North Idaho & Sandpoint Area Parks & Campgrounds

Sandpoint is a jewel that has been recognized by Sunset Magazine as The Best Small Town in the West, and by Outsider Magazine as one of America's Best Small Towns. However, when National Geographic Adventure named Sandpoint one its Top 10 Adventure Towns, they got it right. North Idaho and the surrounds of Sandpoint and Lake Pend Oreille, with the majestic Cabinet, Monarchs and other mountain ranges rising out of Alpine lakes and rivers is opulently beautiful. Camping and RVing is one of the best ways to see the area.

This resource provides access to all the camping areas, and our region's many parks.

North Idaho Campgrounds and RV Parks

Idaho State Parks by Region
 

Local Parks in Sandpoint, Idaho

3rd Avenue Pier is a 1/4 acre neighborhood park developed in 1995 for the need to provide more waterfront access and to address safety concerns of an old sewer outfall structure that predated the dams. Located on South 3rd Avenue, this park provides: 2 benches, picnic table, swimming and wading areas, 2200 sq. ft. of green space, and 1100 sq. ft. deck.

The 9th Grade Center Park area has a large green space that has been reverted back to the city after the closure and sale of the Junior High School. The park is located on Hwy 2 and Boyer and is 1.6 acres in size. It has a small backstop for youth baseball and softball and has a perimeter fence adjacent to Highway 200.

Albeni Falls Dam Recreation Area The Albeni Falls Dam area offers four recreation sites along the Pend Oreille River with sandy beaches, boat ramps and campgrounds. The river's winding path through the mountains offers protection from severe winds, creating a safe place for all types of small boating. Guided tours of the powerhouse may be arranged during the summer months. Albeni Cove Recreation Area near the dam has a boat ramp, swimming and picnic area. Priest River Recreation Site has a boat ramp, camping and dump stations. Riley Creek has a boat ramp, swimming, camping and hiking. Springy Point south of Sandpoint has a boat ramp, camping and an RV dump station.

The Concrete Lake, Sandpoint's new skate park!  Located 2102 Pine Street in Sandpoint ID Check it out!

The Dog Beach is a cool little beach not far from City Beach on the side of the Long Bridge. Walk about a couple hundred yards past the Conoco along the bike path 'til you come to the small sandy beach. Since dogs are not allowed at City Beach this is a nice alternative.

Farmin Park is located at 3rd and Main in the heart of downtown Sandpoint. The park was donated to the city by the Farmin family, the bandstand that is in the park was donated by Doug and Ed Hawkins' families, and the sidewalks and path system by the Sandpoint Rotary. The .8 acre park also includes picnic tables and pedestal BBQ's.

Farragut State Park is located 30 miles north of Coeur d'Alene on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho's largest lake. Once the world's second largest naval training station, today the 4,000-acre park provides a multitude of recreation opportunities. To the traditional activities of picnicking, swimming, boating, hiking and camping; visitors can add playing disc golf, visiting the Farragut Naval Training Center Museum, taking advantage of the orienteering course, model airplane flyer's field, taking the kids to the playground, and using the horseshoe pits and sand volleyball courts.

Lakeview Park, located at the corner of Ella Avenue and Ontario Street, is a 13 acre park where numerous community events are held, as well as, family picnics and reunions. Lakeview Park contains a picnic shelter, picnic tables, BBQ pits, tennis courts, basketball court, playground area, boat launch ramp, and although not owned or operated by the city, this park is the home of the Bonner County Museum and the Lion's Den meeting facility.

Mickinnick Trail, is a 3.5 mile trail (one-way) that "switchbacks" through 160 acres of  huge rock outcroppings, grassy meadows, and old growth timber. It is also graced with spectacular vistas of Lake Pend Oreille, Sandpoint, the Cabinet Mountains and the Pend Oreille River.  The top boasts an elevation of 4300' for a total elevation gain of 2150'. The land was originally donated by Nicky Pleass in 1997 to the U.S. Forest Service in memory of her late husband Mick Pleass.  Both Mick and Nicky envisioned a scenic trail directly above Sandpoint Idaho.  They wanted to preserve this scenic land for future generations and as a gift to the community.  In 2005 the trail was opened thanks to grants and partnerships between the Idaho Panhandle Resource Advisory Committee, the City of Sandpoint, Bonner County, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service and The Friends of Mickinnick Trail.

Directions: From Sandpoint point your car North on Boyer, Turn Left on Baldy Mt. Rd, Turn Right on Great Northern, Turn Left on Woodland Drive "crossing the tracks" the trail head is just up the road on your Left. :)

Pine Street Park is a 2 acre park located next to City Hall on Pine Street and is an excellent neighborhood park for general play. Pine Street Park has one little league size baseball field, 2 full size basketball courts, picnic tables, and a playground area containing a swing set and slide.

Sam Owen Park is next to our old home on the Hope Peninsula, 17 miles east of Sandpoint on Highway 200. The campground is run by Forest Service, and was donated by pioneers Sam and Nita Owen. It has 80 camp units, 1 group picnic site, 18 family picnic units, covered picnic shelter with 6 tables, flush toilets, potable water, boat ramp, beach, dump station. Attractions: Lake Pend Oreille, fishing, swimming, boating. There is a fee, with an additional fee for a second vehicle. There is a special day use fee as well.

