Priest River Recreation Area
Priest River, Idaho · on Priest River
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- river
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $10
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Priest River Recreation Area
Priest River Recreation Area is a US Army Corps of Engineers campground and day-use site on the banks of the Priest River, about 1 mile east of the town of Priest River, Idaho, just upstream of the river's confluence with the Pend Oreille River near Albeni Falls Dam. The day-use area includes a designated swim beach, an easy swimming hole for anyone after a river to swim in, alongside a campground, boat ramp, and picnic facilities.
The recreation area sits on the Priest River banks, described by the managing agency as shaded by firs, cedars, and pines, just upstream from where the Priest River meets the Pend Oreille River near Albeni Falls Dam and Lake Pend Oreille.
Swimming at Priest River Recreation Area
Swimming takes place at a designated swim beach within the day-use area of the campground, alongside a picnic shelter, playground, softball field, and boat ramp. No further detail on water depth, current, or clarity was found in available sources.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located 1 mile east of the town of Priest River, Idaho on Highway 2; it is the first road on the right after crossing the river.
Parking: A parking area is listed among the site amenities; no further detail (capacity, fees, surface) was found.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up US Army Corps of Engineers day-use area/campground; the swim beach, parking, picnic shelters, and boat ramp are all co-located within the same site, so no trail or hike is needed to reach the water. Exact parking-to-beach walk distance (likely under a few hundred feet) was not separately documented in sources found.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Designated swim beach sits inside a family-oriented day-use area with a playground, softball field, and large grassy lawn, but Recreation.gov does not document lifeguard presence, water depth, or current at the beach itself, and the campground sits right next to Highway 2 (road noise/proximity). Treat as supervised swimming rather than a fully engineered kid pool.
Parking
Lot
A parking area is listed among the site's day-use amenities alongside the swim beach, picnic shelters, and boat ramp. No capacity, surface, or day-use parking fee details were found; campsites are $10-$75/night by reservation only, but no separate day-use/parking fee was documented.
Restrooms
Yes
Flush toilets and coin-operated showers are listed among the Recreation Area's on-site facilities (serving the campground and day-use area, which includes the swim beach).
On the water
The day-use area has a boat ramp on the Priest River near its confluence with the Pend Oreille River/Lake Pend Oreille (Albeni Falls Dam pool), and an alert references a scheduled boat-launch closure, confirming active boat traffic. However, no source found specifies which craft types (kayak/canoe/paddleboard/motorboat) are permitted or any no-wake/speed/electric-only restrictions, so watercraft types are left unlisted rather than assumed.
Backstory
The area is locally known as "the Mudhole," per the Recreation.gov listing, though no further historical background was found.
Priest River Recreation Area: FAQ
Does Priest River Recreation Area charge a fee?
Campsites are $10-$75/night, by reservation only through Recreation.gov (no first-come, first-served sites). No separate day-use/swim-beach fee was specified in sources found.
Is Priest River Recreation Area kid friendly?
Designated swim beach sits inside a family-oriented day-use area with a playground, softball field, and large grassy lawn, but Recreation.gov does not document lifeguard presence, water depth, or current at the beach itself, and the campground sits right next to Highway 2 (road noise/proximity). Treat as supervised swimming rather than a fully engineered kid pool.
Do I need to hike to reach Priest River Recreation Area?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Priest River Recreation Area?
A parking area is listed among the site's day-use amenities alongside the swim beach, picnic shelters, and boat ramp. No capacity, surface, or day-use parking fee details were found; campsites are $10-$75/night by reservation only, but no separate day-use/parking fee was documented.
What are the rules at Priest River Recreation Area?
Campsites require advance reservation; maximum 14 consecutive nights; site limits of 2 motorized vehicles, 1 camping unit, 2 tents, and 8 people; no unlicensed motorized vehicles (ATVs, side-by-sides); day-use area reservations for camping are prohibited.
What water body is Priest River Recreation Area on?
Priest River Recreation Area is on Priest River, a natural river verified in USGS hydrography data.
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