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Sam Owen Sunset. Photo by Mike Hynes

Idaho Panhandle National Forests

Sam Owen Campground

Photo by Mike Hynes

Sam Owen Campground is located on a peninsula on the eastern shore of Pend Oreille Lake.  It has 82 sites nestled among a forest of cedar and pines.  There is a day use area with 18 picnic sites, paved parking lot, and a large beach and swimming area.  Part of the beach is pet friendly.  A group picnic area can accommodate up to 50 people.  A pavilion is also available for up to 50 people, and has electricity available.  A boat launch is located between the campground and day use area.  Near the day use area is an interpretive station with maps and historical information.

 

Prices:

  Single Sites:

    $28 for premier sites

    $26 for other sites

    $10 per extra vehicle

  Day Use:

    $8 per vehicle

    $52 for season pass

  Day Use Group Areas:

    $85 group picnic area

    $105 for pavilion

  RV Dump Station:

    $8 per dump

  Kayak/Paddleboard 4 hour slot:

    $32

  Kayak/Paddleboard full day:

    $52

 

Reservations:  Sites can be reserved at recreation.gov. Kayaks & paddle boards can be rented here. Group sites can be reserved one year prior to the first day of your camping stay. Most individual sites and rentals can be reserved 6 months prior to the first day of your stay.

Directions:  From the town of Sandpoint, ID travel 21 miles southeast on Highway 200. Turn right (west) on Peninsula Road, follow a paved county road south of the small community of East Hope, and continue about one mile to the campground entrance. The campground is divided by paved Forest Road #647, with camping loops on either side.  See map below.

 

Open Dates:  Opens one week before Memorial Day weekend (on Friday).  Closes the last Monday in September.

 

Amenities:  Flush toilets (and one vault toilet near the boat launch), drinking water, bear resistant dumpsters, and a single-bay RV dump station.  Roads and parking spurs are paved or compact gravel.

 

Nearby:  Sam Owen Trail # 4 is an accessible half mile trail to a scenic overlook of Owens Bay.  Shares a peninsula with the Sam Owen Game Preserve, so wildlife (such as deer and unique birds) is plentiful.  Lake Pend Oreille provides opportunities for fishing, canoeing, swimming and boating.

See more campgrounds managed by Scenic Canyons in the Idaho Panhandle National Forests.

For more information, visit the Forest Service website.

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