The best waterside campgrounds near Sandpoint, Idaho

Sandpoint draws campers who crave waterside views and easy access to lakes and rivers. With over 1,400 local spots, you’ll find campsites perched on lake shores, tucked beside creeks, or steps from the Pend Oreille’s banks. Expect average nightly rates around $59, though you can snag a site for just $20 if you plan ahead. The best-reviewed sites—like Paradise on Mirror Lake (361 reviews), A Wee Place in the Woods (317 reviews), and Under the Cedars (120 reviews)—let you wake up to bird calls and cast a line before breakfast. Most sites offer toilets, allow pets, and welcome campfires. Bring your fishing rod or binoculars; wildlife-watching and fishing are top draws, and in winter, snow sports are only a short drive away. Sandpoint camping isn’t about roughing it—it’s about relaxing by the water, coffee in hand, while the day unfolds around you.

97% (1.7K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Sandpoint

Sandpoint draws campers who crave waterside views and easy access to lakes and rivers. With over 1,400 local spots, you’ll find campsites perched on lake shores, tucked beside creeks, or steps from the Pend Oreille’s banks. Expect average nightly rates around $59, though you can snag a site for just $20 if you plan ahead. The best-reviewed sites—like Paradise on Mirror Lake (361 reviews), A Wee Place in the Woods (317 reviews), and Under the Cedars (120 reviews)—let you wake up to bird calls and cast a line before breakfast. Most sites offer toilets, allow pets, and welcome campfires. Bring your fishing rod or binoculars; wildlife-watching and fishing are top draws, and in winter, snow sports are only a short drive away. Sandpoint camping isn’t about roughing it—it’s about relaxing by the water, coffee in hand, while the day unfolds around you.

97% (1.7K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Sandpoint

1. Waterfront Adventures

96%

(62)

8.4mi from Sandpoint · 6 sites · Tents, RVs

Beautiful far reaching southern views, shallow warm water, boat into Sandpoint. Week days 10% discount. Kayaks are available for use in the bay. Hiking and biking, stargazing, kite flying, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Ski/snowboard at Schweitzer only 45 min drive to the mountain. Boat launch 2 miles away. A couple of mooring balls available, ask on availability. Shallow, soft, clay bottom. Two sandy beaches shared with Hipcampers and family. We have 4 kids. The beach with the dock between site 1 and 2 is also used by our family as well. Our place is a relaxed atmosphere and we enjoy meeting new campers visiting us. We do this because we enjoy sharing our space with others.

2. Lake Pend Oreille

100%

(6)

111 sites · East Hope, Idaho

A huge lake surrounded by mountains can mean only one thing: lots of fun!

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

3. Farragut State Park

80%

(5)

248 sites · Athol, Idaho

A northern Idaho camping spot known for hiking, mountain biking, and watersports.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

4. Colville National Forest

56%

(9)

680 sites · Ione, Washington

Shaped by behemoth glaciers that carved out the land over 10,000 years ago, Colville National Forest is a gorgeous treasure spanning 1.1 million acres (props to President Theodore Roosevelt for saving it). The lands include a number of geographic features including the Kettle River, upper reach of the Columbia River and the Selkirk mountain range, which is considered to be at the foothills of the Rockies. Residents (including several Native American tribes) and visitors enjoy camping, nearly 500 miles of hiking trails, mountain biking, lakes, rivers and some too legit to quit wildlife including grizzly bears, cougars, bald eagles and the last remaining herd of caribou in the US. That was almost starting to sound like an indie music festival lineup! Did we mention it’s an inspiring place? So much so that close to a million smackeroos was recently rewarded for continued restoration projects. Check the forest website for alerts and advisories.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

5. Kootenai National Forest

73%

(15)

333 sites · Yaak, Montana

Stand on top of pine covered mountains and bask in the glory of the valleys below at Kootenai National Forest. With highly primitive areas like the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness, you can stand in lands untouched by time and man. If solitude is what you’re seeking you’ll find it here by way of bikes, hikes, and horseback riding. With a herd of glacial lakes, rivers, and streams, anglers and wave riders will have their pick at places like Bull Lake, Lake Koocanusa, and the Yaak River. With impressive mountain scenes, winter sports for days (hello, snowshoes!), and exciting history and wildlife, it’s easy to see why the Kootenai is Montana’s best kept secret!

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

6. Coeur d'Alene Field Office

84 sites · Coeur D'alene, Idaho

Start your day at Coeur d’Alene Field Office with a jaunt down the scenic byway where every twist and turn will prove why locals call this spot “gem of the north”. Hike along Mineral Ridge or step into the stunning St. Joe river for some of the raddest salmon and trout fishing...ever. You can even boat in to your campsite at places like Popcorn Island. Backcountry camping is prime here. It's a chance to beat the crowds, see the best of the Coeur d’ Alene mountains, and you aren’t going to want to forget that camera. If you travel here in the winter, you'll see the insanely cool bald eagle migration. Every stretch of these lands is filled with a chance to discover the best of Idaho’s untouched wilderness; bring yourself or bring your posse, either way it’s a guaranteed gem to add to the list!

