Priest River, Bonner County, Idaho

 This page is under development... We should have it done summer of 2017

PRIEST RIVER
Priest River travels unimpeded from Priest Lake's small dam to the Pend Oreille River. This is a popular kayaking and fishing river. There are two primary launch sites on this river; one at Priest Lake State Park - Dickensheet Unit, and the other at Mud Hole Campground where the river empties into the Pend Oreille River. Dickensheet Unit is a campground with river access on either side of the Coolin Road Bridge. Launching takes place from the bank of the river. The other launch site is at Mud Hole Campground. There is a paved launch and beach where you can also travel from heading upriver or down river a short distance to the Pend Oreille River. Next to Mud Hole campground is Priest River Wildlife Area, an excellent area to fish from and/or to observe waterfowl. Fishing: Fish species info coming soon. See sign when fishing at this lake. For more fishing info call 208-769-1414.

Pictures and info about boat launches, access points, etc. below!
Click Here for a sportsman access map!

1. Outlet Bay Campground and Sportsman Access – Campground, pebble and rocky beaches, access/hiking trails, picnic tables, vault toilets.. It is about a mile paddle to from this campground beach to the mouth of Priest River and Dam. 208-443-2240. Directions: On HWY 57 traveling north toward the city of Priest Lake... Turn Left/east onto Outlet Road / forest service road 237. Follow the signs to Outlet or Osprey Campgrounds on W. Lakeshores Road. Park Info: Click here to learn more about Outlet Campground. See review from The Outdoor Nerds at theoutdoornerd.com. Click here to learn more about Osprey Campground. Maps: View interactive google map above or visit google.com/maps type in GPS coordinates 48.499512, -116.890988

ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Gravel and mostly paved parking throughout park; PATHS/TRAILS... No developed paths/trails but has paved and nice gravel roads throughout the park. Water front is not accessible to wheeled mobility device due to steps, etc.; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… Fully accessible restrooms. Shade via trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… No docks/platforms. Launch from steep bank/beach; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No developed access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... Accessible Tent and RV campsites, with hookups; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Sand/mud/marine vegetation at shoreline; Terrain: Level to 5% grades over dirt, gravel fairly smooth ground; H2O/Water: Water clear. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 70 degree. No Drinking water available; Environmental Conditions: Varies; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in town of Lamb Creek, ID.

Priest River Dam - Portage around the dam on the south side of the river after paddling from the Outlet Bay Campground/Sportsman Access. After this dam is the most difficult set of rapids on the river. Take about 1.5 hours to paddle this rapid portion of the river. Maps: View Google Map above...

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1.A. Put In – Unimproved trail to river bank. No facilities. Maps: View Google Map above...

2. Priest Lake State Park/Put In - Riverbank put in areas, restrooms, running water, campsites, hiking trails. Dickensheet Unit on Coolin Road. Directions: On HWY 57 traveling from the city of Priest River Idaho on HWY 2... Turn right/east onto Coolin Rd./Dickensheet Rd. You will come to the campground immediately after crossing a bridge. Maps: View Google Map above...

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3. White Tail Butte Landing... also know as Lost Creek Rd Put in/Take Out: Undeveloped parking. 4 hr.  trip from the dam to this point. Maps: View Google Map above...

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4. Big Creek Put In/Take Out. Undeveloped site and limited parking. Maps: View Google Map above...

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McAbee Falls Take Out and Popular Put In for Eight Mile Rapids. Grade II Rapids. Maps: View Google Map above...

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5. Saddlers Creek Put In/Take Out. Undeveloped parking along side road. 3 miles of current from this point. 5.5 hr trip from dam to this point. . Maps: View Google Map above.

6. Priest River Park/Mud Hole Campground - Corps of Engineers Lower Priest River & Boat Launch/Take Out (Where the river flows into Lower Pend Oreille River Reservoir ), 6.5 hr float trip from dam to this point: boat launch, dock (not pictured... may or may not have dock depending on time of year, etc.) beach, restrooms with showers, campground, running water, sports fields, swim area, play ground, wildlife area, large paved parking lot. Directions: In Priest River Idaho turn South onto Wisconsin Street. Before crossing the bridge watch for a brown sign with the symbols of a boat launch, swimming, teeter-totter, and picnic. Turn east on Railroad Avenue and follow this gravel road to the launch site. Maps: View interactive google map above or visit google.com/maps type in GPS coordinates 48.177852, -116.892583

ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Paved parking lot; PATHS/TRAILS... Wide paved area next to launch and paved roads through park. RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… Fully accessible restrooms. Shade via trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… One short launch docks (may or may not be there as they remove the dock in the winter and during spring runoff). One single lane grated cement launch at about 7% grade; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No developed access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... Fully accessible tent and RV campsites with hookups; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Sand mud combo shorelines, with areas of deep marine vegetation; Terrain: Mostly level with 7% grade at launch; H2O/Water: Water clear until late mid to summer. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 70 degree. Drinking water available; Environmental Conditions: Varies; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in town of Priest River, ID.