Exploring Idaho’s Panhandle

Bonner County Fairgrounds Campground

Given our range of planned activities in this area, we decide to set up camp on the NW corner of Lake Pend Oreille at the Bonner County Fairgrounds in Sandpoint, ID. The small campground is tucked into the trees on the north end of the fairgrounds. It’s surprisingly quiet and very well maintained.

Farragut State Park

After settling into the campground, we head south to Farragut State Park located on the southern tip of Lake Pend Oreille. This 4,000 acre park was once a WWII naval training station and is now home to history, wildlife, and abundant recreational opportunities. After stopping at the visitor center, and driving through the park, we decide to go for a hike along the lake to stretch our legs and enjoy the lake views.

On the way there we see a family of wild turkeys in the road. They’re just sitting in the shade and won’t move. So, I get out to snap a picture; which of course also gets them to move out of the road.

Shoreline Picnic Area Trail

Once we reach the Shoreline Picnic Area Trailhead, we find a parking spot in the upper boat launch parking area and head down the trail.

The trail starts out as a nice, wide, gravel path passing some ruins.

But gradually gets narrower as we approach the picnic area.

Then as we turn back up the trail along the lake, the path gets narrower, and narrower. It’s even washed out in some places requiring us to almost hop across.

However, the views up the lake are absolutely worth the effort.

At the end of the trail, we decide to go a little further and check out the view from the boat launch.

Sandpoint, Idaho

Situated on Idaho’s largest lake (Pend Oreille) and surrounded by mountains this scenic resort town began to form in 1880 when the Northern Pacific Railroad brought thousands of workers here to begin construction on the railroad. Today, it’s the busiest railroad corridor in the Pacific Northwest.

Sandpoint Bike Trails

This morning we set out to explore Sandpoint via it’s bike trails. Leaving directly from the fairground we quickly catch the Creekside Trail.

Creekside Trail

This fun, paved path along Sand Creek offering lot of greenery, and takes us past the Cedar Street Bridge; which is unique shopping/dining area suspended above the creek.

Once we reach the end of the trail at Bridge Street, we head east to get a look at Windbag Marina, City Beach, and the lake beyond.

Next, we travel west across Bridge Street and through the SE portion of historic Sandpoint to reach the Long Bridge Trail.

Long Bridge Trail

As the name suggests, the Long Bridge Trail takes us across the long bridge over Lake Pend Oreille from Sandpoint to Lignite. Initially the trail also takes us through Triangle Park (where the roadway diverges from the railroad tracks) and along the lake for a short distance before traversing the bridge.

Once over the bridge we join the Sagle Trail.

Sagle Trail

This trail takes us along US 95 from Lignite to Sagle, ID. Most of the way, the trail is separated from the road by a large berm.

And as we head south, we pass several small communities and some beautiful farmland.

On the way back, we decide to follow the trail under the south end of the Long Bridge and along Lakeshore Drive toward Murphy Bay. Our goal is to get a view of the Bay, and a bird’s eye view of the bridge before heading back the way we came.

Individually these trails offer a unique perspective of the landscape, and combined they make a great way to explore the area.

Lake Pend Oreille

This 1,158 feet deep, 43 mile long lake can get as wide as 6 miles in places. It’s 111 miles of shoreline resembles the ear ornaments worn by the Kalispell Indians; which is why early French trappers named it Pend Oreille or Ear pendant.

We’ve already seen several parts of this lake via the bike trails, but to get a comprehensive view, we’re taking a two hour lake cruise.

Sunset & Eagle Cruise

As we leave the dock, we can see smoke hanging over parts of the lake. There are actually two fires burning near here. One on the west side of the lake just north of Farragut State Park and the other near Lightening Mountain to the northeast.

Luckily, the smoke is not bad and it’s not impacting our experience.

As the boat meanders around the shoreline we see a sea plane, two castles, one bald eagle nest (empty), and a total of 7 bald eagles. We managed to get descent (notice I didn’t say good) pictures of most; but not all of them.