Sandpoint City Beach is what Sandpoint is named for. While other areas around the lake are decidedly rocky, this is one of the few sandy beaches. It is located on the edge of Lake Pend Oreille and is a good place to swim or just sun. It is also home to many migrating species of birds. City Beach is the oldest and best known park is the City Beach Park which is an eighteen acre park located on Bridge Street. The City Beach is the busiest park in the system and is used for several large community special events. The amenities include: 2 restroom structures, concession area, picnic shelter with BBQ's, 2 boat launch ramps, playground area, tennis courts, basketball court, horseshoe pits, 2 life guarded swim area (in season), 2 marinas, and boat sewage pump out station. The park is open 4am to 11pm. Projects recently completed or underway at the beach include a brand new restroom facility on South Beach scheduled for completion on Nov. 30th and a newly re-shingled roof on the beach hut.  View City Beach Slide Show

Sandpoint Community Hall is a log framed structure located at 204 S. 1st Street. This building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the focal points of the city. The main portion of the building is log and was constructed by the United Servicemen Overseas (USO) in 1936 for the servicemen stationed at Farragut Naval Station. An addition of 840 square feet was added in 1945 by the Boy Scouts of America and is still used by that organization. The 5400 sq. ft. building contains a large kitchen, large meeting room "floor were just redone", 2 small meeting rooms, and restroom facilities. To reserve this facility contact the City Clerks Office: (208) 263-3317 To download the clean up check list to be turned into the Clerks Office when returning the key Click Here

Sandpoint Outdoor Shooting Range is a 6 acre park located on Baldy Mountain Road and has been improved to its current condition in 1990. Amenities include: 14 covered shooting lanes with benches and stools, pole barn style structure used for weather protection, 12' x 12' secure storage / range master facility, emergency telephone for communication with the City Police Department, and 6' chain link fence around entire range perimeter. Scheduling for the range is through the city and is open to the public only when volunteer range masters are present.

Springy Point Recreation Area is located on the shores of the Pend Oreille (pond o'ray) River with views of the Cabinet and Selkirk Mountains. The campground offers 38 campsites (no-hookups). Park gates lock at 10 pm and reopen at 7 am. Other amenities include a dump station, hot showers, a boat ramp, pay phone, a swimming beach and beautiful sunsets over the Pend Oreille. Area attractions include shopping in Sandpoint, Silverwood Theme Park about 15 minutes south on US 95 and biking or hiking across the Long Bridge into Sandpoint. The Schweitzer Mountain Resort 30 miles away offers mountain biking adventures. Throughout the summer the Festival of Sandpoint provides the camper with the opportunity to attend a concert or symphony. For the bird watchers or moose watchers, a short trip up to the Pack River Area to watch wildlife provides a great day trip.

Travers Park, located on Pine Street, boasts 24.5 acres and has a wide variety of amenities, including 3 full size softball diamonds, a medium size baseball diamond, soccer fields, football fields, and 2 tennis courts. The children play area includes a slide, swing sets, and youth climbing apparatus.

Trestle Creek Recreation Area Eagles are frequent winter visitors along this shoreline and ospreys fish these waters spring, summer, and fall. But these wildlife creatures are not the only visitors. For those who want to take advantage of the great open water access for boating, swimming, or enjoying a picnic, Trestle Creek Recreation Area is a great stop. The day use area maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and is complete with boat launch, restrooms, picnic tables, and swimming beach. Privately operated RV parks are adjacent neighbors for extended visits.

War Memorial Field, which is located right next to Lakeview Park on Ontario Street, is dedicated to the memory of the Bonner County servicemen lost in battle during WWI, WWII, Korean, and Vietnam Wars. It has traditionally been named the home field for the Sandpoint High School Bulldogs. The park also hosts the Festival of Sandpoint in July and August and various other community activities throughout the year. The field is used for football, soccer, and baseball. There is a large restroom and concession building for these sport activities. Memorial Field also includes a 2,700 square foot field house, 865 seat capacity covered grandstand, 400 seat capacity portable bleachers, and 140 seat capacity baseball grandstands.

Covered picnic areas at City Beach, Lakeview, Travers, or Farmin Parks are available for reservation.  Fee is $30 for the whole day.  Reservation notice is posted at the location to advise others of your reservation. To make a reservation, please call Sandpoint Parks & Rec. Department at 263-3613. To print the reservation application Click Here

Other Areas along the Pend Oreille Byway

Other Idaho Parks, National Monuments, & National Forests

Boise
Caribou
Challis
City of Rocks - National Reserve
Clearwater
Coeur d'Alene
Craters of the Moon - National Monument
Curlew National Grassland
Hagerman Fossil Beds - National Monument
Kaniksu
Lewis and Clark - Historic Trail
Nez Perce
Nez Perce - Nat. Historic Site
Oregon - Historic Trail
Payette
Saint Joe
Salmon
Sawtooth
Targhee
Yellowstone

North Idaho Campgrounds and RV Parks

As usual, my promise is to work 24/7 for my clients, and always be available, not only in areas of real estate, but in mentoring new businesses, finding the right schools, and helping with your job search in this place, your new home.

Gary Lirette, REALTOR® Tomlinson Sandpoint Sotheby's International Realty
208-610-1384
gary.lirette@sothebysrealty.com

To learn more about our area, visit one of our 50 websites:

www.SandpointID.net

www.RealEstateSandpoint.net

www.WaterfrontHomesSandpoint.com

www.SkiSchweitzer.net

www.RealtySandpoint.com