We are just starting to sketch out vacation plans for next July. We would like to rent a cabin/home somewhere around Priest Lake or Lake Pend Oreille. Is there an area that is more desireable than others? We have been searching websites, but would like any suggestions. Either first hand accounts, or even just more websites to check out. We are a family of 4, two teens. We love to hike, so any suggestions for that would be appreciated as well.
Cabins/Vacation Homes
My choice for vacation between the two lakes would be Priest rather than Pend Oreille. Priest is more recreation oriented with easier access due to its geography as compared to much of Pend Oreille (very steep shoreline for much of the lake). Hiking is better also at Priest with an easy hike up to Upper Priest Lake and also hikes on the west slope of the Selkirk Crest. A good book guide to hikes in this area is ';100 Hikes in the Inland Northwest: Eastern Washington, Northern Rockies, Wallowas';. Also the Idaho Panhandle National Forest (National Forest covering North Idaho) website has a trail guide under its recreational activities, I noticed this morning that their web site isn%26#39;t working correctly but hopefully the will get it fixed. If you come in late July , the huckleberries will be ripe and prime for picking.
Cabins/Vacation Homes
My choice for vacation between the two lakes would be Priest rather than Pend Oreille. Priest is more recreation oriented with easier access due to its geography as compared to much of Pend Oreille (very steep shoreline for much of the lake). Hiking is better also at Priest with an easy hike up to Upper Priest Lake and also hikes on the west slope of the Selkirk Crest. A good book guide to hikes in this area is ';100 Hikes in the Inland Northwest: Eastern Washington, Northern Rockies, Wallowas';. Also the Idaho Panhandle National Forest (National Forest covering North Idaho) website has a trail guide under its recreational activities, I noticed this morning that their web site isn%26#39;t working correctly but hopefully the will get it fixed. If you come in late July , the huckleberries will be ripe and prime for picking.
Thanks, that helps a lot. We are now trying to decide between Idaho and going back to the Canadian Rockies. At least now I know what to look for in Idaho. We lived in IF years ago, but have only done quick drive throughs for the rest of the state. Thanks so much!
Do both! One of the main routes to the Canadian Rockies is Highway US95 which continues directly to the Canadian National Parks entrance at Radium Hot Springs. US95 intersects Interstate 90 at Coeur d%26#39; Alene, Idaho. US95 crosses Pend Orielle Lake at Sandpoint and there is also access to Pend Orielle Lake at Farragut State Park just east of US95 near the small town of Bayview. Farragut is a very large park with hiking trails, beach, campgrounds, small cabins, and is located just north of the Silverwood Theme Park. Web site for Farragut is: www.idahoparks.org/parks/farragut.aspx Web site for Silverwood is: www.silverwoodthemepark.com/ If you are driving from Portland it would be a nice place to end first day of driving.
Stop off in Sandpoint....just 60 miles from the Canadian border. I suggest getting a vacation rental house, so much more comfortable than a hotel or a rustic cabin. Here is a link to a nice place in town that is great for teens, walking distance to the lake but very affordable, they even have 5 bikes in the garage for guests to use and an indoor washer and dryer with laundry soap!
vacationrentals.com/vacation-rentals/22512.h鈥?/a>
Thanks. We are still deciding. Did get a place booked in Lake Louise since those book up a year in advance. Still deciding though. We have driven thru Sandpoint several times, and have a relative in Bonners Ferry, so Idaho may win out this time. Decisions, decisions...lol!
p-ditty--Would you be the owner of that home? It does look nice.
Mtngrl - Yes, I am the owner of the house and a big fan of Sandpoint. We are here now and having a blast, riding bikes everywhere. Recently one of our guests hiked Schweitzer mountain (20 minutes from Sandpoint) and came apon a bear!. My husband and a friend rode bikes on the Hiawatha trail in Montana and saw a moose along with some breathtaking views. The bike ride was 15 miles mostly downhill. ( a shuttle takes you back up the hill.) That would be a great family adventure. It is about an hour and half drive to the start of the trail.
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