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

Public campgrounds near Sandpoint

100%

(3)

Springy Point Campground

3.3mi from Sandpoint · 38 sites · Tents, RVs · in Lake Pend Oreille

Lots of paved trails for kids and parents to bike. Spaces were close but not on top of each other. Very clean and very safe!

100%

(1)

Riley Creek Campground

13mi from Sandpoint · 39 sites · Tents, RVs · in Lake Pend Oreille

100%

(1)

Priest River Campground

17mi from Sandpoint · 20 sites · Tents, RVs · in Lake Pend Oreille

100%

(1)

Albeni Cove Campground

21mi from Sandpoint · 14 sites · Tents, RVs · in Lake Pend Oreille

80%

(5)

Farragut Campground

23mi from Sandpoint · 248 sites · Tents, RVs · in Farragut State Park

Pioneer Park Campground

23mi from Sandpoint · 17 sites · Tents, RVs · in Colville National Forest

Bead Lake Trail #127 Dispersed Campground

25mi from Sandpoint · 2 sites · in Colville National Forest

Bead Lake Boat Launch

25mi from Sandpoint · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · in Colville National Forest

Spar Lake Campground

28mi from Sandpoint · 13 sites · Tents, RVs · in Kootenai National Forest

South Skookum Lake Campground

30mi from Sandpoint · 50 sites · Tents, RVs · in Colville National Forest

Browns Lake Campground

31mi from Sandpoint · 36 sites · Tents, RVs · in Colville National Forest

Dorr Skeels Campground

33mi from Sandpoint · 8 sites · Tents, RVs · in Kootenai National Forest

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

J

Jolanda

September 2025

25 ft Class C

With kids

Weekend Trip to Waterfront Adventures

Great spot on the water. Host gave good directions and responded quickly. We loved the table they had set up right next to the water, Nice place to have lunch and also really enjoyed the kayaks.

M

Mary Ann

September 2025

35 ft fifth wheel

With pets

5 nights at Waterfront Adventures

We loved staying at this HipCamp. It was one of the best locations we have stayed. Literally feet away from the Pend Oreille River, the views were amazing. The hosts were very friendly and helpful. We had to change our plans and they worked with HipCamp to get two nights refunded even though it was outside their cancellation policy. We would definitely stay here again.

S

Shelby

September 2025

20 ft travel trailer

With kids

Weekend Trip to Waterfront Adventures

Stewart and Shawna's waterfront camp was AMAZING! We had a wonderful time. The water was perfect for kids of all ages. We had a large group and they were so kind and accommodating and it made for a great family camp out. It was great to be able to bring our dogs with us as well and have them off leash to run around and swim with us. They had some super fun water toys by the dock that everyone loved to play on. We will definitely return if we are in the area again.

T

Teri

August 2025

30 ft travel trailer

With pets

Weekend Trip to Waterfront Adventures

Great location. Beautiful view. Relaxing. The dogs loved playing in the water. No shade trees so remember to set up your camper to accommodate for that and bring shade.

M

Michelle

August 2025

40 ft Class A

Group trip

3 nights at Waterfront Adventures

Wonderful spot! Private and well kept, we would highly recommend it!

N

Nick

August 2025

19 ft travel trailer

With kids

2 nights at Waterfront Adventures

Stewart and Shawna’s place is amazing! Their kids were wonderful with mine, which made the stay even better. The property offers a stunning view, a private and relaxing setting, and an overall welcoming atmosphere. I would highly recommend booking with them!

S

Stacy

July 2025

20 ft Class B

With pets

1 night at Waterfront Adventures

Beautiful spot with great host. We were welcomed as we came in and directed to select an available spot. Enjoyed a campfire in the early morning. Bring your mosquito spray!

P

Pamela

July 2025

45 ft toy hauler

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Waterfront Adventures

Ample parking, beautiful view, and quiet. The type of hip camp you want to come back to every summer. Thank you for sharing your property with hipcampers. Felt very special.

H

Heather

July 2025

Tent

With kids

3 nights at Waterfront Adventures

We loved camping the past five nights on the water! Stewart and Shawna were extremely accommodating and communicative. We had reached out very early in the spring and they allowed us to drive out to check out the space before hand to assure we would fit comfortably. I had booked sites 2&3; we brought a 33 foot travel trailer, and my mother brought a 40foot 5th wheel. The two sites together were mowed down and fit us very comfortably. Our teenagers even pitched a couple tents on site. We also brought a 23ft tritoon boat that was kept at the dock. The boat launch was only a five minute drive away and we kept our car and boat trailer at camp as well with no extra charge. This spot was so perfect spot for our family! The kids loved the beach, they used the lily pad and kayaks daily. My toddler really loved the shallow water near the beach. The property/land was quiet, relaxing and very peaceful at these sites. We boated to Sandpoint on the 4th for the firework show - that was about a 30-45min adventure each way. The only advice for future campers is to bring lots of bug spray and citronella candles. The mosquitoes are thick (expected since you are literally right on the water). Thank you for a great (long) weekend Stewart & Shawna!!