Sam Owen Campground is nestled on the banks of Lake Pend Oreille in a densely wooded forest of pine and cedar. Popular activities include hiking, canoeing, swimming and boating in summer, and skiing in winter.
Natural Features: Sam Owen Campground is situated on a peninsula on the east side of Lake Pend Oreille in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, at an elevation of 2,000 feet. The lake spans 82,088 acres and has 125 miles of shoreline. The well-loved campground shares a peninsula with the Sam Owen Game Preserve, which provides plenty of opportunities to see wildlife up close. Deer are very easy to spot, and watching for unique birds is a rewarding activity.
Recreation: A sandy beach draws crowds of sunbathers and swimmers. Visitors also like to hike the half-mile, accessible Sam Owen Trail #4. The trail reaches a beautiful vista of Owens Bay, where hikers can rest on benches and take in the astonishing view. Anglers take pleasure in catching kamloops, Dolly Varden, northern pike, trout and catfish. A boat ramp and dock are located on-site.
Facilities: Amenities include a picnic area, paved overflow parking areas and an amphitheater for educational programs. Campsites do not have electric hookups but a group picnic shelter has electricity and lights. Accessible flush toilets, drinking water and a dump station are provided.
Nearby Attractions: The Pend Oreille Scenic Byway is well worth exploring.
Extra Vehicles: One vehicle is included in your campsite fee. Each additional vehicle (after a one time 30 minute load/unload allowance) is $8.00 per day. Maximum 2 vehicles per site.
Be sure to reserve a site that will accommodate your equipment. The site you reserve is your site. You may not move to another site.
The 14 day stay limit is strictly enforced. Camping for a period longer than 14 days during any 30-consecutive day period is prohibited. If you have booked back-to-back reservations, you will be asked to cancel all days after the first 14.
Bears frequent the area; keep all food out of sight in approved containers or locked inside your vehicle and remove all food from the area after eating
This campground has first-come, first-served sites
Limit one vehicle per site; a daily fee will be charged for extra vehicles
No soap, shampoo or use of other toiletries in lake
Attractions include Lake Pend Oreille, fishing, swimming, boating.
No. of Sites
Sites are reserved through recreation.gov
No. of Accessible sites
80 camp units
RV Camping
Attractions include Lake Pend Oreille, fishing, swimming, boating.
Hookup - Sewer
No
Hookups - Electric
No
Dump Stations
Yes
No. of Sites
59 sites
Size Restrictions
20-60 feet
Reservation Info
Sites are reserved through recreation.gov
No. of Accessible sites
1 accessible unit
Hookup - Water
No
Fishing
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Lake and Pond Fishing
Lake fishing on Pend Oreille Lake.
Fish Species
Cutthroat and Lake Trout, Kokanee, Bass, Crappie, Perch
Hiking
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Day Hiking
Sam Owen Trail #4 is across the access road to the campground. The first ½ mile of this trail has a hardened surface that is suitable for wheel chairs and strollers. The hardened trail ends at a beautiful vista of Owens Bay and the benches offer a nice place to sit and enjoy the view.
Difficulty Level:
Easy
Picnicking
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Picnicking
Sam Owen Day Use Area is next to Sam Owen Campground. Amenities include 18 picnic sites, water and electricity, a swimming beach with changing rooms, and a paved parking lot.
No. of Sites
18
Reservation Info
This sites operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Group Picnicking
Sam Owen Group Picnic Area is next to Sam Owen Campground and has 8 picnic sites with tables, fire rings, and toilets nearby, and is currently a site that can be reserved through the National Recreation Reservation Service.
Fire Information
Fire rings
No. of Sites
8
Reservation Info
Can be reserved through recreation.gov
Water Activities
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Boating - Motorized
Explore Lake Pend Oreille by boat! The boat launch is located between the campground and day use area Vehicle/trailer parking is shared with parking for the day use site.
Trailer Parking
Yes
Launch Ramps
Yes
Boating - Non-Motorized
Sam Owen Campground and day use area is an excellent site from which to explore Pend Oreille Lake by canoe or kayak.
Swimming
Enjoy the sandy swimming beach at Sam Owen Campground.
Sam Owen Campground is nestled on the banks of Lake Pend Oreille in a densely wooded forest of pine and cedar. Popular activities include hiking, canoeing, swimming and boating in summer, and skiing in winter.
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