15 Best Things to do Priest Lake, Idaho in the Summer Sun!
For years we have dreamt of wandering around “Idaho’s Crown Jewel,” aka Priest Lake, one of the most remote and rugged towns in the state, nestled amidst the Selkirk mountains in the Idaho Panhandle. And this summer, we finally made it happen and loved finding so many fun off-the-beaten-path things to do!
What makes Priest Lake so unique is it’s the least developed and most pristine lake in the state, completely surrounded by state parks and national forests. Originally known as “Kaniksu Lake,” this region holds a rich history dating back to its days as a logging town!
Here you can explore the different regions of Priest Lake, wander through the towns and state parks that surround it, travel the thorofare to upper priest lake, hike to ancient cedar groves and waterfalls, then end the day with some oven-fired pizza.
In this blog post, we’re sharing the top things to do, see, and savor in Priest Lake, plus tons of helpful logistical information to help you navigate the area and plan your trip!
Originally known as “Kaniksu Lake” by Captain John Mullan in 1865, the lake’s name evolved over time to “Priest Lake.” According to local accounts, the name “Priest” was derived from the Kalispel Indian word “Kaniksu,” meaning “Black Robe.”
This term was used to describe the Jesuit missionary priests who worked among the Native American communities. As a result, you may come across older maps where the lake appears as Kaniksu Lake.
In the early 1890s, southern Italian immigrants flooded the Priest River area to contribute to the construction of the Great Northern Railroad. They established a settlement known as “Little Italy,” and their presence significantly influenced the region’s culture.
Despite early attempts at agriculture and mining, it was the logging industry that left a lasting mark on Priest River’s economy. The town became a thriving logging center, experiencing rapid growth in the early 20th century. The logging industry gradually extended its reach into the Priest Lake area, with annual log drives on the Priest River taking place each spring.
The Best things to do in Priest Lake Idaho
1. Boat Around Priest Lake
Undoubtedly, one of the most sought-after summer activities in Priest Lake is spending a day on the water. Known for being exceptionally clean, clear, and deep, the lake becomes irresistible on hot days.
The primary lake, lower Priest, stretches 19 miles in length and plunges over 300 feet deep. It is connected to Upper Priest by a 2.5-mile thoroughfare, offering even more exploration opportunities (more on that later).
With an impressive 80 miles of shoreline, surrounded by the Selkirk Mountains, there are endless water activities to enjoy, from jet skiing and wakeboarding to paddleboarding and kayaking.
What’s cool about priest lake are all the islands you can boat to and explore. Cruise to Kalispell Island, Pappoose Island, Fourmile Island, and Bartoo Island and see what awaits! Some even offer camping!
Around the lake, you can find over a dozen boat launches, providing convenient access to the water. Resorts and marinas in the vicinity offer various boating services, including gas availability, boat rentals, and more.
2. Explore Upper Priest Lake
For a more secluded and remote experience, venture to Upper Priest Lake a 3.5 mile long lake, which can be reached only by foot, mountain bike, or boat through the Thoroughfare. This narrow 2.5-mile waterway serves as the connection between Lower Priest Lake and Upper Priest Lake for watercraft.
Paddlers, such as kayakers and canoers, often enjoy navigating this water passage, especially since it is a no-wake zone.
To hike or bike to Upper Priest Lake, you can take the Upper Priest Lake Navigation Trail which is 9.7 miles out-and-back. We opted to just hike to Plowboy campground, which is about 6 miles out-and-back and absolutely loved it! We got the sandy beaches all to ourselves and even took a swim in the water!
The trailhead starts at Beaver Creek Campground about 12 miles north of Nordman. Be on the lookout for bald eagles, ospreys, ducks, and the occasional moose! Also, make sure to pack along some bear spray because bear activity is prevalent in the Kaniksu National Forest.
3. Priest Lake State Park
Priest Lake State Park actually has three separate units surrounding the lake! Plus, did you know that priest lake is one of the only state parks with pet-friendly beaches at both Indian Creek and Lion Head? You already know we brought our dogs along for a swim. The waters were so clean and clear!
Lionhead Unit: The Lionhead Unit, located on the western side of Priest Lake, is the largest among the three units, offering a wide range of recreational activities.
Indian Creek Unit: Situated on the southeastern shore of Priest Lake, the Indian Creek Unit is famous for its sandy beaches with a net for volleyball and a disc golf course and is an excellent starting point for water-based activities.
Dickensheet Unit: The smallest of the three units, the Dickensheet Unit is nestled on the southern side of the lake.
