Priest Lake is an easy place to visit...an unspoiled natural wonderland, uncrowded and unhurried. You'll discover a magnificent 23,000 acre azure lake nestled beneath the majestic Selkirk Mountains — without question, one of the most beautiful wilderness areas you’ll ever see.
Priest Lake’s breathtaking scenery is limited only by the horizon. This spectacular backdrop coupled with the myriad of available recreational opportunities make Priest Lake an unforgettable experience. You’ll discover fantastic boating, fishing, hiking, camping, snowmobiling, hunting, cross-country skiing, etc... at Priest Lake — along with an abundance of Priest Lake hospitality.
Priest Lake is truly Sensational in all Seasons. You will arrive a visitor, but will be welcomed, treated, and treasured as friend.
Priest Lake lies at an elevation of 2,500', and is located in the "Panhandle" of North Idaho, 80 miles north of Spokane, Washington, and 30 miles south of the Canadian border. The lake is 19 miles long and is connected to the three mile long Upper Priest Lake, which is only 14 miles from the Canadian border, by a scenic, "no wake zone" thoroughfare. Priest Lake is surrounded by 80 miles of shoreline with sandy beaches and has seven islands. The lake lies in the Selkirk Mountain Range, an offset of the Rockies, which rise above the east shore to 7,656 feet. Priest Lake is a small unincorporated community of about 650 permanent residents which increases to several thousand in the summer.
Unique to Priest Lake is the extensive amount of public lands, ensuring the natural beauty for generations
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AREA ATTRACTIONS and THINGS TO DO:
Watersports - Priest Lake is often termed Idaho's "Crown Jewel" lake because of its exceptionally clean, clear and deep water. As the sun's rays warm the water after the snow season, the lake begins its annual transformation into the premier water sports playground in the region. Priest Lake has 23,000 surface acres and nearly 80 miles of shoreline to meet the needs of even the most demanding water sports activities. Whether you are a power boater with skier or wake boarder in tow, paddle boater, personal watercraft zealot, kayaker, canoeist or sailboat enthusiast, Priest Lake has ample area to easily accommodate all boating activities without conflict. You simply won't find crowded launch ramps, congested boat traffic or long waits to obtain marina services at Priest Lake.
Hiking - The 523,000 acres of federal and state public lands that surround Priest Lake create a hiker's paradise where one can very easily escape to the solitude and beauty of Mother Nature. Each trail has its own unique characteristics that vary from deep, virgin cedar forests, to panoramic vistas of the Selkirk Mountains and the lake, to shoreline excursions that afford easy access to magnificent sandy beaches. Numerous close day hike trailheads are adjacent to resorts, campgrounds and other lodging facilities, along with access to trail routes into the backcountry. For those in search of the ultimate wilderness hiking/camping experience, a trek into the Salmo-Priest Wilderness will challenge even the most seasoned hiker's physical stamina and land navigation skills.
Golf - Set amidst the splendor of awe-inspiring mountains and forests, the beautifully manicured Priest Lake Golf Club caters to the most accomplished, as well as the most well-intentioned, golfer and outdoor enthusiast. The course has been recently expanded to a full 18-holes and presents the challenges of sand, water, and forest, as well as an occasional moose or deer grazing in the fairway. If those challenges are not enough, the par 72, 6,500-yard championship course will be a most enjoyable challenge in itself. A putting green and driving range are also available to sharpen your skills.
Vinther-Nelson Cabin - The Vinther-Nelson Cabin is one of the best known historical landmarks in the Priest Lake area. The cabin was built on Eightmile Island in 1897 by the Crenshaw brothers. The cabin is located on the east side of Eightmile Island near the narrow channel that separates the island from the mainland and is accessible only via watercraft. The cabin is open during the summer only, and admission is free.
Mushroom Gathering - The forests surrounding Priest Lake are classified as "wet forests" and have the benefit of natural conditions that promote superb mushroom growth. Adequate amounts of rainfall coupled with warm weather and dense forests combine to make Priest Lake a mecca for those who seek Morels, Chanterelles, Shaggy Manes, Chicken of the Woods, Corals, or any of the over 450 mushroom species that have been identified in the Priest Lake area.
Priest Lake Museum - The Priest Lake Museum is a great place to begin any visit to the lake and a fitting showplace to remind us of the numerous influences that created the special character of Priest Lake. The museum building was constructed in 1935 by Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). It is a prime example of handcrafted oil-treated tamarack (larch) log construction. The building initially served as a residence and office for the first Ranger on what was then Kaniksu National Forest. The museum houses numerous articles and displays that depict the colorful history of the lake and the surrounding area. The museum is housed on the west shore, 1/2-mile south of the Luby Bay Campground and just north of Hill's Resort.
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Snowmobiling - Looking for that special snowmobiling experience of a lifetime? Do you get weak in the knees at the thought of your 1000cc super charged machine pushing virgin powder across wide open playgrounds with spectacular mountain backdrops? Or do you thrill at the thought of awe inspiring panoramic views, the beauty of nature's snow castles, and the winter wonderland of deep forests with trees heavily laden with great heaping mounds of snow? If any of this stirs your heart and it's sometime between November and April, you probably need to be loading the sleds and heading for Priest Lake.
Fishing - The Priest Lake area offers a wide variety of choices to the angler. Fishing opportunities range from trophy size Mackinaw in Priest Lake to cutthroat fishing in the nearby alpine lakes. From brook trout angling in the numerous streams in the Priest basin to catch-and-release fishing for westslope cutthroat in Upper Priest Lake and to great ice fishing on Cavanaugh Bay.
Rock Climbing - World famous climber John Roskelley had his first big climb at Priest Lake's Chimney Rock. As he tells it, the first time he realized that one could actually die climbing was on the east face of Chimney Rock. Experiences to challenge even the most experienced climber await at Priest Lake.
Huckleberry picking - All first-time Priest Lake visitors should be aware of a "dangerous and extremely contagious disease" that infects most every person who spends more than just a few hours at the lake. The disease has no cure and its symptoms include talking to little purple berries, purple fingers and tongues, and even occasionally arm-wrestling a bear or two over temporary ownership of a patch of bushes in the forest. The disease is termed by the not so medically scientific name - "huckleberry mania." It is constant and persistent in the Priest Lake region. It is the lure of the mighty HUCKLEBERRY of the Selkirks!!
Indian Rock - Indian Rock is the site of pictographs that are believed to have originated with the presence of Native Americans in the Priest Lake area. The pictographs belong to what is classified as Eastern Plateau Style of prehistoric rock art. The presence of this pictographic style in the Priest Lake region is an indication of the influence of Plains Indians on local tribes.
The Shoe Tree - The true history of the Shoe Tree has been shrouded in mystery - or at least somewhat skewed by various myths of dubious origin perpetuated by local native 'tellers of tall tales.' It is suspected that the tradition of nailing, hanging or otherwise affixing one's shoe or shoes to this beautiful 'I can't believe they are doing this to me' cedar tree seems to have originated sometime in the madness of the 1970s.
Hunt Creek Falls - Hunt Creek Falls is another one of Mother Nature's gifts to the Priest Lake area. This beautiful falls is located in a secluded ravine and is surrounded by large moss covered granite boulders. It is a magical setting that attracts those who truly appreciate the natural wonders of water, rock and flora intertwined in an idyllic setting.
Upper Priest Falls - Upper Priest Falls is situated less than a mile from the Canadian border. This enchanting falls is located deep in the forest a few miles east of the Salmo-Priest Wilderness Area. The shortest route to reach Upper Priest Falls is to drive to the trailhead of Trail 28 and hike the 2.3-mile trail that terminates at the falls.
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