Kalispell Island Boat-in Campground
Campground · Idaho · 52 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
- 52
- Bookable sites
- up to 30
- People per site
- 2,436 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Surrounded by clear waters of Priest Lake, the 52 sites on Kalispell Island provide the ideal getaway for people looking for a rugged, but highly rewarding, camping experience on the peaceful shores of Priest Lake. There are 51 single sites on the island as well as one group site known as Three Pines Group Site. This Group Site is located on the southeast side of the island and has been renumbered from Site #001 to site #29 for groups of 10-30 individuals. All sites are only reachable by boat.
A popular activity among visitors is to kayak, canoe, or power boat up a 3.5-mile thoroughfare, which leads to the Upper Priest Lake Scenic Area. The upper lake - just like Kalispell Island - cannot be access by car, so water is an excellent navigation option.
Recreation
Priest Lake is less than an hour from the Canadian Border, nestled deep below the crest of the Selkirk Mountains. Surrounded by the natural beauty of Northern Idaho and the mile-high mountains, this 25,000-acre lake offers clear, blue waters reaching depths of 300 feet.Fantastic wildlife viewing is available on the 2.5-mile loop trail that encircles Kalispell Island, offering phenomenal lake views and bird watching opportunities.
The waters of Priest Lake offer anglers access to record-breaking Mackinaw trout, Dolly Varden, Cutthroat and Kokanee.
Facilities
Most campsites require campers to bring their own portable toilets. They can check out toilet buckets at the Kalispell Boat Launch. Kalispell Island can only be accessed by boat. No drinking water is availabe and this is a pack it in, pack it out facility. Picnic tables and campfire rings are provided
Natural Features
Kalispell Island is one of seven islands scattered throughout Priest Lake. Kalispell is the largest of these islands, spanning 264 acres, and is shaped like a tooth.Priest Lake, at a 2,400 foot elevation, is one of the top three largest lakes in Idaho. To the north, the lake connects to the Upper Priest Lake, divided by a narrow channel, which can be passed through by boat.
Nearby Attractions
Hike the Lakeshore or Beach Trails that traverse along the west shore of Priest Lake. The Beach trail extends between Outlet Bay Campground and the Kalispell Bay Boat Launch. The Lakeshore Trail runs for 8 miles along the northwest shores of Priest Lake.In winter, ice fishing, shoe shoeing and snowmobiling on nearby trails entertain visitors.
The facts
- 52 bookable sites
- Up to 30 people per site
- Loops: Cottonwood, KALISPELL ISLAND GROUP SITE, Kalispell Vista, North Cove, Peninsula, Rocky Point, Schneider, Selkirk, Shady, Silver Beach, Silver Cove, Three Pines, West Shores
Site types
- 51 Boat In
- 1 Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Picnic tables
- Grills
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups.
52 campsites at Kalispell Island Boat-in Campground
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Access | Water | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | Cottonwood | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 029 | KALISPELL ISLAND GROUP SITE | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 30 | 🐾 |
| 51 | Kalispell Vista | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 52 | Kalispell Vista | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 45 | North Cove | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 46 | North Cove | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 47 | North Cove | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 48 | North Cove | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 49 | North Cove | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 8 | Peninsula | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 9 | Peninsula | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 36 | Rocky Point | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 37 | Rocky Point | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 38 | Rocky Point | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 39 | Rocky Point | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 40 | Rocky Point | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 41 | Rocky Point | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 42 | Rocky Point | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 43 | Rocky Point | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 44 | Rocky Point | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 10 | Schneider | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 11 | Schneider | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 12 | Schneider | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 13 | Schneider | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 14 | Schneider | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 26 | Selkirk | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 27 | Selkirk | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 50 | Shady | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 15 | Silver Beach | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 16 | Silver Beach | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 17 | Silver Beach | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 18 | Silver Beach | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 19 | Silver Beach | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 20 | Silver Beach | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 21 | Silver Beach | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 22 | Silver Beach | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 23 | Silver Cove | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 24 | Silver Cove | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 25 | Silver Cove | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 28 | Three Pines | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 30 | Three Pines | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 31 | Three Pines | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 32 | Three Pines | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 33 | Three Pines | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 34 | Three Pines | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 1 | West Shores | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 2 | West Shores | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 3 | West Shores | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 4 | West Shores | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 5 | West Shores | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 6 | West Shores | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 7 | West Shores | Boat In | — | — | Boat In | Lakefront | — | 10 | 🐾 |
Getting there
To access the Kalispell Bay Boat Launch, travel on Highway 57 for 31 miles to Kalispell Bay Road. Turn east (right) until you reach West Lakeshore Road. Then head south .5 miles to the boat launch.
48.56389, -116.89333 · 48°33'50.0"N 116°53'36.0"W
Typical weather
Typically 83°F in Jul, down to 31°F in Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 32 | 37 | 46 | 57 | 68 | 74 | 83 | 83 | 72 | 54 | 38 | 31 |
| Low °F | 22 | 22 | 26 | 31 | 39 | 44 | 48 | 46 | 39 | 32 | 27 | 22 |
| Precip in | 4.0 | 2.6 | 3.4 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 2.6 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 2.9 | 4.2 | 4.5 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 14.9 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Kalispell Island Boat-in Campground
- Can you reserve a site at Kalispell Island Boat-in Campground?
- Yes, Kalispell Island Boat-in Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Kalispell Island Boat-in Campground have?
- 52 sites.
- Are pets allowed at Kalispell Island Boat-in Campground?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Kalispell Island Boat-in Campground.
- Are campfires allowed at Kalispell Island Boat-in Campground?
- Campfires are allowed at Kalispell Island Boat-in Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Camping near Kalispell Island Boat-in Campground
- Bartoo Island Boat-in Campground 1.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Luby Bay 2.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Outlet AT Priest Lake 3.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Reeder Bay 4.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Osprey 4.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Beaver Creek (Idaho) 11.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Kalispell Island Group Site and other Campgrounds 0.4 mi · Campground
- Bartoo Island Group Site/Campgrounds 1.5 mi · Campground
- Luby Bay Campground 1.7 mi · Campground
- Osprey Campground 4 mi · Campground
- Outlet at Priest Lake Campground 4.5 mi · Campground
- Plowboy Campground 14.2 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone 208-443-2512
- Email mthom@fs.fed.us
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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