Our family trip this summer took us up to the Idaho Panhandle, to an area just a few miles from the Canadian border in the Selkirk Mountains called Priest Lake. Since we’d be camping for over a week, I figured we’d go the state park route so that we wouldn’t have to brave vault toilets and avoid showering the entire time. Well, much to my chagrin, Lionhead campground does not, in fact, have flush toilets, nor does it boast showers. There ARE, however, flush toilets and showers at Indian Creek Campground (also in Priest Lake State Park) and your reservation at Lionhead will get you in for free. The jaunt from one campground to the other takes at least 20 minutes but it was well worth being clean for a day.
After arriving at Indian Creek Campground, we quickly discovered that, despite not having flush toilets and showers, Lionhead campground was definitely the better of the two. Less crowded, more shade, better scenery…it was far and above the best choice. Our campsite at Lionhead had ample space, easy access to running water, a short walk to a beautiful beach and gorgeous trees surrounding us on every side. Being close to a lake, however, the mosquitoes were pretty relentless, so come prepared.
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- Eating good grub.
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- Sand and little boys = happiness.
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- Chillin in the boat.
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- View of the lake from our campsite
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- This is the life.
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- My men.
All in all, it was probably one of our very favorite places we’ve camped. Next time we’ll be sure to stay a few days longer so we can canoe the Thorofare (there are boat rentals at the beach) to Upper Priest Lake, which is a no-wake zone, apparently. There are no services for miles so come prepared with plenty of food, gas, and tolerance for “roughing it”. The front entrance to the campground sells ice (2 bags per campsite) and ice cream, which saved Lily from eating the real food I’d prepared. We were filthy, our tummies were full, and our spirits satisfied by communing with each other and nature. Two thumbs up for Priest Lake.