Sam Owen

Idaho Panhandle National Forests, ID · ≈43.8 mi to Coeur d'Alene
Sites
80
Max rig
60 ft
Pull-through
Yes
Hookups
None
ADA
To town
43.8 mi
Signal

✓ Best for

  • Big rigs and large RVs
  • Water sports enthusiasts
  • Boating and kayaking access
  • Stargazing and night skies
  • Pet-friendly camping

✕ Not ideal for

  • Campers seeking town proximity
  • RVers needing electrical hookups
  • Those wanting convenience services

Connectivity

Best bet: T-MobileUsable 5G — good enough to stay connected · 3 of 3 carriers reach here
Verizon5G
AT&T5G
T-Mobile5G

What's here

78 Standards (no Hookups)
1 Group Picnic AreaReserved as one unit · largest capacity: 50 people
1 Group ShelterReserved as one unit · largest capacity: 50 people
Rig compatibility

Will your rig fit?

Checked against every site's real dimensions.
Your RV length
35ft
35 ft
Your fit summary
See availability →

Amenities & features

Amenities
Campfires allowedFire pitsPets allowedShade
Activities
BoatingCampingDay Use AreaKayakingPaddlingStar GazingSwimmingSwimming Site
Natural features
Lakefront
CampIntel Score

How we score

We score what we can verify.
Tight for big rigsRig fit
Some travel requiredAccess
Minimal servicesConvenience
Verdicts come from our Rig fit, Access & Convenience sub-scores — each built only from verifiable Recreation.gov data.

Where it is

Nearest town: Coeur d'Alene, ~43.8 miGet directions ↗

Photos

Photos: Mike Hynes, Nick Mckenzie, Terry Jarrett

Overview

Overview 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. Recreation A 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. 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. Nearby Attractions The Pend Oreille Scenic Byway is well worth exploring.

Managed by USDA Forest Service · Developed campground