Outlet AT Priest Lake

Campground · Idaho · 27 bookable sites ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

27
Bookable sites
70 ft
Max rig length
up to 16
People per site
2,541 ft
Elevation
Outlet Campground Site 12
Photo: Scenic Canyons Recreational Services, Inc. · Recreation.gov

Overview

Outlet campground is located on the southwest shore of Priest Lake at the headwaters of Priest River. Campers come to Outlet for sunshine, fishing, boating, kayaking, and the breathtaking views of the rugged Selkird Mountains of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests.

Recreation

Visitors enjoy kayaking, canoeing, and power boating on Priest Lake and up the 3.5 mile thoroughfare that leads to the Upper Priest Lake Scenic Area. The upper lake cannot be accessed by car. Fishing, swimming, bird and wildlife viewing are popular activities, as well. Beach Trail #48 runs through Outlet campground and stretches northward along an 8-mile scenic part of Priest Lake. Off-highway vehicle enthusiasts will find authorized trails like the Peewee Trail, Steep Creek Trail, and John Wayne Trail. Hike the Chipmunk Rapids Trail that traverses along the Kaniksu Marsh, Priest River, and Chipmunk Rapids.

Facilities

Outlet campground has three loops, two upper view sections and one lower lake-side section. Roadways and parking spurs are fully paved. There are RV and tent sites (two of which are walk-in tent sites). Campsites vary from very large, capable of parking an RV and a boat trailer, to small, camper size, with lake side and lake view sites. Some of the sites are heavily wooded, while some are found in opened areas. Campground amenities include swimming area, water hydrants and accessible flush toilets. Garbage service is available in bearproof cans. A public dump station is located 5-miles North of the campground, at Upper Luby Bay, on Highway 57.

Natural Features

Outlet campground is situated at an elevation of 2,500 feet on Priest Lake. The lake is one of three largest and most beautiful lakes in the Idaho Panhandle, and reaches 300 feet in depth and covers 25,000 acres. The world's largest Mackinaw trout was caught here in 1963.

Upper Priest Lake is part of the Upper Priest Lake Scenic Area. The entire shoreline of Upper Priest Lake is either the State of Idaho or federal ownership, and is administered as a scenic area.

While visiting Priest Lake, watch for moose, black bear, wolves, deer, elk, and eagles, among others.

Nearby Attractions

Kalispell boat launch is the closest public boat launch, located about 7.5 miles north of the campground.

The facts

  • 27 bookable sites
  • Vehicles up to 70 ft
  • Up to 16 people per site

Site types

  • 27 Standard Nonelectric

Amenities

  • Campfires allowed
  • Picnic tables
  • Grills
  • Shade
  • Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits.

Book on Recreation.gov

27 campsites at Outlet AT Priest Lake

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceWaterMax rigPeople
01—Standard NonelectricBack InPaved—25 ft8 🐾
02—Standard NonelectricBack InPaved—52 ft8 🐾
03—Standard NonelectricBack InPaved—50 ft8 🐾
04—Standard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft8 🐾
05—Standard NonelectricBack InPaved—30 ft8 🐾
06—Standard NonelectricBack InPaved—65 ft16 🐾
07—Standard NonelectricBack InPaved—70 ft16 🐾
08—Standard NonelectricBack InPaved—30 ft8 🐾
09—Standard NonelectricBack InPaved—40 ft8 🐾
10—Standard NonelectricBack InPaved—56 ft8 🐾
11—Standard NonelectricBack InPavedLakefront22 ft8 🐾
12—Standard NonelectricBack InPavedLakefront36 ft8 🐾
13—Standard NonelectricBack InPavedLakefront36 ft8 🐾
14—Standard NonelectricParallelPavedLakefront50 ft8 🐾
15—Standard NonelectricParallelPavedLakefront50 ft8 🐾
16—Standard NonelectricParallelPavedLakefront50 ft8 🐾
17—Standard NonelectricParallelPavedLakefront40 ft8 🐾
18—Standard NonelectricBack InPaved—42 ft8 🐾
19—Standard NonelectricBack InPaved—30 ft8 🐾
20—Standard NonelectricBack InPaved—30 ft8 🐾
21—Standard NonelectricBack InPaved—35 ft8 🐾
22—Standard NonelectricBack InPaved—30 ft8 🐾
23—Standard NonelectricBack InPaved—36 ft8 🐾
24—Standard NonelectricBack InPaved—36 ft8 🐾
25—Standard NonelectricBack InPaved—34 ft8 🐾
26—Standard NonelectricBack InPaved—36 ft8 🐾
27—Standard NonelectricBack InPaved—36 ft8 🐾

Getting there

Physical Address:
Priest River, ID 83856

From I-90; Turn at Post Falls Highway 41 north to Newport, WA. Take Highway 2 east to Priest River. At the junction of Highway 57 and Highway 2, turn left. Drive 26 miles to Outlet Bay Road. Turn right for approximately 0.5 mile. Turn left on Lake Shore Road. Proceed 0.5 mile to Outlet Campground on the right.

48.51056, -116.91639 · 48°30'38.0"N 116°54'59.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 83°F in Jul, down to 31°F in Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F323746576874838372543831
Low °F222226313944484639322722
Precip in4.02.63.42.52.82.61.00.91.32.94.24.5

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 11.6 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

More photos

OUTLET AT PRIEST LAKE
OUTLET AT PRIEST LAKE

Member photos

Common questions about Outlet AT Priest Lake

Can you reserve a site at Outlet AT Priest Lake?
Yes, Outlet AT Priest Lake is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Outlet AT Priest Lake have?
27 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Outlet AT Priest Lake?
70 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Outlet AT Priest Lake?
Yes, pets are allowed at Outlet AT Priest Lake.
Are campfires allowed at Outlet AT Priest Lake?
Campfires are allowed at Outlet AT Priest Lake. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Outlet AT Priest Lake

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-08-11.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.