15 with no booking available.

About Outlet At Priest Lake

Perched on the pristine southwest shore of Priest Lake, Outlet Campground offers an unforgettable escape into Idaho's wilderness wonderland. Here, where crystal-clear waters meet towering Selkirk peaks, visitors discover a perfect blend of rugged natural beauty and modern camping comfort. Days are filled with endless recreation—cast a line into legendary fishing waters, paddle across mirror-like surfaces, or explore scenic trails that wind through ancient forests. After sunset, gather around the campfire as stars emerge above the mountains, then retreat to your site along smoothly paved roads. With accessible facilities, bearproof storage, and a inviting swimming beach just steps away, Outlet delivers the authentic outdoor experience you crave without sacrificing convenience.
Outlet at Priest Lake accommodates RV and tent camping, including two walk-in tent sites. Campsites are organized into three loops, with sizes and privacy varying.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Check-in starts at 11:00 AM on the first day of reservation.
Check-out
Check-out is at 11:00 AM on the last day of reservation.
Stay Limit
Maximum of 14 consecutive nights during a visit and 14 nights total within rolling 30 days.

Amenities available

Potable water
Flush toilets
Dump station
Fire rings
Food storage lockers
Picnic tables

Activities you can enjoy

Outlet at Priest Lake offers a variety of recreational activities, including water sports such as kayaking, canoeing, power boating, and fishing. Hiking opportunities abound with Beach Trail #48 and several other trails nearby. Wildlife viewing is popular, and visitors often spot moose, black bears, deer, elk, and eagles. Seasonal swimming and biking are also available.
HikingHiking opportunities include Beach Trail #48, an 8-mile scenic trail along Priest Lake, and other trails such as Peewee, Steep Creek, and John Wayne Trails. The Chipmunk Rapids Trail offers views of Kaniksu Marsh, Priest River, and Chipmunk Rapids.
FishingFishing is popular at Priest Lake, which boasts a history of record-breaking catches such as the world's largest Mackinaw trout in 1963. Fishing for trout and other species is available.
SwimmingA swimming beach is available. Reviews highlight a shallow swimming area ideal for children, such as one stating, 'The swimming spot is also very nice as it is pretty shallow for quite a long way, so it is safe for kids to play.'
BikingBiking is supported by trails and paved campground roads. One user noted a nice loop for kids to ride their bikes.
BoatingKayaking, canoeing, and power boating are popular activities on Priest Lake. Reviews indicate convenient access to Outlet Bay for watercraft launching.
Wildlife viewingVisitors frequently spot moose, black bears, wolves, deer, elk, and eagles. One reviewer described deer coming within 20 feet of their campsite.
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsBear activity necessitates proper food storage. Sloping terrain at certain campsites may pose challenges for tent placement.
Food Storage RequiredBearproof garbage cans are available; food storage lockers are not explicitly mentioned.

Weather at Outlet At Priest Lake

Reviews

4.4
124 reviews
Recommended
Recommended
Outlet At Priest Lake is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews for Outlet at Priest Lake are mixed, with most praising the cleanliness of the bathrooms, scenic views, and spacious campsites. However, complaints about camp host behavior, overflowing trash cans, and poorly managed quiet hours are common. Sentiment ratings average at 4.189.
Review Summaries
Based on 124 reviews

What Campers Love

Highlights include comments about clean and well-maintained bathrooms, spacious campsites, and scenic views of Priest Lake. Reviewers also appreciated the variety of recreational activities and the...
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Based on 124 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints include the behavior of certain camp hosts, overflowing garbage cans, lack of enforcement of quiet hours, and sloping campsites that make tent setup difficult.
Based on 124 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Users recommend bringing bug spray for mosquitoes, confirming quiet hours before booking, and being prepared for limited beach space and sloped campsites.
Based on 124 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Positive experiences are generally reported during the summer, with warm days and cool nights. Some visitors expressed dissatisfaction with noise levels and host behavior during peak season.
Based on 124 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Bathrooms were clean twice a day and the garbage was emptied twice a day.' 2. 'Be advised that there are no showers at this campground, but there are flushing toilets and sinks.' 3. 'Clean...
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Based on 124 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site-specific feedback highlights lakeside campsites as preferable, though sloping terrain is an issue in some areas. For example, one user noted, 'Our campsite was literally sloping down towards the...
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Based on 124 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessible flush toilets and paved roads make the campground moderately accessible. No specific details are provided about ADA compliance.
Based on 124 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, but one reviewer noted issues with pet waste near the lake, stating, 'Unfortunately, people with dogs didn't pick up after them, especially near the lake.'
Based on 124 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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