Once we’re done touring the shoreline, the sunset portion of our tour begins as we head back to the dock.

And as we near the dock, we get an incredible picture of a train just starting to come across the bridge in front of us.

What an incredible evening!

Panhandle Historic Rivers Passage

On our final day in the area we head down the Panhandle Historic Rivers Passage toward Priest Lake. Running along the Pend Oreille River, through scenic forests, and along quaint farmland; this scenic byway is also the southern end of the International Selkirk Loop.

Priest Lake

Known as “Idaho’s Crown Jewel” for it’s stunning natural beauty, this large (19 miles long & 80 miles of shoreline), deep (300 feet), clear lake is surrounded by the Selkirk Mountains. With a good portion of the shoreline being owned and managed either by federal or or state governments, it offers a large array of recreational opportunities.

Priest Lake State Park – Indian Creek Unit

We decide to head up the east side of the lake first and stop at the Indian Creek Unit of Priest Lake State Park.

Viewpoint Trail

Here, we head up the Viewpoint Trail to get a view of the lake from above.

Indian Creek Bay

After coming down off the mountain, we take an alternate trail down through the campground to the beach and bay.

Priest Lake State Park – Lionhead Unit

Next, we head further up the east side of the lake. My research of this area, showed only a long dirt road to access this area of the lake. But, the park system is in the process of expanding the Lionhead unit; so they have paved the road to make this area a lot more accessible.

After having lunch at the boat launch, we head down to the dock to take a look at Mosquito Bay.

Where we find a trail along the eastern lakeshore. So, of course we head down it to see what we can find. Which turns out to be a stone tub/kiddie pool and a hidden beach.

As well as some incredible views of the lake.

After picking up the truck, we drive around to the beach at the top of Mosquito Bay to get a view from there.

It’s wonderful to be able to easily reach the top of Priest Lake. That’s not something we expected to be able to do.

An Unplanned Viewpoint

On the way south we plan to stop at Hunt Creek Falls to check out what’s supposed to be a beautiful waterfall. But, Google maps takes us up the wrong road. We can hear the falls; but they’re definitely not visible from here. We do get an incredible view of Priest Lake though.

Hunt Creek Falls

After checking our maps, we find the correct road and ultimately reach the trailhead to Hunt Creek Falls.

After walking up a very short trail, we find the falls; and they’re as beautiful as we’ve been led to believe. You’ll have to decide for yourself.

Click here to experience this waterfall via our YouTube Channel.

Lake Views

It’s now time to head around the south side of the lake over to the western edge. Along the way we stop at a roadside pullout on the SE side.

Idaho Panhandle National Forest

Once reaching the west side of the lake, we head up through the Idaho Panhandle National Forest.

Luby Bay

We find a parking spot in the Luby Bay Day use area and head out for some pictures.

From here we take the Beach Trail north; which goes through different levels of forest and passes by some really nice private homes with long staircases leading down to private docks. We didn’t take any pictures of these homes to maintain their privacy.

Kalispell Bay

At the end of the trail we find Kalispell Bay…

…and the boat launch.

After spending a few minutes watching the boats come in and out, it’s time to head back down the trail.

Hill’s Resort

It’s been a long day and we’re hungry. So, on the recommendation from a couple we met on the boat tour last night, we head to Hill’s Resort for dinner. We’re early, so we’re lucky enough to be seated on the edge of the patio overlooking the marina.

The food was so-so; but the people watching more than made up for it.

Round Lake State Park

On our way from Sandpoint to our next location, we decide to stop at Round Lake State Park for lunch.

After parking in the day use area, we head down to the lake get a look around.

We then head out on the dock to get a better look at the lake.

On the way back to the truck, we see a trail leading through the forest around the lake. It’s still too early for lunch, so we decide to head part way down it.

After traveling down the path for a while we turn back at Cocolalla Creek by taking the trail along the north side of the creek, down to the lake, and then along the lake back to the beach.

What a lovely place to stop for lunch and spend some time exploring.

Next stop… Coeur d’Alene, ID – Bike Trails, Moose, & more