Kalispell Island Boat-In

Summary

Kalispell Island is a great destination for camping and outdoor recreation on Priest Lake, Idaho. It has a 2.5-mile loop trail for wildlife viewing and offers a range of activities like kayaking, canoeing and fishing. Campers can bring their own portable toilets and enjoy amenities like campfire rings and picnic tables. Visitors can also explore nearby attractions like the Lakeshore and Beach trails, and enjoy winter activities like ice fishing, snowmobiling and shoe-shoeing.

Overview

Surrounded by clear waters of Priest Lake, the 52 sites on Kalispell Island provide the ideal getaway for people looking for a rugged, but highly rewarding, camping experience on the peaceful shores of Priest Lake. There are 51 single sites on the island as well as one group site known as Three Pines Group Site. This Group Site is located on the southeast side of the island and has been renumbered from Site #001 to site #29 for groups of 10-30 individuals. All sites are only reachable by boat.


A popular activity among visitors is to kayak, canoe, or power boat up a 3.5-mile thoroughfare, which leads to the Upper Priest Lake Scenic Area. The upper lake - just like Kalispell Island - cannot be access by car, so water is an excellent navigation option.

Recreation

Priest Lake is less than an hour from the Canadian Border, nestled deep below the crest of the Selkirk Mountains. Surrounded by the natural beauty of Northern Idaho and the mile-high mountains, this 25,000-acre lake offers clear, blue waters reaching depths of 300 feet.

Fantastic wildlife viewing is available on the 2.5-mile loop trail that encircles Kalispell Island, offering phenomenal lake views and bird watching opportunities.

The waters of Priest Lake offer anglers access to record-breaking Mackinaw trout, Dolly Varden, Cutthroat and Kokanee.

Facilities

Most campsites require campers to bring their own portable toilets. They can check out toilet buckets at the Kalispell Boat Launch. Kalispell Island can only be accessed by boat. No drinking water is availabe and this is a pack it in, pack it out facility. Picnic tables and campfire rings are provided

Natural Features

Kalispell Island is one of seven islands scattered throughout Priest Lake. Kalispell is the largest of these islands, spanning 264 acres, and is shaped like a tooth.

Priest Lake, at a 2,400 foot elevation, is one of the top three largest lakes in Idaho. To the north, the lake connects to the Upper Priest Lake, divided by a narrow channel, which can be passed through by boat.

Nearby Attractions

Hike the Lakeshore or Beach Trails that traverse along the west shore of Priest Lake. The Beach trail extends between Outlet Bay Campground and the Kalispell Bay Boat Launch. The Lakeshore Trail runs for 8 miles along the northwest shores of Priest Lake.

In winter, ice fishing, shoe shoeing and snowmobiling on nearby trails entertain visitors.