4. Get a Huckleberry Swirl Cone from Ardys Cafe
Family-owned and operated since 1998, Ardy’s Cafe is a restaurant and gift shop located on the east side of Priest Lake, in the town of Coolin that has perfected the art of combining the sweet and tangy flavors of huckleberries with creamy swirls of soft-serve ice cream, and it makes for such a refreshing treat after a hot day on the lake!
5. Hike To Roosevelt Grove of Ancient Cedars & Granite Falls
We did a great little day hike on the west side of the lake called Roosevelt Grove of Ancient Cedars & Granite Falls and it takes you to a 2,000-year-old living cedar forest. The trees in this virgin forest are massive and can get up to 12 feet in diameter and 150 feet tall!
What we loved about this hike is that it also features a waterfall! You’ll see a sign at start of the hike, go left and it leads you to the base of Lower Granite Falls where Granite Creek cascades down a narrow, sheer rock wall with a thunderous roar.
Head back to the main trail and hop on the one-mile loop trail where both Lower and Upper Granite Falls can be viewed from the observation point. Continue another 1/2 mile from the vista points, and you will arrive at the cedar grove. The hike length varies depending on which route you take, but we stuck to the overlook trail, which was about 2.8 miles in total.
This hike is located 13 miles north of Nordman on Forest Road 302 (an extension of State Highway 57).
6. Bike Around Priest Lake
If you’re a mountain biking enthusiast, you’re in for a treat at Priest Lake! The area offers a plethora of thrilling mountain biking trails to explore. Additionally, many hiking trails in the area, managed by the USFS, are open to mountain bikes.
One of the notable trails open to mountain bikes is the Lakeshore Trail. This scenic 14.4 mile trail runs along the northwest shore of Priest Lake, providing stunning views of the water and the surrounding landscapes.
You can access the Lakeshore Trail from either Reeder Bay Road on the south side of the lake or Beaver Creek Boat Launch on the north side.
Another option is the Upper Priest Lake Navigation Trail. This 9.7-mile round trip trail takes you through ancient forest growth. The trailhead is located at Beaver Creek Campground.
7. Visit Priest Lake Museum
For history lovers, The Priest Lake Museum, located in the Luby Bay cabin, is a must-visit!
The Luby Bay Ranger Station log cabin at Priest Lake is a significant legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).
Constructed in the 1930s, the cabin showcases rustic architecture and craftsmanship using handcrafted oil-treated tamarack (larch) logs. Over the years, it has served as a summer guard station, a home for Forest Service families, and currently houses the Priest Lake Museum.
Inside the cabin, you’ll find dozens of photographs and artifacts that provide insights into the CCC at Priest Lake, regional one-room schools, bootlegging, prohibition in the area, and the diverse wildlife that calls this lake home.
Head outside and explore the museum grounds to discover some of the most popular outdoor exhibits at the Priest Lake Museum. These exhibits feature pieces of equipment, a boat, and a pump house.
You can also study the nature garden, which features over 60 labeled plants found in the Priest Lake area!
The museum is open seasonally, starting from Memorial Day weekend and running until the end of September. From mid-June to Labor Day, it operates from 10 AM to 4 PM on Tuesdays to Sundays.
8. Explore the International Selkirk Loop
Take a road trip through the Selkirk Mountains and the Kaniksu National Forest, crossing the Canadian border on the International Selkirk Loop!
This 280-mile scenic drive has been crowned one of the prestigious All-American Road National Scenic Byways in the U.S.
As you travel along the Selkirk Loop, you’ll be tracing the historic paths once used for transportation by native tribes, intrepid explorer David Thompson, gold seekers on the Wild Horse Trail, and early settlers.
Plus, the main Loop includes a ferry ride across Kootenay Lake, the longest free ferry ride on the entire continent!
9. Dinner & Games at Millie’s
Millie’s, once known as “The Cedars”, is a historic tavern located in the heart of downtown Priest Lake.
Operated by Millie and Ward Adams in the past, it has a rich legacy as a popular bar parlor with a unique touch of silver dollars lining the bar top.
Though Millie and Ward are no longer with us, Millie’s spirit is said to linger, welcoming guests in her muumuu attire.
Today, Millie’s is renowned for its wood-fired pizza, vibrant music scene, and lively backyard offering various games such as sand volleyball, pickleball, and a kid’s playground. It’s a must-visit spot, open daily from 4 pm to midnight.
