Due to possible construction, Sam Owen may be closed for the 2026 season.

 

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:

$32 for premier sites

$30 for other sites

$10 per extra vehicle

Day Use:

$8 per vehicle

$52 for season pass (can be purchased online for an additional $2)

Day Use Group Areas:

$94 group picnic area

$116 for pavilion

RV Dump Station:

$8 per dump

Kayak/Paddleboard Rental:

$32 for 4 hours

$52 for full day

 

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 at noon. To see the most up-to-date season dates, please visit recreation.gov.

 

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.