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Priest Lake State Park
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Priest Lake State Park lies just 30 miles from the Canadian border, nestled deep below the crest of the Selkirk Mountains. Surrounded by the natural beauty of Northern Idaho and mile-high mountains, Priest Lake State Park sits along the eastern shores of Priest Lake, a 19-mile long, 300-foot-deep waterbody.
Visitors to the park will enjoy the dense forests of cedar, fir and tamarack and will be able to observe the park’s year round inhabitants such as the whitetail deer, black bear, moose and bald eagles. Noted for its extremely clear water, fed by streams cascading from the high Selkirk peaks, the main body of Priest Lake extends north-south for 19 miles. A two-mile thoroughfare connects the main lake to the remote Upper Priest Lake that is accessible only by foot, mountain bike, or boat.
Location: 30 miles S of Canadian border | 62 miles NW of Sandpoint, ID | 91 miles NW of Coeur d'Alene, ID | 92 miles N of Spokane, WA | 461 miles N of Boise, ID
Boating: Ramps, docks, Life Jacket Loaner Stations
Winter Groomed Nordic Track(s): Yes
Trail Types:
- Hike
- Bike
- Bird Watch
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Nordic
ADA Accessibility Features:
- ADA Boat Ramp
- ADA Cabin
- ADA Campsite
- ADA Restroom
- ADA Trail
Acreage: 755
Elevation: 2,440
Coordinates: 48.6177, -116.8291
Groups: One group camp with 12 RV hook-ups, a private beach and boat dock
Overnight: Indian Creek: 93 Campsites and 6 cabins
Lionhead: 47 Campsites
Stand Alone: Schaefer Cabin - sleeps 6
Nearby: Round Lake State Park, private resorts, restaurants, grocery stores
Rent or Buy: Rent: Canoes and Kayaks at Indian Creek and Lionhead
Buy: Groceries, Hand scooped Ice cream cones, fishing and camping gear, souvenirs and clothing at Indian Creek
Wifi Info: Yes, the visitor center at Indian Creek Unit. No service at Lionhead Unit.
Learn: Guided walks and nature programs, First Time Adventure Programs. Jr Ranger Programs
Pets: Yes on a 6-foot leash
Visitor Center: Yes
Museum Available: No
- Amphitheater
- Boat Ramp/Launch
- Boat Rental (Non-Motorized)
- Charcoal Grills
- Dump Station
- Electricity
- Fire Rings
- Firewood Sales
- Flush Toilets
- Full-service Park Store with Gasoline
- Indoor Restrooms
- Indoor Showers
- Kayak Rental
- Life Jacket Loaner Station
- Picnic Areas
- Swimming - Lake/River
- Vault Toilets
- Water - Drinking
- Water Fountains
General Accommodations
- Cabins
- Group Camp
- RV Campsites
- Tent Campsites
North Idaho Park n’ Ski
For up-to-date grooming and weather conditions in the Priest Lake area, visit: https://priestlake.org/activities/nordic-sports/
| Details | Hanna Flats Park N' Ski |
|---|---|
| Location | 33 miles north of Priest River off State Highway 57 |
| Difficulty | Beginner - intermediate |
| Distance | 5 m/10 km of ski trails; 2.2 m/3.5 km snowshoe trails |
| Grooming | Yes - traditional kick and glide and snowshoe |
| Snowshoeing | Yes |
| Yurt | No |
| Backcountry ski potential | Yes |
| Restroom | Yes |
| Dogs | Yes |
| About | Nordic ski trails and snowshoe trails at Hanna Flats are relatively gentle in a meadow and forest setting on the west side of Priest Lake. The trail system is well-suited for snowshoers and track skiers. The adjoining airstrip is a great workout for skate skiing. Two short loops are available for skiers and several interlacing loops for snowshoers. The Hanna Grove Nature Trail, located a little more than a mile from the trailhead, is worth checking out to see some old growth cedar trees and read about an old wildfire. Backcountry skiers could climb adjacent mountains above the flats to crank out a few turns. |
| More Information | Priest Lake Nordic Club Facebook Page Priest Lake Ranger District- (208) 443-2512 |
| Maps | Hanna Flats Hanna Flats Location Map |
| Details | Priest Lake Golf Course Park N' Ski |
|---|---|
| Location | 28 m N of Priest River on west side of Priest Lake off Hwy 57 |
| Difficulty | Beginner - intermediate |
| Distance | 9.1 m/14.6 km ski trails; 2.8 m/4.5 km snowshoe trails |
| Grooming | Yes - set track for traditional kick and glide |
| Snowshoeing | Yes |
| Yurt | No |
| Backcountry ski potential | Yes |
| Restroom | Yes |
| Dogs | Allowed |