10. Play in the Water at the Day-Use Areas
If you don’t have a boat to cruise around on, no worries! You can still enjoy the lake at the numerous day-use areas around the lake.
One of the best (and free) areas to play in the water around priest lake is at Ledgewood Picnic Area. It’s located on the west side of the lake with beach access, picnic tables and fire pits!
Many campgrounds also have day use areas, such as Luby Bay, Reeder Bay, Beaver Creek and Outlet Campgrounds. There is a charge to use the Luby Bay Picnic Area, but day-use access is generally available at the other campgrounds at no cost.
It’s important to note that none of the resorts on the lake have public, day-use swimming/picnic areas.
11. Hike in The Selkirk Mountains
There are so many beautiful hikes you can do in the Selkirk mountains that surround the east side of priest lake, including Mount Roothaan, Chimney Rock, Hunt Lake, Lookout Mountain, and so much more!
We hiked to Caribou Lake, which is a 4.2 mile out-and-back trail that features a crystal-clear alpine lake (which is a great spot for a refreshing swim!)
12. Pick Huckleberries in the Idaho Panhandle National Forests
Huckleberries, native to the Pacific Northwest, are a cherished and sought-after fruit in the area. They grow wild in the pristine forests surrounding Priest Lake, and their distinct flavor is highly prized by locals and visitors alike. Huckleberries typically ripen in late summer, around July and August.
13. Cast a Line in Priest Lake
Mackinaw (lake trout) dominates Priest Lake, with trophy-sized fish not uncommon. The Idaho state record for Mackinaw, caught in 1971, weighed 57 1/2 pounds.
But other fishing opportunities abound as well, ranging from cutthroat fishing in the nearby alpine lakes to brook trout angling in the numerous streams in the Priest basin to catch-and-release fishing for bull trout in Upper Priest Lake.
Priest Lake permits year-round fishing with a daily harvest limit of six lake trout.
14. Float the Priest River
Priest River flows along a 44-mile course from Priest Lake to its confluence with the Pend Oreille River near the City of Priest River and offers
The river offers a variety of water conditions throughout the year, ranging from slow-moving sightseeing spots to fast-moving Class III rapids.
The views along the river are also diverse, passing through canyon-like settings, deeply-forested areas, and wide open pasturelands with the magnificent Selkirk Mountains as a backdrop.
As the runoff subsides and the summer season sets in, the water level of the river recedes, resulting in a slower flow that is suitable for most canoes, kayaks, and inflatables.
15. Priest Lake Golf Course
Located across the street from the Tamarak Shopping Village, this 18-hole, par 72 championship course weaves through rolling hills, wetlands, and ponds. Priest lake golf course offers four different levels of tee boxes: pro, men’s, women’s, and seniors.
Know Before You Go to Priest Lake
Stock up on Groceries: Surrounding Priest Lake, you’ll only find small grocery stores. The most substantial one is The Tamrak, located in Lamb Creek. Additionally, there are stores like Nordman Store & Post Office in Nordman, and The Leonard Paul Store in Coolin. However, it’s essential to manage expectations as these stores have limited offerings, and you may find the prices relatively higher than in more urban areas.
Camping Reservations: If you plan to camp at one of the campgrounds around Priest Lake, it’s advisable to make reservations in advance, especially during peak seasons. Some campgrounds may have limited availability, so booking early ensures you secure a spot.
Limited Cell Service: Due to the lake’s remote location, internet connectivity may be limited in certain areas. Make sure you download all your maps ahead of time.
Where to stay Near Priest Lake
The towns surrounding priest lake are small, so the lodging options are a bit more limited. The most prevalent lodging options are the resorts scattered throughout the lake area.
Resorts
Elkins Resort on Priest Lake: Nestled along the sandy shores of Reeder Bay, Elkins Resort offers 30 charming cedar cabins.
Blue Diamond Marina and Resort: Situated on the western shore of Cavanaugh Bay, is 5 miles north of Coolin, Idaho, and offers lakeside suites.
Hill’s Resort: Offers lakeside cabins, condos, and chalet style townhouses. Located down Luby Bay Road.
Camping
- Outlet Campground
- Osprey Campground
- Beaver Creek Campground
- Lion Head Campground
- Luby Bay Campground
Best Things To Do Priest Lake Idaho
Our visit to Priest Lake, Idaho was filled with so many unforgettable experiences. We had such a fun time exploring the area and discovering so many off-the-beaten-path things to do!
We hope this travel guide has helped you figure out the best things to do when you visit! Did we miss anything?! Let us know in the comments below!
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