Island Camping Lets You Get Away From It All

There are no warm trade winds, grass huts or miles of deserted white sand on the islands of the Inland Northwest, but camping on them still offers a special attraction.

You sleep peacefully with the assurance that no car noises will stir you from your dreams. No campers arriving in the middle of the night will awaken you. The rhythmic splashing of waves washing against the rocky shore brings an added peace to the island.

An island retreat may be just the experience you have been looking for to escape from congested campgrounds frequented by RVs, trailers, vans, trucks and cars.

Island camping permits a compromise between the luxury of car camping and the Spartan conditions of backpacking. A canoe or boat can carry more equipment to add comfort to your camping experience (but don’t be tempted to overload it!)

Because of the fragile environment of islands, good outdoor manners must be practiced to preserve their beauty. Soil erosion is a constant threat because of the wave action of the lake waters; therefore, the shoreline vegetation and soil bank is critical to the life of the island. Use designated landings to minimize soil erosion. Because of the limited amount of vegetation on any island, expect to find very little firewood. Bring your own campfire wood and don’t cut trees or brush. Maintain the beauty for others to enjoy.

Practice low-impact camping. Leave the island cleaner than you found it. Fires should never be left unattended.

When island camping, keep in mind that no developed water systems will be available. All drinking water must be brought with you. Drinking lake water is not recommended.

Before camping on any island, be sure to check the ownership to avoid trespassing. Often, permission can be obtained by asking in advance. Some islands may be under the control of the U.S. Forest Service and public camping may be authorized.

Here are two of my favorite public boat-access campgrounds. Both are supervised by Forest Service ranger stations:

Kalispell Island in Kalispell Bay of Priest Lake in northern Idaho is a large island with five separate camps containing a total of 33 units. Each unit has a cleared and level tent site, table, and fire pit. Each camp has a toilet facility. Camping fee is $4 a day.

For more information on Kalispell Island camping, call the Priest Lake Ranger District at (208) 443-2512. Ask for a copy of the Campground and Picnic Area Directory for the Idaho Panhandle National Forests.

Yarnell Islands in Lake Koocanusa in northwest Montana are another favorite. Lake Koocanusa is formed by the Libby Dam on the Kootenai River. Yarnell Islands are located at the southern end of the lake. During low lake levels, you can walk between the two peaks that form the islands. The two islands hold a total of eight campsites. Each campsite has a fire pit, table and cleared, level, tent site. Currently, no toilet facilities are available on the islands. Vandals destroyed the last one and it has not been replaced yet. Campers are encouraged to bring a portable camping toilet with them. No fee is charged at Yarnell Islands.

xxxx