Campgrounds filling quickly for weekend
Bad news: Not a single campsite is available for tonight or Saturday in the more than 230 federal campgrounds in Idaho and Washington accepting advance reservations on the national camping reservation system, www.reserveusa.com.
Better news: Dozens of state and federal campgrounds are first-come, first-serve. Grab the tent and leave now, and there’s a chance to snag a quiet sleeping spot below the tall pines.
Even better news: For the adventuresome, thousands of prospective primitive sites remain on U.S. Forest Service land, but don’t expect showers, electrical outlets or even a pit toilet. The Forest Service allows dispersed camping for up to 14 days in most areas of national forests. Currently, there are no burning bans on nearby national forests, but fires are allowed only in established fire rings or pits, according to information from the Forest Service’s office in Sandpoint.
Apart from numerous private campgrounds in the area, both the state and federal government offer camping. Listed below are some of the options for public campgrounds in the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene area:
“Idaho State Parks and Recreation: Farragut State Park near Bayview, Idaho, is primarily reservation-only, said Sharon Patterson, an employee with the agency’s office in Coeur d’Alene. “Pretty much all the sites there are full right now,” Patterson said Thursday. Heyburn State Park, on the south shore of Lake Coeur d’Alene, has numerous first-come, first-serve sites, as does Round Lake State Park north of Coeur d’Alene and Lionhead State Park near Priest Lake. Call (208) 769-1511 for more information.
“Washington State Parks: Several first-come, first-serve campgrounds are in Eastern Washington, including 17 tent sites at Riverside State Park. The campground at Riverside State Park is typically full on summer weekends, but the best chance to snag a campsite is about 1 p.m. each day, when departing campers are required to check out. Eight sites are available at Mount Spokane State Park and are usually available, said park worker Steve Christensen. “We never have a problem with campsites. People want to be near water. They don’t want to go up on a mountain where flies bite them,” he said, laughing.
“Colville National Forest: At least 400 developed campsites are found on Forest Service land in northeast Washington, many of which do not require reservations. Contact the Forest Service directly for detailed information on availability: (509) 684-7000.
“Bonners Ferry, Idaho: The Forest Service operates four campgrounds in the area – all are first-come, first-serve. The sites are usually full on summer holiday weekends, “but there’d probably be a site or two available” Friday afternoon, according to an employee at the agency’s district office. For more information call (208) 267-5561.
“St. Joe River area of Idaho: Nineteen Forest Service campgrounds are available, none of which accept reservations. For the latest information on availability, call (208) 245-2531 or (208) 245-6246.
“Silver Valley, Idaho: About 100 developed Forest Service campsites are located between Coeur d’Alene and the Montana border. Most of the sites are first-come, first-serve. The sites are popular and fill up quickly on any Friday, especially the Friday before holiday weekends. Call (208) 752-1221.
“Sandpoint Ranger District: About 90 sites are available at four campgrounds. Call (208) 263-5111 for more information.
“Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District: About 90 sites are available on Lake Coeur d’Alene and the Coeur d’Alene River. Some are reservation-only. Call (208) 769-3000.
“Priest Lake Ranger District: Six campgrounds offer a variety of reserved and nonreservation sites. Call (208) 443-2512. Most Forest Service sites are operated by private concessionaires. Virginia Shackelford, who helps manage six sites near Priest Lake, said a handful of sites were still available Thursday afternoon. “By the time everybody gets off work we’re going to be full,” she said. First-come, first-serve camping is also available on two islands on Priest Lake. For those willing to hike, ample primitive camping can be found along Upper Priest Lake all the way north to the Canadian border.
“Clearwater and Nez Perce national forests: These vast national forests in north-central Idaho offer hundreds of first-come, first-serve camping sites. For more information, call (208) 983-1950 or (208) 476-4541.