Bartoo Island Sites

US Forest Service campground. Bartoo Island Group Site: This group campsite, also known as Sunrise Group Site, is a rustic group camping area on Bartoo Island, only reachable by boat. Surrounded by the clear waters of Priest Lake, Bartoo Island Group site provides the ideal getaway for groups of 10 to 30 people, looking for a rugged, but highly rewarding camping experience on the peaceful shores of Priest Lake. Natural Features: Priest Lake spans 25,000 acres of incredible beauty, fed primarily by the waters of the Priest River. Named after the historical presence of Jesuit priests who settled in the lake area in the mid 19th century, Priest Lake is today a major tourist attraction, drawing water sports enthusiasts, photographers and birders alike. The group campground is located on the east side of Bartoo Island at an elevation of 2,400 feet. Bartoo, spanning 219 acres, is one of nine islands on Priest Lake. Summers at the lake are typically sunny and warm and wildlife in the area includes bears, deer and moose. Recreation: Visitors enjoy all types of boating from kayaking to canoeing to power boating up the 3.5-mile thoroughfare, which leads to the Upper Priest Lake Scenic Area. The upper lake cannot be accessed by car, so water is an excellent navigation option. Fantastic birding and wildlife viewing is available, as well as huckleberry picking from mid-july to early fall, when the sweet berries can be found in abundance throughout the forests of north Idaho. Swimming is a popular summer pastime and with beach access not far from the campground, visitors wont have any problem cooling off during warmer months. Anglers will be excited to know that the waters of Priest Lake are home to record-breaking Mackinaw trout as well as Dolly Varden, Cutthroat and Kokanee. Facilities: Campers are required to bring their own portable toilets to this campground. No drinking water is available and this is a pack it in, pack it out facility. Picnic tables and campfire rings are provided. Open season: Late May. Not reservable through Recreation.gov, so plan on first-come, first-served; check with the ranger district for current conditions and fees.