| About | The Priest Lake Golf Course has the most extensive groomed Nordic trail system in the vicinity of Priest Lake. During the winter season, the area is blanketed with generous amounts of snow and the golf course is transformed into the Priest Lake Nordic Center. Hill's Resort serves as the hub for the Golf Course Nordic system and also offers rental equipment. The trail system provides routes along the lakeside and also connects to the Hanna Flats trails to the north. The total of nearly 50 kilometers of groomed trails from beginning to intermediate level provide an ideal setting for family Nordic activities. Trails are groomed on a regular basis, conditions permitting, for traditional kick and glide skiers and skate skiers. The Nordic Park N' Ski Trail area is open daily. |
| More Information | Hill's Resort (208) 443-2551 Priest Lake Nordic Club Facebook Page |
| Maps | Priest Lake Golf Course Priest Lake Golf Course Location Map |
| Details | Priest Lake State Park |
|---|---|
| Location | 11 m N of Coolin, ID on east side of Priest Lake |
| Difficulty | Beginner - intermediate |
| Distance | 5.4 m/8.7 km ski trails; 1.5 m/2.4 km snowshoe trails |
| Grooming | Yes |
| Snowshoeing | Yes |
| Yurt | No but winter one- and two-room cabins are available for $45 per night |
| Backcountry ski potential | No |
| Restroom | Yes |
| Dogs | Yes on ungroomed trails only |
| About | Priest Lake State Park's Indian Creek Unit provides a change of scenery immediately adjacent to the lake. A compact trail loop system circles the park's visitor center area, and if that's not enough of a workout, another loop system to the north provides more mileage and more challenging trails. There is a new viewpoint trail that affords nice views of the lake and surrounding mountains on a sunny day. The park's visitor center and store are open on weekends for fresh coffee or hot chocolate. Snowshoes can also be rented at the vistor's center. |
| More Information | Priest Lake State Park (208) 443-2200 |
| Maps | Priest Lake State Park Priest Lake State Park Location Map |
| Details | Chipmunk Rapids |
|---|---|
| Location | 22 miles north of Priest River, off State Hwy 57 |
| Difficulty | Beginner to more difficult |
| Distance | 10.4 miles |
| Grooming | Occasional, track set for traditional kick and glide skiers |
| Snowshoeing | Yes |
| Yurt | No |
| Backcountry ski potential | Yes |
| Restroom | Yes |
| Dogs | Yes |
| About | Chipmunk Rapids ski trails are a two-loop system of interconnecting roads. The trail head is near the Priest Lake Visitors Information Center at Dickensheet Junction. The groomed trails are called the Kaniksu Marsh Loop and the River View Loop. There are other ungroomed trails in the area which are sometimes skier track set. These trails are mainly flat and used by novice to advanced cross-country skiers. The trails offer spectacular views of Kaniksu Marsh, Priest River, and the Selkirk Mountains. This area is also frequently used by big game as a winter range area, so try to minimize your disturbance to the winterizing wildlife. |
| More Information | Priest Lake Nordic Club Facebook Page Priest Lake Ranger District- (208) 443-2512 |
| Maps | Chipmunk Rapids Area Map |
| Details | 4th of July Pass |
|---|---|
| Location | From Coeur d'Alene, travel East on Hwy I-90, approximately 23 miles, take exit 28 |
| Difficulty | Beginner - intermediate with a few expert pitches |
| Distance | 7.8 miles |
| Grooming | Yes, 10-foot skating lane with track set for traditional kick and glide |
| Snowshoeing | Yes |
| Yurt | No, but there is a warming hut |
| Backcountry ski potential | Yes |
| Restroom | Yes |
| Dogs | No |
| About | 4th of July Pass is a great place to ski or snowshoe because it starts from a high point afforded by the 4th of July Summit. Three loop trails wind through stately cedar, fir, and pine forests. The snowshoeing trails are almost as extensive as the groomed ski trails. Backcountry skiers can climb nearby mountains to carve turns. |
| More Information | Panhandle Nordic Club Facebook Page Couer d'Alene River Ranger District (208) 664-2318 |
| Maps | 4th of July Trail Map |
Contact Information
Street Address:
314 Indian Creek Park Road
Coolin, ID 83821
Coolin, ID 83821
Mailing Address:
Please use the street address.
Phone:
Hours of Operation:
Day-use locations within state parks are open from 7 am to 10 pm, per Idaho state code 26.01.20 (5). Day-use hours may change based on park manager discretion.
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314 Indian Creek Park Road, Coolin, ID, 83821
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