Beaver Creek Campground Priest River, Idaho
Priest River, Idaho · on Beaver Creek · Kaniksu National Forest
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- No fee found
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Beaver Creek Campground Priest River, Idaho
Beaver Creek Campground is a developed U.S. Forest Service campground on the western shore of Priest Lake in the Idaho Panhandle National Forests (Kaniksu), named for the creek that enters the lake nearby. Recreation.gov lists swimming among its official on-site activities, centered on a beach described as easily accessible from the campground, which makes this the campground's built-in swimming hole and Priest Lake an easy lake to swim in for anyone staying here.
The campground sits at about 2,500 feet elevation on the shore of Priest Lake, shaded by hemlock and cedar, with views across the lake to the Selkirk Mountains. Priest Lake is described by the Forest Service as consisting of the main lake, where most water recreation takes place, and the smaller Upper Priest Lake to the north, connected by a 2.5-mile Thoroughfare channel.
Swimming at Beaver Creek Campground Priest River, Idaho
Recreation.gov lists swimming as an available activity at a nearby beach described as easily accessible from the campground; the source does not give further detail on water depth, bottom type, or how the beach compares to other Priest Lake beaches.
How to get to this swimming hole
From Priest River, Idaho, take Highway 57 north to Nordman, then turn right on Reeder Bay Road and continue about 12 miles into the campground.
Parking: One vehicle is included with each campsite fee; additional vehicles are charged a per-day fee collected on site (cash or check only) if space allows in the same site, and the campground notes additional parking may not be available.
The hike in
No hike is needed to reach the swim beach itself, it is described by Recreation.gov as 'easily accessible' right from the campground. Two longer trails do start at Beaver Creek Campground for hikers wanting to explore further: the 9-mile Navigation Trail heading north and the 8-mile Lakeshore Trail heading south along Priest Lake, both open to hikers and horseback riders, but neither is required to reach the swimming area.
Drive-up/walk-up swim access from the campground.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Beach is described as easily accessible right at the campground (no hike, gentle lake-shore entry likely), but there is an adjacent boat ramp handling craft up to 20 ft and no mention of lifeguards, so young kids should be supervised around boat traffic.
Parking
Lot
Parking is tied to campsite reservations: one vehicle included per site; additional vehicles charged a per-day fee (cash/check on site) if space allows, and the campground notes extra parking may not always be available. No separate day-use-only parking fee was found.
Restrooms
Yes
Vault toilets on-site at Beaver Creek Campground (per Recreation.gov listing).
Water clarity
Clear
Idaho State Parks describes Priest Lake overall as 'noted for its extremely clear water, fed by streams cascading from the high Selkirk peaks.' This describes the lake broadly (from the state park unit on the lake's east shore) rather than the Beaver Creek beach specifically, but it is the same body of water.
On the water
Restrictions: Campground boat ramp only accommodates boats 20 ft or shorter. No specific no-wake or electric-only restriction found for this stretch of Priest Lake near Beaver Creek.
Beaver Creek Campground has its own boat ramp; Priest Lake generally supports both motorized and non-motorized craft, and the Thoroughfare channel (2.5 mi) connecting to Upper Priest Lake is noted as popular for kayaking/canoeing.
Rentals nearby
Motorized boats (runabout, pontoon, Boston Whalers, fishing boat) plus kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards
Prices: Motorized: Cobalt 220S runabout $600-685/day ($375-495 half-day); Harris triple pontoon $575-685/day ($375-475 half-day); Boston Whaler 150 Super Sport $325-385/day ($225-250 half-day); Boston Whaler 200 Dauntless $425-525/day ($395 half-day); Tracker fishing boat $150/day ($125 half-day). Kayak/canoe/paddleboard pricing not published.
404 Elkins Road, Nordman, ID 83848, on Priest Lake near Nordman, roughly the same area where Hwy 57/Reeder Bay Road diverge en route to Beaver Creek Campground.
Beaver Creek Campground Priest River, Idaho: FAQ
Is Beaver Creek Campground Priest River, Idaho kid friendly?
Beach is described as easily accessible right at the campground (no hike, gentle lake-shore entry likely), but there is an adjacent boat ramp handling craft up to 20 ft and no mention of lifeguards, so young kids should be supervised around boat traffic.
Do I need to hike to reach Beaver Creek Campground Priest River, Idaho?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Beaver Creek Campground Priest River, Idaho?
Parking is tied to campsite reservations: one vehicle included per site; additional vehicles charged a per-day fee (cash/check on site) if space allows, and the campground notes extra parking may not always be available. No separate day-use-only parking fee was found.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Beaver Creek Campground Priest River, Idaho?
Beaver Creek Campground has its own boat ramp; Priest Lake generally supports both motorized and non-motorized craft, and the Thoroughfare channel (2.5 mi) connecting to Upper Priest Lake is noted as popular for kayaking/canoeing.
What are the rules at Beaver Creek Campground Priest River, Idaho?
14-day maximum consecutive stay strictly enforced; generators permitted only 6 AM-10 PM with the owner present; firewood may not be transported in (to limit pest spread); RV/trailer water tanks cannot be filled at campground spigots (only containers).
What water body is Beaver Creek Campground Priest River, Idaho on?
Beaver Creek Campground Priest River, Idaho is on Beaver Creek, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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