Priest Lake

Priest Lake and its country have long been part of the homeland of the Kalispel people and their neighbors, who traveled and fished these waters, and the tribes of the region remain present today. The lake's English name comes from the Catholic missionaries who came through in the nineteenth century.

By the early twentieth century the lake drew loggers, homesteaders, and eventually summer people, but its remoteness kept development modest. Old ranger cabins, a historic museum, and small resorts trace that history, and the state park protects much of the shoreline.

The result is a lake that still feels like the edge of the map, where the forest comes down to the water and the nights are dark and full of stars.

The Thorofare is the quiet magic of Priest Lake, a narrow, winding channel that connects the main lake to Upper Priest Lake a couple of miles north. Boats idle through it slowly, and paddlers love it, a green tunnel of water between forested banks.

Upper Priest Lake at the far end is smaller, protected, and largely undeveloped, a place to camp, paddle, and listen to the loons. Reaching it under your own power, or by a careful boat trip, makes it feel earned, and it stays wild because it is not easy.

This is inland rainforest country, with western redcedar, white pine, hemlock, and larch, and a damp, mossy understory. The nearby Roosevelt Grove preserves ancient cedars that survived a great fire.

The Selkirk Mountains above the lake are some of the wildest habitat in the Lower 48, home to moose, black bear, and a rich birdlife, and the range has historically held grizzly bear and one of the last herds of woodland caribou in the contiguous United States. In late summer the hillsides turn purple with huckleberries, a tradition that draws pickers, and bears, from all around.

Summer is the season, when the lake warms enough for the beaches, the Thorofare is inviting, and the huckleberries ripen from mid to late summer. The roads and most services operate through the warm months only.

Fall brings the larch turning gold on the slopes and a deep quiet to the shore. Winter closes much of the country under heavy snow, though it opens for skiers and snowmobilers. Whenever you come, plan for cold water and remote, few-services travel.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

Priest Lake, in the far northern Idaho Panhandle, is a stunningly beautiful and pristine mountain lake ringed by dense forests and the peaks of the Selkirk Mountains, prized for its clear waters and unspoiled, remote setting. One of the loveliest lakes in the state, Priest Lake offers swimming, boating, fishing, paddling, and beaches, along with a connected upper lake reached by a scenic thoroughfare, cabins and resorts, camping, and access to old-growth cedar groves and mountain wilderness. Quieter and wilder than the busier lakes to the south, it is a beloved north-woods retreat. With its clear waters and pristine forest setting, Priest Lake offers a spectacular destination in Idaho.

You can swim at the beaches, boat, kayak, and paddle the clear lake, fish for trout and other species, explore the connected upper lake via a scenic waterway, camp or stay at cabins and resorts, hike to old-growth cedar groves and mountain trails, watch for wildlife, and in winter enjoy snow sports. The pristine lake, the beaches, and the surrounding wilderness are highlights, offering a quieter, wilder lake experience. With its swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, and unspoiled beauty, Priest Lake offers a rewarding outdoor experience in the far northern Idaho Panhandle.

The mountain lake water is cold, so swimmers should be cautious and watch children closely, while boaters and paddlers should wear life jackets, watch for winds that can create waves, and be aware that the lake is large and remote. The surrounding area is remote wilderness with limited services, so come prepared, and it is bear and wildlife country, so store food properly. Following water safety, preparing for the remote setting, and respecting wildlife ensure a safe visit to Priest Lake in the Idaho Panhandle.

Summer is the prime time for swimming, boating, and enjoying the lake and beaches, when the weather is warmest, though even summer nights are cool at the northern elevation, while late spring and early fall offer pleasant weather with fewer crowds, and fall brings beautiful color to the forests. Winter brings snow and snow sports to the area. Summer is the beautiful, busy peak season. For warm-weather lake recreation aim for summer, and for quiet and color, early fall, at Priest Lake in the Idaho Panhandle.

Priest Lake is in the far northern Idaho Panhandle, within reach of the Roosevelt Grove of Ancient Cedars, the Selkirk Mountains, Sandpoint and Lake Pend Oreille to the south, and the North Idaho wilderness. That makes Priest Lake a spectacular stop to combine with the Roosevelt Grove of Ancient Cedars, Lake Pend Oreille, and the other attractions of the Idaho Panhandle on a visit to the state.