USDA Forest Service · Idaho
Outlet at Priest Lake
USDA Forest Service · Idaho, United States
- Sites
- 27
- Hookups
- 27 no hookups
- Season
- May 15 to September 27
- Max RV length
- 56 ft
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 2,530 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- Verizon weak · AT&T good · T-Mobile none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- OUTLET CAMPGROUND (NFSR 237H) · bituminous surface treatment · high degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Idaho Panhandle National Forests
- Nearest town
- Priest River
- Address
- 5538 W. Lakeshore Road, Priest River, ID, 83856
- Phone
- 435-245-6521
- Activities
- Biking, Boating, Camping, Canoeing, Fishing, Hiking, Swimming Site, Water Sports
27 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
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.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 35° | 25° | -14° | 43° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 36° | 22° | -9° | 45° | 10 of 11 |
| March | 43° | 29° | 4° | 65° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 47° | 34° | 23° | 71° | 9 of 11 |
| May | 62° | 45° | 35° | 84° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 71° | 50° | 39° | 87° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 85° | 61° | 47° | 99° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 84° | 62° | 54° | 99° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 71° | 53° | 43° | 87° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 54° | 41° | 32° | 73° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 40° | 32° | 17° | 55° | 9 of 10 |
| December | 35° | 29° | 2° | 48° | 9 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Osprey · USDA Forest Service · 0 mi · 16 sites
- Bartoo Island Sites · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi
- Luby Bay · USDA Forest Service · 4 mi · 56 sites
- Bartoo Island Boat-In Campground · USDA Forest Service · 4 mi · 25 sites
- Kalispell Island Boat-In Campground · USDA Forest Service · 4 mi · 52 sites
All public campgrounds in Idaho · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-08-11. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.